Filmmaker to speak on campus today

Though his name may not be familiar to many students, filmmaker Albert Maysles's Oscar nomination and pair of Emmy statuettes were more than enough for the department of telecommunication and film to jump at the chance to have him speak at the University.

And indeed, Maysles, whose accolades also include awards from the American Society of Cinematographers and the International Documentary Association, will be speaking today at 11 a.m. in 216 Reese Phifer Hall. The event is free and open to the public and is co-sponsored by the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility.

Assistant TCF professor Aaron Greer said he would encourage any student to come to the event, "whether you know his films or not, or whether you're a filmmaking student or you're not.''

"He's been making films for 50 years," Greer said, "including some award-winning and Oscar nominated works."

While Maysles will discuss his extensive body of work, which includes his Rolling Stones documentary "Gimme Shelter" along with his other award-winning works, Greer said Maysles will also discuss "how documentary films have changed over the years."

Maysles will be speaking about the current wave of behind-the-scenes documentaries that run rampant on television, many of which are similar to the type Maysles has been making for many years, as well as his thoughts on reality television as possibly being a legitimate documentary form.

The event will not be a simple lecture from Maysles, though. There will also be a question and answer element involved.

"There'll be some time, at the end of it, to open up for questions for

the audience," Greer said.

Greer added that it will be easy for students who do not have 11 a.m. classes to attend the event, because it will not last longer than a typical one hour class period.

Getting Maysles to come to the University was merely a case of "taking advantage of an opportunity," Greer said. He said Maysles was planning to visit Birmingham, and Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility director Stephen Black was able to convince him to take a "side trip."

"Obviously, the TCF department was thrilled," Greer said.

In addition to the main event, Maysles will also be speaking to CESR's Documenting Justice class this morning.

Greer said this event is one students will not want to miss, because it is not often that a filmmaker of Maysles' stature and experience comes to the University. He also said students can learn a lot about more than just the past by listening to Maysles; his lessons can also be applied to those hoping to enter the industry in the near future, because he continues to work to this day.

"Even though he's a veteran filmmaker, [and] he's been around for a while," Greer said, "he continues to make films."