SJSU Department of Film and Theatre

02/07/2022

The milestones of women of color in popular music and culture are often celebrated. Yet, in both the music industry and in scholarly studies, little attention is paid to what women of color think about the state of popular music and culture; the impact popular images and tropes have on their everyday lives; and the possibilities for in*******al exchange and political mobilization.

tinyurl.com/listendifferently

“Listen Differently: Black Feminism, Music, and Popular Culture” prioritizes Black feminist thought and criticism in the Arts and Humanities by welcoming one of its most powerful practitioners—Dr. Tricia Rose—to the SJSU campus for a keynote address and conversation with Bay Area hip hop artist and journalist, Rocky Rivera.

Dr. Tricia Rose is an internationally-respected scholar of post Civil Rights era Black U.S. culture, popular music, social issues, gender, and sexuality. Her first book, "Black Noise: Rap Music and Black Culture in Contemporary America" laid the intellectual foundations for Hip Hop Studies. In 2008, Dr. Rose returned to hip hop to challenge the field she helped found, with "The Hip Hop Wars: What We Talk About When We Talk About Hip-Hop-And Why It Matters."

Following her keynote, Dr. Rose will join in conversation with Bay Area independent hip hop artist and journalist Rocky Rivera. Their conversation will focus on addressing the lines between cultural appreciation and appropriation, along with the possibilities for social and political alliances within hip hop music and culture for women of color. Rocky will also perform songs from her latest album, "Rocky’s Revenge."

06/09/2020

Black Lives Matter. The Department of Film and Theatre, Spartan Film Studios and 90.5 KSJS stand in solidarity with our Black brothers and sisters. Change and justice are long overdue.

Whatever a human feels, people do not deserve to die. This is indisputable. Yet the history and existence of systemic racism in America have made it clear that not all people extend this respect to certain people. People are comfortable in telling others to “just act right,” or that their expressions of suffering are invalid. Unfortunately, Black communities are all-too-familiar with this racist invalidation and the brutal inequality that comes with it.

It is time to turn the corner. And when it comes to race, there are many corners to turn. It’s going to take drastic measures, and it’s going to take alliance-building, but change is necessary. And while it will not be easy, this last week has shown us that it is not impossible. Our voices will not be silenced.

In the Department of Film and Theatre, we tell stories that need to be told. Through acting, directing, producing, writing, editing, cinematography, designing, lighting, sound, rigging, costume, makeup, music and more: We tell stories.

Especially in this department, at San Jose State University — whether it’s proudly blaring local underrepresented artists through the airwaves of KSJS, or it’s creating and passionately presenting original theatre and film that sheds light on both the struggles and the successes of people our society brushes aside — we believe in uplifting voices that too often go unheard.

If we don’t tell our stories, no one else will. We need to unite as immigrants, LGBTQIA+, as people of color, as white allies, as poor and working-class people, and as people of different religious beliefs and backgrounds. We need to show our Black community that we love you, and that we stand with you. Not just in this moment, but always.

Nothing is more powerful than seeing your own language, your own power, your own people on screen and on stage. Some of us have had that privilege more than others.

We have the chance and the tools to tell our stories, and if our stories have already been told, we have the opportunity to advance stories that are often absent in arts and in society. Let’s create unapologetically. Let’s tell our own stories our own way. Let’s choose love. Let’s choose action. Despite the hatred and how hard it will be, let’s trust the world so the world trusts us. Our staff and faculty are all thinking of ways to help our students continue to tell stories powerfully, productively and safely, and we invite our students to share their thoughts, feelings and ideas with us as well.

Dear students, you are the future. You inspire us with all that you constantly teach us. Whether you’re protesting, or signing petitions, or donating, or sending letters to your representatives, or having uncomfortable conversations with family and friends, or sharing social media, or educating yourself, or doing any combination of the aforementioned activities: continue on, as justice will prevail.

And never, ever stop sharing your stories.

We stand with you, and we proudly assert: Black Lives Matter.

To find resources and petitions, please visit https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/?fbclid=IwAR29UAUOj9tDxqV0hRk2AejBAJun9mgISOyGtp_lrXufNMsD5JRtpCDr42Y.

05/22/2020

Today is the day we celebrate our Film and Theatre grads at our virtual convocation! We are so proud of everything these storytellers have accomplished at , and we cannot wait to see all they achieve in the future. Congrats, Class of 2020! (Part 3 of 3)

05/22/2020

Today is the day we celebrate our Film and Theatre grads at our virtual convocation! We are so proud of everything these storytellers have accomplished at , and we cannot wait to see all they achieve in the future. Congrats, Class of 2020! (Part 2 of 3)

05/22/2020

Today is the day we celebrate our Film and Theatre grads at our virtual convocation! We are so proud of everything these storytellers have accomplished at , and we cannot wait to see all they achieve in the future. Congrats, Class of 2020! (Part 1 of 3)

05/22/2020

We want to take a moment to recognize two amazing women who play integral roles in our department's success, and who have gone above and beyond in the difficult situations we have been facing these last few months.

Nikole Abrego won the "H&A Outstanding Staff Award" for her work as a Department Analyst supporting faculty, staff and students.

Dr. Kathie Kratochvil won the "H&A Shelter in Place Award" for outstanding services in support of the faculty migrating online.

Thank you and congratulations, Nikole and Kathie!

05/22/2020

Congratulations to the Class of 2020! We are so proud of everything our students have accomplished in the Department of Film and Theatre, and we cannot wait to see all they achieve in the future. While we are disappointed we cannot meet in person, tomorrow we will be celebrating this momentous occasion virtually with students, faculty, staff and special guest speakers.

Here is part 3 of 3 of our grad photos.
In the top left hand corner with the star, you will see our Valedictorian, Kalyn McKenzie. Congrats, Kalyn!

05/22/2020

Congratulations to the Class of 2020! We are so proud of everything our students have accomplished in the Department of Film and Theatre, and we cannot wait to see all they achieve in the future. While we are disappointed we cannot meet in person, tomorrow we will be celebrating this momentous occasion virtually with students, faculty, staff and special guest speakers.

Here is part 2 of 3 of our grad photos.

05/22/2020

Congratulations to the Class of 2020! We are so proud of everything our students have accomplished in the Department of Film and Theatre, and we cannot wait to see all they achieve in the future. While we are disappointed we cannot meet in person, tomorrow we will be celebrating this momentous occasion virtually with students, faculty, staff and special guest speakers.

Here is part 1 of 3 of our grad photos.
In the top left hand corner with the star, you will see our Salutatorian, Dakota Gregoric. Congrats, Dakota!

05/20/2020

Ah, what a joy it is to be an RTVF major…

To our incoming Spartans: if you've been admitted and you're planning on attending San Jose State University in the Fall, you have until Monday, June 1 to complete the Next Steps (Intent to Enroll) in your MySJSU account. Let us know if you have questions!

05/19/2020

“We don’t just design the environments on stage, but we design dreams for the audience.” -Andrea Bechert, Assistant Professor and Designer

We’re so grateful to have Andrea in our department, and we’re always inspired by her passion and beautiful designs.

In June 2019, she received the Silicon Valley Laureate Award, and SVCreates made this wonderful video on her.

In Fall 2019, she received the Author & Artists Award from SJSU. She has also received the Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award nomination for Best Scenic Design and for her design of “The Language Archive.”

Thank you for all you do, Andrea!

You can view the video and more info on SVCreates here:

Andrea Bechert has designed over 350 productions and numerous world premieres at theatres across the country. Companies she has designed for include TheatreWorks,…

05/17/2020

Join FPS! What's FPS? ...Film Production Society is an opportunity to grow and develop filmmaking skills in numerous departments. Its mission is to provide students with knowledge and experience! Learn about production, the camera department, Art, Grip & Electric, and working with actors. Follow Fps @ .