Tanya Goldman
@tanyagoldman.bsky.social
cinema studies | media distribution + access | documentary | nontheatrical film | useful media | feminist media history | she/her
https://www.tanyagoldmanphd.com
https://www.tanyagoldmanphd.com
This #Halloween 🎃 costume is dedicated to my mom who taped re-run episodes of Scooby-Doo off television for me for months literally every time we needed to miss the daily 📺 showing in the early 1990s. Love you June! 📼
October 31, 2025 at 4:56 PM
This #Halloween 🎃 costume is dedicated to my mom who taped re-run episodes of Scooby-Doo off television for me for months literally every time we needed to miss the daily 📺 showing in the early 1990s. Love you June! 📼
I don’t live in NYC anymore but if I did I would RUN to @lightindustry.bsky.social on November 4 for their screening of Alberto Gout’s AVENTURERA. Ninón Sevilla slays. See also SENSUALIDAD (1952) and VICTIMS OF SIN (avail on home video via Criterion).
www.lightindustry.org/aventurera
www.lightindustry.org/aventurera
October 30, 2025 at 7:18 PM
I don’t live in NYC anymore but if I did I would RUN to @lightindustry.bsky.social on November 4 for their screening of Alberto Gout’s AVENTURERA. Ninón Sevilla slays. See also SENSUALIDAD (1952) and VICTIMS OF SIN (avail on home video via Criterion).
www.lightindustry.org/aventurera
www.lightindustry.org/aventurera
Inspired by conference talk by my colleague Joshua Glick, I’ve designed a new assignment for my “Documentary Storytelling” students. They’ll select a recent(ish) political documentary and produce a written report and presentation about the film and its impact guide to their peers. 1/
![Assignment for undergraduate “Documentary Storytelling” course. Text reads on image reads:
DOCUMENTARY IMPACT ASSIGNMENT
Assignment Components + Due Dates
• Written Report (Worksheet) due Sunday, November 16 by 8pm. Upload to Brightspace (5% of grade)
• Oral Presentation with Slide Deck delivered in-class on Monday, November 17 and Wednesday, November 19. (10% of grade)
Assignment Prompt
The past three decades have seen structural changes within the documentary ecosystem that have institutionalized an “impact” model for politically minded filmmaking. In this system, investors and incubator funds are increasingly asking documentarians to articulate metrics and concrete outcomes through which they will measure their film’s success. In the words of Meg McLagan, this system functions on “the expectation [that documentaries] should not just represent political conditions but actually change them.”
You will explore this recent trend independently via a case study of your choice (selected from Impact Guide website or other approved source). After watching your chosen film and reading its impact guide, you will produce a written report (modeled on worksheet below) and then deliver an 8–10-minute oral presentation with supporting visual slide deck to your peers.
Link references is impactguide.org](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ej2smo7keinbepae43fxwxmb/bafkreibqhdrtofic6croaygkaigndgcjgno7r5dxghh3igqkyujwzyjhcy@jpeg)
October 29, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Inspired by conference talk by my colleague Joshua Glick, I’ve designed a new assignment for my “Documentary Storytelling” students. They’ll select a recent(ish) political documentary and produce a written report and presentation about the film and its impact guide to their peers. 1/
A year ago I had the pleasure of writing about Lionel Rogosin’s oeuvre for @criterion.bsky.social Current. His films are still available on the Channel; check them out if you haven’t! H/t to @milestonefilms.bsky.social for bringing his work to a wider audience. 🎉
www.criterion.com/current/post...
www.criterion.com/current/post...
October 26, 2025 at 9:34 PM
A year ago I had the pleasure of writing about Lionel Rogosin’s oeuvre for @criterion.bsky.social Current. His films are still available on the Channel; check them out if you haven’t! H/t to @milestonefilms.bsky.social for bringing his work to a wider audience. 🎉
www.criterion.com/current/post...
www.criterion.com/current/post...
Exciting new documentary entering circulation! ELVIRA NOTARI: BEYOND SILENCE about Italy’s first woman director + journey to bring her work back to life. Trailer (w/ English subs) here. First learned of Notari via Giuliana Bruno’s classic monograph STREETWALKING ON A RUINED MAP
vimeo.com/1125241996
vimeo.com/1125241996
October 23, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Exciting new documentary entering circulation! ELVIRA NOTARI: BEYOND SILENCE about Italy’s first woman director + journey to bring her work back to life. Trailer (w/ English subs) here. First learned of Notari via Giuliana Bruno’s classic monograph STREETWALKING ON A RUINED MAP
vimeo.com/1125241996
vimeo.com/1125241996
Suffice it to say showing Santiago Álvarez’s NOW!, Josh Begley’s BEST OF LUCK WITH THE WALL, and Marshall Curry’s A NIGHT AT THE GARDEN in “Documentary Storytelling” was very cathartic today!
October 20, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Suffice it to say showing Santiago Álvarez’s NOW!, Josh Begley’s BEST OF LUCK WITH THE WALL, and Marshall Curry’s A NIGHT AT THE GARDEN in “Documentary Storytelling” was very cathartic today!
Define “Perfect Ending”?
October 19, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Define “Perfect Ending”?
Love the text treatment on this printing of Andrew Sarris’ THE AMERICAN CINEMA: DIRECTORS AND DIRECTIONS, 1929-1968
October 17, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Love the text treatment on this printing of Andrew Sarris’ THE AMERICAN CINEMA: DIRECTORS AND DIRECTIONS, 1929-1968
I also DIY digitized about five mini DV tapes from late ‘80s to mid ‘90s from my childhood and burst into tears at the moment I heard the voices of my deceased grandparents.
TL;DR — save your home movies, especially when they are on videotape. Two of the other mini DV tapes had already degraded.
TL;DR — save your home movies, especially when they are on videotape. Two of the other mini DV tapes had already degraded.
October 16, 2025 at 9:48 PM
I also DIY digitized about five mini DV tapes from late ‘80s to mid ‘90s from my childhood and burst into tears at the moment I heard the voices of my deceased grandparents.
TL;DR — save your home movies, especially when they are on videotape. Two of the other mini DV tapes had already degraded.
TL;DR — save your home movies, especially when they are on videotape. Two of the other mini DV tapes had already degraded.
PSA! Preserve your family’s #homemovies no matter the format (yes, this includes smart phone recordings).
Pictured here: screen grabs of digitized videotape of my dad, uncle, grandparents in Brooklyn (and maybe Catskills) circa 1955. Original format was 16mm (or 8mm?). Alas, reels were tossed.
Pictured here: screen grabs of digitized videotape of my dad, uncle, grandparents in Brooklyn (and maybe Catskills) circa 1955. Original format was 16mm (or 8mm?). Alas, reels were tossed.
October 16, 2025 at 9:36 PM
PSA! Preserve your family’s #homemovies no matter the format (yes, this includes smart phone recordings).
Pictured here: screen grabs of digitized videotape of my dad, uncle, grandparents in Brooklyn (and maybe Catskills) circa 1955. Original format was 16mm (or 8mm?). Alas, reels were tossed.
Pictured here: screen grabs of digitized videotape of my dad, uncle, grandparents in Brooklyn (and maybe Catskills) circa 1955. Original format was 16mm (or 8mm?). Alas, reels were tossed.
Apparently I hadn’t seen ONIBABA before? Now I have! Really enjoyed — esp. great atmosphere, score, and sound design.
October 16, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Apparently I hadn’t seen ONIBABA before? Now I have! Really enjoyed — esp. great atmosphere, score, and sound design.
Bowie is more of a Hitchcock fan
October 16, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Bowie is more of a Hitchcock fan
Screened Liane Brandon’s BETTY TELLS HER STORY (1972) in my “Documentary Storytelling” class today. Prompted such a generative convo. Had students complete a brief worksheet before we convened to discuss. Qs:
1. Describe what you watch
2. Compare/contrast the 2 parts
3. Why did Brandon do this?
1/
1. Describe what you watch
2. Compare/contrast the 2 parts
3. Why did Brandon do this?
1/
October 15, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Screened Liane Brandon’s BETTY TELLS HER STORY (1972) in my “Documentary Storytelling” class today. Prompted such a generative convo. Had students complete a brief worksheet before we convened to discuss. Qs:
1. Describe what you watch
2. Compare/contrast the 2 parts
3. Why did Brandon do this?
1/
1. Describe what you watch
2. Compare/contrast the 2 parts
3. Why did Brandon do this?
1/
Anyone read Peter Cowie’s REVOLUTION!: THE EXPLOSION OF WORLD CINEMA? Thinking of assigning in my Film History 1960+ survey next semester. I recall thumbing through it ages ago and it looked accessible and breezy for students.
October 14, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Anyone read Peter Cowie’s REVOLUTION!: THE EXPLOSION OF WORLD CINEMA? Thinking of assigning in my Film History 1960+ survey next semester. I recall thumbing through it ages ago and it looked accessible and breezy for students.
Humble brag? I own a copy of original Casablanca “As Time Goes By” sheet music. Was gift to myself when I visited the famous Larry Edmunds bookstore in Los Angeles a few years ago. Sharing with folks here because I doubt my students will care! 🤣
October 14, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Humble brag? I own a copy of original Casablanca “As Time Goes By” sheet music. Was gift to myself when I visited the famous Larry Edmunds bookstore in Los Angeles a few years ago. Sharing with folks here because I doubt my students will care! 🤣
Um, how did I forget PEDRO PASCAL?
October 13, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Um, how did I forget PEDRO PASCAL?
We need a new Nicolas Cage one for sure!
October 13, 2025 at 11:09 PM
We need a new Nicolas Cage one for sure!
Today in my “Documentary Storytelling” class included an appropriately entertaining tech color glitch: projector (or in-room computer) flipping blues and red hues and making Morris and McNamara look like Smurfs and/or members of the Blue Man Group
October 13, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Today in my “Documentary Storytelling” class included an appropriately entertaining tech color glitch: projector (or in-room computer) flipping blues and red hues and making Morris and McNamara look like Smurfs and/or members of the Blue Man Group
As a person who cares about reading and human thinking, I’d like to share the simmering rage I feel knowing that opening a 4+ page essay in Adobe Acrobat automatically prompts this message: “This appears to be a long document. Save time by reading a summary using AI Assistant."
October 13, 2025 at 3:53 PM
As a person who cares about reading and human thinking, I’d like to share the simmering rage I feel knowing that opening a 4+ page essay in Adobe Acrobat automatically prompts this message: “This appears to be a long document. Save time by reading a summary using AI Assistant."
Been casually reading Barbara Klinger’s IMMORTAL FILMS on the afterlives of Casablanca and virality of this from @biscuitkitten.bsky.social
proves her point.
www.ucpress.edu/books/immort...
proves her point.
www.ucpress.edu/books/immort...
October 9, 2025 at 5:51 AM
Been casually reading Barbara Klinger’s IMMORTAL FILMS on the afterlives of Casablanca and virality of this from @biscuitkitten.bsky.social
proves her point.
www.ucpress.edu/books/immort...
proves her point.
www.ucpress.edu/books/immort...
Love this description of documentarian Leo Hurwitz:
"He is called the dean of the cinematic left. He is 73, with silver hair swept back and hand-rolled cigarette in hand, + class is still in session.” (WashPo, May 24, 1983)
Majority of Hurwitz’s work is available @ leohurwitz.com
"He is called the dean of the cinematic left. He is 73, with silver hair swept back and hand-rolled cigarette in hand, + class is still in session.” (WashPo, May 24, 1983)
Majority of Hurwitz’s work is available @ leohurwitz.com
October 6, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Love this description of documentarian Leo Hurwitz:
"He is called the dean of the cinematic left. He is 73, with silver hair swept back and hand-rolled cigarette in hand, + class is still in session.” (WashPo, May 24, 1983)
Majority of Hurwitz’s work is available @ leohurwitz.com
"He is called the dean of the cinematic left. He is 73, with silver hair swept back and hand-rolled cigarette in hand, + class is still in session.” (WashPo, May 24, 1983)
Majority of Hurwitz’s work is available @ leohurwitz.com
Re-reading to refresh for my Film History class. I am pleased to announce that Thomas Schatz’s GENIUS OF THE SYSTEM still slaps.
October 6, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Re-reading to refresh for my Film History class. I am pleased to announce that Thomas Schatz’s GENIUS OF THE SYSTEM still slaps.
My predecessor left me loads of books and journals and I’m loving these cover designs
October 4, 2025 at 3:02 PM
My predecessor left me loads of books and journals and I’m loving these cover designs
Bringing back the Blue Book!
Distributed thematic essay questions in advance and students are allowed to bring a small number of notes. Let’s see how this goes next week.
Distributed thematic essay questions in advance and students are allowed to bring a small number of notes. Let’s see how this goes next week.
October 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Bringing back the Blue Book!
Distributed thematic essay questions in advance and students are allowed to bring a small number of notes. Let’s see how this goes next week.
Distributed thematic essay questions in advance and students are allowed to bring a small number of notes. Let’s see how this goes next week.
Today’s Film History to 1960 featured screening: MY MAN GODFREY (Gregory La Cava, 1936) + CONFIDENCE (Bill Nolan, 1933)
(Had totally forgotten about CONFIDENCE until 1930s documentary film program at Doclisboa 2023!)
(Had totally forgotten about CONFIDENCE until 1930s documentary film program at Doclisboa 2023!)
September 30, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Today’s Film History to 1960 featured screening: MY MAN GODFREY (Gregory La Cava, 1936) + CONFIDENCE (Bill Nolan, 1933)
(Had totally forgotten about CONFIDENCE until 1930s documentary film program at Doclisboa 2023!)
(Had totally forgotten about CONFIDENCE until 1930s documentary film program at Doclisboa 2023!)