Fast Talk

Fast Talk

Directed by Debra Tolchinsky
Produced by David E. Tolchinsky
A feature documentary about Northwestern University fast-talking debaters

Overview

Genre
Sports, Social Issues, Culture, Society, and Essay
Synopsis

Fast Talk tracks the NU debate team as it tries for a second consecutive championship while simultaneously examining why debaters now talk so fast and how their arguments are unintelligible and inconsequential to a non-debate audience. Clearly there are benefits to fast-talking--more arguments presented in a shorter amount of time. But is there a dark side? How does fast-talking affect the participation and success of women, minorities, and low-income students? Has debate slowly morphed from an academic activity meant to train young minds to an activity meant to train winners regardless of whether or not they know how to communicate and/or form nuanced arguments? At a broader level, perhaps what has happened to debate is a microcosm of what has happened to many arenas in academia and the world. Students are increasingly pressured to achieve more quickly. Often good pedagogy and health are sacrificed in favor of rewards whether it be certificates, trophies or A's.

Stage
finished
Running time
56 minutes

Credits

  • Debra Tolchinsky ... Director/Producer
  • Ron Ward ... Editor/Producer
  • David E. Tolchinsky ... Producer

Production Details

Prod. Co.
Cross X Productions, LLC
Country
United States
Years of Production
2005-2011
Locations
various throughout the United States

Distribution Details

Release year
2011
Festivals
2011 DocuWest Documentary Festival, 2011 LA Femme Film Festival
Awards
Best Doc, 2011 LA Femme Film Fest; 2011 Award of Excellence: short documentary, The Indie Fest 2011 Award of Merit: editing, The Indie Fest 2011 Award of Merit, The Accolade Competition 2011 Award of Merit, Los Angeles Cinema Festival of Hollywood
Distribution
Premiered August 18, 2011 at the Downtown Independent in Los Angeles: downtownindependent.com
Broadcast (Prod.)
N/A
Broadcast (Acq.)
N/A
Language
English
Subtitles
n/A

Photos

7c08973716e4ccfd270677e036324da4

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