For Dr. Thomas Parham, a film is more than a two-hour distraction.
As professor of communication and media studies and associate dean for assessment and operations for the College of the Arts, he knows what goes into writing, producing, and distributing a film or television show鈥攁nd the impact it can have on culture.
But in an interconnected global market, filmmaking is getting more complex.
This fall, Parham will travel to Canada as a Fulbright Scholar鈥攗ncovering how streaming services and U.S. runaway production affect Canadian cultural identity. He will conduct research at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan. His award marks a total of three Fulbright Scholar awards received by 海角在线 faculty in two years.
鈥淧op culture studies are worthwhile,鈥� shares Parham, who taught at Azusa Pacific University for nearly two decades before joining the 海角在线 faculty in 2020. 鈥淚t鈥檚 interesting to see so many locations outside Hollywood producing U.S. shows.鈥�
At 海角在线, he teaches a variety of classes: Writing for Film and Television, Cinema Lab, Screenwriting Fundamentals, and more鈥攃hampioning redemptive narratives and the power of story.
After serving on active duty in the United States Navy for 11 years, where he attained the rank of lieutenant (O-3) and qualified as a surface warfare officer, Parham completed graduate studies in performing arts and communication studies.
He has worked on over 100 episodes of broadcast television, including writing for the CBS drama 鈥淛AG,鈥� Family Channel sitcom 鈥淏ig Brother Jake,鈥� and working as an on-location writers鈥� assistant for 鈥淭ouched by an Angel.鈥� He also served as supervisor of publishing for Paramount Pictures鈥� licensing division and worked as a writers鈥� assistant there before teaching at the collegiate level.
A seasoned professional, Parham has seen the screen industry evolve in many ways. While recently visiting colleagues working on productions in Vancouver, he began to wonder how Canada鈥檚 film and TV crews and talent were navigating the ever-changing industry.
鈥淧eople aren鈥檛 going back to LA; they鈥檙e working in New York, Georgia, Vancouver, and Toronto,鈥� he says. 鈥淎nd so many American shows shoot in Canada鈥� so I started thinking: 鈥榃hat about Canadian shows?鈥欌��
That curiosity began at a young age. In fact, Parham says his love of television and movies stemmed from reading. As a four-year-old, he learned to decipher the television schedule to thwart his older sisters who had hogged the tube to watch 鈥淒ark Shadows.鈥� His mother also encouraged him to read books well beyond his grade level.
Now as he begins work as a Fulbright Scholar, he鈥檚 grateful to continue doing what he loves鈥攃rediting Dr. Carl Miller, 海角在线鈥檚 dedicated Gilman and Fulbright Scholarship advisor, for supporting his decision to apply.
鈥淚 thought about applying for a Fulbright for years,鈥� he says. 鈥淭his is the cherry on top of my academic career.鈥�
Learn more about 海角在线鈥檚 cinema and media studies programs.
