Eminent Scholars
Through understanding the role of scholars and experts in the realm of television and film as it relates to education, one can identify, learn, and appreciate the cinematic process both through field-work and analysis. Two professors that stand out at George Mason University and are educators under the Film and Video Studies are Hans Charles and Cynthia Fuchs. Both of these professors specialize in different areas but seek to collaborate and educate students through intensive research and hands-on experience.
Hans Charles
Hans Charles is a Film and Video Studies professor at George Mason University teaching cinematography through cross-disciplinary philosophy. Charles attended Morehouse College from 1994-1998 for French Language and Literature and received an Associate of Arts. He received a Master of Fine Arts in 2011 from Howard University in Cinematography and Film/Video Production. Following the completion of his Master's degree, Charles continued at Howard University as a lecturer in cinematography and film editing for five months. Two years later, Charles began as an associate professor in cinematography at George Mason University where he, along with Giovanna Chesler and Lisa Thrasher, spearheaded the development of the Mason Film Lab, an opportunity for students to work on a film directed by a different notable industry professional each semester. From 2012-2013, Charles then served as a camera operator under BET’s television show “The Game.” Concurrently working as an educator, Charles has worked on a multitude of films since 2007 serving as a camera loader, first and second assistant camera operator, and director of photography. Most notably, Hans Charles was the cinematographer of Netflix’s “13th,” a documentary depicting the prison system as it relates to the history of racial inequality. “13th” was directed by esteemed Ava DuVernay, and was nominated for an Oscar and an Emmy. Currently, he is on sabbatical to work on BET’s new network television show “The Start-Up.” Hans Charles’ contributions to the Film and Video Studies program at George Mason University has assisted in naming George Mason University the number one college for Film and Photography in Virginia.
Cynthia Fuchs
Cynthia Fuchs is the director of Film and Media Studies at George Mason University and an associate professor of English, Film and Video Studies, African and African-American Studies, Sport and American Culture, and Women and Gender Studies. In 1989, Fuchs received her Ph.D. from the University of Philadelphia after completing her dissertation on gender, performance, and representation in film; preceding this achievement, she received the Dean’s Award for Distinguished Teaching by Graduate Students in 1987. In addition to being an educator, Fuchs writes film and media reviews for the Philadelphia City Paper and Addicted to Noise. She is also a film and television review editor and critic at PopMatters, an international online magazine of “cultural criticism.” Fuchs has researched for several selected publications featuring dialogue on war, race, gender, sexuality, sports, and other cultural analyses as they relate to film such as “A Few Brief Moments: Truth and Image in Sports Documentaries.” She has edited Spike Lee: Interviews (University of Mississippi Press, 2002), Iraq War Cultures (Peter Lang, 2011), and Between the Sheets, In the Streets: Queer, Lesbian, and Gay Documentary (University of Minnesota, 1997). Currently, Cynthia Fuchs is researching and writing a book on post-9/11 war documentaries. Since her time at George Mason University and along with her work on film analysis, Cynthia Fuchs has contributed immensely to the understanding of film analysis as it relates to intersectionality which has led to the promotion of inclusion and understanding amongst members of the film community.
To conclude, Hans Charles’ and Cynthia Fuchs’ contributions as an educator has led to a significant understanding of film production and analysis. Through their continued work both in the field and as researchers, students will continue to learn and recognize the importance of visual mediums and intersectionality from notable industry professionals.
CITATIONS
1.) “Hans Charles.” IMDb, IMDb.com, www.imdb.com/name/nm2648344/.
2.) “13th.” IMDb, IMDb.com, www.imdb.com/title/tt5895028/?ref_=nm_flmg_cin_7.
3.) “Hans Charles.” LinkedIn, LinkedIn.com, www.linkedin.com/in/hans-charles-ab4a3437/.
4.) “Faculty/Staff – Film and Video Studies.” Film and Video Studies, George Mason University, favs.gmu.edu/facultystaff/.
5.) “College of Humanities and Social Sciences.” Cynthia Fuchs, George Mason University, english.gmu.edu/people/cfuchs.
6.) “Cynthia Fuchs.” PopMatters, PopMatters.com, www.popmatters.com/community/cynthia_fuchs.
7.) “Cynthia Fuchs.” Department of English, University of Pennsylvania, 1 Jan. 1990, www.english.upenn.edu/people/cynthia-fuchs.
8.) “PopMatters.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Feb. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PopMatters.
