In Memory of Ed Asner (November 15, 1929 – August 29, 2021)
Last week, American actor and political activist Ed Asner passed away. Continue reading
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In Memory of Nancy Cain
We miss you already, Nancy! Nancy Cain died on August 22 in her home in Desert Hot Springs, CA. She was a pioneering videomaker, photographer, author, feminist and role model for generations of artists. Nancy had an unwavering commitment to visionary alternative video for more than five decades, starting with the Videofreex in New York. She was a best friend of Media Burn for all of our 20 years and a major producer of our television series THE 90’s, and … Continue reading
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Resurrecting the 1970s Guerrilla Television Movement
We have some exciting news about a new project!We’re proud to be able to announce that, after several years of planning and development, we’ve been awarded a nearly half million dollar grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources to lead a collaboration that will digitize and make available more than 1,000 videotapes from media art centers across the country. The University of Chicago Library and Department of Cinema and Media Studies are our main project partners. This three-year … Continue reading
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8/12/21: Virtual Talks with Video Activists: Julie Gustafson
A screening/discussion with filmmaker Julie Gustafson moderated by media scholar Rachel Fabian. Continue reading
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In Memory of Frank Sullivan (1930-2021)
Frank Sullivan, press secretary for Mayor Richard J. Daley from 1971-1976, died June 18 at the age of 91. Prior to working for Daley, he served as spokesperson for the Chicago Police Department during the 1968 Democratic National Convention protests. Television viewers around the world then were shocked at live broadcasts of police beating anti-imperialist demonstrators. This was unprecedented violence and the origin of the now-famous protest cry, “The whole world is watching!” The independent Kerner Commission report determined that … Continue reading
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America’s First Drag Queen President
“A presidential campaign is like a drag show.” Joan Jett Blakk In 1992, there was another candidate against Bush, and her name? Joan Jett Blakk. For Pride month, Media Burn is highlighting and celebrating the work of queer activists of the past. Blakk was the drag persona of performer Terence Smith, who was a performer and leader of Chicago Queer Nation in the 70s. In the 1990s, Blakk campaigned for various political positions, such as mayor of Chicago, President (as … Continue reading
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In Memory of Aniello “Red” Fontano (1928-2021)
On Monday, May 24, 2021, Chicago lost a legend: Aniello “Red” Fontano. Known all over Chicago for his famous “Fontano’s Subs,” Red’s story is emblematic of the Little Italy neighborhood. In 1963, Red opened a small grocery store on the corner of Polk and Carpenter with his wife, Gilda nee Eterno, where they would sell authentic Italian submarine sandwiches for over 50 years. While Fontano’s Subs would become successful enough to franchise all over the city and suburbs, the original … Continue reading
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High Schoolers: apply now for a paid summer job at Media Burn
Learn more about last year’s cohort and watch their videos: https://mediaburn.org/blog/party-time-premiere-of-student-covid-docs-on-monday/ Fill out my online form.