Students gathered in Reeves theater on Oct. 6. to view the movie “The Purple Rose of Cairo,” followed by a dialogue with Del Jacobs in cooperation with the The University of Tampa Film Society.
Jacobs, professor of Film and Media Studies at the Manatee Community College in Sarasota, is the author of the book “Interrogating the Image.”
The book explains the roles that film and television play for an audience and how the interaction of an audience with these media forms has changed the direction in which society and film are heading.
The book itself had its roots in Jacob’s graduate studies in drama at USF and is the result of three years of research.
The biggest problem in getting the book out was securing the rights, Jacobs said during the Q&A.
He was able to get used pictures licensed for the book, but copyright restrictions kept him from using parts directly out of a screenplay.
“The Purple Rose of Cairo” is an example of a movie in which a character watches another film that suddenly becomes reality and with which the character begins to interact.
Other examples would be “Smallville,” and, to a certain extent, “The Truman Show,” as well as “Bamboozled,” although the latter two depict a much more critical approach toward TV and how it manipulates people.
“I really enjoyed the screening of ‘The Purple Rose of Cairo’ and Del Jacobs’ discussion,” said UT senior Kelsey Stroop. “It was interesting to hear his thoughts about the plots of films being centered on the movie.”