Wichita State University
College of Fine Arts
Guest Artist: DEAN HARGROVE
with: JEFF PETERS, STEVEN POSTER, & ALAN RACHINS
WSU alumnus and TV writer/producer Dean Hargrove’s will be in Wichita as honored guest
at the Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series on October 5, 2016. Shockers are invited to a special screening of Hargrove's short
film "Tap World" and a panel discussion featuring Hargrove, producer Jeff Peters and cinematographer
Steven Poster ASC. The foursome will conduct workshops, lead master classes, and host
discussions while on campus. A full list of their schedule can be found here.
Dean Hargrove ’60, a 1996 WSU President's Medal recipient, has written and produced hundreds of television programs in the United
States and around the world. Among his many Hollywood projects are the Bob Newhart Show, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., It Takes a Thief, Columbo, the Perry Mason Movies, and Matlock. Hargrove has deep roots in Kansas, and the connection is strong. Although the Iola
native and University of Wichita political science graduate hasn't lived in his home
state since 1960, he feels a sense of gratitude for the ways in which his education
and experiences in Kansas have helped prepare him for life — and a most successful
career.
Jeff Peters: "Tap Heat", the highly acclaimed short film that was also the inspiration for "Tap World", marked the film debut for producer Jeff Peters. Peters' work as producer for television includes the entire nine-season run of Matlock, the series pilot for Jake and the Fatman and the Perry Mason Movies of the Week. As a writer, Peters wrote for both the McBride and the Jane Doe Mystery Movie Series that aired on the Hallmark Channel.
Steven Poster ASC, launched his cinematography career in Chicago, at age 21, and began with filming
television commercials, cinema verite documentaries, and industrial films. As director
of photography, Poster has filmed a variety of motion pictures including "Stuart Little
2", "Daddy Day Care", "Rocky V", "The Cemetery Club", "Life Stinks", "Opportunity
Knocks", "Next of Kin", "Big Top Pee-wee", and "Testament" as well as the controversial,
award-winning music video for Madonna, Like a Prayer.
Alan Rachins is one of a very elite group of actors who has starred in two successful television
series in his career: Dharma & Greg, in which he starred as Larry Finkelstein the hippie father, and the Emmy Award-winning
L.A. Law, for which he created the complex character of Douglas Brackman that earned him both
a Golden Globe and Emmy nomination. In addition to acting, his credits includes directing
and writing episodes for such shows as Hill Street Blues and Knight Rider.