Symposium CFP
Toy Story at 20
13th November 2015
A one-day symposium hosted by the University of Sunderland’s Centre for Research in Media and Cultural Studies, to be held at the David Puttnam Media Building, Sir Tom Cowie
Campus at St Peter’s, University of Sunderland, UK
Confirmed keynote speakers: Professor Paul Wells (Loughborough University) and Dr Peter Kramer (University
of East Anglia)
Deadline for abstracts: 22nd May 2015
Toy Story (John Lasseter, 1995), Pixar’s first feature-length production, and Hollywood’s first completely
computer-generated animated film, is an international cultural phenomenon. This one-day symposium, timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of
Toy Story’s release in November 1995, reconsiders this film’s enormous influence on mainstream animation and on contemporary popular culture as a whole.
We invite proposals for standard panel papers or 5 minute micro-talks or video essays that explore any significant aspect of the film itself, its subsequent impact, or wider
issues arising from the Toy Story franchise and its reception (NB: papers may not necessarily engage directly with the film but with matters arising from it). Possible topics might include, but are not limited to:
Representation of the child
Treatment of family and/or friendship
Appeal to different audiences
Growing up with the
Toy Story films
Reception
Fandom
Stardom
Performance
Music
Aesthetics
Dominant themes/ideology
Industrial and commercial contexts
Merchandising
The role of toys in the film as children’s playthings or symbolic children
Influence on Hollywood cinema, animation, or US popular culture
International cultural impact
It is hoped that selected papers from the conference will be published in the form of an edited book collection
or journal special issue. Please send abstracts of 250-300 words, alongside personal details (containing institutional affiliation and a brief bio),
to our conference email address:
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by Friday 22nd May 2015. Pre-constituted panels are welcome. If you wish to give a micro-talk or present a video essay instead of the traditional panel paper, please highlight this in brackets after the title of your abstract. Acceptance notices
will be issued no later than Friday 12th June 2015.
Symposium co-organisers:
Susan Smith (University of Sunderland)
Michael Shaftoe (University of Sunderland)
Sam Summers (University of Sunderland)
Noel Brown (Newcastle University)
(Follow us on Twitter/Facebook:
@toystoryat20 and via our conference website: toystoryat20.wordpress.com)