The Life and Legacy of Rod Serling, a two-day conference sponsored by the Park School of Communications, will be held March 28 and 29.
While registrations are now being accepted for the two-day event -- which features presentations of academic papers, panel discussions, screenings, and a scriptwriting competition -- there will also be four events free and open to the campus community (first-come, first-served).
All four events will be held in the Park Auditorium.
Untilled Serling: Rod Serling's Attempts to Dramatize the Emmett Till Story
Friday, March 28, 1:45-3:15 p.m.
Presenters: Tony Albarella and Amy E. Boyle Johnston
In the mid-to-late 1950s, Rod Serling tried twice to dramatize the murder of Emmett Till and the shocking acquittal of Till's killers. In both cases the writer met with sponsor censorship and network interference that diluted his final work. Using film clip highlights, detailed research, and Serling's own words, Albarella and Johnston will examine those attempts.
The Twilight Zone Marathon
Friday, March 28, 8:00 p.m.
See original episodes of the classic show, digitally restored and on the big screen. Episodes will be chosen by popular online vote and introduced by scholars of Serling's work.
Scriptwriting Competition Winners
Saturday, March 29, 1:00-2:15 p.m.
Moderator: Elena Pizzaro
Excerpts from this year's winning scripts will be read and discussed by some of the winning writers and members of the judges panel. "The Donor," by 2006 scriptwriting competition winner Paula Smith, will also be screened.
Table Reading: Noon on Doomsday
Saturday, March 29, 8:00-10:00 p.m.
Presented in partnership with the Ithaca College Department of Theatre Arts
As examined in a previous conference session, Serling tried twice to tell the story of Emmett Till and the acquittal of his killers, but was met with network and sponsor censorship. The table reading, featuring Ithaca College students, will bring to life Serling's original, never-before-produced script for Noon on Doomsday.
For those interested in attending all the events, registration information can be found at www.ithaca.edu/rhp/serling.
