Nestled in the mountains of Bozeman, Montana, the 68th University Film and Video Association Conference (UFVA) is in full swing. The UFVA is an annual gathering of filmmakers, scholars, and teachers. Every year a different participating University from the Association hosts the conference. This year it’s taking place at Montana State University; a picturesque campus in the heart of Bozeman surrounded by four mountain ranges, thriving with wildlife, and not far from the historic Yellowstone National Park. One of my favorite workshops at the conference was led today by fellow Wildcat Anne Sobel of Northwestern University in Qatar entitled, “Sense Memory Exercises”, where we worked in small groups learning hands-on exercises that Directors can use to enhance their creative process, utilize as team building exercises for successful collaborations within production crews, and methods to use these with talent on set to create stronger performances. Another notable workshop at the conference focused on simple lighting techniques for video utilizing minimal lights by David Landau, a five-time Telly award-winning cinematographer and gaffer of TV’s Project Runway All Stars. Attending UFVA has been such an amazing experience. I have acquired so much knowledge that I look forward to sharing with my NUIT A&RT AMPS colleagues to incorporate into our future productions, workflow, and training of our student workers.
Anne Sobel of NU-Q demonstrates a Sense Memory Exercise during her workshop
David Landau showcases simple lighting techniques using minimal lights
