For the second year, Dr. Cole Bennett’s ENGL 325: Advanced Comp students premiered their Literacies projects in the screening room.
The course introduces students to “theories of literacy from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, paying particular attention to readings that emphasize social and political issues related to reading and writing.” then concluded with student-produced videos introducing a cultural literacy of their own:
“Rhetorically, this video should attempt to convince the viewer that 1) the activity under consideration qualifies as an expanded form of literacy; and 2) society would benefit as a whole if such argument were accepted. How does the subject fall under a definition of literacy? Which definition? Why does it matter? How are our lives enriched if we agree with you? How might your opponents disagree with you, and how would you address such concerns?”
In our first year, the Learning Studio has enjoyed working with Nil Santana in the department of Art & Design on a series of workshops for aspiring digital photographers.
Last month we took our fourth group of faculty members to the most photogenic town in Texas and worked to build their confidence in the fundamentals of digital photography. Full-time faculty members interested in more information, please fill out the RSVP form below.
*For more information on the Digital Academy format or to see work produced by our faculty alums, check the Digital Academy blog.
Lightpainting at Fort Phantom on April 19th
Our last photography event of the spring is coming up a week from Thursday when we’re inviting interested faculty and staff to join us for an evening of long-exposure shooting. All you need is a tripod and a camera capable of shutter speeds longer than 3-5 seconds. Novice and advanced shooters welcome for an evening shooting out at Fort Phantom Hill.
With more than a thousand equipment checkouts this semester, we’re glad the campus now thinks of the Learning Studio when they have a media project. To keep you up-to-date on new additions, we’re kicking off a series on new services and equipment in the Learning Studio.
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LS Unboxed: The Swivl
We just received the new Swivl iPhone/iPod dock, the simple way to make sure you stay in the picture. The cradle holds most any camera phone or small Flip-style camera, and the base swivels to follow you as you move. If you have an iOS device, Swivl’s clip-on transmitter also functions as a wireless microphone when paired with the Swivl app.
Many students have already scheduled sessions in Studio 1 and Studio 2 to record a speech or group presentation, but now you can make any of our rooms a practice room. The Swivl is also available to faculty for recording a class lecture or conference presentation as well.
Here’s Ben Weaver from the Learning Studio with a quick look at Swivl:
In addition to the Swivl, we’ve also made other additions you’ll want to be aware of:
Mac Video Adapters – we now have adapters for iPads and most models of Mac laptops for use with the Mediascape tables. Just bring your computer to the main desk and we’ll try to find a match.
Cameras and Light Kits – in preparation for FilmFest, we also added cameras and two Lowel light kits for anyone wanting to produce higher-quality video. Come by during staff hours for a quick review of the equipment.
Casio Slim Projectors – faculty or group sponsors may now check-out projectors for classes, departmental events, and conference presentations. *Students in official campus organizations need to have a sponsor request the projector.
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For More Information
For a complete list of all check-out equipment, check the Learning Studio blog. For all other questions about availability come by during regular Media Lab hours or call the main info desk, 674-2341.
Great interview with Bill Rankin on iTunes U about the changing nature of the university, the library, and disruptive potential of digital books.
“This new generation of books really opens a door for learning, inviting in people who never would have had a chance before. . . They put a printing press not just in the hands of teachers but in the hands of students. I think this is a new golden age of publishing that is about to emerge.”
The Introduction video was shot in the Biblioteca Armando Olivares at the University of Guanajuato by Bill Frakes and Laura Heald of Straw Hat Visuals. Bill works regularly with Sports Illustrated as well as a range of music and advertising clients but ultimately describes himself as “a visual storyteller.”
The Biblioteca video as well as much of Bill’s most recent work has been shot on Nikon’s D3 and D4 series cameras. To really see the broad spectrum of what this generation of DSLRs bring to video and stills, see Bill’s Istanbul documentary.
Bill is a great teacher who has worked with several ACU faculty over the last couple years, inspiring through workshops he leads with the New Media Consortium our own Digital Academy and Lightpainting events.
For more on the team that put together Istanbul, see Scott Kelby’s blog.
Thirteen student teams began work in February on short films in a range of styles. The Learning Studio again provided training sessions on getting the most out of the camera, whether students used traditional camcorders or one of our Canon 60D SLR check-out cameras. Thanks again to Canon for sending pro-series lenses as well.
This year we also put video lighting into the check-out pool as well with some Lowel Omni kits. Thanks to Matt and Nathan in the studio for evening workshops to help students getting started.
Student winners were announced Friday night, representing familiar faces and some new Freshmen groups.
“Pride of Life,” directed by Lucius Patenaude and produced by Adrian Patenaude, took Best Director, Best Writer and Best Actor for Nick Palmieri.
“Liberation,” directed and produced by Jacob Kitts, brought in Best Direction, Sound Design and Production Design as well as Best Actress for Jennifer Feise.
“Yemiffimey,” directed by Caitlin Bradford, earning Best Non-Dramatic Film and Best Producer, with Best Technical Director for Ben Weaver.
Saturday morning gave student filmmakers time with the judges for critiques and recommendations about future work. The panel of judges again included Randy Brewer (’93), Executive Producer at Revolution Pictures in Nashville; Kris Young, screenwriting lecturer at UCLA and the LA Film Studies Center; and Jessica Gray (’99), who has worked with Fortis Films most recently producing a PBS series.
