When the Force is Not with Us: Considering Genre in Andor and the ‘Star Wars’ Franchise
I once became startled in my sleep after a dream about ‘Star Wars’. In the dream, the franchise had abandoned the fantasy genre and wholly succumbed to science fiction. Admittedly, this was more of a nightmare than a dream…. I recently wrote this piece for Pop Junctions‘s ‘Emmys Watch 2025‘ series. ‘Emmys Watch 2025’ showcases critical responses to the series nominated for Outstanding Drama, Outstanding … Continue reading When the Force is Not with Us: Considering Genre in Andor and the ‘Star Wars’ Franchise
Performing Pandora: Virtual Production and the Profilmic Event in ‘Avatar’
The Screens of Virtual Production: What is Real? Edited By Sian Mitchell, Colin Perry, Sean Redmond, Lienors Torre. Routledge, 2025. Book Description This book is the first dedicated edited collection that explores the virtualisation of screen-making processes from pre-production to post-production, while attuning to the aesthetic, ideological and performative contexts upended by these integrated technologies. This book explores what is real in virtual production, as a provocative one, implicitly drawing … Continue reading Performing Pandora: Virtual Production and the Profilmic Event in ‘Avatar’
How Do You Adapt a Doll? Adaptation, Franchising and Barbie (2023)
Presentation at ‘Adaptation’ Symposium, convened by the Sydney Literature and Cinema Network at Macquarie University — 26 July, 2024. “How Do You Adapt a Doll? Adaptation, Franchising and Barbie (2023)” – Tara Lomax Abstract This is a critical response to discourses surrounding the classification of Barbie (2023) as an adaptation and stems from its nomination in the Best Adapted Screenplay category at the 96th Academy Awards. This Oscar nomination contradicts its … Continue reading How Do You Adapt a Doll? Adaptation, Franchising and Barbie (2023)
Senses of Cinema, World Poll 2023
This post has been reproduced with attribution from original publication at Senses of Cinema. This contribution continues my World Poll theme, whereby I survey the year’s franchise installments to review how the mode of production develops over time (for better or worse). Overall, 2023 wasn’t a strong year for Hollywood franchising: after some years of faltering under the weight of industrial shifts, global crises and general creative … Continue reading Senses of Cinema, World Poll 2023
Senses of Cinema, World Poll 2022
This post has been reproduced with attribution from original publication at Senses of Cinema. World Poll 2022 – Part 5 It was an interesting year for blockbuster cinema in 2022: Hollywood worked to recover after years of pandemic-driven instability and unpredictability that disrupted production and distribution scheduling; cinema exhibition continued to work in tension with streaming and other home exhibition platforms; Tom Cruise proved to the world … Continue reading Senses of Cinema, World Poll 2022
“A long time ago….”: The Persistence and Longevity of ‘Star Wars’ at 45
Peer reviewed article published in Senses of Cinema 103 (October 2022) Article Introduction This year Star Wars (George Lucas, 1977) commemorated its 45th anniversary. This anniversary recognises the passage of time since its theatrical premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday 25 May 1977. Such milestones are often associated with historical distance or cultural nostalgia that offer an opportunity to reflect on aesthetic and cultural impact … Continue reading “A long time ago….”: The Persistence and Longevity of ‘Star Wars’ at 45
Secrets of Blockbuster Franchises – Project Tempest Podcast
Project Tempest Podcast Episode 15 I had the pleasure of joining the Project Tempest Podcast to talk about blockbuster franchising, creative development, and the multiplatform potential of a story idea. In this discussion, we talk about blockbuster entertainment properties, such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars, smaller scale independent application of the franchise model, and the opportunities that franchise development can offer emerging … Continue reading Secrets of Blockbuster Franchises – Project Tempest Podcast
Superheroes on Screen – Primal Screen, 3RRR
Host Flick Ford is joined by guest reviewers Dr Tara Lomax and Dr Andrew Lynch for a look at superheroes on screen. They review Ryan Griffen’s 2016 Indigenous superhero story CLEVERMAN and Taika Waititi’s new release THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER. Continue reading Superheroes on Screen – Primal Screen, 3RRR
James Bond will Return: Franchise Longevity, the Bondian Formula & Popular Culture
Presentation at ‘The World is Not Enough: The Impact of James Bond on Popular Culture’ Symposium, convened by the Popular Culture Research Network (POPCRN) at the University of New England — Online, 26 May, 2022. A virtual symposium celebrating Ian Fleming’s birthday and focused on all things James Bond in popular culture. As the quintessential English spy serving on her majesty’s secret service the character of … Continue reading James Bond will Return: Franchise Longevity, the Bondian Formula & Popular Culture
Senses of Cinema, World Poll 2021
This post has been reproduced with attribution from original publication at Senses of Cinema. To support the work of Senses of Cinema see the Patreon campaign. World Poll 2021 — Part 4 As per my previous World Poll contributions, this list reflects on the key blockbuster franchise releases of the year. Thinking back to my notable viewing this year, I could discuss The Dry (Robert Connolly, 2021), High Ground (Stephen Johnson, 2021), Promising Young … Continue reading Senses of Cinema, World Poll 2021
Assembled Illusions 
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