SAH/SCC is delighted to welcome back John Trafton for his follow-up book, Los Angeles and Film (Bloomsbury Academic, 2026). Many of you will remember Trafton from his previous Authors on Architecture program for his book Movie Made Los Angeles (Wayne State University Press, 2023). In the first book, Trafton explored how Hollywood, an industry based on world-building, was the product of the unique iconography, architecture, and art forms in the land of sunshine. (Order the video here.) The new work expands this investigation across the 20th century, exploring the reciprocal relationship between Los Angeles and cinema through architecture, visual art, popular music, theme parks, and the city’s diverse filmmaking traditions.”
As Charlie Keil, Professor at Cinema Studies Institute, Department of History, University of Toronto, has said, “Los Angeles and Film charts the multi-dimensional nature of the city’s reciprocal relationship with the industry that has defined it in the public imagination. Studying both films and what he terms ‘cinema-adjacent art forms,’ including architecture and fine art, but also popular music and theme parks, Trafton deepens our appreciation of how a history of Los Angeles on film can also serve as a sociocultural study of American cinema in all of its diversity, from noir to the L.A. Rebellion, from disaster films to Chicano Cinema.”
A native of Southern California, Trafton teaches film and media studies at Chapman University and Occidental College. His research and public-facing work explore the intersections of cinema, history, architecture, visual culture, and the urban landscape. He is also co-host of the podcasts “Moving Histories” and “This Movie Saved My Life” and is a frequent invited speaker on film history and Los Angeles culture.
A dynamic and thoughtful presenter, Trafton is sure to engage audience members in his palpable love of all things Los Angeles, including his interest in the cinematic arts.
Authors on Architecture: Trafton on Los Angeles & Film—Sunday, October 4, 2026; 1-2:30 PM Pacific. In-person at Neutra Office Building, 2379 Glendale Blvd., LA, or virtually via Zoom. We regret that this venue is not ADA accessible. Tickets required, $5. Go to www.sahscc.org and pay via PayPal; or mail in order form on Page 6 with check. Zoom link sent upon registration.
