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Media in the Mix

Media in the Mix

By American University School of Communication

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture.
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Photography: Painting with Light

Media in the MixJan 04, 2023

00:00
35:41
Celebrating 30 Years of the School of Communication | "Get in the Mix" Experiential Learning

Celebrating 30 Years of the School of Communication | "Get in the Mix" Experiential Learning

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture.

This week's episode of Media in the Mix is special for a number of reasons! First, we are celebrating SOC's 30th Anniversary with two very distinguished AUSOC guests, Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer, Pallavi Kumar and professor and Interim Dean Leena Jayaswal. Second, this entire podcast episode you’re hearing and watching today comes to you care of SOC students participating in our first ever Media in the Mix experiential learning demo! A team of six students worked together in our Media Production Center to produce the episode from lights to set design to sound to a 3-camera set-up. So, sit back, enjoy their hard work and some throwback features of Leena and Pallavi when they were students here!

A Special Shoutout to the SOC Students who made this happen: - Marley Joseph

- Susan DeFord

- Bekah Jarnagin

- Sophie Myers

- Van Duong

- Yifei Wang


If you'd like to donate to SOC, go to:

⁠giving.american.edu ⁠

Learn more about SOC in the links below:

Graduate Admissions: http://www.american.edu/soc/admissions/index.cfm

Undergraduate Admission: https://www.american.edu/admissions/ Follow us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/ausoc/

Follow us on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/au_soc

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausoc/?hl=en

Apr 04, 202423:34
*Flashback Episode* | SOC's VFX Expert; Anedra Edwards

*Flashback Episode* | SOC's VFX Expert; Anedra Edwards

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. This week, we're throwing it back to one of our very special guests, VFX expert and SOC alumna (SOC/ MA '15), Anedra Edwards! Behind every superhero film are teams of visual effects professionals and our own American University School of Communication (AU SOC) alumna and visual effects (VFX) editor Anedra Edwards is one of these VFX creators. With a degree from SOC’s Film and Electronic Media MFA (now ⁠MFA in Film and Media Arts⁠) program, Edwards has gone on to contribute her talents to high-profile projects with brands like HBO, Discovery, National Geographic, and more. She has worked on the socially conscious CW drama “Black Lightning,” seasons one through three, before migrating to work at the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  There she has worked on the sequel to “Avengers: Endgame,” “WandaVision," and her VFX team even got nominated for an Oscar for "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever". In this episode, she talks to us all about her VFX journey thus far, industry tips and tricks and her upcoming projects! To donate to American University's School of Communication, visit this link: ⁠https://giving.american.edu/ Learn more about SOC in the links below. Graduate Admissions: http://www.american.edu/soc/admissions/index.cfm Undergraduate Admission: https://www.american.edu/admissions/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ausoc/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/au_soc Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausoc/?hl=en

Mar 21, 202426:41
The Man Behind the Lens with Matt Cipillone

The Man Behind the Lens with Matt Cipillone

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. This week on Media in the Mix, we're joined by AUSOC Alumni Matt Cipollone! In his time at AU, he worked as a graduate assistant, participated in multiple experiential learning opportunities, and filmed, edited, and produced many varying visual media pieces with his professors. Currently a senior producer and cinematographer for Lens End Media, making documentaries/series centered around social awareness, Matt dives into it all! If you want to check out more of Matt's awesome work, go to: https://mattcipollone.com/ If you'd like to donate to SOC, go to ⁠giving.american.edu ⁠ Learn more about SOC in the links below! Graduate Admissions: ⁠⁠http://www.american.edu/soc/admissions/index.cfm⁠⁠ Undergraduate Admission: ⁠⁠https://www.american.edu/admissions/ ⁠⁠
Mar 07, 202443:51
"Ohh, Folk"... With Shilpa Das Gupta
Feb 22, 202427:10
Writing to Thrill with Christina Pamies

Writing to Thrill with Christina Pamies

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. Today, we're joined by Christina Pamies!

Christina is a rising screenwriter for the upcoming horror film Baghead, among other works like No Good Deed. Her impressive academic history includes a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies from Columbia University, a certificate in Screenwriting from UCLA, a Doctor of Law from Georgetown, and of course, a Master of Arts in Film Studies from American University. Her most recent work on Baghead brings her to the forefront of upcoming screenwriters, and we were so honored to be able to talk to her about it!   If you'd like to donate to SOC, go to ⁠giving.american.edu ⁠ Learn more about SOC in the links below: Graduate Admissions: ⁠⁠http://www.american.edu/soc/admissions/index.cfm⁠⁠ Undergraduate Admission: ⁠⁠https://www.american.edu/admissions/ ⁠⁠ Follow us on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ Follow us on ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Feb 08, 202433:35
Derek McGinty is BACK!

Derek McGinty is BACK!

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. Derek McGinty is back, this time in-studio, for a part 2 episode!

Derek McGinty is an award-winning journalist, interviewer and commentator. Derek is born and raised in Washington DC. He graduated from American University in 1981 with his BA in journalism and went on to work at WHUR radio for his first job. Derek has worked for countless organizations including NPR, CBS, HBO, ABC, WUSA.  Derek’s newest project has been in podcasting where he hosts a show called “You Don’t Hear That Everyday Podcast.” 

If you missed Derek's last episode with Media in the Mix, make sure to listen to it HERE!

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ausoc/episodes/Our-Time-to-Give-Back-e1pnsok/a-a8ocdvf If you'd like to donate to SOC, go to ⁠giving.american.edu ⁠ Learn more about SOC in the links below: Graduate Admissions: ⁠⁠http://www.american.edu/soc/admissions/index.cfm⁠⁠ Undergraduate Admission: ⁠⁠https://www.american.edu/admissions/ ⁠⁠ Follow us on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ Follow us on ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠


Jan 25, 202431:16
A Striking Conversation with Eddie Leavy

A Striking Conversation with Eddie Leavy

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. Today, we're joined by AU Alum, Eddie Leavy!

Eddie Leavy is a Haitian-American actor, singer, voiceover artist, and writer based in Los Angeles and New York. With a background in musical theater and penchant for comedy, Eddie is best known for playing “Anthony” on the Lorne Michaels produced sitcom A.P. Bio, which ran for four seasons on NBC and Peacock. Most recently, Eddie appeared on the hit HBOMax comedy series, The Other Two. His other credits include roles on Netflix, Apple TV+, ABC, TruTV, BET, and more. He is also the co-creator and co-host of Peacock’s first ever companion podcast launched by the streamer. Eddie is an avid proponent for intersectionality and inclusion and urges all marginalized people to be the center of their own stories. Eddie is a proud alum of American University. He is represented by Buchwald and Marquee Entertainment.

Eddie referenced a beautiful poem in our episode that we wanted to share with you below, we hope it touches your soul the way it touched ours!

------------------------------------------

"Something Big" by Cleo Wade

I stopped searching

for things

things I thought

should belong to me

I started sitting

in gratitude

for what surrounded me

the falling leaves, the flowers

the break in the sidewalk

the endless sky, moody and magnificent

these forces of nature,

remind me I am one too

with relief, I release the small stuff

very little belongs to me

and I belong

to something big.

------------------------------------------

If you'd like to donate to SOC, go to giving.american.edu

Learn more about SOC in the links below: Graduate Admissions: ⁠http://www.american.edu/soc/admissions/index.cfm⁠ Undergraduate Admission: ⁠https://www.american.edu/admissions/ ⁠ Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram


Jan 10, 202438:09
Inspiration Wrap-up for 2024!

Inspiration Wrap-up for 2024!

A mash-up of some of our alumni that we've had on Media in the Mix sharing their wisdom and what they've learned from their respective experiences. Tune in to find some inspiration for your upcoming new year!

Dec 20, 202311:00
SOC Student-Athlete Life; With Deirdre & Aidan

SOC Student-Athlete Life; With Deirdre & Aidan

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture.

Today, we're joined by two SOC Student-Athletes, Deirdre Brown and Aidan Delehanty! Aidan is a junior majoring in journalism and political science at the School of Communication! Before coming to AU, he was a member of the National Honors Society, a High Honor Roll student with distinction and of course now, a D1 athlete at AU! He loves reading comic books, collecting sneakers, and collecting swim caps from all the different teams he's swam against.

Deirdre Brown is a freshman starting her first year at AU as a D1 Lacrosse player! Before coming to AU, she was a member of the NSPA/JEA Quill and Scroll National Journalism Honors Society, was also DCL All-Star and All-Conference in both field hockey and swimming. She is also an ambassador for Morgan’s Message and co-founded a non-profit lip balm company called ‘Lip Bomb’ in 2023 from which all proceeds go toward Morgan’s Message. She is just starting her Communications journey at American!

Learn more about SOC in the links below: Graduate Admissions: http://www.american.edu/soc/admissions/index.cfm Undergraduate Admission: https://www.american.edu/admissions/ Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram

Dec 08, 202329:11
R.A. Sinn; A Powerful Sibling Duo

R.A. Sinn; A Powerful Sibling Duo

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communications at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture.

R A Sinn is the pseudonym for siblings Rachel Hope Cleves and Aram Sinnreich — a historian and a futurist collaborating on a time-travel narrative rooted in family dynamics. A historian and professor at the University of Victoria, Rachel Hope Cleves is the author of three books, Unspeakable: A Life Beyond Sexual Morality (2020), Charity and Sylvia: A Same-Sex Marriage in Early America (2014), and The Reign of Terror in America (2009). Her research has been featured in The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Guardian, salon.com and brainpickings.org. Her current nonfiction project is titled “A Sinner’s Guide to Food and Sex in Time.” A Professor and chair of Communication Studies at American University Aram Sinnreich’s work focuses on the intersection of culture, law and technology, with an emphasis on subjects such as emerging media and music. He is the author of three books: The Essential Guide to Intellectual Property (2019), The Piracy Crusade (2013), and Mashed Up (2010). His current nonfiction project, under contract at MIT Press, is titled The Secret Life of Data. He has also written for publications including The New York Times, Billboard, Wired, The Daily Beast, and Salon.com.


To donate to American University's School of Communication, visit this link:
https://giving.american.edu/


Nov 29, 202332:55
SOC Alumni Mentorship Program; Information Session

SOC Alumni Mentorship Program; Information Session

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communications at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture.

Join us as we take a deep dive into our last year’s experience being a part of the SOC Mentorship Program. We’re joined by Lindsay Zimnoch, Grace Ibrahim and her mentee from last year's mentorship program, Jessica Newell as we discuss what makes a good/bad mentee, setting expectations and answering FAQs!

Nov 15, 202331:29
SOC3 Back in the House!

SOC3 Back in the House!

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture.

Today, we look back at guests Pallavi Kumar and Isis Amusa!  On this episode of Media in the Mix, we look back at everything SOC3. SOC3 Provides opportunities to students for hands-on learning while also giving them course credit and compensation. In other words, it's true real-life work experience in the communications world! 

Pallavi Damani Kumar is a full-time professor in American University’s School of Communication and the former Division Director for the Public Communication division. Prior to teaching full time, Kumar gained more than 20 years experience in the public relations industry having worked as a vice president in FleishmanHillard's social marketing practice in Washington, DC, a vice president/account supervisor in Ketchum's healthcare practice in New York as well as associate director of international public relations at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in Philadelphia. She began her career in environmental communication at Ruder-Finn in Washington, DC.

Kumar co-authored the ninth edition of Public Relations Case Studies published by Cengage. Her articles and commentary have appeared in The Washington Post, USA Today and PRWeek. In 2015, she received the Outstanding Service to the University Community from American University. PRWeek named her to the 2017 Global Power Book - a list of the world’s most influential PR professionals. She was most recently profiled in a chapter of the book Diverse Voices: Profiles in Leadership published by the PRSA Foundation and Museum of PR. She graduated magna cum laude from American University with a degree in public affairs and public communication. She received her master’s degree in public relations/corporate communications from Georgetown University.

Isis Amusa is (an SOC Alumna now!) who double-majored in journalism and justice & law. She is a queer Black social justice storyteller working in communications and was the Creative Strategist at SOC3. As a journalist, she has worked to uplift the stories of social justice activists as they ameliorate the threats upon undocumented immigrants' educational attainment and DACA, failing educational supports for incarcerated women, Black professorial exodus and performative antiracism in private white higher education, and most recently, food insecurity among college-aged youth. In her current roles, she communicates on behalf of Black farmers and food justice organizers, organizes for Black food sovereignty and Black land stewardship, and cultivates SOC3’s digital face to promote its history, aims, and client projects.

Visit ⁠⁠https://soc3change.com/ ⁠⁠ to learn more about this program and how you can get involved! 

Visit this link to apply for next semester: 

https://www.american.edu/soc/experiential-learning/storytelling-for-changemaking.cfm  

Follow SOC3 on social media @soc3change

Nov 01, 202328:58
The Creative Connoisseur with Trace Dominguez

The Creative Connoisseur with Trace Dominguez

Oct 18, 202301:01:08
Self & Professional Growth with Irina Gilbertson

Self & Professional Growth with Irina Gilbertson

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communications at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture.

Irina is a passionate, strategic marketing executive with over 17 years of experience. Her career has spanned a wide range of industries including consumer and B2B technology, media & entertainment, CPG, alcohol/spirits, financial services, healthcare and pro bono social/political issues she is dedicated to supporting.  

She has led numerous high-impact, 360-degree campaigns for the world's largest companies (e.g., Amazon/Ring, Hulu, Intel, Microsoft, BMW, Toyota, Procter & Gamble, Nestle) in the world's biggest forums (e.g., Super Bowl, Olympics), building business and integrating messaging into pop culture. Fun fact: Irina helped develop Nestle’s first-ever Super Bowl spot for launch of Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups.  

In her current role at Amazon, Irina leads strategic campaign development for brand and promotional initiatives for Ring in addition to creative marketing operations.  

Irina is a former ballerina turned avid runner and yogi. She and her husband live in Los Angeles with their three cats: Calypso, Houdini and Helios.

Check out Irina's LinkedIn page to learn more:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/irinagilbertson/

To donate to American University's School of Communication, visit this link:
https://giving.american.edu/

Oct 04, 202301:02:18
David Ruck & Grace Eggleston; "The Erie Situation"

David Ruck & Grace Eggleston; "The Erie Situation"

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communications at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture.

David Ruck has told the stories of conservationists, aspiring astronauts, front-porch philosophers, underprivileged families in Baltimore, native Americans on the Olympic Peninsula, and shipwreck hunters of the Great Lakes. He's also made it a mission to help small businesses reach new customers, universities educate budding filmmakers, middle school teachers connect their students with mentors, and political candidates get more votes. All of this done with a camera, a computer, and the ability we all now have to reach an audience in the age of information.  

Grace Eggleston is a documentary filmmaker based in Washington, D.C. Originally from Michigan, she is particularly passionate about water conservation issues in the Great Lakes Basin and beyond. She loves telling stories that explore the ties between people and their environment. Grace works as a freelance cinematographer and editor for a wide range of production companies and nonprofits, focusing mostly on documentary projects. She earned her MFA from American University’s Center for Environmental Filmmaking and is a University of Pittsburgh alumna. She loves to collaborate with scientists, artists, and other filmmakers who are passionate about conserving our planet and exploring the intersection of art and the natural world.

"The Erie Situation", was David Ruck's idea for a documentary about a Great Lake gone bad after Ruck, president of Great Lakes Outreach Media, partnered with the Ocean Conservancy to chronicle NOAA’s use of buoys to monitor conditions on the eastern end of the lake, where the blooms migrate after they die, compromising the drinking water in places like Cleveland. One of the engineers who oversees the network of buoys encouraged Ruck to head to Toledo to learn what was causing the yellow tap water in Forest City. Eight months and 110 hours of footage later, Ruck needed an editor. Maggie Burnette Stogner, executive director of SOC’s Center for Environmental Filmmaking, connected him with Grace Eggleston, SOC/MA ’21, who was looking for a thesis project after COVID yelled “cut” on her film about the threats posed to the Great Lakes by Asian carp. Listen as they work together to navigate a documentary project during COVID!

To donate to American University's School of Communication, visit this link:
https://giving.american.edu/



Sep 21, 202331:22
*Flashback Episode* The Art of Directing with Claudia Myers

*Flashback Episode* The Art of Directing with Claudia Myers

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communications at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture.

On this episode, welcome School of Communications’ decorated professor; Claudia Myers. Claudia teaches  classes such as Advanced Directing, Advanced Screenwriting, and Directing Actors for Camera. Leading a double life outside the SOC building, Claudia was named one of "10 Filmmakers to Watch" by Independent Magazine in 2015. Most recently Claudia wrote and directed ABOVE THE SHADOWS, a supernatural drama starring Olivia Thirlby, Alan Ritchson, Jim Gaffigan, and Megan Fox. The film opened the 2019 Brooklyn Film Festival where it won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature and was released theatrically last summer by Gravitas Ventures, and is now streaming on Hulu. Other projects include FORT BLISS; starring Michelle Monaghan, Ron Livingston & Pablo Schreiber, KETTLE OF FISH with Matthew Modine and Gina Gershon, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and won a Nickelodeon Screenwriting Award, & THE LONG ROAD BACKa documentary about the military community. As a filmmaker Claudia has won numerous awards, was twice a finalist for the Sundance Screenwriters Lab, and is an alum of the Hamptons Screenwriters Lab.

Claudia takes us through the status of directors, filmmakers, the pandemic (or endemic?) and where all responsibilities stand, have changed, or will change in the future. In addition, she breaks down the different classes she teaches at American University, their importance and how they can be used to shape your directing career earlier than you think! 

To donate to American University's School of Communication, visit this link:
https://giving.american.edu/


Aug 16, 202331:27
*Flashback Episode* Our Time to Give Back with Derek McGinty
Aug 02, 202322:15
*Flashback Episode* Matchmakers in the Music Business with Jen Tanner
Jul 19, 202331:34
*Flashback Episode* Art Imitating Life with H Spencer Young

*Flashback Episode* Art Imitating Life with H Spencer Young

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture! Our special guest today is SOC Alumn, H Spencer Young!


To give you a little background on our guest today: H Spencer Young is a contemporary artist, screenwriter and film director based on New York’s Lower East Side. At his time at American, he was sponsored by Czech author and screenwriter Arnost Lustig to attend the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague.  
During undergraduate studies, Spencer was one of 13 students from across the United States selected by presidential historian and author Dr. Douglas Brinkley for The Majic Bus, a twice-run collegiate experiential learning program. The Majic Bus traveled to 44 states to study Geography of the American Civil Rights Struggle, American Intellectual History, American Road Literature, and American Social history, where it precisely happened.

Spencer’s artwork is featured in 3 shows in the next month at Art Basel Miami, and galleries in New York City and Cleveland. Amazingly, Spencer’s artwork raised thousands of dollars to help emerging artist grants, not-for-profit galleries, and organizations supplying resources to the art world. He has also written and directed many commissioned films, commercials, political documentaries such as “Swing State” in 2008, and music videos, which have been featured in W Magazine, The Atlantic, Brooklyn Vegan, Fact Magazine, New York Times, Zoe Report, Bloomberg, and film festivals nationwide.

To check out H Spencer Young's diverse body of work, visit:
https://hspenceryoung.com/
To donate to American University's School of Communication and to continue supporting this podcast, visit:
https://giving.american.edu/

Jul 05, 202334:44
SOC's VFX Expert; Anedra Edwards

SOC's VFX Expert; Anedra Edwards

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. Today, we welcome special guest, VFX expert and SOC alumna (SOC/ MA '15), Anedra Edwards!

Behind every superhero film are teams of visual effects professionals and our own American University School of Communication (AU SOC) alumna and visual effects (VFX) editor Anedra Edwards is one of these VFX creators. With a degree from SOC’s Film and Electronic Media MFA (now MFA in Film and Media Arts) program, Edwards has gone on to contribute her talents to high-profile projects with brands like HBO, Discovery, National Geographic, and more. She has worked on the socially conscious CW drama “Black Lightning,” seasons one through three, before migrating to work at the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  There she has worked on the sequel to “Avengers: Endgame,” “WandaVision," and her VFX team even got nominated for an Oscar for "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever".

In this episode, she talks to us all about her VFX journey thus far, industry tips and tricks and her upcoming projects!

To donate to American University's School of Communication, visit this link:
https://giving.american.edu/

Jun 14, 202326:41
Capturing Reality; The Art of Documentary Film

Capturing Reality; The Art of Documentary Film

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. Today, we welcome guest, Laura Waters Hinson! Join us as we talk documentary filmmaking, Laura's amazing projects over the years, and Community Voice Lab!

To give you more background on our guest today, Laura serves as the division’s social impact coordinator and director of the Community Voice Lab. Laura’s films focus on personal journeys, especially among women in Africa, exploring themes of reconciliation, human resilience and entrepreneurship. Her first feature documentary, As We Forgive, about Rwanda’s reconciliation movement, won the 2008 student Academy Award for best documentary, the Cinema for Peace Award in Berlin, and was broadcast nationally on public television. 
 
Since 2009, Laura’s films have been screened at the U.S. Congress, the United Nations, the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art and at dozens of international film festivals such as the Santa Barbara International Film Fest, Austin Film Fest, Seattle Human Rights Film Fest, Heartland Film Fest, Manchester International Film Fest, among many others. Her latest documentary, Mama Rwanda, is about the new generation of women entrepreneurs in Rwanda transforming their nation after genocide and was supported by the National Geographic All Roads Film Project. She partnered with the Akilah Institute for Women, using the film to promote women's education in East Africa and beyond. 

Most recently, Laura directed her first narrative short called Moving Violation, which starred Milana Vayntrub and won Best Narrative Short at the DC Independent Film Festival. During the Spring of 2019, Laura served as the director's shadow on the set of Showtime's Homeland. Prior to this, she served as Filmmaker-in-Residence within SOC where she re-launched the Community Voice Project (CVP), which partners American University student filmmakers with DC-based non-profits to produce a short film series capturing voices of marginalized DC community residents. 


To donate to American University's School of Communication and to continue supporting this podcast, visit:
https://giving.american.edu/

Jun 01, 202340:45
Meet the Founder of Anacostia Youth Media Festival

Meet the Founder of Anacostia Youth Media Festival

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. Today, we’re joined by founder of the Anacostia Youth Media Festival, Brigid Maher!

Brigid Maher (she/her/hers) is a tenured associate professor in the School of Communication at American University, a Senior Fellow of the Community Voice Lab at American University, and an award-winning filmmaker focusing on women, from women’s issues in the Middle East to women’s health and beyond. Maher’s latest film is Experimental Curator: The Sally Dixon Story, about a little-known pioneer in the male-dominated art world who transformed experimental cinema by helping film artists make it and the public see and understand it.  The film has won numerous awards and is currently screening on the festival circuit. 

Maher is also the founder and Creative Director of the first-ever Anacostia Youth Media Festival, a groundbreaking initiative producing an arts education event led by youth in historically disadvantaged wards of Washington, DC, while also involving our AUSOC students, faculty and staff!

See how you can get involved by visiting the AYMF website HERE!

To donate to American University's School of Communication and to continue supporting this podcast, visit: https://giving.american.edu/


May 17, 202325:32
*BONUS EPISODE* Democracy with Dean Sam Fulwood III!

*BONUS EPISODE* Democracy with Dean Sam Fulwood III!

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. Today we welcome guest, Sam Fulwood III, dean of American University's School of Communication, in honor of World Press Freedom Day!

Sam Fulwood III is dean of American University’s School of Communication and also a prominent journalist, public policy analyst and author, whose work addresses key issues of media influences on American life. He has written and lectured extensively across the United States and internationally on U.S. race relations, data-driven journalism, and the intersections of media, technology and democracy. Earlier in his career, Fulwood was a metro columnist at The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio, the last stop in a nearly three-decade journalism career that featured posts at several metropolitan newspapers. During the 1990s, he was a national correspondent in the Washington, D.C., bureau of the Los Angeles Times, where he contributed to the paper’s Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the 1992 Los Angeles riots. He has also worked as a business editor and state political editor for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution; as an assistant city editor, business reporter, editorial writer, and Johannesburg, South Africa, bureau correspondent for the Baltimore Sun; and as a police, business, and sports reporter at The Charlotte Observer. Fulwood earned a Bachelor's in Journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

To donate to American University's School of Communication and to continue supporting this podcast, visit:

https://giving.american.edu/




May 03, 202321:18
American University Girl Doll; Plastic to Power
Apr 19, 202327:37
What's Your Call to Action?

What's Your Call to Action?

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. Today, we welcome guest, Maggie Burnette Stogner! Join us as we talk documentary filmmaking, experiential learning opportunities, and Maggie's newest documentary project!

Maggie Burnette Stogner is the Executive Director of the Center for Environmental Filmmaking (www.environmentalfilm.org) and a professor of Film and Media Arts. She brings over 30 years of filmmaking experience to the Center and to the classroom. During her nine years at National Geographic, she produced, directed and wrote numerous documentaries, and was senior producer of the award-winning weekly programs Explorer and Ultimate Explorer. Her recent films include the award-winning "Upstream, Downriver" (2022) www.upstreamdownriver.org,  "Unbreathable - The Fight For Healthy Air" (2020) www.unbreathable.org, and "In the Executioner's Shadow" (2018), which are distributed by New Day Films, www.newday.com. She also directed, produced, and wrote the broadcast documentary "Gold Mountain" (2016) about pioneering Chinese in the West. She is founder of Blue Bear Films (Blue Bear Films) and has an impressive record of creating documentaries as well as immersive media for world-touring cultural exhibitions for National Geographic, the Smithsonian, LucasFilms, and others. Her award-winning work includes two King Tut exhibitions; The Greeks; Real Pirates; Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures; Indiana Jones and Adventure of Archaeology; and Roads of Arabia.

Visit https://www.american.edu/soc/environmental-film/ to learn more about the Center for Environmental Filmmaking and how you can get involved! 

To donate to the Center for Environmental Filmmaking, click HERE!

Follow @environmentalfilm to learn more!


Apr 05, 202325:06
SOC3 In the House

SOC3 In the House

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. Today, we welcome guests Pallavi Kumar and Isis Amusa!  On this episode of Media in the Mix, we discuss everything SOC3!  SOC3 Provides opportunities to students for hands-on learning while also giving them course credit and compensation. In other words, it's true real-life work experience in the communications world! 

Pallavi Damani Kumar is a full-time professor in American University’s School of Communication and the former Division Director for the Public Communication division. Prior to teaching full time, Kumar gained more than 20 years experience in the public relations industry having worked as a vice president in FleishmanHillard's social marketing practice in Washington, DC, a vice president/account supervisor in Ketchum's healthcare practice in New York as well as associate director of international public relations at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in Philadelphia. She began her career in environmental communication at Ruder-Finn in Washington, DC.

Kumar co-authored the ninth edition of Public Relations Case Studies published by Cengage. Her articles and commentary have appeared in The Washington Post, USA Today and PRWeek. In 2015, she received the Outstanding Service to the University Community from American University. PRWeek named her to the 2017 Global Power Book - a list of the world’s most influential PR professionals. She was most recently profiled in a chapter of the book Diverse Voices: Profiles in Leadership published by the PRSA Foundation and Museum of PR. She graduated magna cum laude from American University with a degree in public affairs and public communication. She received her master’s degree in public relations/corporate communications from Georgetown University.

Isis Amusa is a senior at American University double-majoring in journalism and justice & law. She is a queer Black social justice storyteller working in communications at the National Black Food and Justice Alliance and as a Creative Strategist at SOC3. As a journalist, she has worked to uplift the stories of social justice activists as they ameliorate the threats upon undocumented immigrants' educational attainment and DACA, failing educational supports for incarcerated women, Black professorial exodus and performative antiracism in private white higher education, and most recently, food insecurity among college-aged youth. In her current roles, she communicates on behalf of Black farmers and food justice organizers, organizes for Black food sovereignty and Black land stewardship, and cultivates SOC3’s digital face to promote its history, aims, and client projects.

Applications for SOC3 are now open through April 4th, 2023! Visit this link to apply: 

https://www.american.edu/soc/experiential-learning/storytelling-for-changemaking.cfm  

Visit https://soc3change.com/  to learn more about this program and how you can get involved! 

Follow SOC3 on social media @soc3change

Mar 22, 202329:03
Adventures with Rorschach Theatre!

Adventures with Rorschach Theatre!

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. Let's introduce you to our guests! 

Jenny McConnell Frederick is a Washington, DC-based director, producer and strong believer in impossible theatre. She is the founder and co-Artistic Director of Rorschach Theatre as well as a member of Rorschach’s groundbreaking Distance Frequencies project. She has worked in development and director positions for prominent organizations like Wolly Mammoth Theatre Company and CulturalDC. She graduated cum laude from Virginia Commonwealth University with a BFA in Theatre and joined Mensa for the free pencils.

Along with her work at Rorschach, she has directed for Theater J (G-d's Honest Truth) and Catholic University (Sissy and Fifi & Hunter Forever!) as well as serving as Mentor Director for collegiate programs like Theatre Lab’s Honors Acting Conservatory and the Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival. Her entrepreneurial spirit and love of dance led her to co-create the immersive dance/theatre projects March!: The Women’s Movement from Isadora Duncan to Now and Chambers of the Heart. Additionally, she has been part of launching Space4: Performing Arts, It/That Happened at the University of Maryland, and two of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company’s ongoing fundraising events: annual benefit bash and Dinner on Stage. She was also a featured speaker at CityWrights Conference in Miami and has worked with countless artists to create, develop and produce their own works.

Kyle “Kylos” Brannon is a professor at American University’s School of Communication (SOC) and a reknown VJ, or live video artist. At SOC, he serves as the Associate Division Director for Film & Media Arts, an advisor for Delta Kappa Alpha, and as the producer and directory of the annual American Visions Awards, SOC’s film awards ceremony.

He is a company member with Rorschach Theatre and designs video projections for plays, including, 410[gone], Reykjavik, Annie Jump and the Library of Heaven, She Kills Monsters, and The Toxic Avenger Musical. Also with Rorschach Theatre, he is on the creative team for Psychogeographies, a 7-month long storytelling site specific experience that explores DC history, while following an ever-evolving story, which culminates in a live performance.

As a VJ and multimedia artist, Kylos creates live video mash ups for DJs. He has worked with DJs like Moby, MSTRKRFT, Nadastrom, Jesse Tittsworth and Will Eastman and performed at 930 Club, U Street Music Hall, Ram’s Head Live, The Black Cat, Jefferson Theater, NYC’s Highline Ballroom, and others. At the Rorschach Theatre, his work has been featured in 410[gone], Reykjavik, Annie Jump and the Library of Heaven, She Kills Monsters, The Toxic Avenger Musical, and Psychogeographies.

EXPERIENCE THE RORSCHACH THEATRE HERE> https://rorschachtheatre.com/  

FOLLOW RORSCHACH THEATRE > 

Instagram: @rorschachdc 

Twitter: @rorschachdc


To donate to American University's School of Communication and to continue supporting this podcast, visit: https://giving.american.edu/


Mar 01, 202325:12
A Look into Student Life!

A Look into Student Life!

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. 

Not only is it our first VIDEO podcast, but also our first student guests featured! Let's introduce you! 

Jessica Newell is pursuing a Master’s in Strategic Communication at American University. With interests in event planning, graphic design, and writing, she aspires to join an in-house communications team in a social justice and/or education-based organization upon graduating. At AU, she works as a teaching assistant for the course “Communication and Society,” in which she has led multiple mini lectures and co-facilitates classroom activities. Prior to AU, she earned a BA in Communication Studies from Rowan University where she worked for her dean’scommunications and outreach team and as a campus tour guide. Outside of work and school, she loves attending concerts and plays, nurturing plants and animals, and discussing Taylor Swift’s discography at length.

Lauren Gersten is a first-year public relations student at American University. Lauren is currently employed as an administrative assistant in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at the School of Communication. She is a part of the SOC mentorship program and is grateful for the opportunity to work with her mentor.

To donate to American University's School of Communication and to continue supporting this podcast, visit:

https://giving.american.edu/

If you'd like to learn more about our SOC Alumni Mentorship Program as an SOC student, please visit:

https://www.american.edu/soc/resources/alumni-mentoring.cfm

Feb 15, 202322:37
The 3 P's of Public Speaking

The 3 P's of Public Speaking

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture! Our special guest today is SOC Alumna and Adjunct Professor in the School of Communication, Gillie Haynes!

To give you a little more background on our guest today, Gillie Haynes is an executive presentation and public speaking coach. She is an accomplished communications expert, professor, author and former journalist with experience in print, broadcast journalism, public relations and social media management. Her professional work includes Speakers Training in a Virtual Environment for Vanguard Communications, Washington, DC, Presentation and Public Speaking Training for the Leadership Initiatives Academy at Georgetown University, Public Relations Manager for a national program within the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, DC, and in Business Development for EDS. She has developed, produced, and served as host of two on-air programs in her position as Public Affairs Director for KBLX/KRE Radio in the Bay Area of California.

She is also an AU Alumna, as she earned her Master of Arts in Communication and is currently pursuing a Graduate Certification in Teaching, Design and Facilitation at American University, which she will complete in 2023. In 2019, Gillie was selected as Outstanding Instructor in an Adjunct Position at American University.

To get in touch with Gillie Haynes, please email her at: gilliehaynes@gmail.com

To view her website, please visit: gilliehaynes.com

To donate to American University's School of Communication and to continue supporting this podcast, visit:
https://giving.american.edu/

Feb 01, 202329:13
Matchmakers in the Music Business
Jan 18, 202331:34
Photography: Painting with Light

Photography: Painting with Light

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture! Our special guest today is SOC Photography Professor, Leena Jayaswal!

Leena Jayaswal is a documentary filmmaker, award-winning photographer and Professor in the School of Communication at American University, where she is the director of the new BA in Photography. Jayaswal was the schools' first Inclusion Officer and Associate Dean from 2019-2022.

Her photography and film work often deals with the intersections of being Indian and American. This work has been nationally recognized in galleries around the country, including solo shows at the Gandhi Memorial Center, and International Visions Gallery. Jayaswal has photographs in group collections with the Society of Photographic Education's Multicultural Caucus at the Center for Photography, En Foco, Light Work, Photo Center Northwest and the Asian American Arts Centre.

Her award-winning films have also been screened in various film festivals around the country. “Crossing Lines” was picked up for national distribution by NETA and has been broadcast on over 100 PBS affiliates across the country. The film has won many international and national awards including the Gracie Allen Award and is being distributed by New Day Films. Her latest film, "Mixed", a collaboration with Prof. Caty Borum  explores what it means to be mixed-race in America, fifty years after the historic, landmark Supreme Court Decision, Loving v. Virginia which made interracial marriage legal.

Jayaswal is also working with artist Monica Jahan Bose on a feature documentary about climate change, called, "Rising Up to Climate Change: Storytelling with Saris." Her latest film, Dreaming Green, profiles Monica's work. This film was part of the Futures Exhibition that was part of the re-opening of the Smithsonian's Arts + Industry Building. She was one of eight documentary filmmakers to contribute to this exhibit.

To donate to American University's School of Communication and to continue supporting this podcast, visit:
https://giving.american.edu/

Jan 04, 202335:41
Art Imitating Life

Art Imitating Life

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture! Our special guest today is SOC Alumn, H Spencer Young!

To give you a little background on our guest today: H Spencer Young is a contemporary artist, screenwriter and film director based on New York’s Lower East Side. At his time at American, he was sponsored by Czech author and screenwriter Arnost Lustig to attend the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague.  

During undergraduate studies, Spencer was one of 13 students from across the United States selected by presidential historian and author Dr. Douglas Brinkley for The Majic Bus, a twice-run collegiate experiential learning program. The Majic Bus traveled to 44 states to study Geography of the American Civil Rights Struggle, American Intellectual History, American Road Literature, and American Social history, where it precisely happened.

Spencer’s artwork is featured in 3 shows in the next month at Art Basel Miami, and galleries in New York City and Cleveland. Amazingly, Spencer’s artwork raised thousands of dollars to help emerging artist grants, not-for-profit galleries, and organizations supplying resources to the art world. He has also written and directed many commissioned films, commercials, political documentaries such as “Swing State” in 2008, and music videos, which have been featured in W Magazine, The Atlantic, Brooklyn Vegan, Fact Magazine, New York Times, Zoe Report, Bloomberg, and film festivals nationwide.

To check out H Spencer Young's diverse body of work, visit:
https://hspenceryoung.com/

To donate to American University's School of Communication and to continue supporting this podcast, visit:
https://giving.american.edu/

Dec 15, 202234:44
The Path to Post-Production

The Path to Post-Production

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture! Our special guest today is SOC Alumna, Emily Hall! 

Born in China and raised in DC, Emily has always loved filmmaking and the arts. She graduated from American University in 2019 with a degree in Film and Media Arts and with a minor in Studio Art. While she attended American University, she was a part of Alpha Xi Delta, AU Photo Collective, SOC Ambassadors, Delta Kappa Alpha, and she was the Student Government Senator for SOC! She is also joining us this year as a mentor in our Alumni Mentorship Program! She was a part of SOC’s Experiential Learning programs such as the L.A. Intensive after graduation and shortly after moved to Los Angeles as the Emmys / Television Academy Internship Program's 2019 Scripted TV Editing Intern. She is a member of the IATSE Local 700 Motion Picture Editors Guild Roster for Assistant Editors and the Warner Media/HBO Max Post Coordinator Training Program 2020 Cohort. Currently the Emily Eldridge Hall is the Postproduction Coordinator for Netflix's YOU Season 4 and a Video Editor for the online food video network, Tastemade. She was previously the Post Coordinator for HBO Max's Our Flag Means Death and has worked on various shows with Warner Bros, SHOWTIME and FOX.

To donate to American University's School of Communication and to continue supporting this podcast, visit:
https://giving.american.edu/

Dec 01, 202233:04
Sports Events Are the Memories Business

Sports Events Are the Memories Business

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture! Our special guest today is Professor Matt Winkler!

Matt Winkler has blended more than 20 years of experience in the NCAA, NHL, WNBA, MLS, the Olympics, and the World Cup and activation on five continents into innovative industry strategy for the sports, events and higher education industries. He launched the first Online M.S. in Sports Analytics & Management right here at American University. He also worked as Director of Athletic Communications and Sports Information at American University.  
Winkler is also the Founder & Executive Director of a premier annual sports career conference known as the Sports Events Marketing Experience (SEME-NOW.com) and previously launched another entrepreneurial consulting project, MW Marketing/Communications. Winkler often served as an on-site game-day media operations consultant for U.S. Soccer Federation and D.C. United in Major League Soccer as well as the NCAA and their championships for Men’s Basketball and Men’s Soccer. Other impressive events? FIVE FIFA World Cups, TWO Olympic Games, and the Goodwill Games in St. Petersburg, Russia.

To check out the Sports Events Marketing Experience (www.TheSEME.com) for their next conference in March of 2023, visit:
https://theseme.com/ 

To donate to American University's School of Communication and to continue supporting this podcast, visit:
https://giving.american.edu/


Nov 16, 202240:59
Our Time to Give Back
Nov 02, 202222:15
I made the L.A move... Should you?

I made the L.A move... Should you?

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture! Our special guest today is Zachary Gradishar. 

Zachary Gradishar is a recent alumni of American University (Class of 2022) where he received his BA in Public Relations & Strategic Communications and a minor in Marketing. Zach was adopted from an orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia when he was just under a year old and grew up in Chicago, Illinois before moving to Washington DC for college. Following his graduation this past May he moved to sunny Los Angeles to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. This past summer Zach completed a 16 week post graduate internship - his 9th internship within the last 4 years - with Searchlight Pictures Film Studio at The Walt Disney Company as a PR/Publicity Intern where he supported one of the National publicity teams. Before starting his internship with Searchlight, Zach participated in American University's School of Communication's LA Intensive Program as part of the Summer 2022 cohort. Zach also launched his very own podcast this summer called "Let's Chat with Zach" where he chats with different guests each week about various topics from navigating life post grad, to what it's like to work in the entertainment industry and so much more. You can catch episodes of "Let's Chat with Zach" every Sunday on Apple & Spotify podcast platform.

To check out Zach's podcast, visit this link to listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify:
https://anchor.fm/zachary-p-gradishar

To learn more about American University's SOC Experiential Learning Programs, visit this link:
https://www.american.edu/soc/experiential-learning/

Oct 19, 202235:06
Pandemic or Endemic? The fate of the entertainment industry.

Pandemic or Endemic? The fate of the entertainment industry.

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communications at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture.

On this episode, welcome School of Communications’ decorated professor; Claudia Myers. Claudia teaches  classes such as Advanced Directing, Advanced Screenwriting, and Directing Actors for Camera. Leading a double life outside the SOC building, Claudia was named one of "10 Filmmakers to Watch" by Independent Magazine in 2015. Most recently Claudia wrote and directed ABOVE THE SHADOWS, a supernatural drama starring Olivia Thirlby, Alan Ritchson, Jim Gaffigan, and Megan Fox. The film opened the 2019 Brooklyn Film Festival where it won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature and was released theatrically last summer by Gravitas Ventures, and is now streaming on Hulu. Other projects include FORT BLISS; starring Michelle Monaghan, Ron Livingston & Pablo Schreiber, KETTLE OF FISH with Matthew Modine and Gina Gershon, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and won a Nickelodeon Screenwriting Award, & THE LONG ROAD BACK, a documentary about the military community. As a filmmaker Claudia has won numerous awards, was twice a finalist for the Sundance Screenwriters Lab, and is an alum of the Hamptons Screenwriters Lab.

Claudia takes us through the status of directors, filmmakers, the pandemic (or endemic?) and where all responsibilities stand, have changed, or will change in the future. In addition, she breaks down the different classes she teaches at American University, their importance and how they can be used to shape your directing career earlier than you think! 

PRODUCED & HOSTED BY: Grace Ibrahim & The School of Communication

SPECIAL GUST: CLAUDIA MYERS

Oct 05, 202231:27
The Evolution of the Film Industry & Award Shows

The Evolution of the Film Industry & Award Shows

How has Hollywood changed over just the course of one long, storied career? From nickel and dime shows, blockbuster epics and contemporary tentpole IP films, to how industry changes have influenced award shows, and the waxing and waning interest in them—Russell Williams has seen it all. Today’s audiences aren’t subject to “appointment television,” and their choices in how to consume content also influence award season. Find out what industry insider, Professor Williams, thinks about these changes and more, on this episode of Media In the Mix.

This episode is guest hosted by Bria Granville, Video Production Coordinator at SOC’s Office of Communication.

Beginning his career in the 70s, Russell Williams won two Oscars for Sound Design and two Primetime Emmys. He made history as the first African-American to win multiple Oscars in any category. At American University, he designed and taught a course called “Executive Suite,” in which students could learn about the business behind film and available employment positions. He often teaches and speaks about Hollywood labor issues, Academy Awards and procedures, and minority issues in Hollywood.

Williams' awards include:

·  The Oscar for Sound for Glory (1989) (award speech here)

·  The Oscar for Sound for Dances with Wolves (1990) (award speech here)

·  The Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Sound Mixing for A Dramatic Miniseries Or Special – 1988 for Terrorist on Trial: The United States vs. Salim A

·  The Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Drama Miniseries Or A Movie – 1998 for 12 Angry Men

May 02, 202242:28
The New Workforce Wave

The New Workforce Wave

Have you ever felt like the 9-5 life wasn’t for you? Maybe you’ve felt like pursuing entrepreneurship, or a side hustle. Starting one’s own business has long been seen as the solution to the work week rat race. But self-employment requires its own strategies and structure.

Did the pandemic highlight your additional workplace needs? Today, job seekers mention additional paid time off, mental health support, and remote work options as some of their highest-priority concerns. How do these needs, when unmet, help drive workers to pursue self-employment?

On today’s episode, we speak to #AUSOC alums, Jack Fitzpatrick and Megan Elizabeth Clark, about finding their own pathways to entrepreneurship, how corporate and freelancing work differs from each other, and how their time at AU influenced their careers today.

Jack Fitzpatrick is a freelance marketing and communication strategist currently based in New York City. Previously, he lived in Minneapolis where he worked in influencer marketing for cereal brands at General Mills as well as B2B tech marketing through TopRank Marketing. He graduated from American University's School of Communication with a degree in Public Communication in 2016. When he isn't strategizing for clients, he can be found making a mess in the kitchen, strolling through farmers markets, and thinking about birds.

Megan Elizabeth Clark is a freelance copywriter and content marketing specialist with 6+ years of experience in the world of content creation, marketing, and human resources. She’s passionate about bringing the power of authentic storytelling to the health, fitness, and wellness industries using her background as a NASM certified personal trainer and RYT-200 certified yoga instructor. You can connect with her about all things fitness, content marketing, SEO, and copywriting on LinkedIn, Instagram, Medium, or on her website at meganelizabethclark.com.

Mar 14, 202232:04
The State of Far-Right Extremism In America

The State of Far-Right Extremism In America

Today’s news cycles are filled with stories of polarizing information, soundbites, opposing viewpoints, and shocking current events. Where is the surge of right-wing extremism coming from? And how far does it extend into media, culture, and identity?

This episode answers these questions and more. It also features an introduction by SOC Dean Sam Fulwood, and a conversation between the following panelists:

Kurt Braddock, Ph.D

Asst. Prof. in the School of Communication

Prof. Braddock studies the way that language and words affect radicalization processes, and how language can be used to counteract radicalization processes. He also studies how propaganda and messaging affect people psychologically, and inspire them to engage in violence on behalf of their radical ideologies.

Cynthia Miller-Idriss, Ph.D

Sociologist and Prof. in the School of Public Affairs and School of Education

Co-Founder and Director of the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL)

Prof. Miller-Idriss studies symbols and youth cultures, communication systems and signs systems through iconography, graffiti, tshirts, memes, and youth culture. Her personal research also focuses on the far right.

The Lab focuses on interventions across the ideological spectrum. It looks at disinformation, propaganda, persuasive extremist tactics, and how to interrupt them.

Brian Hughes, Ph.D

Research Assistant Prof. in the School of Public Affairs

Co-Founder and Associate Director of PERIL

Prof. Hughes studies digital communication technologies and their interaction with political and religious extremism and fringe cultures. He focuses on how fringe cultures and extremist individuals and movements use communication technology (digital), and how the affordances of digital communication technology shape the outlooks, operational styles, identity, and selfhood that these extremist groups develop and evolve over time.

The work at PERIL centers the needs of victims and survivors of this violence.

Feb 18, 202238:27
The Evolution of Superhero Narratives and the Human Experience
Dec 21, 202134:43
What Is An Influencer?

What Is An Influencer?

In this episode of Media in the Mix we explore the idea of being an "influencer" and how a person can make an impact in the real world with their online persona. We chat with SOC alum Andy Lalwani, who is now the host for “Culture Q,” a weekly show on Revry TV about news, pop culture, politics and more for the queer community; and Paige Kaiser, who is currently a junior in SOC studying Public Relations and Strategic Communications, and a YouTuber with over 300K subscribers, about what it means to be an influencer (2:28), creating content (26:18), and the responsibility they have to their followers in the digital space (20:04 and 22:24).

Dec 01, 202134:58
What's In An Identity?

What's In An Identity?

On this month’s episode of Media in the Mix, Camila DeChalus, senior reporter at Business Insider, spoke with Brianna Williams, Online Content Manager for AUSOC, about labels and the importance of speaking to people with their identity in mind. During this Hispanic Heritage Month (also known as Latino Heritage Month or Latinx Heritage Month), it is important to recognize that a group’s identity—and their own role in self-identifying—can help influence how their story is told.

They talk about society and media view the Latino/Latinx community (01:22), Camila’s perspective as an Afro-Latina (02:30), defining and differentiating between the terms “Hispanic” and “Latino” (03:10), changing perspectives on identifying as “Hispanic” or “Latino” (05:00), Twitter controversy (07:35), Camila’s experience covering the Latinx community (10:15), cultural assumptions (13:39), and Camila’s parting thoughts in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month (17:41).

Oct 07, 202119:12