Learn the basics of movie editing How Do Movies Link All Those Images? Learn the basics of movie editing All Talks About If you hold up a piece of film stock, you'll notice a series of images, one slightly different from the next. So how do those hundreds or thousands of separate images that comprise a movie ultimately make sense and then, hopefully, affect us emotionally as we watch? Learn the answer in this hour-long program on editing, where you'll be introduced to the basics of editing, including the shot, shot transitions, types of relationships between shots, and two common editing styles. Request Talk

Explore the history of Mardi Gras and its onscreen depictions, including some from Chicago film companies Mardi Gras and Movies in the Midwest Explore the history of Mardi Gras and its onscreen depictions, including some from Chicago film companies All Talks About In celebration of Fat Tuesday, explore the history of Mardi Gras and a few of its 200+ onscreen depictions, including some from Chicago film companies! In this hour-long program (offered virtually and in person), you will: Enjoy a short history of Mardi Gras , including the meaning behind its name, regional and global traditions, associated lawsuits, memes, and marketing. Explore movies that depict the famous New Orleans-based celebration , and learn why this annual raucous event has translated well to the silver screen since 1898! Compare pączki , a Fat Tuesday pastry common in Chicago and the Midwest, to New Orleans-style king cake , a ring of twisted cinnamon roll-style dough stuffed with cream cheese, praline, or strawberry—and a plastic baby doll. Request Talk

Visit the suburban Chicago village where the romantic comedy "While You Were Sleeping” was filmed While You Were Sleeping in Chicago: A Holiday Stroll Visit the suburban Chicago village where the romantic comedy "While You Were Sleeping” was filmed All Talks About Book the new, updated version of this Christmas talk: Location and Legacy in While You Were Sleeping ! Round out your holiday season with a virtual walking tour through the Chicago suburb where the 1995 Christmas movie While You Were Sleeping was filmed. As you stroll with Kelli through the charming village streets of La Grange, IL, you’ll see the locations that set the stage for Lucy and Jack’s romance. Along the way, you’ll also experience three of Frank Lloyd Wright’s rare “bootleg” houses, blending a bit of architectural history with our holiday cheer. Whether you’re a fan of Sandra Bullock, Peter Gallagher's eyebrows, or just seeking a fun and festive way to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit, this virtual walking tour is a fun way to celebrate the season. Request Talk

Revisit the abortion plot in Dirty Dancing, without which the entire movie falls apart Dirty Dancing on Abortion Revisit the abortion plot in Dirty Dancing, without which the entire movie falls apart All Talks About Dirty Dancing , the 1987 coming-of-age movie starring Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze, has resurfaced in the news in 2022 for three reasons: Grey is promoting her memoir Out of the Corner . This summer marks the film’s 35th anniversary . The Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade , the 1973 Court decision that affirmed the constitutional right to abortion. In light of these recent events—along with Millennium Park's summer film series (Aug. 2) and a live concert in Rosemont, IL (Nov. 11)—join Chicago Movie Tours in an exploration of Dirty Dancing as it relates to the issue of abortion. We’ll pay special attention to the movie’s representation of abortion, without which the whole story would collapse. Also, in the livestream, we’ll consider Dirty Dancing ’s premiere, its screenwriter’s intents, and its progressive messages for audiences in 1987—and today. Choose your date below to join the conversation! Registration closes 70 min. before the event is scheduled to begin. Request Talk

Explore settings, props, actors, costumes, makeup, and lighting How Are Movie Worlds Created? Explore settings, props, actors, costumes, makeup, and lighting All Talks About To tell you a story, a movie relies on settings, props, actors, blocking, costumes, makeup, and lighting—all of which exist independently of cinematography, editing, and sound design. If you've ever wanted to learn how these items, collectively called mise-en-scene (pronounced meez-on-sen), contribute to a film's world and your perception of characters or particular moods, then join us! This hour-long program will also briefly trace mise-en-scene in film from 1900 to the present. Request Talk

Explore snowy Chicago movie locations featured in "Groundhog Day," "The Breakfast Club," and more Chicago Movies in Winter Explore snowy Chicago movie locations featured in "Groundhog Day," "The Breakfast Club," and more All Talks About Bundle up for a journey through Chicago's chilliest movie moments! Join Kelli for a free virtual walking tour highlighting Chicago movie locations captured in snow or chilly weather. This unique HD video experience features Groundhog Day , The Breakfast Club , Child's Play , and Judas and the Black Messiah . So grab your hot cocoa, log on, and let’s hit the virtual streets of Chicago’s "coolest" movies. Request Talk

Get introduced to cinematography to experience movies on a new level How Do Movies Guide Your Eyes? Get introduced to cinematography to experience movies on a new level All Talks About When you watch a movie, the images before you may seem like objective views of the world. But they are not. In fact, those images are purposefully constructed and then put onscreen—to guide your eyes where the director wants them to go. Sneaky, right? This hour-long program introduces you to the basics of cinematography, including speed of motion, perspective relationships, focal length, depth of field, and framing. After all, once you recognize how cinematography works, you can experience and understand movies on a new level. Request Talk

Learn how the TV series "Seinfeld" uses food to define characters, shape dialogue, and reveal (often wacky) American social norms No Soup for You! The Role of Food in "Seinfeld" Learn how the TV series "Seinfeld" uses food to define characters, shape dialogue, and reveal (often wacky) American social norms All Talks About Book for Sept. 2026 and after— download 2026 calendar . What does a sitcom "about nothing " have to say about something as universal as food? Quite a lot, it turns out. In this hour-long talk, you'll discover how the TV series Seinfeld (1989-1998) uses food to define its characters, shape their conversations, and highlight society’s endless—and often absurd—rules around eating. From marble rye to the Soup Nazi, from the Big Salad to the Junior Mint, food in Seinfeld is rarely just about what’s on the plate. Through clips and screenshots, this talk traces the show’s nine-season run and highlights the most memorable—and culturally revealing—food moments. Presenter Dr. Kelli Marshall , who has taught a college course devoted to Seinfeld , published articles on the show , and even Skyped with a cast member, guides you through how one of television’s most celebrated sitcoms turned food into a comedic feast of meaning. Request Talk

Celebrate Illinois' Oscar winners, scandalous moments, and "Oscar bait" as you countdown to this year's Academy Awards Countdown to the Oscars: Illinois Winners, Scandalous Moments, and Oscar Bait Celebrate Illinois' Oscar winners, scandalous moments, and "Oscar bait" as you countdown to this year's Academy Awards All Talks About This program aims to prepare you for Hollywood's biggest night—the Oscars! In our hour-long talk, we'll shine the spotlight on Illinois' rich history of Academy Award success, celebrating winners from Chicago and beyond. We'll also dish on some of the most unforgettable and scandalous moments in Oscar history that had everyone talking. Plus, you'll learn all about the term Oscar bait —what it is, why it (sometimes) works, and how it shapes the race for the gold. Grab your popcorn, settle in, and join us for an entertaining and insightful countdown to the Oscars! Request Talk

Visit Vicksburg, Mississippi, as you learn about its ties to Chicago and movies Chicago and Movies on the Mississippi River Visit Vicksburg, Mississippi, as you learn about its ties to Chicago and movies All Talks About Hit the road with Chicago Movie Tours! Filled with original HD video footage, this unique hour-long talk takes you on location to four spots in historic Vicksburg, Mississippi. Specifically, you will: Explore the Mississippi River and magnolia trees at sunset. See where the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? filmed a prominent scene. Hear about a Chicago-based silent movie filmed inside a Vicksburg military park. Experience markers and a film role dedicated to Chicago blues musician Willie Dixon. Anyone who loves uncovering surprising connections between cities, cinema, and culture will enjoy this talk. Request Talk

Go behind the scenes of "The Fugitive" to explore its Chicago roots, on-set challenges, and lasting legacy in film and TV history On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive Go behind the scenes of "The Fugitive" to explore its Chicago roots, on-set challenges, and lasting legacy in film and TV history All Talks About Step behind the camera of The Fugitive (1993), the Oscar-winning thriller filmed in Chicago. In this hour-long talk, you’ll uncover backstories from the movie’s whirlwind production—including script struggles, recasting challenges, and even studio debates about makeup. Along the way, we’ll situate the film in the larger history of TV and cinema, connecting it back to the 1960s series that inspired the blockbuster. From there, the program shifts to Chicago’s City Hall and the city’s famous St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Using original HD footage, you’ll walk virtually along the Chicago River, learning about the tradition of dyeing the water green, its role in The Fugitive’s iconic climax, and the environmental effects of the practice. Finally, we’ll examine the film’s enduring legacy, including its little-known 1998 sequel and its train derailment site that has become a popular tourist attraction. Request Talk

Discover how Chicago helped advance film and create movie stars Chicago's World's Fairs and the Movies Discover how Chicago helped advance film and create movie stars All Talks About Chicago has hosted two major world's fairs. In 1893, the city hosted the World's Columbian Exposition and in 1933-34, Century of Progress. Both events showcased moving pictures. In this talk, learn about a murderous cinematographer, including his influence on early cinema and status at the 1893 World's Fair. Also, celebrate the fathers of modern movies—and that time they filmed Chicago's famous Ferris wheel. Then, walk the trails of Northerly Island (via HD video) as you discover how this man-made peninsula—along with events that occurred there in 1933—is connected to classic Hollywood. Image: Carli Digital Collections. Radio Flyer at the Century of Progress Enchanted Island , May 1933. Request Talk