Teaching & Research
Applied-Learning Initiatives
As a member of the education community, what we do as faculty is important to me. Therefore, I have instituted a Production House at each of the Universities that I've had the pleasure of teaching with to highlight and promote the outstanding academic research and creative activity that our faculty and students engage in. This has allowed me to create a branded Applied-Learning opportunity where students can be involved with creating and producing content in a real-world production environment with actual clients. Below are examples of the amazing work students are doing in these Production Houses.
Student Projects
Student Classwork
48Hr Film Project
Future Filmmaker Fesitval
Below are samples of student work in various courses: Story Structure and Analysis, Animation, VFX, Production, and Digital Art courses. Work is either from a single project or an End of the Term Reel/Breakdown created from the entirety of the semester.
For several years I helped run community and college level 48Hr Film Projects. I am currently a Main Judge for the 48 Hour Film Project's Filmapalooza Festival. Alongside running the 48 Hour Project, I like to participate so students can see the work of a faculty member. I show my films during the vote tallying portion of the event. Here are a couple of films I created for students in the past few years:
Recruitment and Community Engagement is paramount for the success of Creative Media. In order to increase outreach with future students, I created the Future Filmmaker Festival. High school students from around the region participated in creating films and engaged with workshops to better their filmmaking abilities. I was able to engage faculty from Cinema, Animation, Music Technology, and our student Film Organization to hold work workshops to help better prepare these future filmmakers on their academic film journey. We then screened the submitted films and had an awards ceremony at the end.
Curriculum & Teaching Philosophy
Flex Learning (YoYo's)
As an educational mentor, I strive to be as accessible as possible with students. For this reason, I embrace a type of Flex Learning that involves integrating video into my learning environments. I do this through the use of what I call "YoYo's." These are videos that students can access when face-to-face and in-person learning isn't ideal. Taking what I learned through the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the lessons I learned while earning my Master's of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis on Integrating Learning and Technology, I create videos on the lecture material in case students can not attend class. When assigned, they can watch the videos on their own time. These "You're On Your Own" (YoYo) videos help keep students engaged even with it's impossible for us to meet. This has worked well for snow days or when classes are cancelled for events outside my control - like the Super Bowl. Below are examples of YoYo's students would typically see if assigned in my class:
My Philosophy
Student First!
Applied Learning
Modern Educational Approach
Curriculum Development
As a dedicated instructor, student success is my top priority. To ensure students are effectively learning the competencies for each course, I employ several strategies to maximize learning retention. I use techniques that speak to all learning preferences, such as: PowerPoint presentations with step-by-step processes for technical assignments, live demonstrations where students follow along, and time in class for students to practice and perfect their skillsets. By having them listen, watch, and do, I reinforce the material in different ways to connect to students. And so far, I’ve seen great success in knowledge retention and skill demonstration.
My personal focus will always be in support of Applied Learning. Studies have shown that correct principled application of learning help student achievement, self-determination, and a sense of belongingness in the academic process. At each institution where I've taught, I actively strived to employ applied learning tools in my class and my creative projects.
THEORY and TECHNOLOGY!! I strive to incorporate current proven technological and technology practices. These include technology use, such as computers and mobile devices in the classroom, as well as academic resources such as LMS and online resources. Because of my openness and adoption and attitudes during technology, I was able to successfully transition to an online environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of this was also due to my training and research in my Master's studies. As a Psychology with an emphasis in learning and technology focused instructor, I have valuable tools and resources available to help transition more smoothly.
Similarly, I employ non-traditional grading systems in my classes. I rely heavily on Bloom's Taxonomy, Discovery Learning, Communities of Practice, Social Learning Theories to guide my teaching style and approach. I have developed a system that encourages student success by removing (as much as possible) any barriers and anxiety from the learning process. I continue to learn and study ways I can improve as an educational mentor so future students have more opportunities for success. Students feel more comfortable and have a sense of both self determinism and efficacy when engaged in learning in my courses.
I believe strongly that the current landscape of our creative media industry should drive curriculum and course content decisions. If we're promising students they'll be job-ready when they graduate, it is our responsibility to deliver on that promise. I believe we're not doing a great job in academia, mostly because we silo much of our educational experiences where a breadth of knowledge is necessary for students to be successful in the real world. Our greatest challenge is the gigantic amount of possibilities we have in media - we can't keep students in undergraduate programs for 10 years! Therefore, it's important that we focus on what will get them ready for the market, while at the same time giving them what they need to be successful. That is why I focus on a mixture of both traditional film and advanced VFX related content with entrepreneurship and business related courses in the curriculum.
At Missouri Western State University, I was in charge to drafting a new and advanced BAA in Cinematic Arts. There we collaborated with our Fine Art's Digital Art's program and incorporated advanced VFX courses in our Cinema program. Students also had to take several business classes (Entrepreneurship and Marketing), as well as two Portfolio courses.
Black Magic Design Certifications
DaVinci Resolve 17 Training, Certified Trainer, February 2021
DaVinci Resolve 17 Training, Color Grading Certified, February 2021
DaVinci Resolve 17 Training, Certified End User, February 2021
Research & Creative Projects
MWSU Entrepreneurial Week, 2022
“Effective Content Creation for Social Media, Branding, and Marketing.”
Presented a workshop for local businesses on how to create content for social media and marketing using the devices and cameras they already own.
University Film & Video Association, 2022, SUNY Fredonia, NY
"Playing the Game: Understanding Student's Player Types and How They Engage”
Presented research on Gamification Player Types and how to create engagement opportunities for students on the classroom.
"Analysis of Verisimilitude in War Films through the lens of Social Connectedness Theory”
Was a guest panelist for a series on war films.
Presented research on how veteran’s experiences tie into the verisimilitude of war films based on the Social Connectedness Theory Framework.
Griffon Production House - ‘Electronica: Echolalia’”
Presented a student-led Griffon Production House multi-camera production of MWSU’s Music Technology concert
University Film & Video Association, 2021, Virtual
“Improve your Preproduction with Augmented Reality - in your pocket!”
Workshop conducted at the 75th UFVA Conference Empowering Spaces
Focused on using Adobe Aero on an iPad to create Virtual Augmented Reality animatics on location with live actors.
“Defects” (Short film)
Screened a cinematic retelling of Deb Olin Unferth’s micro drama.
University Film & Video Association, 2020, Virtual
“Ninjas on set! Creating the Modern Film Dojo.”
Presented the creation of the MWSU BAA in Performing and Cinematic Arts
Workshopped the creation, implementation, and inclusion of Visual Effects related courses in existing curriculum to help modernize production programs.
MWSU Entrepreneurial Week, 2021
“Cinematic Images and Video for Social Media .”
Presented a workshop for local businesses on how to create cinematic videos for commercials using the devices and cameras they already own.
Grand Canyon University Department of Doctoral Studies
“An Examination of the Differences and Interactions Among User Types and Attitudes Towards Technology Among University Art Students,” Dissertation
Studying the interaction effects between student’s gamification user type and their attitude towards using technology.
Conducting a quantitative comparative study
Journal of Film and Video, issue 76.1, 2024
Forum on Artificial Intelligence
My paper, “Exploring the Potential of AI Tools in Film Education: Benefits, Challenges, and Applications” was selected to represent one of four articles about artificial intelligence. I served as the author of the forum as well
University Film & Video Association, 2023, Savannah, GA
"Exploring the Potential of AI Tools in Film Education: Benefits, Challenges, and Applications”
Presented strategies and techniques of incorporating Artificial Tools, from generative AI to traditional AI tools, into film curriculum.
“New Normal” Short AI-Assisted Experimental Film, 8min
A case study experiment on the practical use of generative AI for use in a short film.
Higher Learning Commission Conference, 2023, Chicago, Il
“Adapting Pedagogical Modalities to Continue Successful Execution of Institutional Missions”
Presented findings and process of using Griffon Production House as a solution to create worthwhile applied learning opportunities for several organizations that usually have live audiences during the COIVD-19 Pandemic.
Broadcast Educators Association, 2022, Fort Collins, CO
"Analysis of Verisimilitude in War Films through the lens of Social Connectedness Theory”
Presented research on how veteran’s experiences tie into the verisimilitude of war films based on the Social Connectedness Theory Framework.
www.CINEGOGY.com
In order to help faculty have a place to publish and showcase their work that may not be suitable for strict academic publications, I created an online magazine called Cinegogy. It is a place for faculty, students, alumni, and industry professionals to engage in conversations, content, and critique of modern cinema and creative media techniques and practices. As the Editor-in-Chief, I am seeking to expand this publication nationally.
The HEXODUS
In order to help faculty have a place to publish and showcase their work that may not be suitable for strict academic publications, I created an online magazine called Cinegogy. It is a place for faculty, students, alumni, and industry professionals to engage in conversations, content, and critique of modern cinema and creative media techniques and practices. As the Editor-in-Chief, I am seeking to expand this publication nationally.
Awards & Honors
Distinguished Faculty Award, MWSU (2022)
I was honored to receive the Distinguished Faculty Award for my contributions and creation of Griffon Production House at Missouri Western State University.
Dr. James J. Scanlon Award
Faculty Service to the Community, MWSU (2021)Faculty Advisor of the Year, MWSU (2021)
Most Inspirational Professor Award, MWSU (2018)
Faculty Member of the Year, Ai-SAN (2017)
Faculty Member of the Semester, Ai-LV (2014)
Junior Faculty Teaching Excellence Award
UFVA Conference, 2023
Other Awards
2023 “Coach for a Game” Nomination
A student athlete nominated me for this special recognition. I was selected among 100+ other faculty members this year. While not a significant award, I'm highlighting it because I was awarded this my first semester at Texas Tech, something very uncommon for this award.
The University Film and Video Association is an internationally recognized teaching and media organization that serves our creative media faculty and students. I was honored to be the 2023 recipient of the Junior Faculty Teaching Excellence award.