For the Features section of its Fall 2016 issue, Mediascape, UCLA’s journal of cinema and media studies, invites scholarly articles that address the theme of authorship.

In many ways, authorship defines and shapes media experiences from the web to the big screen. Whether it is film, television, or new media, each medium depends upon a sense of authorship within its products. A screenwriter or composer might be noted for their specific, stylistic flair. A video game designer could be sought out for a specific narrative or their striking graphics. An actor or actress might have more influence over content above and beyond their performance. The aim of this issue is to further these discussions and to explore the various methods in which authorship has informed and continues to inform our mediascape. We welcome papers that examine any interpretation of authorship in the context of film, television, and digital media.


Possible topic may include, but are not limited to:
 Fan/Audience Reception—How does the audience react to or affect content of the author? How are fan communities built upon a particular author/auteur?
 Identity—Who is seen or becomes an author as opposed to those that are not defined as authors? How does the identity of authorship change?
 Representation—How is authorship depicted within media productions themselves? Who are the people most readily defined as authors and how does that affect representation?
 Marketing—How is authorship marketed?
 Past and Present—How have notions of authorship changed over time? Has an author’s style changed over time?
 Remakes and Sequels—How is authorship affected by remakes and franchise sequels?
 Transmedia—How does authorship influence franchise materials/story across mediums?
 Perception—How are authors/auteurs perceived by studios or by audiences? How do authors/auteurs perceive themselves? Has their own personal narrative changed?

Interested participants are invited to submit papers of between 4,500 and 7,000 words (approximately 15-25 pages) in length OR an abstract along with a CV to features.mediascape@gmail.com by December 15th, 2015.

If you have any questions, please contact Caitlin McCann at features.mediascape@gmail.com.