In a message dated 8/18/02 3:04:23 PM, [log in to unmask] writes: << Currently, historicism and cultural studies hold pride of place in the humanities. Theorists are lucky if they can find a place in their institutions curriculum for a serious class on semiotics, for example. >> Frankly, I didn't even know this -- my own inadequacies in theory made me fear the worst. At the same time, I believe that the REAL threats to film scholarship: 1) lack of tenure for many academic positions being offered these days 2) the slashing of funds for 16mm/35mm exhibition both in film studies and film societies 3) the abysmal sale of film books even of those with "mass" appeal 4) the number of important, truly "art" films that are not available in the US and the lack of coverage by the press when they are released 5) the enormous amount of avant garde and documentary films that will be "lost" due to new technologies like DVD 6) The number of film professors who don't travel to local film festivals like Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto or Vancouver (and many, many more around the country) to see what's out there; know how to thread a projector; know what's on TCM and watches them; disdains Cinefest, Cinecon (this Labor Day weekend in Los Angeles) and Cinevent -- or worse, know about them 7) The dismal number in video/DVD sales for important foreign and silent releases by the colleges and schools (public library sales are far better, believe it or not) are far bigger threats than Jeremy. Sorry for being so blunt, and obviously there are many of you out there who don't fit the above description, but I have to go back to proofing royalty statements to producers, and "accounting" always puts me in a harsh mood... Dennis Doros Milestone Film & Video PO Box 128 Harrington Park, NJ 07640 Phone: (800) 603-1104 or (201) 767-3117 Fax: (201) 767-3035 Email: [log in to unmask] www.milestonefilms.com ---- To sign off Screen-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF Screen-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]