PhD Studentship: HORROR AND EXPLOITATION CINEMA BEYOND THE NATIONAL

FYI,

Dear colleagues,

With apologies for cross-posting, please see below for information about a PhD studentship at Northumbria University:HORROR AND EXPLOITATION CINEMA BEYOND THE NATIONAL.

The deadline for applicants is 20 January 2017, with a prospective start date of 2 October 2017.

The project is being considered for studentship funding in competition with other projects, available to applicants worldwide. The studentship includes a full stipend, paid for three years at RCUK rates for 2017/18 (this is yet to be set, in 2016/17 this is £14,296 pa) and fees (Home/EU £4,350 / International £13,000 / International Lab-based £16,000). Additionally, as Northumbria celebrates its 25th anniversary as a University and in line with our international outlook, some projects may also be offered to students from outside of the EU supported by a half-fee reduction.

Project Description

It has been commonplace within film scholarship to examine different horror and exploitation films principally in relation to their “primary country of production”. While a number of scholars have sought to rectify this issue by examining specific films in relation to a range of “transnational” elements, more needs to be done if we are to fully understand the ways that different horror and exploitation films (or their makers) have a) historically challenged notions of “the national” and b) still continue to do so to this day.
 It is the aim of this project to investigate horror and/or exploitation cinema in relation to more broader, cross-cultural and transnational factors, including the content of specific films themselves (i.e. the presence of various cultural inflections), and/or issues concerning contexts of production, distribution and exhibition. We are interested in receiving applications which address any historical context, from the beginnings of cinema to the present.

Possible topics include, but are by no means limited to, the following: 

·         Transnational cultural inflections within specific horror and/or exploitation films 

·         Industrial concerns such as production (including the phenomenon of the co-production), distribution and exhibition contexts. 

·         Horror/exploitation films beyond the West, e.g. from Asia, Africa. 

·         The marketing of “national” horror/exploitation films in other countries, e.g. the transnational distribution trajectories of “British” horror films in Europe, etc. 

·         Transnational horror/exploitation film cycles

·         Transnational horror/exploitation remakes and sequels

·         How new technologies have facilitated transnational processes (VHS, DVD, VoD, camcorders)

Based in the Department of Social Sciences, this PhD studentship builds upon the extensive research into horror and exploitation cinema already undertaken at Northumbria University. The department also houses the Popular Film and Television Collection, which includes film-related items ranging from trade magazines and production notes to promotional materials. The successful candidate will have full access to this material.

Eligibility and How to Apply

Please note eligibility requirement: 

·         Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement. 

·         Appropriate IELTS score, if required. 

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/

Please ensure you quote the advert reference above on your application form.

Deadline for applications: 20 January 2017
 Start Date: 2 October 2017

Northumbria University is an equal opportunities provider and in welcoming applications for studentships from all sectors of the community we strongly encourage applications from women and under-represented groups.

Informal enquires can be directed to johnny.walker@northumbria.ac.uk

Best wishes

Johnny

***

Dr Johnny Walker

Senior Lecturer in Media

Erasmus Lead

Department of Social Sciences and Languages

Northumbria University, Lipman 403b

Tel. (+ 44) 191 227 3920

Book out now: Contemporary British Horror Cinema

Founding co-editor of Global Exploitation Cinemas

Web. http://johnny-walker.org

  

Call for Papers: Symposium: Exploitation Cinema in the 21st Century

*Canterbury Christ Church University*

*Symposium: Exploitation Cinema in the 21^st Century.*

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*Event Date: June 9^th 2017*

*Deadline for proposals: 3^rd March 2017*

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*Keynote Speaker: Dr Johnny Walker, Northumbria University*


In relation to cinema, the term “exploitation” has been adopted by various individuals and institutions over time, from opportunistic film producers and marketers of the 1920s to contemporary online distributors releasing new films in the 21^st century. There is a current wave of exciting and productive scholarship on the historical developments of exploitation cinema, and its famous, and not so famous, films and filmmakers. But much of this research focuses on exploitation before the year 2000, with a particular focus up to and including the VHS era of the 1980s. Less research exists on the inflections of exploitation in the 21^st century, and the trends and developments that have taken place since the turn of the century. This one-day symposium seeks to shed new light on the embodiments of exploitation cinema since 2000, with particular emphasis on current waves and cycles, the way in which they are now consumed (such as online rather than in theatres), and which particular exploitation filmmakers stand out as being important in contemporary times.

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*Topics might include (but are not limited to);*

  * Analysis of single films
  * Studies of current waves or cycles of exploitation
  * Exploitation cinema from global national contexts (in particular
    from non-English speaking countries)
  * The re-emergence of old cycles since 2000 (Rape-Revenge, the Biker
    movie, etc.)
  * Individual filmmakers
  * New genres, sub-genres, and hybrids
  * High budget exploitation (such as that produced by Quentin Tarantino
    and Robert Rodriguez)
  * Patterns of exhibition and distribution
  * Studies of industrial models or modes
  * Exploitation studios (The Asylum etc.)
  * Exploitation online
  * Exploitation fandom and audiences

We invite proposals of up to *300 words* for *20 minute papers*, plus a short bio (up to 150 words) by *March 3^rd 2017*.


We also welcome video essays to be submitted with a 300 word proposal/150 word bio, sent to us by *March 3^rd 2017*. Final video submissions should be sent by *June 2^nd 2017* via Vimeo link. Video submissions should aim to be 10 minutes maximum running time.

All proposal (and any queries) should be sent to *Dr James Newton* at james.newton@canterbury.ac.uk<mailto:james.newton@canterbury.ac.uk>