Professor Moya Luckett speaks about stardom

The ECU English Department hosted Professor Moya Luckett's presentation of "Celebrity, Self Awareness and the Consciousness of Self" on Monday.

Luckett, a visiting professor from CUNY-Queens College, presented her expertise in early American cinema. She is also a co-editor of Swinging Single: Representing Sexuality in the 1960s (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1999).

Amanda Klein, who currently teaches an American and International Film History course at ECU, felt that Luckett's lecture would benefit students interested in more than just film studies. Klein feels that because limited time in the classroom only allows a brief overview, the lecture would benefit her students as well.

"Dr. Luckett has done so much fascinating research that requires months of pouring through microfiche and dusty archives. She really filled in the gaps," said Klein.

Luckett's presentation provided insight for students and faculty on celebrity and stardom in the early 20th century. She discussed the films How Molly Made Good (1915) and A Girl's Folly (1917). Luckett said that these movies reflected the celebrity culture of the early 1900s and the public's obsession with famous stars.

Although there are television shows focused on stars, and newspapers and magazines fill the racks of stores worldwide, the public's interest in the life and culture of celebrities has not drastically changed over time, according to Luckett, a fascination that she says "has been embedded since its conception."

Luckett discussed that by 1916, the movie system was out of control and stars were considered necessary and a liability. As celebrities accomplished more outside of the cinema, they became more marketable, forcing production teams to pay these celebrities more, she said.

According to Luckett, even before big stars, Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison were considered celebrities for their ability to make themselves known in a variety of settings. Lillian Russell, a star of the early 1900s, increased her marketability by being a combination of actress, singer and news columnist, Luckett explained.

Celebrities like Paris Hilton are icons of stardom that seek celebrity status without the work, Luckett told the class. These unique individuals are known for their self-promotion, money or scandalous lifestyle, she said. Media coverage of Lohan's potential drug abuse or Britney Spears shaving her head often leave people feeling that the industry has changed, but things were the same in the early 1900s, Luckett said, pulling more modern celebrities into the conversation.

Klein says that the ECU faculty has been collaborating to build an interdisciplinary minor in film studies, particularly with the School of Communication. As of spring 2009, there will be 13 courses available at the graduate and undergraduate level in film studies. The courses will come from the departments of English, communication and Russian and German languages.

Klein also hopes to continue having more speaking events in the future.

"Anytime a scholar from outside of the ECU community is brought to campus to share his/her knowledge and research, it benefits everyone on campus," Klein said.

This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.