John Manuel

I teach modules in Film Studies and Scriptwriting. I am interested in all aspects of cinema, particularly with regard to: Hollywood, British cinema, the film industry, and cinema exhibition and distribution. I am especially keen to alert students to the importance of scriptwriters in the filmmaking process, as well as the complex industrial intricacies of film production and distribution.

I am also the Programmer for the Stoke Film Theatre, a public cinema which is based on the Staffordshire University campus. I try to see as many new films from all over the world as possible – and I encourage Film Studies students to do the same, as part of their cultural and intellectual development.

I welcome debate with students about individual films or filmmakers, as well as the film industry in general, and always encourage them to read as much film theory and history as possible.

My current research interest relates to my work for the Film Theatre: I am conducting studies of box-office attendances across various time periods, with a view to establishing trends or patterns of cinemagoing in independent regional cinemas.

I teach modules in Film Studies and Scriptwriting. I also contribute to modules led by colleagues in Television Studies. I help co-ordinate Open Days, and administrative duties as required.

Research interests: The film industry, cinema exhibition and distribution, the role of the scriptwriter in film production, British cinema, Hollywood cinema.

Current Research activities: My current research interest relates to my work for the Film Theatre: I am conducting studies of box-office attendances across various time periods, with a view to establishing trends or patterns of cinemagoing in independent regional cinemas.