Leicester Media School

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    Schottky barrier formation on r.f.-plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposited hydrogenated amorphous carbon
    (Elsevier, 1998-12-09) Paul, Shashi; Clough, F. J.
    This paper reports the fabrication and electrical characterization of sub-micron metal contacts to thin films of hydrogenated amorphous carbon deposited by the r.f.-plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition technique. The I–V characteristics of “large” area (diameter 0.5 mm) top metal contacts to amorphous carbon are consistent with bulk limited conduction by the Poole–Frenkel mechanism. The I–V characteristics of sub-micron metal contacts, formed at different locations on the same amorphous carbon film, range from symmetrical to highly asymmetrical with forward-to-reverse rectification ratios up to three orders of magnitude. Asymmetrical I–V characteristics and a linear C−2–V response confirm, for the first time, Schottky barrier formation at the metal/amorphous carbon interface. Spatial non-uniformity in the composition of the hydrogenated amorphous carbon surface is indicated, which mirrors bulk inhomogeneity.
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    Editorial: Live Coding Sonic Creativities
    (Cambridge University Press, 2023-07-31) Xambo, Anna; Roma, Gerard; Magnusson, Thor
    Live coding has evolved considerably since its emergence in the early 2000s, as presented in the seminal 2003 Organised Sound (8/3) article ‘Live Coding in Laptop Performance’ by Collins, McLean, Rohrhuber and Ward. Differentiating itself from early laptop music and other computer music, it is a performance practice that promotes the sharing of the musical process with the audience, emphasising the code itself as a form of musical notation. Live coding has been adopted into various fields of art, but as musical algorithmic thinking, it has been explored and developed by many practitioners and collectives across the world up to the present and there is a broad range of divergent practices within the field. We are therefore thrilled to present the special issue ‘Live Coding Sonic Creativities’, which is the first special issue on live coding in Organised Sound. This has been a long journey of almost two years of work. The core research question of this special issue concerns the idiosyncratic sonic creativities that emerge from the practice of live coding and what new sonic material live coding has enabled. The collection of articles is genuinely diverse in terms of themes including new theories and philosophies on live coding, diversity and inclusion and contemporary sociocultural processes embodied by different communities of practice. The articles represent a breadth in musical genres, approaches to live coding, interdisciplinary practice related to sound-based creativity, innovative sound and music composition, and new paradigms and environments that enable new ways of thinking and working with sound, as well as speculative futures and new imaginaries of live coding.
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    Discovering Creative Commons Sounds in Live Coding
    (Cambridge University Press, 2023-08-14) Xambo, Anna
    This article reports on a study to identify the new sonic challenges and opportunities for live coders, computer musicians and sonic artists using MIRLCa, a live-coding environment powered by an artificial intelligence (AI) system. MIRLCa works as a customisable worldwide sampler, with sounds retrieved from the collective online Creative Commons (CC) database Freesound. The live-coding environment was developed in SuperCollider by the author in conversation with the live-coding community through a series of workshops and by observing its use by 16 live coders, including the author, in work-in-progress sessions, impromptu performances and concerts. This article presents a qualitative analysis of the workshops, work-in-progress sessions and performances. The findings identify (1) the advantages and disadvantages, and (2) the different compositional strategies that result from manipulating a digital sampler of online CC sounds in live coding. A prominent advantage of using sound samples in live coding is its low-entry access suitable for music improvisation. The article concludes by highlighting future directions relevant to performance, composition, musicology and education.
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    Cross-sector collaboration to enhance embedding mental wellbeing
    (Association of National Teaching Fellows, 2023-10-13) Allman, Zoe
    In the week recognising World Mental Health Day 2023, this article highlights an example of collaboration to enhance mental wellbeing, as presented at the ANTF Symposium 2023.
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    Embedding Mental Wellbeing - A Collaborative Approach
    (2023-10-10) Allman, Zoe
    De Montfort University’s Embedding Mental Wellbeing team harnesses the power of academics, professional services and the Students’ Union in collaborative partnership to embed mental wellbeing activity across the University. Responding to the University community and the impact of Covid-19, their project achieved cross-institutional transformation and cross-sector impact, and was recognised by Advance HE with a Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE, 2022). In this presentation Zoë explores the collaborative activities that empower De Montfort University’s ongoing approach to embedding mental wellbeing.
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    The Story of Woody & Diane: Stars and Hit Patterns in the New Hollywood
    (Bloomsbury Academic, 2023) Krämer, Peter
    This essay uses a range of metrics to establish Annie Hall as the (commercial and critical) high point in Woody Allen's career, and then explores the film's place in Diane Keaton's career, discussing how her performance in the title role relates to her earlier films. The subsequent analysis of the film's marketing, critical reception and general impact reveals her centrality to the film's success, which was however rarely acknowledged by reviewers at the time. Finally, the essay shows that the success of Annie Hall came at the beginning of a (short-lived) revival of the importance of female stars and female genre preferences in American cinema, after a decade of extreme marginalisation of women in Hollywood.
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    The Past, Present and Future in 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
    (Springer VS, 2023-07-07) Krämer, Peter
    This essay takes personal as well as generational and transgenerational experiences as a point of departure for a series of reflections on Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). These concern the ‘archival turn’ in Film Studies, specifically in scholarly work on Kubrick, and also the role played by existential threats to humanity in the prehistory and development of Kubrick’s masterpiece and in its reception. Against this background, the essay offers both familiar and new perspectives on the meanings as well as the historical and contemporary resonances of 2001: A Space Odyssey.
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    Peer mentoring in the Placement experience search: Enhancing learning journeys across discipline boundaries
    (2023-06-14) Allman, Zoe; Rughani, Deepa; Begum, Saheda; Hardaker, Pamela; Grierson, Phil; Toth, Regina
    Within the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Media at De Montfort University students seeking a year-long Placement participate in peer mentoring, enhancing the learning journey of individuals acting in the role of mentee and mentor, and operating across discipline boundaries. Supporting and empowering Placement searchers, mentoring presents an opportunity to learn from peers who have previously experienced the process, successfully securing an innovative Placement year. The scheme delivers benefits to the mentee and mentor (Hayman et al., 2022). Mentees are supported with practical tips and advice, guidance and encouragement, whilst mentors benefit through developing leadership, mentoring and communication skills, enhancing reflection to further articulate their Placement experience (Proctor, 2012). Echoing engagement with Placements across the Faculty's three schools, in 2022 the majority of mentors come from the School of Computer Science and Informatics (CSI) (55%), followed by Engineering and Sustainable Development (ESD) (36%), and then Leicester Media School (LMS) (9%). The 2022 mentees are also predominantly from CSI (76%), followed by LMS (18%), then ESD (6%). The mentor and mentee relationship crosses discipline boundaries, providing additional benefits to the learning experience by learning from the experiences and questions of those in different subject areas. Mentoring beyond discipline boundaries invites creative problem solving, active listening, and coaching. Placement returner mentors are self-selecting following a call for volunteers. Mentors support mentees to explore Placement options, develop contacts with employers, and identify suitable resources and industry links. Mentors give advice, respond to questions, share thoughts and reflections, help the mentee to develop their own aims and goals, and provide motivation, support and role-modelling. For mentees, developing an effective working relationship with a mentor enhances networking, communication and cooperation skills that will be valuable in the Placement experience and beyond. Mentees set goals around their Placement and career aspirations, regularly reviewing progress in search of a Placement. The mentoring relationship is set within a code of conduct framework based on confidentiality, valuing each member of the partnership, mutual trust and respect. Reflecting on the experience, mentees are positive about the useful advice, support and encouragement received. Mentees appreciate that mentors respond to queries and questions in a timely manner, and many pairs meet weekly to maintain regular engagement. Feedback recognises the positive impact on embracing the search for, and securing, a Placement. This presentation will introduce this approach, inspiring colleagues to extend peer mentoring applications across discipline boundaries for the benefit of all participants.
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    Peer mentoring in the Placement experience search: Enhancing learning journeys across discipline boundaries
    (2023-06-14) Allman, Zoe; Rughani, Deepa; Begum, Saheda; Hardaker, Pamela; Grierson, Phil; Toth, Regina
    Within the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Media at De Montfort University students seeking a year-long Placement participate in peer mentoring, enhancing the learning journey of individuals acting in the role of mentee and mentor, and operating across discipline boundaries. Supporting and empowering Placement searchers, mentoring presents an opportunity to learn from peers who have previously experienced the process, successfully securing an innovative Placement year. The scheme delivers benefits to the mentee and mentor (Hayman et al., 2022). Mentees are supported with practical tips and advice, guidance and encouragement, whilst mentors benefit through developing leadership, mentoring and communication skills, enhancing reflection to further articulate their Placement experience (Proctor, 2012). Echoing engagement with Placements across the Faculty's three schools, in 2022 the majority of mentors come from the School of Computer Science and Informatics (CSI) (55%), followed by Engineering and Sustainable Development (ESD) (36%), and then Leicester Media School (LMS) (9%). The 2022 mentees are also predominantly from CSI (76%), followed by LMS (18%), then ESD (6%). The mentor and mentee relationship crosses discipline boundaries, providing additional benefits to the learning experience by learning from the experiences and questions of those in different subject areas. Mentoring beyond discipline boundaries invites creative problem solving, active listening, and coaching. Placement returner mentors are self-selecting following a call for volunteers. Mentors support mentees to explore Placement options, develop contacts with employers, and identify suitable resources and industry links. Mentors give advice, respond to questions, share thoughts and reflections, help the mentee to develop their own aims and goals, and provide motivation, support and role-modelling. For mentees, developing an effective working relationship with a mentor enhances networking, communication and cooperation skills that will be valuable in the Placement experience and beyond. Mentees set goals around their Placement and career aspirations, regularly reviewing progress in search of a Placement. The mentoring relationship is set within a code of conduct framework based on confidentiality, valuing each member of the partnership, mutual trust and respect. Reflecting on the experience, mentees are positive about the useful advice, support and encouragement received. Mentees appreciate that mentors respond to queries and questions in a timely manner, and many pairs meet weekly to maintain regular engagement. Feedback recognises the positive impact on embracing the search for, and securing, a Placement. This presentation will introduce this approach, inspiring colleagues to extend peer mentoring applications across discipline boundaries for the benefit of all participants.
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    Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)
    (Routledge, 2023-05-01) Krämer, Peter
    This chapter discusses Buster Keaton's Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928) - the last film he made at Buster Keaton Productions for release by United Artists before he moved to MGM as a contract actor - as the culmination and summary of his stage and film career up to this point. The distinctive features of Keaton's filmic and performance style are analysed in relation to the (changing) conventions of classical Hollywood cinema in the 1920s. The chapter also examines the filmmaker's contractual status at Buster Keaton Productions, his dependence, throughout his whole film career, on producer Joseph Schenck and on the major studios, and the (commercial) centrality of so-called independent production to the operations of the American film industry in the 1920s.
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    Reflections on the ANTF Symposium 2023, The Future is Bright
    (International Federation of National Teaching Fellows, 2023-05-18) Allman, Zoe
    Zoë Allman, Associate Dean (Academic) at De Montfort University, UK, and Deputy Communications Officer for the Committee of the Association of National Teaching Fellows provides a reflective review of the Association of National Teaching Fellows (ANTF) Annual Symposium 2023.
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    Educational development in significant transformation of academic programme re-design
    (2023-05-19) Allman, Zoe
    De Montfort University is embracing significant transformation as delivery of academic programmes transitions to block model. The first wave required one Faculty to re-design and validate twenty-three programmes in three months. This talk shares the methods used to prepare the learning community to embrace academic transformation, the role of educational development in facilitating readiness for change aligned to University strategy, quality and PSRB compliance, and developing provision to meet applicant, student, employer, and sector need.
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    Wellbeing Spotlight Session
    (2023-05-18) Allman, Zoe
    De Montfort University’s Embedding Mental Wellbeing team were recognised by Advance HE with a Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (2022) for efforts to harness the power of academics, professional services and the Students’ Union in collaborative partnership to embed mental wellbeing activity across the University. Responding to the needs of the University community and the impact of Covid-19, this project has achieved cross-institutional and cross-sector impact. In response to the pandemic the team scoped a project to guarantee delivery of impact by ensuring that embedding mental wellbeing in the curriculum reached, and was accessible to, students across the University. Through new collaborative action the team created wellbeing masterclasses for students, workshops for staff, a series of downloadable tutor packs for use in a variety of taught settings, unique online resources, opportunities for student voice leading to individualised support, and a communication strategy about what was available, and how and why to engage. Zoë will share insights into the collaboration approaches embraced, and reflections on the opportunities, challenges, and outcomes from this activity.
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    1939: Secrets of Hollywood's Golden Year
    (Zinc media/ Paramount Plus, 2023) Wright, Ellen
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    The Singing Detective: Deanna Durbin in Lady on a Train
    (Powerhouse Films, 2023) Wright, Ellen
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    ‘The most famous outlaw in the whole USA’: Representing Russell in her early western promotion
    (intellect, 2023) Wright, Ellen
    This paper will examine the star figure, both literally and figuratively, of Jane Russell, a star who first rose to public prominence through a promotional censorship scandal surrounding Howard Hughes’ 1943 Billy the Kid narrative, The Outlaw. Whilst Russell starred in a raft of Hollywood westerns throughout the course of her film career, this paper will examine Russell’s representation, early in her career, in the films and the promotional materials for the 1948 Bob Hope comedy vehicle, The Paleface, it’s 1952 sequel; Son of Paleface, and her cameo appearance that same year, in Road to Bali. This paper will consider the way in which these roles provided ample means for Paramount to exploit Russell’s high profile, scandalous sexpot, pin up persona by deliberately and repeatedly referring back to her infamous film debut for Hughes, but will also consider how in these film’s narratives, her persona actually develops, admittedly starting with, but ultimately progressing beyond, her Outlaw notoriety, towards a more complex depiction of independent, active and assured womanhood.
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    Undertone
    (2023-01) Atkinson, Simon; Patel, Amit D.
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    Meditation
    (2020-02) Atkinson, Simon
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    Beyond (Richard Steinitz)
    (2023-02-15) Batchelor, Peter
    Beyond (Richard Steinitz Building) (2023) is a multichannel installation produced in collaboration with visual artist Ian Bilson. Consisting of a spherical geodesic structure and containing 40 loud speakers, it builds on research conducted for Beyond (2014) and other previous research surrounding the fabrication of aural landscapes and trompe l’oreille. As in the previous version of the installation, the speakers are conceived collectively as a single sound-producing unit, accommodating the detailed spatial construction of sonic images over the surfaces of the domes. Beyond (Richard Steinitz Building) presents new site-specific compositions which take into account the audio ‘assets’ and idiosyncracies of the Richard Steinitz building at the University of Huddersfield. The presented scenes are designed to extend the sounds of the building, its immediate surroundings and the countryside of the nearby Yorkshire moors, in order to draw the ear outwards and encourage closer listening to the local aural environment.