Experiencing the graphic novel

The film series “Exploring Graphic Novels” will be a semester long event, which will take place in the Baron-Forness Library on the seventh floor.

Dr. Andrea Wyman, of the Baron-Forness Library, will be running the events in room 715 of the library over the course of the fall semester this year.

“This is a new project,” Wyman said. “A semester-long feature of exploring emerging new literatures; the first is the graphic novel.”

According to Wyman, the films are presentations of works that were originally graphic novels but were made into movies.

The first film will take place on Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. and the film is “Stardust.” According to IMDB, “Stardust” follows the story of a young man who made a promise to his beloved that he will retrieve a fallen star by venturing into a magic realm.

The second film will take place on Oct. 21 at 3 p.m. and the film is “Persepolis.” “Persepolis” follows the story of a young girl during the Islamic revolution.

Finally, the film series will be brought to an end on Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. when the library screens “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.” This story follows a group of famous characters from works of literature who team up to take on a secret mission.

And according to Wyman, the event aims to be something much bigger than just a film series.

“We’re hoping students will develop a deeper understanding of the author’s and illustrator’s interpretation of a story that is then transformed into a movie,” Wyman said. “And possibly the deeper influences of storytelling from graphic to media.”

However, what is it that this film series hopes to achieve?

“We hope to present and support new literature,” said Wyman.

“It is about education and entertainment and the realm of merging learning and exploration of learning through the venue of new literature formats.”

The film series is also a new way for students to experience the library. The library is making efforts to engage with the students.

“We want to provide a platform to view and experience the graphic novel through media,” said Wyman. “Also students work, as we have students display their working materials in the second floor art gallery.

“As the students taking classes using graphic novels become involved in the semester-long activities we have planned,” Dr. Wyman said. “We hope they will enjoy the connection with the library as a place to fully participate in this new opportunity for experiencing the graphic novel.”

William Stevens is a staff writer for The Spectator.

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