Blog posting written by Shawn Steiner, Film, Photography, and Visual Arts ’13, FLEFF Intern, Elkridge, MD 

I’m not the only person coming back to FLEFF this year!

Evan Meaney is a professor of transmedia design at the University of Tennessee. And, he is both an Ithaca College graduate and FLEFF alum. He will be returning this year due to his involvement with Null_Sets, winner of the Distributed Microtopias jury prize.

First, what is transmedia?

Meaney described transmedia as the communication of ideas through different forms. It has a lot to do with everything. It includes the science behind the work, the math in the program, and anything else that may be involved.

An interesting definition. Now, what is the big deal with Null_Sets?

He said that people are obsessed with ordered sets. Which makes sense, we like being able to understand information. But, this takes that data and converts it over to a new form (this time a jpeg image file). Now, we can look at and compare two things in a new way. Or we can simply look at the image created by a text file of Moby Dick and be intrigued with how pink is turned out.

And being familiar with the idea of FLEFF themes, Meaney has his own take on Mobilities.

Meaney was immediately reminded that there are so many systems in place to keep people from moving. 

What immobilities can you think of?

Update: Profile: Amy Szczepanski written by Erica Moriarty. Stay tuned for a joint post on Null_Sets.

 Blog post written by Sarah Lockwood, Cinema & Photography '15, FLEFF Intern, Blairstown, NJ

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of sitting down with Stephanie Khoury - who goes by Steph - a fellow freshman and FLEFF Intern like myself.

Some quick facts about Steph include the following:

• Born and raised in Jefferson, New Jersey (at one time also home to the Ringling Brothers!)
• Major is Documentary Studies & Production
• Minors in Environmental Studies and International Politics
• Is extremely involved on-campus with clubs such as Her Campus, Take Back the Tap, Habitat for Humanity, and more
• Contributes to on-campus journalism through Buzzsaw and SeeSaw

What I found most intriguing about Stephanie was her major - it was not originally her major of choice!

For Steph, high school provided art and video production classes, all of which sparked her interest and creativity. However these alone were not enough to push her in the direction of a definitive college major. She had though halfheartedly about attending an art school or major in art, however the sentiments were not fully realized.

Then began the long, arduous journey towards choosing a college... 

In a sea of college applications and campus tours, Stephanie and her family passed a sign for Ithaca College, a school that some of her friends had recommended in passing. Nearly on a whim, she took the tour and ended up applying - and, eventually, attending!

Steph's interest in documentary works and environmental activism brought her to the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival - where we are happy to have her this year!