Thriller director heads to Hallam

27th September 2016

Hollywood director, writer and producer John Landis is heading to Sheffield Hallam University to reveal all about his life and work behind the camera.

Widely recognised and celebrated for directing Michael Jackson's ground-breaking Thriller video, the hugely successful director will talk about his Hollywood experiences in conversation with Sheffield Hallam's principal lecturer for stage and screen, Martin Carter. The free event, on Saturday 15 October (6.30pm) at Sheffield Hallam's Pennine Theatre, is being held in association with the Celluloid Screams Horror Film Festival, which starts the following weekend (October 21-23). Landis will discuss a range of subjects, including his extensive filmography which has spanned genres such as horror, musical and comedy, directing blockbusters such as Trading Places, The Blues Brothers, Coming to America and An American Werewolf in London - which this year marks its 35th anniversary of cinematic release. Martin Carter said: "Some film directors manage to capture the imagination of the film-viewing public through a particular style, genre or even a moment in time. John Landis has managed to achieve that same success across a wide variety of films and with genuine longevity, as his films continue to resonate with audiences today. "His insights will be absolutely fascinating - from working with tinseltown superstars to the day-to-day process of making a Hollywood blockbuster - and we're absolutely delighted to be hosting him at Sheffield Hallam University." Rob Nevitt, festival director for Celluloid Screams, said: "John Landis is such an important figure in the film industry as a whole - but particularly the horror genre - so it's a great way for us to lead in to this year's Celluloid Screams programme and a fantastic coup for the city." The free event is expected to sell-out very quickly and tickets will be available on a first-come first-served basis. Please click here for ticket information.