Student-made documentaries on WNY issues to be shown at Incubator Wednesday
All three films were produced as part of the students’ senior capstone project, which produces both documentary and fiction works. |
The SUNY Fredonia Technology Incubator will host a free video screening by the senior SUNY Fredonia communication students on Wednesday, May 18.
“These films focus on many aspects of social life, environmental issues, and spiritual issues in Western New York,” says Nefin Dinc, associate professor of communication at SUNY Fredonia.
Dinc has been working with the students on their projects and will introduce the event, which runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. There are three films in total, each running around 20 minutes on average.
Following the screening of the three videos, there will be a question and answer session with the students. Any questions about the event should be directed to the Incubator staff by phone at 716-680-6009, or email at incubator@fredonia.edu.
One film, “SoulDrum,” by students Andrew Porter, Lindsay Goodwin, and Nicholas Gunner, is a journey into the World Beat Drum Circle in Lily Dale, N.Y. “SoulDrum explores the spiritual side of drumming,” says Gunner. It does more than this, however, showing two Fredonia students’ exploration of their own spirituality and a search for meaning though music.
Another film, titled “Current Alternatives,” by students Matt Cole and Bob Parasiliti, is a short documentary that focuses on a family’s struggles to live off of the grid while simultaneously maintaining a farm. “The film exposes the hardships and benefits gained from removing yourself from the national electric grid,” says Dinc.
The third film, created by Thomas Arendt, Joe Lopez, Don Moreno, and Timothy Huten, is titled “Move.” This documentary looks at the creative elements of moving through urban space. Documenting the Parkour/Freerunning community of Rochester, N.Y., and professional team from Pittsburgh, Pa., this film explores the positive aspects of becoming directly involved with one’s own environment.
All three films were produced as part of the students’ senior capstone project, which produces both documentary and fiction works. Dinc says the students hope that the public takes an interest in these documentaries that address local topics.
The department of communication at SUNY Fredonia is home to six majors. In addition to the documentary/fiction video production major, degrees are offered in audio/radio production, communication studies, journalism, media management, and public relations.
