Dramatic Distractions: How We Use Fantasy Films to Escape Reality

How many of us have flicked on Netflix or headed to the local cineplex after a stressful week? Why are movies so good at helping us forget our troubles and immerse into another world for a few hours? This talk will explore the ways that film has functioned as escapist entertainment for generations and will take a deeper dive into those particular genres that really sweep us away: science fiction, magical realism, and fantasy. Join us for 45 minutes of wizards, aliens, creatures and most of all, a break from the real world for a bit!
About the Speaker: Dr. Rachel Schaevitz is currently Communications Lead for the global nonprofit Oxfam New Zealand. She was a former UNC-Chapel Hill film scholar and Carolina Public Humanities Associate Director for State Outreach & Community College Collaborations. During her CPH work she created several popular program series and started a robust outreach initiative at community colleges across North Carolina including Wayne Community College. Dr. Schaevitz received her BFA in Film Production from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, her MFA in Film Studies from Boston University, and earned her PhD in Media and Communication from Temple University. She has worked on set, in the art department of several feature films, and on the production side for major studios including licensing for the Lord of the Rings trilogy.