Hollywood comes to University of Adelaide

A bit of Hollywood glitz came to the University of Adelaide with Adelaide-born actor Tilda Cobham-Hervey, who most recently played singer Helen Reddy in the film I Am Woman.

Tilda was on campus to speak to film studies, creative arts, media and other students about her life and career. 

The Master Class was part of the University’s partnership with Adelaide Film Festival, which gives students internship and volunteering opportunities, free tickets to attend films at the festival, and access to industry insiders and experts.

Associate Professor Ben McCann, convenor of a new course called ‘Curation, Cinephilia and The Adelaide Film Festival’ said the students appreciated the opportunity to hear Tilda talk warmly and passionately about acting, how she prepared to play Helen Reddy, and her future projects.

“The students have been learning all semester about the role film festivals play in terms of exhibition, distribution, and marketing, and also how they generate buzz, bring together diverse communities, and stimulate debates about art and culture,” Associate Professor McCann says.

“Tilda’s own experiences on red carpets around the world gave students another insight into these exciting events."Associate Professor Ben McCann

“The festival starts this week, and students will be dashing from screening to screening, making notes on what they have seen, networking with other cinephiles, and getting a real feel for the buzz that a face-to-face festival generates.”

Students on the third-year level course are mostly studying degrees in Arts, Media and Creative Arts. There is also a new established major in Film Studies. Other students are studying teaching, music or commerce.

The Film Studies major began in 2019 with courses in French cinema, Hollywood cinema, and documentaries, and is expanding its offerings into 2021 and beyond.

“Students are loving this course because it offers them a birds-eye view of how this dynamic festival works and gives them lots of chances to sharpen their critical thinking and analytical writing skills,” says Associate Professor McCann.

“We were a little worried three months ago that the festival would have to shift to an online format, or might even be cancelled.  Luckily, the students will finally get a real-world experience which will inspire, provoke, and excite them.”