Let's get ready to crosstalk
By admin on 2014-12-29

Students can now finally be rewarded for sassing their instructor thanks to Beijing Film Academy (BFA) opening of their new undergraduate program teaching the traditional comedic art of crosstalk. Traditionally passed down from teacher to student for generations, this semester marks the first time crosstalk is offered in an academic setting.

The four-year course will initially be limited to 20 students and include famous instructors such as Tianjin crosstalker Feng Gong, who has performed in the Spring Festival Gala every year since 1987.

However, debate has surfaced as to whether bringing crosstalk to the classroom will help or hinder its future development.

Jiang Kun

A famous crosstalk actor

I am very supportive of starting a crosstalk program since it makes our national art a part of higher education. Peking Opera has been studied at universities for many years, why can't crosstalk?

But one thing we need to pay attention to is BFA's systematic instruction of crosstalk still has a long way to go, so I don't think a university can completely replace the traditional ways of teaching of crosstalk.

Yang Yi

An English senior at Beijing International Studies University

I am not positive about the future of this class and the actors it would produce. Crosstalk, to a large extent, provides an outlet for social commentary. The more current political and social commentary crosstalk explores, the more successful the art is used.

However, Chinese universities are in this bubble where students are taught to hold a positive attitude toward society rather than explore and debate social problems. How can crosstalk be taught there?

Gao Xiaopan

A leading member of Hip-hop Crosstalk, a popular Beijing-based group of young crosstalk actors.

BFA's intention of making crosstalk a major in university is good – to protect and develop crosstalk and promote the development of traditional Chinese art.

However, I learned from the news that most students participating in the program were rejected from BFA's drama department and chose crosstalk as a backup major and are not really enthusiastic about the art.

If you study crosstalk only for money, fame or just because you couldn't get into acting classes, there's no way you will be good at it.