...Explained!

To most people, YouTube's the home of food reviews, reaction videos, movie trailers, game walkthroughs and how-to advice. Plus, of course, the content creators – though even household names like Mr Beast or KSI are a long way from Hollywood.

Or are they? Over the past few years, we’ve seen movies such as Talk to Me, Backrooms and Obsession capture the headlines, outperforming big-budget blockbusters and acclaimed directors. And what links those films? Their directors – Danny and Michael Philippou, Kane Parsons and Curry Barker are all, of course, YouTubers.

In the first episode of ...explained! season three, shiny new host Matt talks to Dr Adam Vaughan from our film and TV courses, and asks: what’s behind this flurry of creative success? Is it something about the people, the platform, the ideas? Is it a sign that Hollywood’s waking up to the potential of a new pool of creativity? Or is it just a one-off, an unusual coincidence before we go back to business as usual?

Find out more about our film and TV courses at https://www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/film-tv-and-media

Over the last decade or so, developing technology in the film and TV industry has allowed for the creation of increasingly photorealistic CG characters in live action - including the digital resurrection of deceased actors. But in the last couple of years, the impact of AI has accelerated that process substantially, seemingly making it easier than ever to bring yesterday’s stars back to life. But... how does it work? And what does the industry think about it?

In this episode, we’re exploring digital actors – the technology, the ethics, and what comes next - with Solent's course leader for CGI and VFX, Dr Ken Pitts.

Find out more about our CGI and VFX courses at www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/digital-arts-animation-games-and-vfx

The best-selling novelist of all time, Agatha Christie continues to draw readers in. No matter how much time passes since Christie's last novel, books keep selling while TV and film adaptations abound.

So, in this episode of Southampton Solent University's ...explained! podcast, leading Agatha Christie historian, Dr Mark Aldridge is on hand to answer why. An Associate Professor of Screen Histories at Solent, Mark is also the award-winning author of non-fiction novels exploring the life and work of Christie.

From the novelist's own mysterious life to the enduring appeal of her characters, this episode is a deep dive into everything Agatha Christie.

Trigger warning: this episode contains references to body image, body weight and cosmetic surgery.

The beauty industry is booming, but is our consumption of it always good for us? In this episode of Southampton Solent University's ...explained! podcast, Lecturer in Makeup and Hair Design, Charlotte Logue dives into the complex world of beauty standards.

Learn more about Southampton Solent University's courses in fashion, makeup and prosthetics at https://www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/fas...

The maritime industry is as big a business as you can get and, right here in Southampton, it contributes a whopping £2.5bn to the UK economy. But, like every industry, there are challenges to be navigated. From a skills shortage to the climate crisis, the maritime industry is facing a moment of opportunity and obligation – as explored during this year’s World Maritime Day.

In the first episode of …Explained! season two, Robyn is joined by Martin Greenslade – a ship-handling lecturer at Warsash Maritime School who has spent three decades in the industry. He talks digital innovation, the reactive nature of maritime, and what opportunities might lay ahead.

Find out more about Southampton Solent University’s Warsash Maritme School over at maritime.solent.ac.uk

By 2032, the live events industry – music festivals, sports, concerts and gigs – is estimated to reach a value of $1.2trillion. But while those of us in the audience just see a slick, well-polished show, there’s a vast amount of work going on just out of sight, and huge numbers of people working with the latest technology bring it to life.  

While Covid-19 saw an exodus among highly skilled professionals, the industry is now on the up. So, what are the skills needed to deliver the best experience, both to the live audience and to watchers at home – and how can we make sure the industry has the people it needs? 

For this final episode of ...explained! series one, Robyn's talking to Solent’s Deputy Head of Film and Media, Lee Davison, about the appeal of live events in the digital streaming age, the work that goes on behind the scenes, and the technology that's helping bring events to life in new and exciting ways.

Interested to learn more about working in live events? Check out our live events tech degree, or our wider range of media courses

When we think of fashion, there are few events that spark the kind of fervour that comes with the Met Gala. First introduced in 1948 as a fundraiser for New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, the gala brings together the biggest names in the creative industries, promising iconic looks and a whole lot of reaction. This year’s event took place on Monday 5 May, and there’s a lot to unpack. But beyond the outfits, why does the Met Gala matter? 

In this episode Robyn's joined by fashion lecturer Sasha Halsey and contextual studies for fashion lecturer Dr Marianne Damoiseau, to talk about the gala's history, enduring global popularity and how its famous guests interpreted this year’s theme.

For a glance at some of the looks from this year's event reference in this episode, Sasha recommends The Sanxtuary's breakdown - "And now, we're seen": a discussion of Black elegance, power and protest at the Met Gala 2025

And to find out more about the fabulous range of fashion courses at Solent, visit www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/fashion-make-up-and-prosthetics

The care we receive in our most vulnerable moments is what shapes our experiences of healthcare. A huge chunk of that care is delivered by a nurse, yet their role often flies under the radar. 

In this episode Robyn's joined by Solent’s Simulated Learning Nursing Lead, Joelle Salje, to explore the vital role of nursing, take a look back at the history of the profession, and discuss what it means to be a nurse in 2025.

Interested in learning more about nursing at Solent? You can check out our nursing and other medical courses at www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/health-and-medical-science

The maritime industry might not be something you think about, much, but it’s huge ... and it’s essential infrastructure for modern life. Shipping is the backbone of modern trade, transporting 90% of the world’s commodities... cars, TVs, food; you name it, it’s been in a shipping container somewhere along its way to you. 

But the industry is also a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and it’s growing. So what can we do to make maritime better for the environment?

Robyn's having a break this week, so faceless producer turned temporary host Martin is joined by Professor Laurie Wright, Associate Professor of Marine Sustainability and Director of Solent’s specialist Centre for Marine Sustainability to take a look at the world of maritime and shipping, and ask – what can we do, and what’s being done, to turn maritime green?

Like what you heard? You can find out more about our maritime sustainability research at our Centre for Marine Sustainability page, and our maritime business, cadetships and professional training courses at maritime.solent.ac.uk

Sampling has always been in use within the music industry, and it’s a rare song that doesn’t owe something to the artists who came before... but in recent years we’ve seen an influx of headlines centred on plagiarism lawsuits – often involving some of the biggest stars. 

So what's that about? Is music getting more derivative? Is the industry getting more litigious? To help uncover the answers, Robyn's joined by Dr Chris Anderton (Associate Professor in Cultural Economy) and James Hannam (Course Leader for Music Business and Event Management).

Together they'll discuss the difference between sampling, plagiarism and interpolation, look at the legal underpinnings of music rights and how that's affected high profile plagiarism cases in recent years, and explore the potential effects on artists' success and creativity. And, as always on ...Explained!, what might the future look like?

If you love music and the music business, take a look at our specialist courses - you can find out more at https://www.solent.ac.uk/subjects/music-and-performing-arts

Want to open your ears to some of the most famous samples in music (and some that might surprise you)? James and Chris have put together a Spotify playlist of tracks - alongside the songs they're sampling - at https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2FAd4wiEefcQdqY3tO3p3d. Anything missing? Let us know!