Coming soon to a Katzen Center near you, AU will host AU Visions on May 4.
AU Visions is an annual competition for students in the School Of Communication to compete for a variety of awards in categories ranging from outstanding presentations in Film, Screenwriting and New Media.
“Yes, very excited, as in wetting-my-pants excited,” said AU Visions co-host and Distinguished Film Producer in Residence Chris Palmer. “I love getting dressed up in a tux and I love working with my co-host [AU Distinguished Artist in Residence (“Dances with Wolves,” “Glory”)] Professor Russell Williams.”
Williams is a two-time Oscar winning sound mixer, while Palmer is a two-time Emmy winner and one-time Oscar nominee.
The two AU professors are also featured in a humorous video where the two reenacting a codec call from the “Metal Gear Solid” video game franchise.
He also is looking forward to seeing the current crop of students work and watching them compete in these year’s ceremonies.
“They seem to get smarter and more creative every year,” Palmer said. “When I was their age, I was pathetically immature — a puerile aggregation of suffocating and trifling angst. Today’s students are way ahead of where I was at their age.”
A new addition this year to the awards is the “Visions Alumni Online Festival” which allows recent graduates to submit a short film that is 10 minutes or less. SOC Professor Kyle Brannon, one of the organizers of the show, said that it gives an opportunity for students and alumni to make meaningful connections.
“I think it makes the awards more about the grander SOC community, which is exciting,” Brannon said.
According to Palmer, there will be a few surprises this year with an opening created by student coordinator of the event Michael Headley. Typically, the event holds court with 200 attendees and Palmer is elated by what the show will have to offer this year.
“Michael Headley has created an open for the show that will have the audience whooping with laughter and applause,” Palmer said. “I don’t know how he does it, but he does. Don’t miss it!”
The nominees for all the categories were announced April 30. The official reception starts at 7:30 p.m. on May 4. The official awards were given out at 8 p.m.
thescene@theeagleonline.com
