October 9, 2017 with Glenn Frankel, Carl Rollyson, and Grant Wiedenfeld
The LEAP Center brought in Dr. Carl Rollyson and Pulitzer Prize winner Glenn Frankel this week to speak with classes, provide mentorship to students on research and writing, and to host a film festival for the University and the community.
But first, they were guest lecturers for Dr. Grant Weidenfeld’s film class, offered through the MCOM department. Rollyson and Frankel discussed two films about which they are experts: Rio Bravo and High Noon. Rollyson has written a biography on Walter Brennan (star of Rio Bravo) and Glenn Frankel recently wrote “High Noon: The Hollywood Blacklist and the Making of An American Classic”.
They showed the first ten minutes of each film, discussed the narrative aspects of film-making, and took questions from the audience. Most of the questions came from LEAP Ambassadors who sat in on the presentation, but some of the students from the class also asked excellent questions…
…which elicited excellent responses from the guest speakers and earned the students free copies of Mr. Frankel’s best-selling book.
October 09, 2017 Dinner with Glenn Frankel and Carl Rollyson, by Christina Perez
The LEAP ambassadors headed to Pizza Shack in Willis for Dinner. It’s a great place for Italian basics, and we enjoyed fried ravioli, bread, spinach dip, and pizza. Dr. Rollyson shared stories with us about the draft and Vietnam (which tied in nicely with last week’s guest speaker, James Reston), his many biographical subjects, and Glenn Frankel discussed his new book, while also sharing stories about his first job at the Washington Post–where he was hired by Ben Bradlee!
It was a great way to start our very eventful week!
October 10, 2017 Lunch with Glenn Frankel and Carl Rollyson, by Makayla Mason
For lunch, we decided to take Dr. Rollyson and Mr. Frankel to one of Huntsville’s main food attractions, the local restaurant, Farmhouse Cafe. The LEAP Ambassadors, Professor Yawn, Assistant Professor of Mass Communication Dr. Grant Weidenfeld, and our guests sat down for a pleasant lunch and conversation.
The waiter delivered their famously scrumptious broccoli cornbread, which Ambassador Makayla encouraged our guests to try, but only Dr. Rollyson braved the cornbread. Apparently, he really enjoyed it, as he ate two more pieces! The conversation began over a few appetizers, fried green tomatoes and pickles, at the request of Mr. Frankel, because as he expressed, he does not get to savor these Southern favorites often up north (but he wouldn’t eat the broccoli cornbread…)
As we bonded over lunch, the conversation centered around films, actors and actresses, and the LEAP Ambassadors themselves. Everyone had different perspectives and backgrounds that made the conversation interesting and allowed all attendees to partake in the dialog. Mr. Frankel was very interested in knowing more about who we are, the different presentations we’ve given in our community, our community engagement, and how a student becomes an ambassador. The ambassadors proudly answered all his questions!
As we left Farm House Cafe, we told Dr. Rollyson and Mr. Frankel that we could not wait to see them at tonight’s heART of Huntsville and that they were in for a treat!
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 