University Daily Kansan, June 19, 1985
Page 7
From early 70s
Serling film fills gap in sci-fi zone
By Gina Kellogg Staff Reporter
Staff Reporter
James Gunn sits in a comfortable office setting, chatting amidly with Rod Redling, the host and creator of "The Twilight Zone" series. Sering fumbles as he tries to light a cigarette before their talk continues.
"Maybe this is an omen from God telling me to quit smoking," Serling says jokingly during an interview.
The interview, filmed 15 years ago, virtually had been forgotten. But Frank Bartell, electronic media coordinator for KU's office of university relations, noticed that the 16th anniversary of Serling's death prompted an apprehension. He remembered hearing of Gearing his interview with Serling.
"I thought some people might be interested," Bartell said Friday. He called Gunn, professor of English and director of the Center for the Study of Science Fiction at KU, about getting it finished and released
Gunn said he planned to complete production of the 18-minute interview, update it and release it this fall to be included in the Literature of Science Fiction Film Series, a filmed lecture series produced by the
might do something else with the Serling film besides include it in the film series.
Gunn said he and his colleagues
"If we did, though, we'd have to have a prologue and probably a new follow-up to cover science fiction on television since Sering's death,"
Gum said the film would be shown at the Science Fiction Research Association meeting later this month. He expects that more might be done with the film after the media begin to see it, he said.
Serling came to the University in the early 1970s to participate in a spring lecture series.
"I got hold of him when he arrived," Gunn said. "We had offered to see him, but I refused. If he would do the interview, and he was very obliged and said, 'Sure.'"
The interview was filmed in a studio in the old post office building at Seventh and New Hampshire streets, which housed educational education. Since then, the original film has been transferred to videotape.
Gunn said he thought that Sering's "The Twilight Zone" series and later his "Night Gallery" series were much closer to the spirit of the genre of science fiction than other television shows had been at that time.
James Gunn
"Sering was a writer and knew science fiction and had read it and liked it, unlike many people in film and television who had worked with it," Gunn said. "He had a great deal of respect for the written word."
In the interview, Serling described himself as an aficionado of science fiction.
"I don't know it all," he said. "I can adapt science fiction, I think, quite adequately, but I can't create it on the original level."
Sering said he looked for stories with manipulative plots that could be easily told for "The Twilight Zone." He wanted stories that did not demand a lot of elaborate special effects.
"We can do marvelous interior of spaceships, but we couldn't begin to do '2001: A Space Odyssey,'" he said.
"I think the networks have traditionally, and almost ritualistically, shortchanged the science fiction audience both qualitatively and quantitatively." Serling said. "I don't think they have given the proper respect to science fiction as a legitimate area of literary attempt."
Gunn, who has written 18 science fiction novels, also agreed that television and movies are inadequate for the genre.
Theatre profs search Hollywood for funds
By Carol Stephenson Staff Recorder
Staff Reporter
"Students will be equipped not only for the stage but also for work in any of the other media such as television and films." Patton said.
Three faculty members turned from the plains of Kansas to the glitter of Hollywood in May to solicit support for a new theatre and media arts program.
Bobby Patton, chairman of the division of communication and theatre, Jack Wright, artistic director for the University Theatre, and Chuck Berg, associate professor of theatre and media arts, traveled to California to get financial backing for the program from KU alumni.
The department of theatre decided to merge with the department of radio, television and film after receiving reports from students and former students of having to adjust quickly from stage to television. Pat was also approved. The merger was approved in December 1984 by the Board of Regents.
This change has led to the re-examination of the courses in the two programs to allow the incorporation of instruction in film with already existing theatre courses in acting, directing, lighting, costuming, scenery, criticism and technical production. Patton said.
A theatre and media arts advisory committee had been formed to assist
"If you want to make a living in this business you might as well get the training for all." Bobby Patton Chairman, division of communication and theatre
in decisions about obtaining equipment for the new department. The committee consists of KU alumni who are interested in the program and who are willing to help raise money to replace outdated and irreparable media equipment, Wright said.
"We're hoping to secure $30,000 worth of equipment based upon donations from our alumni." Patton said.
Patton said this was the first comprehensive program in theatre and media arts in the country. He said he would draw more students to the KU.
Already he said, the new program has generated interest among KU students. More than 1,000 students have been the newly combined courses for fall.
"If you want to make a living in this business you might as well get the training for all." Patton said.
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