PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Named for the fictional university in H.P. Lovecraft’s literary works, the Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies is an international organization that offers university level history, theory and production-based master classes for horror fans of all ages. Miskatonic L.A. welcomes lecturer and award-winning film and television director Rebekah McKendry, PhD to talk about Underwater Horror!
Doctor McKendry’s work focuses strongly on the horror and science fiction genres. Rebekah has worked previously as the Editor-in-chief at Blumhouse Productions and as the Executive Director of Marketing for Fangoria Entertainment. She is also a co-host of Blumhouse’s SHOCK WAVES podcast. Her newest feature film, All The Creatures Were Stirring, is a horror-comedy releasing this Fall.
Interested in her lecture? Read on for all the details!
From The Miskatonic Press Release
The Miskatonic Institute Horror Studies – L.A. explores the depths of underwater horror from JAWS to Lovecraft and from the screens to the real-life seas. Miskatonic L.A. co-director Rebekah McKendry uses cinema, lore, visual arts and psychology to bring our fascination, and fear, with the unknown that lurks beneath the waves to the surface.
The summer of 1975 completed changed movie history. Not only did the release of JAWS set the standard for the “summer blockbuster”, it also ignited society’s communal anxiety, fear, and fascination with what could be lurking just the below the surface of the water. The success of JAWS not only led to a slate of rip-off films soon to be dubbed as “sharkploitation”, but also had real life repercussions of pure terror leading to deserted beaches and massive shark culls. However, JAWS was by no means the first or last aquatic horror media to pique our interest in the deep blue. Our fascination for monsters of the abyss goes back to the dawn of man and has traveled with us throughout time, from Jonah’s whale to ancient sea monsters depicted in early cartography to Moby Dick to the upcoming MEG film.
From unknown ghosts of the deep to sharks, mermaids, gators and the Great Old Ones of Lovecraftian lore, This lecture by Rebekah McKendry will examine not only the history of aquatic horror, focusing on film, but also touching on earlier texts and visual arts. McKendry will also explore the psychology behind our fascination with unknown fathoms, exploring the
mental intersections of fear and fascination, the symbolism of submergence, and the subconscious primordial elements of the deep.
Sounds like a great lecture!
Event Details
The Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies – L.A. – I Dream of Deep Water: An Exploration of the History and Psychology of Aquatic Horror
Date: October 24th 2018
Time: 7:00pm-10:00pm
Venue: Philosophical Research Society
Address: 3910 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Prices: $12 advance ($40 with book) / $15 door
Click HERE for full event details.
A fascinating subject! Everyone loves a good underwater horror movie. Shark films in particular! I bet this ends up being a really interesting talk. It would be nice if they recorded it and released it to the public! Get a YouTube channel, Miskatonic!
Any Miskatonic L.A students out there? Are you planning to check out this lecture? Tell us in the comments!
