Tag: RTF

Education Update: Officially a Rowan University Graduate, #RowanPROUD – Dean’s List, Cum Laude

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in Biography, Personal

I am officially a graduate of Rowan University!   Earlier this month, I completed my final undergraduate semester with a 3.9 GPA and 3rd consecutive placement on the Dean’s List.  Overall, I secured a degree with cum laude Latin honors.  I also managed to complete my degree in only three years resulting in savings of approximately $30k (not TUH-DAY Sallie Mae).  I received a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Radio, Television and Film with a Production concentration, New Media minor and Public Relations and the News certificate of undergraduate study. 

  • Briana M. Andrews collects diploma at Rowan University College of Communication and Creative Arts CCCA commencement on May 15, 2019
  • Briana M. Andrews - Student Graduation Photo with the Rowan University Mascot PROF
  • Rowan University RTF major, College of Communication and Creative Arts commencement exercises
  • Rowan University Class of 2019 - University Commencement Exercises - Photo Booth - May 11, 2019
  • Bid Farewell - Briana M. Andrews putting college behind her at the commencement exercises on May 15, 2019

I selected Rowan University because I wanted a hands-on television and film production degree, complimented by a new media communication program.  Rowan’s College of Communication and Creative Arts has a revered documentary program and I wanted to take classes alongside a group of students with roots in the Garden State that I feel represent the future of the industry.  I have no buyers-remorse and I am #RowanPROUD.  I made the most of my college experience and I’m excited for this next chapter in life.  

Campus Involvement:

  • Student Representative: Photo-Voice Cultural Dialogue Series (Fall 2017)
  • Peer Referral and Orientation Staff (PROS) – Office of Student Leadership Programs (Spring 2018)
  • Transfer Mentor – University Transfer Services (Spring 2018)
  • Digital Content Contributor – Office of Student Affairs (Fall 2018)
  • Leadership Committee – Resident Hall Association (Fall 2018)
  • Media Festival Associate / Event Photographer – College of Communication & Creative Arts (Fall 2018)
  • Epistoleus (PR & Social Media Chair) Theta Mu Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (2018-2019)
  • Historian – National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. (NPHC) (2018-2019)
  • Initiated Member – Sigma Zeta Chapter, Order of Omega (Greek Honor Society) (Spring 2019)

What Can People Do to Change Things? How Can I Help Women in TV and Film?

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in Women In TV & Film

This is a very important question.  One that doesn’t have a straightforward answer.  It’s easy to slap together statistics to paint the dire picture of what is transpiring with women in the television and film industries.  However, generating a solution or corrective action plan isn’t quite so simple.  With the creation of Women in TV and Film, I was extremely cautious not to make this a finger-pointing, blame-game or pity-party because no one is rolling out the red carpet for us to access the boys club.  I wanted to highlight positive attributes and micro-level methods to evoke change that both you and I can implement NOW.  In the introductory stages of conceptualizing the project, I asked myself two fundamental questions:

  • What can I do to help?
  • How can I build awareness and change perception?

I don’t have money.  My career is still in infancy stages.  I don’t have the power to create macro-level change.

Do I delve into why things are the way they are, or do I paint a picture that visualizes HOW IT COULD BE?  I chose the latter.

My approach with this project was to:

  • Actively work in a filmmaker capacity
  • Work alongside other women in TV and Film
  • Showcase various women in TV and film through my social media and web platforms
  • Document the innerworkings of film sets with exclusively female cast and crews
  • Attend events, conferences and screenings that support female filmmakers
  • Network and build relationships with experienced women actively working in the industry
  • Develop a rolodex (contact list) of women that can fulfil various above and below-the-line roles for future usage, reference and recommendation
  • Show the world WOMEN MAKE MOVIES and WE ARE BADASS

Now, it’s YOUR TURN.

Companies:  You should HIRE female filmmakers.

Filmmakers: You should recommend female filmmakers and take steps to ensure you have an inclusive work environment.

Consumers: You should support, watch and buy diverse and inclusive projects.

We can talk about corporate big-wigs but the reality of the matter is CONSUMERS HOLD THE POWER.  When you buy food, you read the label.  Similarly, when watching shows and films … you should research the credits.  You should know about the content you are consuming.  Female filmmakers know about the problems that exist, however, a large chunk of the TV-watching and movie-going population are completely oblivious.  The program you love:

  • Did a woman write it?
  • Did a woman direct it?
  • Did a woman edit it?
  • Did a woman shoot it? 
  • How many women were involved in the production? 

The population is 50/50 and women represent roughly half of movie-goers but we have less screen-time and less control of the narrative.  YOU have the power to decide and evoke change.

THANK YOU – College of Communication & Creative Arts Showcase [BTS Photos] – REMINDER: Upcoming NMP Showcase

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in events, New Media Production, Personal

I’d like to provide a special thank you to everyone who visited my workstation May 4th at the CCCA Awards and Showcase.  The event served as awesome primer for the New Media Practicum showcase that will be taking place at Chamberlain Student Center from 10-1 PM on Tuesday May 7th, 2019.  I encourage you to attend; admission is free and open to the general public.  You will have the opportunity to see the Women in TV and Film new media project and mini-documentary showcasing my activities over the course of the semester. 

Here are a few images shared on social media during the event:

  • Briana M. Andrews poses with production book and artifacts from the Women in TV and Film project at the Rowan University CCCA Awards and Showcase
  • Instructor for New Media Practicum, Professor Rachael Shapiro and Dr. Sanford Tweedie, Dean of Rowan University’s College of Communications and Creative Arts discussing Optik Topic on May 4, 2019

This subject is near and dear to my heart and the project demonstrates micro-level steps we can take as a community to ensure there is more diversity, inclusivity and representation in storytelling.  The feedback was overwhelming positive and the energy was lively during the event. The CCCA Showcase was particularly memorable for me since it was one of the few times during my undergraduate career where I experienced all majors from CCCA (biomedical art, public relations and advertising, journalism, communication studies etc.) under the same roof displaying their body of work.  If you missed it, you missed out – however, I’d love to see you on Tuesday at NMP.

Tomorrow, I will post an article on WomeninTVandFilm.com outlining things that filmmakers, businesses and consumers / viewers can do to support women in this profession. Stay tuned.

Boomerang Social Media Post, Originally Posted on Instagram During CCCA Event

Rowan University 2019 New Media Practicum Showcase Featuring Women in TV and Film Project

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in events, New Media Production
NMP – Poster, 2019 New Media Practicum Showcase. Designed by Briana M. Andrews.

The 2019 New Media Practicum (NMP) Showcase for Rowan University is taking place on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 from 10AM-1PM at the Chamberlain Student Center.  This event will feature several semester culminating student projects including Women in TV and Film by Briana M. Andrews.

If you prefer to attend on the weekend, a sneak preview of new media showcase will be taking place this Saturday, May 4, 2019 at the CCCA (College of Communications and Creative Arts) Student Awards & Showcase. This event takes place from 11AM-1PM in Pfleeger Hall.

The line-up is as follows:

Briana M. Andrews – Women in TV and Film [BibbyFame Digital, LLC]

Karlo G. Bulaong – Life of Kai

Steven Cimprien – The Nameless [Phantom Psyche Productions]

Nicole Cummings – What Do They Call Me? [Smile Sweet Productions]

Seth Ezbicki – The Optic Topic

Benjamin Mergen – Cooking with Benny [Benny XD]

Jared Schrock – Sour Fizz

Thug Motivation: Drama Short – Written and Directed by Briana M. Andrews

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in Personal, Portfolio

I am pleased to introduce you to Thug Motivation. This is a drama short-film written and directed by (me) Briana M. Andrews, Rowan University senior and owner of BibbyFame Digital, LLC. The shoot took place over the weekend, and it was a awesome demonstration of teamwork and resourcefulness.

BTS Social Video Clip – Thug Motivation shoot

This story is an actor’s plea for “less thug, more motivation.” The protagonist, Kevin, played by Howie Jones, senior Computer Science major at Rowan University expresses frustration because he is a classically trained actor, however, he’s routinely cast and sent on auditions for demeaning roles which he reluctantly accepts. During this contentious meeting with the casting director, he lashes out about degrading role offers and visualizes inspirational, thought-provoking roles that contribute to humanity.

Gang-members and thug roles are disproportionately played by black actors. However, this isn’t reflective of the actual demographics of American gangs. While Thug Motivation shares the story of one actor, it serves as a launchpad for discussion on casting directors engaged in type-casting, limited role opportunities, inadequate African-American representation in film and potential societal implications from such imagery.

  • Production Title: Thug Motivation
  • Union/Non-Union: Non-Union
  • Production Type: Independent / Student
  • Project Length: Short (5 minutes)

I submitted this screenplay for consideration earlier this semester and in recent weeks, I presented the look-book and defended the film concept. There was no budget for this film, however, campus resources were at our disposal for equipment. For the film setting, we converted an 8-max group study room at Campbell Library into a convincing office location. I am extremely proud of the entire team. I also appreciate their open-mindedness and willingness to wear several hats to pull this off successfully.

Crew Group Photo – Thug Motivation Short – Rowan University Film Production II RTF
  • Director / Writer: Briana M. Andrews
  • AD: Ryan Baitinger
  • DP: Bill Kosturko
  • Producer: Kyle Cann
  • Prod. Manager: Anthony Mitchell

Black Female Filmmaker Series: Interview Featuring Briana M. Andrews from BibbyFame Digital, LLC

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in Personal, Women In TV & Film

Happy to share news that I was interviewed and featured for the #BlackFemaleFilmmakerSeries

#BlackFemaleFilmmakerSeries Socials Graphic – Briana M. Andrews

This was a pretty in-depth interview and I had a great time opening up and sharing information about my journey and what’s to come.   This series was curated and published by Alana Marie Woodson, a St. Louis-based filmmaker, storyteller and digital content creator.  I’d like to encourage you all to check it out.

Find out how I got my start as a filmmaker, if I ever dealt with imposter syndrome and what I classify as my best work to date. Find out what’s on my film bucket-list and hear why I think other it’s important not to get “pre-occupied with optics.”  I also describe my personal, female-centric artistic style and provide advice and words of encouragement to other young and/or aspiring female filmmakers.

Here is an excerpt from the interview transcript where I detail why I feel like it is important to have our voices represented:

“There is value in each of our experiences; women need to find our own voices, control the narrative and take ownership of our portrayal in television, film and new media.  These industries need to tune into and be empathetic to the needs of various audiences.  The film industry cannot be a monolithic arena and expect to be relevant with diverse communities.  Film has to serve our communities, and reflect it.”

I’d like to give a special shout-out to Alana Marie for using her platform to provide a forum for other female content-creators during Women’s History Month.

All the best!

Women In TV & Film – New Media Practicum Proposal [Submitted]

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in Assignments, Women In TV & Film

We need film more than ever!  Film connects people through the art of storytelling.  Much of what we see in film has roots in our backgrounds, upbringing, demographic area, socioeconomic status, cultural norms and gender.  The film industry cannot be a monolithic arena and expect to be relevant with diverse communities.  Film has to serve our communities, and reflect it.  For my New Media Practicum project, I will create a forum for diversity and inclusion in film.  Read my full submitted proposal here, and view the associated presentation here.

There is value in each of our experiences; women need to find our own voices, control the narrative and take ownership of our portrayal in film.

DEAN’S LIST: Cheers to the Fall 2018 Semester

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in Personal

Winter break is in full swing, grades were finally posted today and YAY, I made the University Scholar list again – Dean’s List, Fall 2018.

This academic achievement feels extra special since this semester was so tough.  With hands-on production courses, all of the REAL work takes place outside of scheduled class hours.  Essentially, it’s a full time job!  But you know me … I was also volunteering, booking freelance projects, taking hours at the portrait studio and I’m also on the Theta Mu chapter’s executive board.  I was “booked and busy” but on top of my game in all respects.  

Unity3D, Semester Reflection – RTF 03394 – New Media Production

by Briana M. Andrews, posted in Personal

Over the past few weeks, I looked into the various ways Unity3D has been used in the industry.  One of the things I found most appealing and interesting about the possibilities and uses of this platform is mobile technology.  Unity3D accounts for 50% of mobile games.

Check out this clip of my first rodeo in Unity.  This game is unpublished, still a work in progress and I’m still learning how to use the game engine.  I call this game “Runna Boy.”  Eventually, I’ll work on developing an infinite runner game (think Subway Surfers and Temple Run).  This New Media Production course was great overall, because in addition to working my usual Adobe Apps (Premiere Pro,PhotoShop), I was able to delve into Fuse, Mixamo, Unity and work in HTML tocreate an interactive narrative.