Leslie Owusu, Author at BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications

Aspiring Screenwriting Student Learns How to Tell New Stories During London Film Study Abroad

Leslie Owusu — Fri, 17 Aug 2018 16:49:45 +0000

Film student Isaac Wright shares his experience while studying abroad in England Ever since graduating senior Isaac Wright heard about the London Film Study Abroad as a sophomore, he knew he wanted to participate. Because the Department of Theatre and Media Arts offers this study abroad every two years, Wright had to wait until this May, the last semester before he graduated. “Attending this study abroad program was a lot of dreams coming true,” said Wright. “I’ve always wanted to go to London so I made sure I applied as quickly as I could.” Wright said the emphasis of the study abroad was to introduce film students to an English culture and familiarize them with its art, intellectual achievements, and history. Wright said, “I plan to go into screenwriting, and that focus enhanced this experience. It was a great opportunity to be immersed in an entirely different culture, city and country.” Living in England for six weeks gave him the chance to experience London in a way he would not have acquired through a short visit or trip. “This helped me expand my horizons,” said Wright. “I think the more exposure you have to new people, cultures and experiences, the better your writing, directing or whatever you’re doing is. That’s important no matter what aspect of film you’re in. “The more involvement and participation you have, the more you can bring back to your own work. I felt very inspired by seeing everything there. It was definitely a good thing to do during my last semester at BYU. It was the culmination of a lot of years of learning and it was great to see it pay off.” A typical day for Wright started with class at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Hyde Park Chapel. The study abroad offered five courses, and Wright participated in six credits’ worth of them. His TMA 315R Special Topics British Life and Culture course gave him the opportunity to read literature by famous British poets and authors and to listen to the music of British artists and composers. Wright said, “I read Virginia Woolf and William Shakespeare. I listened to the ‘War Requiem’ symphony by Benjamin Britton and ‘The Queen is Dead’ album by the Smiths. British culture isn’t a small undertaking. It spans centuries.” Another class offered was the TMA 315R Special Topics Short Documentary Production class. The students were assigned to meet a Londoner, interview them and make a five-minute documentary about their experience living in London. “I think it encouraged students to reach out and embrace people from different backgrounds and experiences,” Wright said. “It built a lot of friendships that we’ve been able to take back with us.” In his TMA 498 Film Topics class, Wright and his classmates studied film theory and critical analysis. “The program was challenging,” said Wright. “It was a full semester’s worth of classes condensed into a small amount of time. There was also the balance of seeing and experiencing London culture. I think our professors did a great job at giving us opportunities to do both.” After class, the students would usually attend one big activity together and then have free time to explore on their own. They also participated in excursions. Wright travelled to Scotland, Windsor Castle, and Oxford. He said his most meaningful experience occurred at the Cliffs of Dover with some other students. “Having the opportunity to spend the day there was very special because it was a quintessential English town,” said Wright. “On a clear day you can see the beaches of France across the channel. During World War II, when the British civilian ships rescued the stranded soldiers at Dunkirk, this was where they left from. It really underscored how much history that area represented.” “We went to many different museums and saw a lot of famous artwork. We also visited multiple historical landmarks and castles. But mostly we focused on international cinema. We spent time at the British Film Institute and watched a lot of movies there. My favorite film was ‘Lean on Pete.’ It was great to see movies that we would not have seen otherwise.” One of Wright’s favorite parts of the study abroad was the London theatre. He attended as many shows as he could during his time there. “Some people say there’s a rivalry between theatre and film but there shouldn’t be. Theatre is just another fascinating medium to tell a story. London has some of the best theatre I’ve ever seen. I saw a huge variety of shows, including ‘Hamilton,’ ‘Young Frankenstein’ and ‘Red.’ They were all spectacular.” Wright graduates in August and will continue working in script coverage for Endgame Entertainment in Los Angeles.

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Ray Beckham to be Honored at 2018 BYU Homecoming

Leslie Owusu — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 22:23:38 +0000

In their recent “Build it Like Beckham” article, BYU Magazine featured former communications professor and associate dean of The College of Fine Arts and Communications, Raymond E. Beckham. Beckham, who worked at BYU for 42 years and passed away last October, will be recognized at the 2018 BYU Homecoming as the honored founder. To read more click here.

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‘Romeo y Julieta’ Featured in BYU Magazine

Leslie Owusu — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 14:42:17 +0000

From February through April, the BYU Young Company toured their production of “Romeo y Julieta” to more than 30 school shows and workshops. Their experience was highlighted in the Summer 2018 Issue of BYU Magazine. To view the KUTV Inside the Story video and read the article, click here.

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Spencer Danielson Credits Time Management Skills as Key to Musical Success

Leslie Owusu — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 00:52:04 +0000

Convocation for the College of Fine Arts and Communications will take place at 11 a.m. on August 17 Spencer Danielson, a School of Music graduating senior, initially learned clarinet as a way to pass time until he could learn how to play the saxophone. However once he started, he loved it so much that he could not stop. He will perform “Première Rhapsodie” by Claude Debussy at the August convocation. Danielson describes his music style as classical meets jazz. He has spent three years as a member of the BYU Jazz Legacy Dixieland Band. “I have really loved playing in the Dixieland Band,” said Danielson. “As a clarinet major, most of my time is spent training on the classical style of clarinet, but playing in the band gave me the opportunity to showcase my skills with improvisation and jazz.” Last February, the band played three concerts with New Orleanian musicians Lucien Barbarin and Gregg Stafford. Danielson said playing with the musicians, who he described as energetic and lively, taught him the importance of putting his emotions and energy into the music he plays. This past spring, Danielson traveled with the Dixieland Band to New Orleans for four days, shortly after he returned from performing in Australia with the BYU Wind Symphony for three weeks. Danielson names these two experiences as his most memorable during his time at BYU. As he reflects back, Danielson said it was not hard to chose clarinet performance as his major. By high school he had decided he wanted to pursue a future in clarinet. “I love performing and showcasing my talent and the preparation time I’ve put into working on specific pieces for a recital or band concert,” said Danielson. His advice to current music majors is to prioritize their time in efforts to be efficient with practicing. In his experience, he found he needed to push himself in order to give more time to practice so he would not settle for mediocracy. Danielson said he also feels some students need the opposite advice because they may push themselves over the limit and over-practice. “It’s all about finding a happy medium and using your time the right way,” said Danielson. “Don’t get frustrated or discouraged if it takes a while for you to figure out how to find the balance in your schedule. Strive to do better with your time and the energy you have in efforts to get everything done.” Danielson said his most influential opportunities have been masterclasses with his fellow clarinet students. During these classes, clarinet professor Jaren Hinckley has specific students perform and then receive feedback from the group during a critiquing session. A lot of the masterclass is spent teaching and detailing how a fellow classmate could play better. “During my freshman year, I was terrified of doing something like that,” said Danielson. “I was comfortable with performing in front of others, but teaching someone in front of other people was scary. But as the years went on, I became more experienced and I am grateful for that. I am confident in my teaching abilities now and feel that I am at a higher caliber to teach private lessons than I was six years ago.” As he looks to his future, Danielson said he wants to get involved in soundtrack music. In addition to playing clarinet, he also plays the saxophone. “Part of me wants to try to pick up more instruments,” said Danielson. “This will give me a better shot at getting into soundtrack music so I can be more involved in the studio. “I’d also love to look into the field of composition. It’s not something I’ve done. I just recently started working on an arrangement of a hymn. I’ve been writing and figuring it out but it’s developing slowly. I’m not as experienced with practicing as I am with performing.” What did you want to be when you grew up? “I wanted to be a cake maker. Not because I had any inclination towards baking or cooking, I just loved cake. I thought because I could make it whenever, then I could eat it whenever. As I got older I realized I would have to actually sell the cakes and changed my mind.” Where do you find inspiration? “I think of the people who are confident in me, those who believe in me. My grandpa is my greatest support. He thinks I’m the best clarinet player on the face of the earth. He always loves to hear me play.” What was the hardest challenge you had to overcome at BYU? “Learning to manage my time. My quick breaks often turned into long breaks. I’m getting better at it in efforts to have consistency in practicing and attentiveness to my sound.” What is your favorite snack to eat? “Chex Mix and Flaming Hot Cheetos. Oreos are amazing too. I love my snacks.”

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Creative Freedom Rooted in Colby Sanford’s Pursuit of Studio Art

Leslie Owusu — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 00:49:06 +0000

Convocation for the College of Fine Arts and Communications will take place at 11 a.m. on August 17 Colby Sanford began drawing and painting at a young age. However, he credits his education at BYU for giving him a better framework and context for what is going on in the art world and how he can contribute to it. “I chose studio art because I loved the freedom to think about what I loved and why I was doing it,” said Sanford. He said his most memorable moments have always been when professors went above and beyond. Once, Professor Peter Everett “took an extra school day” to show Sanford and his classmates how to create chalk gesso. “It’s a super old technique that I didn’t even know how to appreciate until after doing it,” said Sanford. “It’s a stage that takes lots of time and isn’t really ‘necessary’ but makes all the difference in the world.” Another memorable experience was when Profesor Joe Ostraff took Sanford and several other art students to Wendover, Nevada, on a Saturday. “We drove a few hours and talked the whole way,” said Sanford. “I got to sit in the passenger seat and we figured out three grants for me to apply to. As the result, my family and I went to Maine to paint for the summer.” Of his entire academic career, Sanford is most proud of how much he learned and the depth at which he did so. He said he does not consider himself the “most astute person,” so learning how to “read difficult texts and write substantial papers on diverse topics” over the course of his studies surprised him the most. His advice to studio art majors still pursuing their degree is to “read more and create intentionally, and then forget everything you’ve read and create instinctively.” Sanford is not sure what lies in his future but knows it involves painting full time. He said he has been able to pull it off so far, but figuring out how to grow his career consistently will be a lifelong adventure. What did you want to be when you grew up? “Interestingly enough, I wanted to write fiction.” Where do you find inspiration? “The world around me. My daughter playing with toys, my wife knitting sweaters, my home filling with friends and family for late-night conversations.” What was the hardest challenge you had to overcome at BYU? “Believing in my artistic vision. I had a big internal conflict of thinking it wasn’t a good enough life venture or wouldn’t prove fruitful.” What is your favorite snack to eat? “PB&J Sandwiches. Consequently it is also my favorite meal.”

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Dallin Adams on Changing Behavior Through Positive Media

Leslie Owusu — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 00:44:32 +0000

Convocation for the College of Fine Arts and Communications will take place at 11 a.m. on August 17 After a short time as a psychology major, advertising senior Dallin Adams realized two things — the psychology major was not for him and he loved the idea of how and why people think the way they do. Knowing that he also loved design, Adams knew he could utilize his passions and his skills and thrive in communications. “I’m not in the advertising creative track,” said Adams, “I’m more involved in the research aspect. I like doing the researching behind advertising in order to see what kind of differences can be made. I love being able to take that research and apply it into a medium that reaches everyone.” As he reflects on his academic career, Adams said he is most proud of a “Driving Under the Influence (DUI)” prevention campaign he completed as part of an account management class. The class teamed up with R&R Partners, an ad agency headquartered here in Utah, to create ads for the Utah Department of Public Safety and Utah Highway Patrol. The objective of the campaign was to shift gears on how DUI campaigns are run. Adams explained that most DUI campaigns focus on intimidating language such as, ‘This is what could happen if you drive drunk — you could kill someone, end up in the hospital, receive a lot of fines etc.’ “I took issue with that,” said Adams. “I wanted to do something positive with the messaging of this DUI campaign. We decided we’d turn it on its head a little bit. We didn’t want to say, ‘You’ll be in trouble if you drive drunk,’ we wanted to say, ‘We want you to get home safely. There are people who care about you who want you to get home safely. Don’t drive drunk because we want you to be okay.’ “I believe changing that type of messaging can ultimately change behavior. Negative messaging or threats can temporarily change attitudes, but we want a lasting behavioral shift. We thought this positive route was a good way to help eliminate drunk drinking.” The head of media at the Utah Highway Patrol came to their class, watched each team present and ultimately loved Adams and his teammates’ campaign the best and decided it deserved to win. They are hoping to see the ads around Utah over the next few years. Adams said his dream is to use the media as a positive outlet. In an allusion to Mad Men, communications Professor Pat Doyle once told Adams, “We are here at BYU to learn how to be Mormon Mad Men and Women. You’re meant to go out and influence the world for good. There’s so much filth in the media right now and we don’t need more of that. We’re here to combat that.” Those words have resonated with Adams and he wants to remind fellow advertising students that “their focus as they move forward in the industry is to combat the negative messaging out in the world and to make a positive difference through their skills. I would also encourage them to take a moment and shut out what everyone else thinks and figure out where he or she individually wants to go.” Since September 2015, Adams has worked at the BYU Biometrics Lab, formerly known as the eye-tracking lab. He said serving in a managerial capacity for the last two years has been a great opportunity to conduct research and observe how to influence media with research. At the lab, Adams and his co-workers observe people as they look at computer screens. They are able to see where on the screen an individual is looking and receive deeper insights into what people are thinking and feeling, as well as what kind of media they’re consuming. Adams said, “We also have other instruments like facial recognition devices that tell us what people are feeling as they look at things, and galvanic skin response devices that tell us the intensity of emotions. When we combine those different instruments, we get a better idea of how people feel about media and what we can do to change and be better when it comes to the media we create.” The Biometrics Lab also conducts research on domestic abuse. Adams shared that they are trying to figure out what kind of messages in PSAs are the most effective. They want to know what will get victims the help they need. He said the goal is “not simply being good at what we do, but being good while we do what we do.” Adams names Professors Mark Callister and Kevin John as examples of those who taught him the significance of being good. He is grateful for these professors’ examples and the influence they have had on him in his decision to continue with school and earn master’s and doctorate degrees. “Kevin John is my mentor,” said Adams. “He has always looked out for me. He’s the director of the lab and has taught two of my classes. I have a really close relationship with him. He’s helping me as I further my education. He’s been helping me all along the way and has been a real big influence.” This fall, Adams will start the Mass Communications master’s program here at BYU. “Ultimately, I want to teach. It’ll allow me to continue to do research, which is what I’m enjoying right now. By continuing on and getting a master’s degree and PhD, I can continue to research and do the things I enjoy with communications.” What did you want to be when you grew up? “When I was little, I wanted to be a firefighter but I didn’t know they were fire fighters. I thought they were fighter fighters, which is a much cooler name. I knew that they fought fires but to me, the name was still fighter fighter.” Where do you find inspiration? “I think I’m still trying to figure that out in some ways. I’m trying to figure out where I find my inspiration. My wife is awesome. She helps me a lot. Also, good friends and family; spending time with good people is a big factor.” What was the hardest challenge you had to overcome at BYU? “Getting out of a [...]

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Noelani Schraedel: Insights from my NYC Experience Will Help Launch My Dance Career

Leslie Owusu — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 23:09:55 +0000

I had no idea how a weeklong experience in New York City with the BYU Contemporary Dance Theatre (CDT) could help me decide this was where I will pursue an MFA after graduating from BYU. While we were in New York, we brushed shoulders with professional dancers and choreographers, which opened my eyes to all the opportunities available to me. Based out of the Gibney Dance Center, we took master classes in contemporary, Limon technique and contemporary partnering. These opportunities provided me with valuable real-world insights into pursuing a professional career in NYC. The classes were incredible and pushed me beyond what I have done in my college career. Our CDT director Nathan Balser asked our team, “If you could take a class from anyone, who would it be?” Without hesitation I responded, “Kate Weare.” Although we didn’t meet Weare, I was able to take a class from one her dancers. It was an experience I will always look back at and pull from. We got a behind the scenes Broadway master class and learned the choreography from “Wicked” before seeing the show that night. It was a dream to experience what it would be like to perform on Broadway in one of my all-time favorite shows. Along with taking classes from accomplished dancers, my favorite part of the trip was seeing so many shows. We watched the Limon Dance Company in the historic Joyce Theater where the highlight of the evening was the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Limon’s iconic piece, “Missa Brevis.” Seeing that piece performed in the Joyce Theater was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. As a company we also saw “Then She Fell,” which is an immersive dance theatre experience. “Then She Fell” was breathtaking and uniquely beautiful. I took advantage of our time to see a variety of other shows and performances. While I was in New York, I was able to tour graduate dance programs in the city. I realized this is where I want to continue my education as a MFA student. Every single class, show and even the atmosphere of New York City was life-changing and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a student here at BYU and to be a member of this amazing dance company. **Noelani’s husband, Adam, is also a member of CDT.

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Howie Burbidge Shares Thoughts on What ‘Beating Cancer’ Really Means

Leslie Owusu — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 21:57:19 +0000

Howie Burbidge’s senior project focuses on how dying isn’t losing Attending class, completing assignments, raising a child and enduring extensive pain were routine experiences for Howie Burbidge when he found out he had stage four cancer. Now healthy and in remission, he is a graduating directing major in the Department of Theatre and Media Arts. Burbidge reflects on his experience of discovering his passion at BYU while fighting a vicious disease. A few years ago, while sitting in an industrial design class, Burbidge had two epiphanies. He realized, one, he was unskilled at drawing, and two, he could not stop thinking about making his own little films. This realization came after being an international relations major for exactly one day. Burbidge also tested the waters in entrepreneurship before settling on a major he was passionate about. While participating in these different classes, he checked out cameras from the library and created little films. Burbidge withdrew from the industrial design class and signed up to take photography the next semester. He continued to check out cameras and shoot his own films, but found photography was still not the perfect fit. A couple of weeks into the photography class, Burbidge realized he could see images in his mind before he would shoot them on camera. This was with still photography, but he wanted to practice this with motion. He applied to the film program, coincidentally, using a documentary he filmed about one of his friends who had just beat cancer. He got into the program. Burbidge said, “I chose this major because film is the most powerful form of storytelling. There’s no other way to give someone an experience quite like combining video and audio together into film. I was nervous to go into the industry, it has this scary stigma. My wife told me, ‘Don’t be afraid. Be confident enough to chase your dreams.’ “If you’re passionate about something, you’ll work hard enough and you’ll be good at it. Plus, it will be better than choosing something you’re not passionate about in the long run. So, I did it, I chose the thing I was passionate about, and I’m glad I did.” As he looks back on his time at BYU, Burbidge said the hardest and most-rewarding class he took was TMA 285. In this course, designed for directors and cinematographers, students create one film a week. There are only ten students in the class and they switch off being a director one week and a cinematographer the next. “It was the hardest class in the film program because sometimes you have to produce a film and then the next time you write it,” said Burbidge. “You have to find the location and cast all within a matter of three or four days. Then you shoot the film, edit it, turn it in on Monday and restart. The paperwork of going through every single shot for just one film alone was a huge learning curve. At the end, I had a ton of confidence because I had just directed seven films in a short period of time and gained lots of practice during the process. It really pushed me creatively. I already knew I wanted to direct but those experiences were validating because I could see shots in my mind and then execute them in the way I saw it in my head.” Burbidge said completing that class is amongst his biggest accomplishments at BYU. This accomplishment is made even greater considering he was battling cancer at the same time. “That same semester, I started feeling some major pain in my body. It was on Thanksgiving that I woke up in the middle of the night and my back hurt so bad, I couldn’t breathe. During the next few weeks, I experienced tremendous back pain every night. As I was experiencing this weird pain, I was also doing this really hard class and having to shoot my final film for the course. I started seeing doctors and none of them could tell me what was going on. I had to shoot my final and I was so worried my back pain would return during shooting. “I shot my final film, went and saw some doctors and got some scans. After returning from Christmas break, I was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma in January 2017. Academically, I’m proud of myself for not just getting through that class, but honestly doing my very best. I’m proud of the films I made in that class. I didn’t know I had cancer while I was doing it and I’m proud of myself for having the grit to push through.” As a 25-year-old college student and father, Burbidge received chemotherapy treatment for Hodgkin Lymphoma from January through July of that year. “I would go into chemotherapy and sit next to others getting their chemo,” said Burbidge. “I know that some of those people aren’t alive today. When I found out I was in remission, people would say ‘Hey, congratulations you beat cancer. You did it. Good job.’ and I would think about the people that didn’t live and think, ‘Well, they still beat it. They beat it too.’ Just because they didn’t live and just because I lived doesn’t mean I beat it. Living doesn’t mean you beat cancer and dying doesn’t mean you don’t. I was thinking about that and wanted to write a story about someone who had a difficulty and didn’t live but still communicate that they beat it and that dying isn’t losing.” From those thoughts, Burbidge created the storyline for his senior capstone film project titled “Gather.” In this film, a widower frontiersman and his 10-year-old daughter are trying to gather enough provisions and food before the ensuing winter. Ultimately, they die, but that is not the end of their story, or the film. After several drafts, Burbidge finished the script for “Gather” during the month of September. “I had just finished chemo,” said Burbidge. “I had done so many rounds. My chemotherapy was so powerful because I was at stage four. At the end of it in July, I felt dead — I just felt dead. I find inspiration for my films through my personal experiences. This man and his daughter, they don’t live, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t beat their trials. They’re able [...]

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Department of Art and Department of Design Convocation Highlights

Leslie Owusu — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 17:52:13 +0000

As the students delivered their speeches, their artwork and projects were projected on a screen for the audience The Department of Art and Department of Design Convocation took place on April 27. Graduate and undergraduate students were awarded degrees in art, art education, animation, illustration, graphic design and photography. Here are some highlights of the event. The convocation took place at 8 a.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. J. Kelly Flanagan, the information technology vice president, attended the ceremony as the university representative. He joined his relative, graduating design student Alyssa May Flanagan, on stage for a photo as she received her diploma cover. The first speaker was Studio art BFA student Megan Mitchell Arné. She discussed her joy in writing stories and poems as a child. A certain story she summarized, depicting the journey of a penny, highlighted the meaning behind her speech, “On Trash and Treasure.” Arné shared that her artwork highlights the significance of objects. Her fascination with garbage and trash inspired her paintings and drawings. In 2017, Arné traveled to Brazil and made art video pieces featuring people’s most cherished possessions. She said her video project was meaningful because of the stories of human experiences that made each mundane object invaluable to its owner. In closing, Arné said, “Just like the penny, a painting would only be a collection of material on a wall without someone walking into the gallery and deciding it means something more.” The next speaker was Gunnar Harrison, a graphic design student who delivered a speech on “Relationships.” Harrison expressed that illustration, animation, photography and design majors have the lowest acceptance rates at BYU, but require the most time of their students. . He invited his fellow graduates to stop, turn around and be proud of how far they have come. Harrison shared quotes from two of his favorite designers. Harrison shared how Paul Rand’s words — “To design is to discover relationships” — taught him relationships exist in good design, all the way to the minute details. He used Massimo Vignelli’s statement “If you can design one thing, you can design everything” to tell his peers that graduates do not have to be defined by one discipline. Harrison concluded his speech by saying, “The most important relationship a design creates is the one it makes with the human being that occupies it.” Graduating woodwind performance major Christian Tran then performed “Yellow” and “Red” from Alyssa Morris’ “Four Personalities” on oboe. They are pieces based on the Hartman Personality test. After Tran’s zestful performance, Sarah Roberts delivered her speech on “Art and Uncertainty.” As a graduating art major with an art education licensure, she talked about how she learned to see uncertainty as new territory to follow, not to run from. Sharing photos and artwork from her study abroad to Spain and Morocco, Roberts discussed how this experiential learning opportunity offered a clean slate for ideas and inspiration after a creative block period. “Taking risks and making mistakes were a daily experience . . . Whenever I hit a wall, there was only one thing to do — continue.” Roberts highlighted her experience with Allison Miller, an artist who visited campus and spoke to art students in 2017. Miller’s “Flush Arch” inspired Roberts to take risks, fix mistakes and strive to become comfortable in unknown outcomes. Roberts’ final project “Revisions” was featured in the Gallery 303 in the HFAC. She closed her speech by reminding her fellow graduates,, “As we face the uncertainties that lie ahead of each of us, let us remember there is great value in not knowing” Animation senior Kalee McCollaum spoke on “Taking Chances.” McCollaum was the director of the annual short film produced by the seniors in the Department of Design. She shared how she never considered herself to be the director and was humbled to be chosen through votes. She said his experience brought her out of her comfort zone and identified her weaknesses. Even though she made mistakes and felt inadequate at times, McCollaum was grateful to discover how much she did not know because this gave her the opportunity to gain new knowledge. “I thought the director was the person who had all the answers. Instead of going to someone for feedback, I was the one giving the feedback. I discovered that filmmaking was an elaborate process.” In time, McCollaum learned to make better decisions and brush off the embarrassing moments she experienced. She said this frightening opportunity helped her discover how great collaborative work could be. After sharing a sneak peek of the short film, McCollaum told her fellow graduates, “I encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone and take chances. . . Weaknesses you didn’t know you were holding back will be revealed to you, allowing you to overcome them.” The ceremony ended with the presentation of graduates.

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How a Degree in PR Prepared Ellen Huish for Law School

Leslie Owusu — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 20:28:56 +0000

Convocation for the School of Communications will take place at 2 p.m. on April 27 Graduating senior Ellen Huish did not know exactly what she wanted to do in Public Relations when she started the program. However, with a goal of attending law school in mind, she knew PR would develop and broaden her skills. Huish said, “I knew PR would give me a lot of experience in research, writing, strategic planning and social media because that’s what you need to be relevant in any career path. That’s why I chose PR and it has proven to be true in more ways than I could have imagined. For example, we focused on research and that relates to what I want to pursue after law school. Those skills have proven very valuable.” Through coordinating, researching and creating content for real clients, Huish said she has enjoyed hands-on experiences in practical settings. Her collaborative team conducted research for MultiLing and traveled to their headquarters to give a presentation to executives. She also wrote articles and created social media content for the BYU School of Communications. As she prepares to graduate, Huish is completing her senior capstone project working with Marriott Mexico in social media consultation for their hotels in Mexico. Huish said, “There were a few times when we had things go wrong, pressing deadlines we had to meet or had things change and these gave me a lot of experience learning what careers in PR are like. Sometimes things do change and the client wants something different and you have to adjust.” In addition to on-campus learning, Huish also participated in three study abroads during her undergrad. She went to London with the Department of Theatre and Media Arts and New York and New Zealand with the School of Communications. “In New Zealand,” said Huish, “I told stories about the different religions, people and cultures there. In New York it was a similar experience, we got to tell stories about diversity. Those three experiences have made my BYU experience one thousand times more beneficial. I gained exposure to different people and the way they live. “There’s a lot of diversity in Provo, but it was so valuable to go to these countries and meet these people in their world. We talk about experiential learning — what better way to do that than leaving Provo to venture out and work in the field? I learned so much from them.” Through her major, Huish has gained skills in web development, Adobe software and other creative applications she did not have prior experience in. She was able to learn these skills from scratch to create final products and now uses these abilities in her everyday life. Huish said she now has her own website, uses Adobe Premiere for her job and is currently working as a Facebook ad manager. Huish will continue her studies this August at the BYU J. Reuben Clark Law School. “I don’t know what I want to do with law yet but I have a strong interest in the first amendment, the press and communications laws,” said Huish. “That’s why it’s been a great experience working in a communications field and with communications professionals. I would love to find a niche where I could merge the two. “Right now at BYU Law and in the legal world, there’s a lot of up-and-coming legal technology. Technology and legal professions are now mixing, so gaining skills in web development and design will be useful for lawyers. I know I want to tie communications and law together. How? I don’t know but I want to discover that in my next three years.” What did you want to be when you grew up? “I have always wanted to be a lawyer. I wanted to go to law school since I was a little girl because my dad is a lawyer. Law school was always been the dream; I can’t remember not wanting to go.” Where do you find inspiration? “I have favorite spots on campus where I always study at or go to when I have to get work done. There is something about routine that helps me.” What was the hardest challenge you had to overcome at BYU? “I came home from my mission early. I got sick two months in, came home and didn’t go back. I thought I’d go back and I just never did and there were a lot of perceptions, comments and stereotypes that fell onto me as a result of that. Being in an environment where everyone serves a mission and talks about how great it was and how much it changed their lives was difficult because I didn’t have that. My mission was great but it wasn’t what everyone else experienced. I had to come to the realization that my path — my mission — was my own and it didn’t have to fit what everybody else was doing. It taught me a lot about finding my own path and being ok with it as well as being more compassionate and understanding of others who share this similar experience.” What is your favorite snack to eat? “They sell peanut butter chocolate muddy buddies in the vending machine. You get a big bag and they actually fill the bag, it’s not just mostly filled with air and they’re only 90 cents. Also, the new Papa Johns in the Cougareat is great. When that opened, it was over for me.”

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