New Professor Reignites Video Production Course at FSU
posted by Laura M. Bell | March 2, 2018 | In Arts and CultureThis spring semester Professor Sean Sweeny steps in as the new video production instructor at FSU.
Last semester, Video Production I was cancelled due to a vacancy after Professor Brandi Berry went on to a new job at Lincoln University.
Sweeny recently separated from the Army last November as a combat production specialist or combat photographer. He was stationed here locally at Ft. Bragg.
He wanted to stay in the area, and found Fayetteville State University to be interesting. Sweeny has intentions of staying with FSU for the time being.
So far, Sweeny’s favorite thing about teaching is showing students just how much work goes into making a film, and the different steps of a production.
“It’s not just picking up a camera, and shooting; that there are all these layers to it,” Sweeny explained.
His goal by the end of the semester is to give his students the building blocks to really accomplish something longer than a five minute short, and to feel confident in their abilities.
Sweeny’s goals go beyond the classroom. He wants to link up with the athletic department, and build a relationship, so that his students could one-day record sporting events. He even wants to be able to host a film festival at FSU.
Sweeny describes himself as being pretty laid back about what creative path students choose to take in their film production, as long as they work within his prescribed guidelines. Some of those guidelines include no nudity, and no extreme violence, nor murder. These guidelines are not meant to hinder the creative process, but they’re intended to push students to their limits of creativity.
Sweeny describes extreme violence, or murder as “a cheap way to cut corners.”
“Prof. Sweeny is a welcome addition to the department,” said Dr. Alanna Miller, assistant professor of communication. “Students will benefit from his expertise, and hopefully will take advantage of his presence to build their production skills.”
Professor Sweeny is from Holden, Massachusetts. He received his undergraduate degree in Digital Media Production at the New England Institute of Art in Boston, and received his master’s degree at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. New
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