Dyson College of Arts and Sciences

D Y S O N Y E A R I N R E V I E W 2 0 2 0 – 2 0 2 1 24 A er much hard work, dedication, and anticipation, Pace University's documentary film team—PaceDocs—premiered Bee Aware, a film focusing on the environmental threats facing one of the most impo ant pollinators for humankind. The film aptly debuted online on Ea h Day, April 22, and spotlights the vital role bees play in our food supply, their impo ance to the environment, and some of the challenges facing the insect and the environment. It was followed by a vi ual Q&A with the filmmakers via Zoom. Initially, the popular class taught by Maria Luskay, EdD— consisting of 20 Pace graduate and undergraduate students from around the country—was set to embark on a trip to Paris, France, in spring 2020 to highlight the roo op bees that survived the historic fire at the Cathedral of Notre Dame. However, as the global pandemic halted all international travel, and the University immediately pivoted to a remote learning format, so did the team, working quickly to create another plan. Entirely produced and edited during the pandemic, the film was instead shot on location at bee farms throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachuse s. It was a long process and a testament to the resilience and perseverance of all involved. Although the course officially ended in May 2020, students continued to dedicate their time and passion to the project throughout the summer and then into the fall semester, connecting with as many beekeepers as they could. They learned how to edit vi ually as a team, not only mastering Zoom but discovering that a gaming app called Discord was be er suited for making live edits, and in the process, their discovery served as a model for film editors experiencing similar difficulties. "In an extraordinary, exemplary way, our student filmmakers demonstrated what we mean by a Pace Path experience— they faced real-world obstacles, devised creative solutions to problems, and produced this sweet-as-honey documentary," said Dean Tresmaine R. Grimes. MCVA Professor Produces Film on Silence Associate Professor of Media, Communications, and Visual A s Allen Oren, MS has highlighted the beauty of quiet and "meaningful silences" in our world in his latest documentary, A Day in the Life of Silence. Premiering in New York City on March 9 on WNYE and later shown on public television nationally, the film guides viewers around the globe with beautiful images and quotes related to the impo ance of silence, and, appropriately, it consists of li le to no audio. Read the full a icle online. MEDIA SPOTLIGHT PaceDocs Bee Aware Production A Show of Resiliency News & Notes

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