UC Santa Barbara (Audio)

Moderator Matt Ryan joined screenwriter/co-producer Christina Hodson in a conversation about the chaotic, funny, action-packed movie Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). This discussion explored the transformation of the story from the Birds of Prey comics to the screen, as well as the major themes of emancipation, independence, and finding your own path. Christina Hodson offered an inside look at the narrative, characters, and character relationships within the film. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36614]

Moderator Cheri Steinkellner joined writer/actor George McGrath (Globey/Pterri/Cowntess/Fish) and artist/designer/puppeteer Wayne White (Dirty Dog/Randy/Mr. Kite), as well as writer Bill Steinkellner in a conversation about the iconic Saturday morning television program Pee-wee's Playhouse. This freewheeling discussion explored the radical visual style, origins, and enduring legacy of the franchise that centered around the subversive and bizarre Pee-wee Herman character. The panelists offered an inside look at their involvement with the show and the lasting impacts that their work with Paul Reubens had on their lives and careers. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36600]

Professor Maggie Hennefeld talks about the subversive nature of Charlie Chaplin’s famous WWII satire in this Q&A for The Great Dictator. Hennefeld also examines the debate over the effectiveness of its deployment of comedy to critique the cruelty of fascism. Alongside moderator Miguel Penabella, Hennefeld invites us to think about the controversiality of this film for its time and how it compares to our understanding of the film in the present day. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36601]

Moderator Alexandra Noi joins author Paul Gregory and director Marianna Yarovskaya in this Q&A for a discussion about their inspiring collaboration on Women of the Gulag. This book and documentary traverse the stories of the victims and survivors of the Gulag, demonstrating the resilience, suffering, and silencing of the women who lived under Stalins dictatorship. The conversation between Gregory, Yarovskaya, and Noi gives insight to their involvement with the project, the difficulties of telling a true story that is widely unknown, and the ways in which a wide scope of reception heightened awareness for patriarchy, violence, and inequality. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36603]

Writer, director, and musician Boots Riley talks about labor politics, surrealism, and hip-hop music in this Q&A for his 2018 subversive comedy Sorry to Bother You. Boots’ dedication to a lifetime of activism and storytelling lent itself to his insightful commentary about the social relevance and ideological impact of his film. Alongside moderator Miguel Penabella, Boots takes us into his mind and shows us the importance of standing up for yourself and others in the face of adversity. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36548]

Co-directors/producers Jim Lebrecht and Nicole Newnham talk about their award-winning film, Crip Camp, giving insight to the disability revolution in America. This film tells a story of Camp Jened and offers a unique perspective on equality. Lebrecht and Newnham discuss their initial involvement with the project and the way that it has impacted their lives as well as millions of viewers. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36556]

Tobias Höllerer is Professor in Computer Science at UCSB. He looks at human/computer interaction. He explains the work in the Four Eyes Lab - which looks at imaging, interaction and innovative interfaces. He says for humans to stay in control we need to understand technology and humans and have the goal of improving humanity. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Science] [Show ID: 36517]

Kate McDonald helps make sense of human power in the age of the machine. She thinks about the future of human power by rethinking the past and present of transport systems. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Humanities] [Business] [Show ID: 36515]

Benjamin Cohen is a specialist in international political economy and international relations. He explores the core issue of tension between collective need for a smoothly functioning monetary system and the potentially adversarial interests of individual governments. He explores how currencies compete and why people look for substitutions. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Business] [Show ID: 36516]

Michael Goard investigates the neural circuitry underlying our ability to perceive and navigate through the external world. In this talk he looks at the link between biology and cognition and the tools that have been developed to study neural circuits. Goard is in the departments of Molecular, cellular and Developmental Biology and Psychology & Brain Science at UC Santa Barbara. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Science] [Show ID: 36514]