MovieMaker Magazine rates BYU on 'Best Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada 2017' list

Competition highlights hard work of BYU Music Major

New York Field Experience Provides Learning Opportunity For Communications Student

72 works illustrate the movement to establish photography as qualified fine art, equal with sculpture, painting and etching.

The 142nd convocation of BYU’s College of Fine Arts and Communications will be held Aug. 18, 2017 at 11 a.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall of the Harris Fine Arts Center. The ceremony will also be live streamed here. Graduates from the Department of Art, School of Communications, Department of Theatre and Media Arts, Department of Dance, Department of Design, and School of Music will join together in one ceremony to be recognized and receive their diploma cover on the stage of the de Jong Concert Hall. Dean Ed Adams will preside over the ceremony where four graduates from different departments will address the audience. They will be speaking on the following topics: Studio arts major Pearl Corry on “Spontaneous Creative Exchange” Media arts studies major Cameron Babcock on “Remember” Illustration major Grant Hansen on “The Power of Need” News media major Samantha Clark Forrest on “Step Outside” During the program, a musical number titled “Beau Soir” by French composer Claude Debussy will be performed by Megumi Terry on the violin and Alice Hyoung on the piano. Terry is a graduating music performance major with an emphasis in string. The convocation will conclude with the presentation of master’s and baccalaureate degrees.

Pearl Corry’s view on art matches Franz Kafka's quote about music — “Music is the sound of the soul, the direct voice of the subjective world.” During her time at BYU, Corry enjoyed the art program’s focus on critical thinking and theory. One of the most important things she learned as an artist is to never get too comfortable with what she is doing. Through several of her educational experiences, Corry has enjoyed meaningful and impactful experiences that helped shape her both as an individual and as an artist. During a study abroad in Berlin she took a New Genre course that motivated her to research contemporary artists on her own. She also took an Advanced Photo class where they discussed before each class about what was happening in the world. 'Those conversations in my art classes were very meaningful to me,” Corry said. “I felt lucky then, and I feel lucky now, to have been around such brilliant and compassionate people.” Corry cites her relationships with her art professors as a critical part of her BYU experience. “They instilled in me the importance of being a good person as well as a good artist,” Corry said. Corry plans to pursue both an interdisciplinary Master of Fine Arts and a Master of Library Science in Art Librarianship. For her time at BYU, Corry said, “I hope I’ve been a good friend and a hard thinker.” One thing you enjoy about your major: “I enjoy when everyone is working in the BFA studios at the same time.” Influential class that you took at BYU: “In addition to the above mentioned, courses like Interdisciplinary Projects and Peter Everett’s painting classes have been very influential.” If you could have a toy designed after you: “I’d like to have one of those roller coaster bead mazes, the ones where you can push painted wooden beads back and forth along twisted wires. I think they are kind of awesome as sculptures in their own right.” Movie title for your life: “I’m always dropping things. Something about that, probably.”

Grant Hansen originally chose illustration as a major while preparing to go to Medical School, but quickly his plans changed. One thing he enjoys about the illustration major is how it focuses on applying all he has learned. “You can’t get through this major by memorizing the answers to the tests. It’s an industry that demands you actually know your stuff,” Hansen said. While at BYU, Hansen traveled to California with fellow BYU design students. There he started networking with AMD Radeon an organization who later helped fund his senior project. For his senior project, Hansen created and directed a virtual reality version of Jack and The Beanstalk. Hansen worked with several other students from multiple disciplines over eight months to create the final project. Hansen is hopeful their project will spark more interest in virtual reality projects on campus. He hopes he left a legacy of collaboration that other BYU students will follow. “I think that I had some impact on the people I worked with during my time at BYU,” Hansen said. “I hope that I helped reinforce the idea that we can accomplish greater things together than we can alone. That we’re just as free to do as we are to dream.” Wise words to share with others: “If you find, as most of us do, that you are your own greatest limiting factor: stop it.” Teachers that impacted your education: “David Dibble with his ability to squeeze the highest possible quality out of his students. Justin Kunz with his energy, experience and faith in his students to succeed. Bob Barrett with his sage advice, his quotes, his quotes, his quotes, and his excellent instruction. Beth Anne Anderson with her relentless positivity, her love of life and art, and infectious exuberance.” Movie title for your life: “‘What to Do When Lost.’ My life has consisted a lot of figuring out what to do when I don’t know how I’m going to get through a challenge.” Unique superpower you wish you had: “Time manipulation. You could get all your sleep out of the way in seconds, be an incredibly good athlete, be able to undo bad things that happen, get all the answers if I was ever on Jeopardy. That sort of thing.” Most meaningful experience at BYU: “I think I'd have to say the whole process of executing my senior project. It was life-changing. We were mentored by three BYU faculty members who were there to give us help and advice when we asked but generally allowed me to carry the project forward as I saw fit. Bless them.”

Playing the violin has always been an important part of Megumi Terry’s life since she began playing at the age of four. Her favorite part about being a music performance major is getting to create something everyday. “I feel it is a privilege to be able to do something I love everyday and work with the most amazing faculty in the world.” Terry said the most meaningful experience she has had during her time at BYU has been receiving weekly private instruction from violin Professor Monte Belknap. “I enjoyed our lessons together. He has taught me so much more than how to play the violin. He has also taught me how to be a good person, a musician of faith, and how to keep God first in my life.” As she reflects on her time at BYU, Terry has enjoyed performing at Carnegie Hall, being the concertmaster of the BYU Philharmonic, soloing with the BYU Philharmonic and BYU Symphony orchestras, and being apart of the BYU Honors Quartet. Recently, she performed with the BYU Chamber Orchestra in concert with Lea Salonga. “It was such a thrill to be able to perform alongside one of my biggest idols in the music industry this past Winter semester,” Terry said. Terry applied for the adjunct professor position in the violin department and hopes to fill her time after graduation doing that. Other plans include auditioning for graduate schools and orchestra jobs. What was the most influential class you took at BYU? “Dr. Gaskill's World Religions class. Ironically, learning about other religions and their truths only strengthened my faith in God and in the LDS church. I am grateful to him for his very insightful class, it has changed my life.” Unique superpower you wish you had: “Teleportation. Can you imagine being able to go to one rehearsal after the other in a matter of seconds? Or being able to have lunch in Italy and then teleport back to work when your lunch break was up?” Teachers that impacted your education: “Everyone in the School of Music. There wasn’t one professor I had in the music department that I didn’t learn from. They all had such a profound impact on me and I truly believe that the best part of the BYU School of Music is the faculty.” Favorite BYU ice cream: “I don't really eat ice cream, but I have purchased a lot of hot pockets from the HFAC vending machine on those long days.” What is the legacy you hope you left for BYU? “I hope people remember me as the violinist that worked hard, but still had fun. At the end of the day we are creating great music and I was so grateful to be a part of that creative process.”

Samantha Clark Forrest chose to study journalism because she loves writing and telling stories. She loves the changing and adapting environment that news media offers and she enjoys learning how technology is changing media. Her first hands on reporting experience was writing for The Daily Universe (Comms 321) where she went to the Utah Capitol every week to interview various state senators and legislators about their committees and bills. The experience taught her about politics and helped build her writing portfolio. While in the program, Forrest enjoyed getting to know and work with the other journalism students. A pivotal moment was the hands on experience she gained at the School of Communications New York Internship program where she had experiences that changed her life. “I met so many lifelong friends, worked for the news startup Bold TV, and also attended Broadway shows,” Forrest said. “The experience taught me a lot about myself and really pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I will definitely always remember my time living in New York City.” Forrest benefitted from working closely with professors who helped influence her experience and goals. After graduation, Forrest plans to move to San Francisco and work in communications. “You can do anything you set your mind to if you work hard,” Forrest said. “My advice for students would be to start networking and making an effort to get to know your peers and professors.” What are you looking forward to after graduation: “I am excited to put my education to use and live in a big city.” What was the most meaningful class you took at BYU? “Student Development 317. The sole purpose of this class was to prepare me for the workforce. I learned how to perfect my resume, apply for jobs, and write a cover letter. It was definitely a class that prepared me for graduation.” Movie title for your life: “‘Confessions of a Teenage (College) Drama Queen.’ I am a very dramatic but passionate person.” If you could have a toy designed after you: “A Kate Spade-fidget spinner. I love fashion and I can’t sit still.” How did your professors impact your education? “In some way or another, every professor I had impacted my education. I am a very hands on student so I feel like I had a lot of interaction with many professors. The professors that impacted my education the most were: Joel Campbell (Journalism), Quint Randle (Journalism), Kevin Kelly (New York Internship), and Christina Johnson (Print Publishing).”

Cameron Babcock chose the media arts major because he loves storytelling. As a freshman, Cameron took an Intro to Film class that helped him understand the power cinema can have in telling stories and creating empathy in the viewer. “Film is an incredible medium to tell any type of story,” Babcock said. “Through film I have learned a lot about life and relationships.” Babcock also met his wife in the film program, which he listed as his most meaningful experience at BYU. Babcock is applying to graduate school to receive a master's degree in film production with an emphasis in directing. He plans to teach film at a university. The TMA program chose to produce Babcock’s script for the collaborative senior capstone. Babcock was able to direct the production titled “Hey Brooklyn.” It’s the story of a 8-year-old girl, Brooklyn, who tries to raise $700 for her single mom before her family is evicted from their home. The story was based off of Babcock’s childhood experiences and was recently finished with plans to submit it to several film festivals. “The experience was priceless. I improved as a filmmaker in many ways. I learned being an artist can be so vulnerable,” Babcock said. “When you write and direct something so close to home, you feel like you’re throwing your heart right on the screen and hoping that people will take it how it is.” Some of Babcock’s previous work: Spit Take https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVBSGEKNIu0&feature=youtu.be We the Little Engines https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQpjm_S4pOs&feature=youtu.be Promo for Divine Comedy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82EvunRslA8 How did your professors impact your education? “The faculty in the film program are my mentors and friends. They have taught me not only about the history, theories, and practices of film but also what it means to be a hard working, supportive person in life.” Movie title for your life: “‘An Okie Grown Up,’ because it would be a documentary of my childhood and teenage experiences.” Unique superpower you wish you had: “Super vision because I wouldn’t need my glasses anymore. They’re generally dirty anyways.” What is the legacy you hope you left for BYU? “Hopefully I left a legacy that says it's worth it to work hard and to stay humble.”

22 communications students spent six weeks in the media capital of the world. Brooklyn Riepl plans to work in communications in a big city, but she wanted to get a taste of what it would be like before she graduated. The School of Communications’ New York Field Experience provided that opportunity. The New York Field Experience is available for students majoring or minoring in communications. Riepl and her fellow classmates spent six weeks in the Big Apple attending classes, exploring the city and learning about the professional communications industry. Riepl fell in love with advertising after taking a prerequisite advertising course that introduced her to the field. She believes advertising is the best way to channel numbers, strategy, research and executing data to engage an audience. Riepl and her peers had the opportunity to attend a networking event with BYU alumni working in communications in NYC. Calling it her most influential experience in New York. “It’s one thing to daydream about living in the city and working at an agency, but actually talking to people who were in my place at one point — seeing where they are now, where they’re working and how they got there — was helpful,” Riepl said. “I was amazed to see the reality of their dreams coming true.” Riepl said living in New York made her excited to enter the professional world, but it also provided a reality check to help her see what it takes to live in such a big city and to fit into the career world. Riepl said her hands on experience in New York added to her educational experience by helping her look beyond her grades and focus instead on piecing together what she wants to do and why she wants to do it. “Experiences like going to New York help you gain experiences and skills that prepare you for your career,” Riepl said. “It’s so exciting, and college is the perfect time to capitalize on those experiences. I’d encourage everyone to go, a million times over, it was so fun and I learned so much!” Learn more about Riepl’s experience in the Big Apple at nybyu.com.

Ensemble members share favorite memories from their Spring tour