BOX OFFICE GROSS -- A year after There's Something About Mary pioneered new hair-gel technology, the summer of 1999 has continued the toilet trend with a spate of films packing an offensive wallop. From Big Daddy's public urination to American Pie's teen-pastry relations, from South Park's cartoon flatulence to Austin Powers's nude romps, crudity seems to reign. But as Temple University culturologist Ben Urish points out, complaints about the base nature of American pop culture date back to Charlie Chaplin, the Keystone Cops, and the Three Stooges. He sees a link between the recent scatological shenanigans and the rise of body piercing and tattooing, as well as the personal-fitness and plastic-surgery revolutions. "It's as if the body and what it does is the one area we hope or assume we have some control over," Urish says. "At work, in school, in our relationships, maybe we don't have that much control. The body is the last personal frontier as well as the last for
IF A FILM...er, TREE, FALLS IN A FOREST...: -- Getting their work screened--and seen--by bigger audiences may be less of a problem for independent filmmakers, now that Amazon.com, the Internet retailer, has announced it will market "indies" online. "It's a whole new venue and a new route for grassroots filmmakers to take in finding an audience to view their work," says Professor Jeanne Allen of Temple's film and media arts department, a program that draws many students with an interest in documentary and independent film. "I want students coming into my classes seeing something other than 'Titanic,' and there aren't a lot of venues for viewing independent film. Our students get excited about the work of Greek filmmaker Theo Angelopoulos, and the Iranian director Kiarostami, but there can be a three- to five-year gap between a film winning at Cannes or Toronto and showing up on video store shelves," Allen says. Reach Dr. Allen through the News Bureau.
DEVELOPING ACE COMMUNICATORS -- Ten adults with significant speech disabilities will raise up their voices as they learn to communicate using computer technology during the 12th annual ACES Summer Institute July 19-30 on Temple's Main Campus. In addition to attending intensive computer classes on how to master their high-tech voice output systems, participants also will discuss issues like making friends using assistive technology, interfacing their technology with the Internet, troubleshooting equipment problems, and living independently. "Simply providing someone with a communication disability with a means of speaking doesn't address how they will use it to make a difference in their lives," says Kevin Cohen, co-coordinator of the ACES program, which is presented by the University's Institute on Disabilities. "At ACES we provide classes which examine those kinds of issues." The goal of ACES is to help participants develop a "social, literal and political voice" and many classes
This Week at Temple . . .
Thursday, July 22, 2-5 p.m.: CLASS OF '99 JOB SEARCH SEMINAR -- For Temple's newest grads who may have not yet launched their careers, the Office of Career Development Services will offer basic job search strategies, and the motivation to pursue them. A panel of employers representing government, education, non profits, technology and the corporate sector will also provide tips on career opportunities. (Board Room, Mitten Hall, Broad St. at Berks Mall)
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VISIT THE NEWS BUREAU'S WEB SITE: http://www.temple.edu/news_bureau/
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