This summer the Learning Studio worked closely with students in ACU’s first Summer Academy. High school students from around the country joined us in Abilene for 9 courses that included Digital Media, Film & Faith, and Photography.
Students in select classes worked with faculty and media production specialists for training in photography and audio and video editing. The main photography students with Nil Santana worked with Canon 60D DSLR cameras from the checkout pool. Each student was issued an iPad for submitting content via course blogs and producing final media projects in Dr. Kyle Dickson’s Film and Digital Media classes.
One unique feature of the courses in the first session in June was a 4-day, 2,000 mile visit to three World Heritage sites in New Mexico and Colorado. Fifty students and faculty members toured the Taos Pueblo, Mesa Verde cliff dwellings, and the Carlsbad Caverns producing images and video that would later be submitted as part of digital stories.
Under the clear sky of Colorado, Nil and Kyle also offered an evening of lightpainting that students from all courses were invited to attend.
The Learning Studio was honored to be part of the teaching and support for a group of excellent students. Thanks to Dr. Kristina Davis and the Honors College for including us in their inaugural summer.
Sample Projects
Students from the Film & Faith class analyzed a short scenes from one of the assigned films for the Mise en Scene project. Here are a few of the Hitchcock films they looked at. Images were cut together with audio narration using iMovie for iPad.
As the semester winds down, we always enjoy seeing the students and faculty coming through our doors in the final days. In addition to a growing number of students producing digital storytelling projects, we’ve been happy to see groups using the collaborative spaces in new ways.
A couple weeks ago Mike Wiggins brought his ART 457: Interactive Design class over for their final project. Students broke into groups to propose mobile app ideas, develop basic functionality, consider user personas, and produce wireframes and then final screen designs of their proposed app.
Check the class blog to see student reflections and screen mock-ups.
Mike sent us an update this week, including a link to the final project critique. Two alums of the department of Art & Design, now working for MEplusU in Dallas (formerly IMC2), joined the class in a Google Hangout to hear student pitches and provide feedback of their work.
We love seeing what you create in the Learning Studio! That’s why from now through Wednesday, we’ll give you a coupon for a free drink at Starbucks when you bring us class media projects you created using the Learning Studio. We’d especially love to see video projects, but illustrations, design, photography and audio projects are also welcome (the higher the quality, the better).
Bring as many files as you want to the Media Assistance desk in the Media Lab, and one of our assistants will hook you up with a free drink.
The fine print: Limit one drink coupon per person. Eligible projects must have been produced for an ACU course. ACU ID required to receive coupon. Coupon good through May 18, 2012 at the Learning Commons Starbucks. Not valid at other Starbucks locations.
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?”
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.
This summer the Learning Studio worked closely with students in ACU’s first Summer Academy. High school students from around the country joined us in Abilene for 9 courses that included Digital Media, Film & Faith, and Photography.
