Public Professor Series | Dr. Aaron Taylor
THURSDAY, OCT. 29 | 7 P.M.
Grasping at shadows: Our relationship with cinematic characters
Dr. Aaron Taylor
The Owl Acoustic Lounge
Food and drinks available for purchase.
Preview the talk
About the talk
Our capacity to connect with people we only ever meet onscreen is a puzzling matter. For example, what enables our feelings for screen characters, and are these feelings “real?” In what special way are actors equipped to bring them to life so convincingly? What happens when these figures are borrowed from other media — say, comic books? And what rights permit us to repurpose their gripping appearances in our social media conversations about them without fearing legal reprisal? Drawing from two decades of media research on acting, superheroes, cognitive theory and copyright, Dr. Aaron Taylor will survey how and why people matter on the silver screen. Join us for a talk on acting, feeling and remaking, and rediscover your own delight in these “picture personalities.”
About Dr. Aaron Taylor
Dr. Aaron Taylor is a professor and Board of Governors Teaching Chair and is the inaugural coordinator of the new Bachelor of Arts in Cinema and Media Studies Program at the University of Lethbridge. Since 2006, his professional work has centred on an array of topics, including screen acting, cognitive film theory, fair dealing and the academic use of media, and the transmedia relations between film and comics. As an internationally renowned performance scholar, he is the editor of two acclaimed anthologies on performance and characterization, and the author of over two dozen articles, book chapters and video essays. He jointly leads a scholarly working group on Canadian Media Access and Copyright and currently conducts research on acting and embodied cognition along with colleagues in the psychology and drama departments.
THURSDAY, OCT. 29 | 7 P.M.
Grasping at shadows: Our relationship with cinematic characters
Dr. Aaron Taylor
The Owl Acoustic Lounge
Food and drinks available for purchase.
Preview the talk
About the talk
Our capacity to connect with people we only ever meet onscreen is a puzzling matter. For example, what enables our feelings for screen characters, and are these feelings “real?” In what special way are actors equipped to bring them to life so convincingly? What happens when these figures are borrowed from other media — say, comic books? And what rights permit us to repurpose their gripping appearances in our social media conversations about them without fearing legal reprisal? Drawing from two decades of media research on acting, superheroes, cognitive theory and copyright, Dr. Aaron Taylor will survey how and why people matter on the silver screen. Join us for a talk on acting, feeling and remaking, and rediscover your own delight in these “picture personalities.”
About Dr. Aaron Taylor
Dr. Aaron Taylor is a professor and Board of Governors Teaching Chair and is the inaugural coordinator of the new Bachelor of Arts in Cinema and Media Studies Program at the University of Lethbridge. Since 2006, his professional work has centred on an array of topics, including screen acting, cognitive film theory, fair dealing and the academic use of media, and the transmedia relations between film and comics. As an internationally renowned performance scholar, he is the editor of two acclaimed anthologies on performance and characterization, and the author of over two dozen articles, book chapters and video essays. He jointly leads a scholarly working group on Canadian Media Access and Copyright and currently conducts research on acting and embodied cognition along with colleagues in the psychology and drama departments.
Register now
Registration is required to guarantee a spot. Our community venues have limited capacity and these events fill up quickly, so we recommend registering early to avoid missing out. If registration fills up, you can join our waitlist!
Thank you to our series
sponsors and supporters.
The 2026-27 Public Professor Series is presented by the University of Lethbridge Senate.
We gratefully acknowledge the additional generous support of
Chancellor Terry Whitehead (BA '94)
The Connolly Family
Dave and Kathy Greenwood
Dr. Michelle Helstein
Dr. Digvir and Manju Jayas
Deborah Lucas
Dr. Dena McMartin
Karen Reid (BMgt '86)
Knud Petersen
Daniel J. Furgason (BA ’83)
Darcy Gonci (BA ’96, BMgt ’99)
Dee Kennedy
Dr. Matthew G. Letts
Dr. Anthony Monaghan
Mr. Ryan R. Myndio (BA ’98)
Karina Mak
Fee Marule-McLean
Libby Ortmann
Ms. Jenny R. Seward (BA ’03)
Eucaris Vegas
Mrs. Laurie E. Winder
H. Clifford Yanover
Support the Public Professor Series
The Public Professor Series brings engaging, thought-provoking conversations from the University of Lethbridge to our community—creating opportunities to learn, connect, and explore ideas that matter. Your support helps keep these inspiring experiences going. Donate today to help sustain the series and bring meaningful ideas, conversations, and learning to our community.
For more information about sponsorship or donation opportunities email christa.merrell@uleth.ca.