Faculty Q & A with Bryan Sebok

Bryan Sebok, Assistant Professor in Communication

Education
Ph.D. 2007 The University of Texas, Austin; M.A. 2002 Emory University; B.A. 1999 North Carolina State University

Dissertation
Convergent Hollywood, DVD, and the Transformation of the Home Entertainment Industries

Research and Teaching Interests
Narrative strategies in film and television, digital media technologies and digital rights management technologies

What most excites you about joining the LC community?
I am most excited by the opportunity to work closely with students.  Both in the classroom and outside of it, Lewis and Clark offers a level of access between faculty and students that is admirable and second to none.  Whether in small classes, working on research projects, or undertaking a creative film and video project, the ability to engage and connect is a rare privilege in academia.  Additionally, a closely-knit community of scholars, both within my department and within the College as a whole, promises to provide a continuously stimulating work-environment.

What kinds of hobbies/special activies do you enjoy outside of work?
As a filmmaker and a film scholar, my outside activities revolve around film and the cinema. I love exploring new theaters, and Portland has many that I am now discovering. I look forward to building a community of creative friends and collaborators; making films here in Portland is a top priority. Additionally, though, I have found a passion for home renovation and landscaping, and am in the midst of improvments on an old house on the east side.

What were your childhood goals/aspirations?
I’ve loved the cinema since childhood. I’ve known that I wanted to be a filmmaker and a scholar of film since age 7. My first job was at a movie theater and I remember pestering the manager to make me a projectionist so I could handle the film stock and equipment. I always wanted to make feature films and was lucky enough to work on six features in Austin, Texas during my graduate studies. The last film I made, DANCE WITH THE ONE, which I produced, is wrapping post-production now and we’re hoping for a premiere at Sundance early next year.

What are you listening to in your car right now?
I listen to all kinds of stuff. I have XM in my car so I jump around a lot. I listen to a lot of obnoxious 80s music, but a lot of jazz, reggae, rock, and even movie scores too.

What was your favorite childhood story?
That’s a tough one… I remember being obsessed with the Little Engine That Could for some reason. I guess his perseverance was what stuck with me.