October 19, 2012

Communication Studies professor to screen film at EIU

  Walls of Sound

A Communication Studies faculty member will host a screening of his feature length documentary film at Eastern Illinois University.

Dr. David Gracon will screen his film Walls of Sound — A Look Inside the House of Records (63 minutes, 2012) on Wednesday evening, November 7th at 7:00 p.m. in the Doudna Lecture Hall.  The event is free and open to the public.

This documentary video explores the House of Records, an independent record store based in Eugene, Oregon. The store has been in operation since 1972 and currently struggles to exist in the midst of digital downloading and the practices of corporate retailers.  The video is an ethnographic study that combines interviews with the owner, employees and various customers of the store.  Their stories and observations are often imbued with a quirky sense of humor, biting intelligence and a deep admiration for the store and its culture.  The video addresses the cultural significance and various folkloric narratives of the store on a number of levels.  It explores how the store provides cultural diversity and alternative media, as it caters to the musical fringes and a broad range of musical styles not widely available at other retail outlets.  

After the screening, Dr. Gracon will lead a discussion about the film.