We all know we’re going to die one day, but we’d rather not think about that. Instead, we self-improve, plan our careers, chase money, and seek validation, striving to become something or someone of importance. We make these “hero projects” our life’s work as we avoid the more difficult task of grappling with our own mortality. And we raise our children to do the same. That is the central thesis behind All Illusions Must Be Broken, a documentary film essay that invites reflection on the meaning of our lives, and the truths—or lies—we tell ourselves. On Feb. 18, CSUDH’s Hollywood by the Horns and Philosophy Department hosted a screening of the film and discussion with Jef Sewell, who ... Read More
Film
Passion, Drive at Heart of Women in Comedy
“Having stories to tell is your sustenance—that’s what pushes through the breaking points.” So said screenwriter, actor, and director Lake Bell, who moderated “Women in Comedy” on Oct. 7 for an audience of students, faculty, and staff. Presented by the Women’s Studies Department and Hollywood by the Horns, the event brought prominent comedy creators and performers to CSUDH to discuss their triumphs and setbacks in the entertainment industry. In addition to Bell, the panel included screenwriter and producer Nicole Jefferson Asher, comedy writer and stand-up comic Erin Foley, playwright and TV writer Janine Nabers, and actor and comedian Michaela Watkins. Among the themes discussed ... Read More
CSUDH Alum’s Student Film Becomes Award-Winning Documentary
When Johnny Gonzales was a student in CSUDH's Television Arts program, the topic for his student film was an easy choice. An aspiring water photographer, he decided to focus his lens on his intrepid colleagues who spent their days in the ocean, shooting action shots of surfers and bodyboarders. “I really wanted to tell their story,” says Gonzales. “Most people don't quite get it–they have no idea what goes into getting great surf photos, and what it takes to get the perfect shot. I feel like water photographers are the unsung heroes of the surfing world.” The resulting 9-minute student film, “Surf Photography: The Watermen,” produced with fellow students Jon Domingo and Cynthia ... Read More
