Capturing Student Imagination for Filmmaking

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Russell Sharman

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Let's say you completed your doctorate in anthropology and then, after unexpectedly selling a movie script, decided to pursue your first love of filmmaking and went off to Hollywood to write movies.

That's probably the end of your academic career, right? Not if you're Russell Sharman.  

In this new episode of Short Talks From the Hill, a research podcast of the University of Arkansas, Sharman, assistant professor of practice in the Department of Communication, discusses how he went from earning a doctorate in anthropology to teaching film studies courses. He also talks about his new open-source textbook on film and his recent short film, Animal.

"One of the exciting things about teaching at the University of Arkansas in communication, and specifically film studies, is capturing students' attention and imagination for a career in film," Sharman says in the podcast. "Part of the impetus to do this, as well, was to try and breathe some life into the local filmmaking industry. It's a fledgling industry, but it's definitely alive and well, and we're seeing more and more professional productions come to Northwest Arkansas."

In addition to teaching, Sharman is a writer, filmmaker and anthropologist. He's worked as a writer for several studios and production companies and created several award-winning short films and documentaries, the most recent, Animal. Sharman also serves as executive director of the Fayetteville Film Festival. 

To listen to Sharman discuss his career, go to ResearchFrontiers.uark.edu, the home of research news at the University of Arkansas, or visit the "On Air" and "Programs" link at KUAF.com.

Short Talks From the Hill highlights research, scholarly work, and creative activity at the University of Arkansas. Each segment features a university a faculty member discussing his or her work. Previous podcasts can be found under the 'Short Talks From the Hill' link at ResearchFrontiers.uark.edu.

Thank you for listening!

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among fewer than 3 percent of colleges and universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.