Hello, all. This is a reminder that proposals for an anthology on Paul
Leni are due in about four weeks. See below for more information, and
please feel free to forward the CFP to colleagues who might be
interested.
thanks,
Marty Norden
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Martin F. Norden
Professor, Department of Communication
N320 Integrative Learning Center
University of Massachusetts Amherst fax: 413 545-6550
Amherst, MA 01003 USA vox: 413 545-0598
Home page: http://people.umass.edu/norden
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Call for Proposals:
Refocus: The Films of Paul Leni
Described by Siegfried Kracauer as one of the outstanding film directors
of the post-World War I era, Paul Leni (1885-1929) is a significant yet
overlooked figure in the German and US cinemas of the silent period. A
frequent collaborator with stage director Max Reinhardt, Leni worked as
an art designer for some of the most prominent German directors of the
time before coming into his own as a director. Creating both avant-garde
and commercial films in Germany, Leni quickly became known for his
captivatingly macabre productions. Critics and audiences alike praised
these films, which were marked by elaborate set designs, innovative use
of light and shadow, and adept storytelling abilities. His best-known
film, DAS WACHSFIGURENKABINETT (WAXWORKS, 1924), catapulted him into the
international spotlight, and in 1927 he signed an agreement with
Universal's Carl Laemmle to come to the US to create a string of mystery
and horror films. The resulting productions, including THE CAT AND THE
CANARY (1927) and THE MAN WHO LAUGHS (1928), garnered Leni an even
greater following amongst international audiences and cemented his
status as a cinematic visionary until his untimely death in 1929.
We seek proposals on Leni's filmic work for an edited collection that
will be a part of Edinburgh University Press' ReFocus series, supervised
by series editors Robert Singer and Gary Rhodes. Proposals may be on any
aspect of Leni's cinematic pursuits. Proposed essays should be
theoretically, critically, or historically grounded and draw upon
primary source materials when appropriate. Approaches and topics
include, but are not limited to:
* Leni's early career and collaborations with contemporaries such as Max
Reinhardt, Ernst Lubitsch, and Fritz Lang
* Close studies of any of his German or American films, including his
Rebus series of short films
* Leni's stylistic and thematic contributions to Expressionist cinema
* Leni and the Kammerspielfilm
* His set designs, cinematography, and/or lighting designs
* Audience and/or critical reception of his films
* His relationship with Carl Laemmle and Universal Studios
* His early attempts at sound cinema
* Leni's source material, such as screenplays, novels/short stories, and
stage plays
* Studies of Leni's writings on the creative process
* Leni's films in comparison with those of his contemporaries
* The relationship between Leni's films and the tidal wave of 1930s US
horror films
* Leni's influence on other international films, both past and modern
Suggestions outside of the above areas are encouraged. If you have any
questions regarding the appropriateness of your topic, please don't
hesitate to contact us.
Proposals should be approximately 250-500 words and be accompanied by a
50-100 word author biography. All submissions must be in English and
included as Microsoft Word or PDF attachments. We will consider
proposals to include previously published essays with the understanding
that the authors will secure all copyright clearances and pay any
necessary republishing fees if the essays are accepted.
The deadline for abstract submissions is October 1, 2017. Please send
your proposals and any inquiries to both co-editors, Erica Tortolani
([log in to unmask]) and Marty Norden ([log in to unmask]).
Accepted contributors will be notified by October 15, 2017. Initial
drafts of chapters will be due April 15, 2018.
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