Film Streams Omaha, NE
Dr. Guy McHendry
Associate Professor of Rhetoric, Department of Communication Studies, Creighton University
The Truman Show— You're being watched: Surveillance and beyond
Program Description
Guests discuss the predictive quality Peter Weir's film had in terms of surveillance in America and the psychological fascination of watching people vis a vis reality television and live-streaming.
This event is part of our 2024 National Evening of Science on Screen.
Presented At
Film Streams Omaha, NE
Film Synopsis
An insurance salesman discovers his whole life is actually a reality TV show.
He doesn't know it, but everything in Truman Burbank's (Jim Carrey) life is part of a massive TV set. Executive producer Christof (Ed Harris) orchestrates "The Truman Show," a live broadcast of Truman's every move captured by hidden cameras. Cristof tries to control Truman's mind, even removing his true love, Sylvia (Natascha McElhone), from the show and replacing her with Meryl (Laura Linney). As Truman gradually discovers the truth, however, he must decide whether to act on it.
Photo credit: Paramount Pictures
About the Speaker
Dr. Guy McHendry is an Associate Professor of Rhetoric in the Department of Communication Studies and the Timms Endowed Professor and Director of the Magis Core Curriculum at Creighton University. His research focuses on surveillance and privacy in contemporary culture, white supremacist rhetoric online, and argumentation theory. Dr. McHendry teaches a variety of courses, including From Big Brother to Big Data: Surveillance Culture, Gender Communication, Rhetoric & Public Culture, and Communication & Community. Related to the Truman Show, he has published essays on reality television, representations of parental surveillance in Black Mirror, and the Transportation Security Administration’s use of social media. Dr. McHendry received his Ph.D. from the Department of Communication at the University of Utah.