We’d like to let you know about a recent exciting change in the Department of Theatre and Media Arts (TMA). Earlier this month, the dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications, the director of the School of Music, the chair of the Department of Dance, and the chair of TMA signed a Memo of Understanding that has officially moved the Music Dance Theatre (MDT) program into TMA. There will be a number of wrinkles to iron out in the transition, but we are confident that this change will be a blessing to both MDT and TMA. We are very excited to have the MDT students join the rest of our majors and welcome them into the department. We hope to see them and all of you at the respective opening socials in the next few days. Again, please welcome MDT students to our TMA family!
MUSIC DANCE THEATRE
This past weekend, the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awarded the following. Congratulations to the following students:
- College Craft: Writing
Thorn, Thank You for Coming
Brigham Young University ~ Matthew Siemers
- College Craft: Editor
Thorn, Thank You for Coming
Brigham Young University ~ Aaron Hinton
- College Long Form: Fiction
Maggie
Brigham Young University ~ Lindsay Kampenhout, Dhane Taylor, Jennifer Baker, Lauren VanDerwerken, Matthew Siemers, Colton Elzey, Jessica Cahill, Kent Thalman, Aaron Hinton, David Heath
- College Craft: Director
Thorn, Thank You for Coming
Brigham Young University ~ Matthew Siemers
To see all the winners, click here!
The 2018 Six Week Cinema Premiere took place on Wednesday, September 26 in F201 HFAC at 7:30pm. F201 was packed with cast, crew, friends, family, and media arts faculty and staff eager to watch the films. Our first film, Room for Me was especially unique because it was recorded in 360 degree video and was screened using a VR rig. There is VR equipment available in the HBLL for those who would like to come and watch the film as it was intended to be viewed. The other three films were produced using traditional camera methods and provided an engaging mix of comedy, drama, and introspection. All of the films were well received by the audience. The films will soon be released on the Six Week Cinema YouTube channel for public viewing. Thank you to everyone who attended the premiere and lent their support to the Six Week Cinema program, which provides valuable hands on production experience to beginning-intermediate media arts students. Six Week Cinema Executive Producers were Rollins Wimber and Kayla Gough.
Room for Me
Produced by Ellie Peatross
Directed by MarKaye Hassan
Plot: A VR experience where the viewer is locked in a room with a group of mysterious people. When someone is brought into the room, someone has to leave…
Sophiesticated
Produced by Lance Revoir
Directed by Lorenzo Hubbert
Plot: Molly and Jane, using advanced techniques, do everything in their power to get Sophie a date to the fateful company ball.
Waiting
Produced by Lucie Riddell
Directed by Emily McNey
Plot: A young woman invites her mother to the closing night of her play.
A Solitary Mind
Produced by Dallin Penrod
Directed by Weber Griffiths
Plot: A woman trapped in a room with only a robot for company works up the courage to leave into the unknown world outside.
Enormous THANKS to all who made Broadway composer Frank Wildhorn’s visit to BYU this past weekend a huge success. Especially Gayle Lockwood for having the cast ready to sing-through the show on Thursday night. That particular session with Frank was nothing short of magical. Frank told us numerous times how “blown away” he was by the level of talent in the group. He gave terrific notes after each number and then had the cast sing each song again to integrate the notes. It really got the entire WONDERLAND rehearsal process off to an incredible start.
What an experience it was for our MDT cast (mostly freshmen and sophomores) to sing for a legendary musician and composer of our show’s score. Frank even made some changes right on the spot based on what the soloists and group were doing. He and Gayle spent the next two days with individual students polishing their work. Frank also answered numerous questions and was just terrific with the students.
Thanks also to those in TMA and Arts Production with the vision to support such events as this. We fully recognize that nothing like this can happen without your willingness to expend resources for such activities. Please be assured it was money well spent creating unprecedented experiential learning for our students.
Friday, September 28 was the opening night of BYU Young Company’s production of The World’s Strongest Librarian and they had an exciting surprise guest – Josh Hanagarne, the actual World’s Strongest Librarian and author of the book of the same name! The audience loved when he was invited to speak for a few minutes after the show. What a special surprise to start off this year’s fall theatre season!
We regret to announce the passing of former BYU faculty member, Dr. Charles Metten on September 27. He was 91 years old.He was a former chair of the department and directed scores of productions at BYU. His graveside services will be held on Saturday, October 6 at 11am at the Timpanogos Memorial Gardens, 1000 North 400 East, Orem, Utah. Condolences may be expressed at www.bergmortuary.com. Here is a link to his obituary:
https://www.suu.edu/news/2018/09/remembering-charles-metten.html
Student & Alumni News
BYU Film & TV Connection will be hosting the Annual Fall Social at the LDS Institute Building, 856 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024 at 7pm on November 3, 2018. This is a great opportunity to get to make connections with people in the industry and network. See the flyer for more details.