UC Santa Barbara (Audio)

Dr. B.S. Manjunath, distinguished professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at UC Santa Barbara, discusses the use of computer video technology to assist with visual analysis of issues like human stress and disease, methane gas release, and underwater mapping. He also discusses what we know about human vision, how it works compared to how computer vision works. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Science] [Show ID: 37871]

Dr. Susan Cassels, Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at UC Santa Barbara, and a research associate with the Broom Center for Demography discusses the latest thinking on HIV interventions. Her research focuses on the study of topics related to health geography, demography, and infectious disease epidemiology. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 37873]

Dr. Javier Birchenall, associate professor of Economics at UC Santa Barbara, discussed the impact of disease for long-run economic development, the interaction between population and the economy, and the labor market. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Public Affairs] [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 37870]

Eric Roth, screenwriter of Dune, discusses the film with moderator Matt Ryan. Roth talks about how he tackled adapting Frank Herbert’s novel to the screen, and his collaboration with director Denis Villeneuve. He also talks about various details of his process, such as how he approached portraying the characters of Paul and Lady Jessica, and bringing the world of Dune to life with his portrayal of the Fremen and the sandworms. Roth elaborates on working with the Herbert family early on to make sure that the legacy of the novels was properly respected. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37862]

Dr. Simon Todd, assistant professor in the Department of Linguistics at UC Santa Barbara, talks about what you can learn simply by listening. His research focuses on the incredible power of passive listening for developing and accessing knowledge about language varieties and the people that speak them. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37872]

Dr. Todd Oakley, evolutionary biologist and professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology at UC Santa Barbara, discusses his research on the evolutionary origins of complex features, like eyes, bioluminescence, and nervous systems. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Science] [Show ID: 37868]

Moderator Matt Ryan spoke with Maria Schrader about her film "I’m Your Man," which she directed and co-wrote and is now Germany’s submission for the international film category for the 2022 Academy Awards. The film focuses on Alma, a researcher who is chosen to test a humanoid robot named Tom, who is programmed to be the perfect partner for her. Schrader discussed the exciting and challenging aspects of writing such an unconventional romance story, as well as the process of directing lead actors Maren Eggert and Dan Stevens through the film’s comedic, intimate, and emotional scenes. In response to some questions from the audience, Schrader shared insights on themes of memory and anthropology throughout the film, as well as her own inspirations for filmmaking and screenwriting. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37681]

Destin Daniel Cretton, director and co-writer of Marvel’s Shang-Chi, answered questions about the film from moderator Matt Ryan. Cretton discussed a wide range of topics, including the casting of legendary actors Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh, as well as the intense physical training and emotionally complex performances required of cast members Simu Liu and Meng’er Zhang. He also talked about some of his favorite elements of the film, including the rich familial themes that drive the story. Cretton elaborated on the influences behind his decisions to incorporate complex ideas such as grief and the family dynamics of Asian households, and how these allowed for an unconventional relationship between the film’s hero and villain. He also commented on the importance of Asian representation in the film, and how important it was to portray realistic Asian and Asian American perspectives through its characters. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37683]

A panel consisting of UCSB faculty Lisa Parks, Jean Beaman, and France Winddance Twine discusses the sociological impacts of Netflix’s Lupin. Beaman and Twine dive into the show’s political relevance, handling of representation, and nuanced portrayal of Paris, all of which work to make the show such an effective critique of state power. Each guest brings their own unique background and specialization to contribute thoughtful perspectives on the global dimensions of the show’s political commentary. The discussions on race and representation are of key importance for this panel and make for an important conversation about the film and television industry in general. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37682]

Moderator Wendy Eley Jackson speaks with Gareth Crocker about his film-making process for the South African television show, Shadow. Crocker discusses various elements of the series, including his decision to shoot in his hometown of Johannesburg to lend authenticity to location, the process of collaborative writing with his friend and co-creator, seeking feedback from diverse voices to craft genuine characters, and acknowledging the room for growth. He also spoke on internet bandwidth issues in some parts of the country and the accessibility of Netflix. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37611]