How do you define a horror movie? How do horror aesthetics amplify a film’s overall message in ways that another genre could not?
In this introductory horror studies workshop, you will learn how to identify elements of 21st century horror cinema (e.g., tropes, object placement, color palette). Participants are encouraged to share their favorites and not-so-favorite horror films and how they relate to these elements. At its core, this workshop will help students to critically “read” a horror film and evaluate its thematic components.
Jessica Wawra holds a M.A. in Aesthetics & Politics from California Institute of the Arts. Her research and thesis focused on Phantasmagoria Nova: Meta Friction, Upheaval, and Apocalypse in/of Post-Millennial Cinematic Horror. In addition, she held a graduate research & teaching assistantship and completed her program as a Lillian Disney Scholar. Wawra was granted a curatorial/critical studies residency at Hauser & Wirth, Los Angeles in 2019 (“Extensions of Horror”) and continues to work on projects related to post-millennial phantasmagoric horror.
Throughout her career, Jessica has been drawn to the intersection of art and social justice. Her writing and research challenges social inequities and oppressive power structures, and investigates human interactions in the public sphere. Through critical explorations of art, community, and context, Jessica seeks ways to foster dynamic discourse and elevate underrepresented populations.
Outside scholarly endeavors, Jessica and her husband enjoy watching sci-fi / horror / fantasy shows and taking their dog, Selkie, on walks in the foothills.
All of our workshops are held over Zoom.
You will receive an email 30 minutes before the workshop begins with the link to join the Zoom meeting. We highly recommend you to create a Zoom account prior to class.
If you do not see the Zoom link in your inbox 30 minutes before the workshop, PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM / JUNK MAIL!
For answers to more FAQ, please click here.