For those who think that film noir is dead, Richard Edwards says think again.
Edwards, who is lead instructional designer at the Integrated Learning Institute, is one of the nation's top experts on film noir studies.
Defining the term "film noir" has been a subject of debate for many years, but in general, noir films are from the early 1940's until the late 1950's that have darker themes, non-conventional actors and low-key black-and-white lightening.
Scholars have been studying film noir for 60 years, and while films are an excellent way to measure cultural change, Edwards said the benefits are not just of historical nature, but relate directly to today.
"Noir is a way to understand the world," Edwards said. "I want to share how noir films can help people understand the world they live in."
Far from being an old-fashioned method of filmmaking, noir style is making resurgence in modern media. TV shows such as "Breaking Bad" and "Justified" and video game "L.A. Noire" are examples of the style making its way back into today's entertainment.
"The [new] Batman films are modern film noir - "Batman Begins," "The Dark Knight," Edwards said. "The noir style lives."
Edwards is not currently teaching, but telecommunication faculty member Robert Mugge said he looks forward to the possibility of Edwards joining the department as an educator. Mugge invited Edwards to give a special presentation about film noir to his class after hearing about his expertise.
"His shot-by-shot explication of the film, using a series of still films specially organized and projected from his laptop, has, for me, been the pivotal event of the course thus far," Mugge said. "I look forward to the possibility that, in the future, the two of us can teach the same course together."
Even though he's not teaching about film noir, Edwards said the work he does at the Integrated Learning Institute ties in directly with his studies of the style.
"I have always had an interest in culture change and new technology," he said. "Film noir was the most innovative style of its time. Film noir was pushing what could happen in film at the time. Digital learning is pushing what can happen in education."
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