|
| |
Brandeis University
Office of Alumni Relations
Mailstop 124
P.O. Box 549110
415 South Street
Waltham, MA 02454-9110
781-736-4100
800-333-1948
781-736-4101 FAX
office@alumni.brandeis.edu
Page updated: 05/16/06
|
|
|
|
Alumni College 2002: Shaping the Future
Friday, June 7, 2002
Class IV
3:00 - 4:30 pm
Mass Appeal: The Cultural Hypnosis of Popular
Culture
Steve Vineberg '72, Professor of Theater, Holy Cross
University
Arnie Reisman '64, writer/producer/performer working in
commercial and public TV, corporate video, journalism and film, and Brandeis
University lecturer
Michael Murray, Blanche, Barbara, and Irving
Laurie Adjunct Professor of
Theater and Director of Theater Arts Program, Brandeis University
Popular culture is, by its nature, for the masses, but the elimination of
competition by media conglomerates and the evolution of the sound bite have
changed the nature of entertainment. The so-called "dumbing down of Broadway" is
applicable in numerous other arenas as our heroes become athletes and movie
stars rather than great thinkers and statesmen. Must theater, television, and
even educational institutions play to the lowest common denominator in order to
survive? The panelists engaged the attendees in a discussion about the present
state and the future direction of media and the Arts. Please note that Sam
Weisman, M.F.A. '73, was originally scheduled to take part in this panel and was
unable to attend at the last moment. A special thank you to Steve Vineberg '72
who stepped in to help.
|
|
