Ryan Holmes, director of Digital Media Group at BYU Broadcasting, will give an address titled 'The Truth of All Things' at the Brigham Young University campus devotional Tuesday, May 7, at 11:05 a.m. in Joseph Smith Auditorium.

Comedic animated short caps 10 years of national accomplishment for the programRecent animation grad Lauren Taylor will add to the well-stocked BYU Center for Animation trophy case after winning first place in the animation category last weekend for Estefan at the 34th College Television Awards.It’s the 12th College Television Award, commonly called a “student Emmy,” in the last 10 years for the animation program.During that decade BYU students were awarded for other animated favorites like Pajama Gladiator, Kites and DreamGiver, providing a tradition of excellence for future students to follow.“Winning an Emmy is awesome,” said Taylor, producer of Estefan. “The animation program has a long history of entering the student Emmys. It’s kind of a relief that we can continue that tradition and heritage and hit that benchmark that we set for ourselves.”Estefan is a six-minute 3D animated short. The production was a senior project that took two years in the making and included the work of anywhere from 25-40 different students at any given time.Some of the past BYU animation films have had much heavier thematic elements, but Estefan’s lightheartedness allowed the animators to go much more over the top.“Animation lends itself to exaggeration, and Estefan is all about exaggeration,” said story and layout lead Lauren Oppenlander.Estefan the character, Oppenlander’s brainchild, is a Spanish hairdresser. But more than that, he’s an artiste. He’s the best hairdresser in the world, and he knows it. In the short, Estefan is faced with a challenge he’s never faced before when a woman walks into his salon and has no hair. His search for a solution for her takes some outside-the-box thinking on his part and makes for some entertaining viewing.In preparing to animate Estefan, the students examined film of flamenco dancing to capture certain movements and expressions. They also looked at bull fighters. Every little aspect was scrutinized.“People are always surprised that a five-minute film could take two years to make,” Taylor said. “But because we’re not filming live action, we need to create a person and an environment and all of the little objects that are in their environment.”The process of creating Estefan was an invaluable learning experience for the students as they were able to mirror how a professional studio would work. In fact, DreamWorks, Pixar and Sony served as mentors on the project. Recruiters from all three studios asked if they could help after seeing Estefanand worked very closely with the students, providing feedback and coaching.According to Kelly Loosli, head of the animation program and theatre and media arts assistant professor, this sort of experience is setting his students up for success in the future. The program has a history of placing graduates consistently in the top studios in the business. He said the key is in the collaboration. Students are able to work together, as a team extensively, putting away egos and working for a common goal.In Estefan, Loosli said he saw the group come together quickly, work extremely hard and have a lot of fun in the process.“I think there are a number of factors that make it an emmy winner,” Loosli said. “I think this is probably the best character animation we’ve ever put into an animated film, which is unique for us because we don’t really focus on character animation in our program. And then secondarily, I think it’s the most solid story in terms of the way that it’s structured, the way it sets up, builds and then pays off.” About the BYU Center for Animation Established in 2008, the BYU Center for Animation operates under the direction of two colleges–the College of Fine Arts and Communications and the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. The animation major is intended to provide students with the skill sets necessary for success in the animation, live-action, special effects and game industry with emphasis on both the artistic and technological avenues. The computer science animation emphasis gives students the opportunity to learn both the technical and artistic side of creating and implementing digital animation and games, preparing them for technical careers with animation and game programming studios.Source: BYU News

Professor Rob Wakefield's discussion regarding generic principles and specific applications in public relations has recently been featured on PRConversations.com, a popular platform for the discussion of all things PR.

The College of Fine Arts and Communications figures prominently in the latest copy of Insight, the magazine of BYU’s Honors Program. With a special section on “honoring creativity,” the magazine’s newest issue features nine projects by CFAC students, professors and alumni. Visual arts professor Ryan Woodward’s Bottom of the Ninth is showcased among a collection of creative writing by BYU professors. (p. 7) Olivia Lee explains the genesis and response to visual arts alumni Jed Henry’s wildly successful Kickstarter project, Ukiyo-e Heroes. (p. 19) Jonathan Bowen explores the transformative power of light in the photography of visual arts professor Val Brinkerhoff. (p. 20) Felicity Warren traces the creation of the acclaimed student film Mr. Bellpond with its media arts student director, A. Todd Smith. (p. 26) SiÁ¢n-Amy Baldock explores how MDT student Sam Bostwick approached his casting in BYU’s latest production of The Phantom of the Opera. (p. 40) Communications student Daniella Subieta shares an essay in which she the historical connection between genius and madness in the arts. (p. 46) A roundup of recent honors theses featured the work of three CFAC students: (p. 54) Graphic design student David Bowman created a series of photographs that explore the line between man and the environment Dance education student Erika Cravath studied how to bring dance to every subject in elementary school Communications student Mark Williams created the award-winning documentary I Am Not My Body. Read the full issue of Insight at issuu.com or pick up a hard copy from the Maeser Building.

In 1979 the Young Ambassadors became one of the first American groups to travel to China after diplomatic recognition between the two countries. This spring the Young Ambassadors will return to China for the eighth time. Their three-week tour, from April 27 to May 20, will include cities the group initially visited in 1979–Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong–and also Tianjin, Jinan, Hefei, and Xi’an. The Young Ambassadors received significant media attention during their previous tours, including a 2007 documentary aired by China Central TV explaining the history of the Young Ambassadors in China and the relationships that have since developed. During their first China tour in 1979, the Young Ambassadors gave a private performance for 15 high government officials. The reaction of those officials would determine the extent to which the group would perform while in China. At the end of that show, artistic director of the Young Ambassadors Randy Boothe recalled the Chinese officials announcing, “Tonight the Young Ambassadors will perform in the Red Tower Theatre,” which at the time was the most prestigious theatre in Beijing. Through their joint efforts with the Chinese Performing Arts Agency, the Young Ambassador’s have presented throughout China. During this next tour the Young Ambassadors will join the Beijing Dance Academy, one of the most prestigious dance schools in China, for a performance. They will also return to the Meet in Beijing Arts Festival, which they last attended in 2005. Representatives from BYU and China have developed strong friendships from such regular interaction over the years and look forward to working together again. “Our friends in China have always welcomed us with open arms,” said Boothe. “Returning to China is a dream come true, and we look forward to making new friends as we share our unique brand of family entertainment through the best of America’s music and dance.” The Young Ambassadors certainly bring a style of music unique to American musical theatre and radio. Harmony showcases music from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Hairspray, Dreamgirls, and Carousel, as well as popular songs by Michael Bublé, the Gershwin brothers, and Benny Goodman. The Young Ambassadors are making every effort to communicate clearly with their Chinese audiences. The lyrics will have Mandarin supertitles and the video will have a Chinese voice-over. In addition to their very American-style music, the Young Ambassadors are also preparing an original piece for their Chinese audience titled “Take a Step,” composed by Boothe and Stephen Jones, dean of BYU’s College of Fine Arts and Communications, with choreography by Jiamin Huang, a former student of the Beijing Dance Academy. According to Boothe, “this is a tribute to our friends in China, showing the deep respect we have for them and their commitment to family values.” Set during the Chinese New Year, the piece tells the story of a young couple sharing a message of strength and the importance of family with their infant–then hearing the same message retold by the couple’s ancestors. Chris Udall, a soloist for “Take a Step,” looks forward to sharing the message of family with Chinese audiences. “The entire message of the Young Ambassadors show is about the importance of families,” he said. “I hope the message can touch their hearts and strengthen their family bonds.” The Young Ambassadors have a Pacific Northwest midsemester tour before they cross the ocean in April. From February 22 to March 2, they will perform in Idaho (Nampa), Washington (Richland, Everett, Marysville, Kent, Bremerton, and Olympia), and Oregon (Hillsboro). Watch KSL's feature on Young Ambassadors here. Source: BYU Performing Arts Management

Brigham Young University faculty pianist Jeffrey Shumway will perform with guest artist Del Parkinson from Boise State University as the American Piano Duo Saturday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall. The concert is sponsored by BYU’s School of Music, and admission is free.

Popular Disney Channel show with Genevieve Goings, Constantine “DC” Abramson “Choo-Choo Soul with Genevieve!”, a Disney Channel showcase starring singer Genevieve Goings as a hip-hop train conductor and Constantine “DC” Abramson as a dancing and beat-boxing railroad engineer, will perform at Brigham Young University Saturday, May 4, at 2 and 6 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. Please note that a previously posted calendar and release listed the second showing as starting at 7 p.m. It will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for children age 2-11 or those with a BYU ID. For tickets, visit the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 422-4322 orbyuarts.com/tickets. This music concert will take the audience through fantastical lands while singing soulful, contemporary and kid-friendly hip-hop songs about the ABCs, 1-2-3s, and learning how to be polite. It promises to be fun for the whole family. In 2007,“Choo-Choo Soul with Genevieve!” was honored with a Parents’ Choice Award for children’s television programming. 'Choo-Choo Soul' has become well known in concert, performing at Walt Disney World with the “Disney Music Block Party” tour and the “Target's Festival of Books” tour in many cities throughout the U.S. and Canada, including Boston, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Minneapolis. For more information on “Choo-Choo Soul,” visitdisney.go.com/disneyjunior/choo-choo-soul. For more information on the BYU concert, contact Ken Crossley, (801) 422-9348, ken_crossley@byu.edu. Source: BYU News

The Society of Professional Journalists recognized BYU’s The Universe and ElevenNEWS in its annual Mark of Excellence competition.

Julianne Horsley reports on the BYU Men's Chorus recent launch of their new free SET APART: Beloved Missionary Hymns album.

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Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem across the nation, but is especially prevalent in Utah. An art show responding to this epidemic will take place on Friday, April 12 when six local artists showcase works about prescription drug abuse at the “Rx Art Show.” The show is sponsored by the BYU Department of Visual Arts.The art show will take place at The Consignment Store located at 148 W 600 S Provo. Art pieces seek to communicate the gravity of the prescription drug abuse issue, as well as provide serious and uplifting art pieces highlighting important information the public should know.The show will feature works by local artists Maggie Golightly, Dylan Burt, Natalie Wood, Raphael Morin, Tiana Birrell and Summer Ellison. The event is free and light refreshments will be provided. All are welcome.Read more about people whose lives have been affected here: http://letgo2013.tumblr.com/#/#Also follow Let Go on Pinterest for helpful information regarding prescription drug addiction: http://pinterest.com/letgobyu/ Read the Universe article

The BYU Philharmonic Orchestra celebrated the 100-year anniversary of Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” by performing it for delighted audiences in the Harris Fine Arts Center. Fans of classical music filled the de Jong Concert Hall to listen to BYU’s premier orchestral group in its last performance of the semester.