Media in the Mix

American University School of Communication

Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. read less
TV & FilmTV & Film

Episodes

Celebrating 30 Years of the School of Communication | "Get in the Mix" Experiential Learning
Apr 4 2024
Celebrating 30 Years of the School of Communication | "Get in the Mix" Experiential Learning
Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. This week's episode of Media in the Mix is special for a number of reasons! First, we are celebrating SOC's 30th Anniversary with two very distinguished AUSOC guests, Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer, Pallavi Kumar and professor and Interim Dean Leena Jayaswal. Second, this entire podcast episode you’re hearing and watching today comes to you care of SOC students participating in our first ever Media in the Mix experiential learning demo! A team of six students worked together in our Media Production Center to produce the episode from lights to set design to sound to a 3-camera set-up. So, sit back, enjoy their hard work and some throwback features of Leena and Pallavi when they were students here! A Special Shoutout to the SOC Students who made this happen: - Marley Joseph - Susan DeFord - Bekah Jarnagin - Sophie Myers - Van Duong - Yifei Wang If you'd like to donate to SOC, go to: ⁠giving.american.edu ⁠ Learn more about SOC in the links below: Graduate Admissions: http://www.american.edu/soc/admissions/index.cfm Undergraduate Admission: https://www.american.edu/admissions/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ausoc/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/au_soc Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausoc/?hl=en
*Flashback Episode* | SOC's VFX Expert; Anedra Edwards
Mar 21 2024
*Flashback Episode* | SOC's VFX Expert; Anedra Edwards
Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. This week, we're throwing it back to one of our very special guests, VFX expert and SOC alumna (SOC/ MA '15), Anedra Edwards! Behind every superhero film are teams of visual effects professionals and our own American University School of Communication (AU SOC) alumna and visual effects (VFX) editor Anedra Edwards is one of these VFX creators. With a degree from SOC’s Film and Electronic Media MFA (now ⁠MFA in Film and Media Arts⁠) program, Edwards has gone on to contribute her talents to high-profile projects with brands like HBO, Discovery, National Geographic, and more. She has worked on the socially conscious CW drama “Black Lightning,” seasons one through three, before migrating to work at the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  There she has worked on the sequel to “Avengers: Endgame,” “WandaVision," and her VFX team even got nominated for an Oscar for "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever". In this episode, she talks to us all about her VFX journey thus far, industry tips and tricks and her upcoming projects! To donate to American University's School of Communication, visit this link: ⁠https://giving.american.edu/ Learn more about SOC in the links below. Graduate Admissions: http://www.american.edu/soc/admissions/index.cfm Undergraduate Admission: https://www.american.edu/admissions/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ausoc/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/au_soc Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausoc/?hl=en
A Striking Conversation with Eddie Leavy
Jan 10 2024
A Striking Conversation with Eddie Leavy
Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. Today, we're joined by AU Alum, Eddie Leavy! Eddie Leavy is a Haitian-American actor, singer, voiceover artist, and writer based in Los Angeles and New York. With a background in musical theater and penchant for comedy, Eddie is best known for playing “Anthony” on the Lorne Michaels produced sitcom A.P. Bio, which ran for four seasons on NBC and Peacock. Most recently, Eddie appeared on the hit HBOMax comedy series, The Other Two. His other credits include roles on Netflix, Apple TV+, ABC, TruTV, BET, and more. He is also the co-creator and co-host of Peacock’s first ever companion podcast launched by the streamer. Eddie is an avid proponent for intersectionality and inclusion and urges all marginalized people to be the center of their own stories. Eddie is a proud alum of American University. He is represented by Buchwald and Marquee Entertainment. Eddie referenced a beautiful poem in our episode that we wanted to share with you below, we hope it touches your soul the way it touched ours! ------------------------------------------ "Something Big" by Cleo Wade I stopped searching for things things I thought should belong to me I started sitting in gratitude for what surrounded me the falling leaves, the flowers the break in the sidewalk the endless sky, moody and magnificent these forces of nature, remind me I am one too with relief, I release the small stuff very little belongs to me and I belong to something big. ------------------------------------------ If you'd like to donate to SOC, go to giving.american.edu Learn more about SOC in the links below: Graduate Admissions: ⁠http://www.american.edu/soc/admissions/index.cfm⁠ Undergraduate Admission: ⁠https://www.american.edu/admissions/ ⁠ Follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠ Follow us on ⁠Twitter⁠ Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠
SOC Student-Athlete Life; With Deirdre & Aidan
Dec 8 2023
SOC Student-Athlete Life; With Deirdre & Aidan
Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. Today, we're joined by two SOC Student-Athletes, Deirdre Brown and Aidan Delehanty! Aidan is a junior majoring in journalism and political science at the School of Communication! Before coming to AU, he was a member of the National Honors Society, a High Honor Roll student with distinction and of course now, a D1 athlete at AU! He loves reading comic books, collecting sneakers, and collecting swim caps from all the different teams he's swam against. Deirdre Brown is a freshman starting her first year at AU as a D1 Lacrosse player! Before coming to AU, she was a member of the NSPA/JEA Quill and Scroll National Journalism Honors Society, was also DCL All-Star and All-Conference in both field hockey and swimming. She is also an ambassador for Morgan’s Message and co-founded a non-profit lip balm company called ‘Lip Bomb’ in 2023 from which all proceeds go toward Morgan’s Message. She is just starting her Communications journey at American! Learn more about SOC in the links below: Graduate Admissions: http://www.american.edu/soc/admissions/index.cfm Undergraduate Admission: https://www.american.edu/admissions/ Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram
R.A. Sinn; A Powerful Sibling Duo
Nov 29 2023
R.A. Sinn; A Powerful Sibling Duo
Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communications at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. R A Sinn is the pseudonym for siblings Rachel Hope Cleves and Aram Sinnreich — a historian and a futurist collaborating on a time-travel narrative rooted in family dynamics. A historian and professor at the University of Victoria, Rachel Hope Cleves is the author of three books, Unspeakable: A Life Beyond Sexual Morality (2020), Charity and Sylvia: A Same-Sex Marriage in Early America (2014), and The Reign of Terror in America (2009). Her research has been featured in The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Guardian, salon.com and brainpickings.org. Her current nonfiction project is titled “A Sinner’s Guide to Food and Sex in Time.” A Professor and chair of Communication Studies at American University Aram Sinnreich’s work focuses on the intersection of culture, law and technology, with an emphasis on subjects such as emerging media and music. He is the author of three books: The Essential Guide to Intellectual Property (2019), The Piracy Crusade (2013), and Mashed Up (2010). His current nonfiction project, under contract at MIT Press, is titled The Secret Life of Data. He has also written for publications including The New York Times, Billboard, Wired, The Daily Beast, and Salon.com. To donate to American University's School of Communication, visit this link:https://giving.american.edu/
SOC3 Back in the House!
Nov 1 2023
SOC3 Back in the House!
Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. Today, we look back at guests Pallavi Kumar and Isis Amusa!  On this episode of Media in the Mix, we look back at everything SOC3. SOC3 Provides opportunities to students for hands-on learning while also giving them course credit and compensation. In other words, it's true real-life work experience in the communications world!  ⁠Pallavi Damani Kumar⁠ is a full-time professor in American University’s School of Communication and the former Division Director for the Public Communication division. Prior to teaching full time, Kumar gained more than 20 years experience in the public relations industry having worked as a vice president in FleishmanHillard's social marketing practice in Washington, DC, a vice president/account supervisor in Ketchum's healthcare practice in New York as well as associate director of international public relations at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in Philadelphia. She began her career in environmental communication at Ruder-Finn in Washington, DC. Kumar co-authored the ninth edition of Public Relations Case Studies published by Cengage. Her articles and commentary have appeared in The Washington Post, USA Today and PRWeek. In 2015, she received the Outstanding Service to the University Community from American University. PRWeek named her to the 2017 Global Power Book - a list of the world’s most influential PR professionals. She was most recently profiled in a chapter of the book Diverse Voices: Profiles in Leadership published by the PRSA Foundation and Museum of PR. She graduated magna cum laude from American University with a degree in public affairs and public communication. She received her master’s degree in public relations/corporate communications from Georgetown University. ⁠Isis Amusa⁠ is (an SOC Alumna now!) who double-majored in journalism and justice & law. She is a queer Black social justice storyteller working in communications and was the Creative Strategist at SOC3. As a journalist, she has worked to uplift the stories of social justice activists as they ameliorate the threats upon undocumented immigrants' educational attainment and DACA, failing educational supports for incarcerated women, Black professorial exodus and performative antiracism in private white higher education, and most recently, food insecurity among college-aged youth. In her current roles, she communicates on behalf of Black farmers and food justice organizers, organizes for Black food sovereignty and Black land stewardship, and cultivates SOC3’s digital face to promote its history, aims, and client projects. Visit ⁠⁠https://soc3change.com/ ⁠⁠ to learn more about this program and how you can get involved!  Visit this link to apply for next semester:  ⁠https://www.american.edu/soc/experiential-learning/storytelling-for-changemaking.cfm⁠   Follow SOC3 on social media ⁠@soc3change⁠!
The Creative Connoisseur with Trace Dominguez
Oct 18 2023
The Creative Connoisseur with Trace Dominguez
Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communications at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. Trace Dominguez is an award-winning science communicator, video producer, content creator, podcaster and researcher. He graduated from American University in 2010 with his Master's in Public Communication where he wrote a capstone on the "Self-Efficacy of YouTube Comments for Political Interaction," relating specifically to commenters who submitted questions to President Obama during the 2010 State of the Union. He has written over 1,000 videos for award winning and top ranked Facebook and YouTube channels. He primarily focuses on quantum mechanics, astronomy, psychology, engineering and agriculture. Dominguez produces content for clients including CuriosityStream, Nebula, SMART and PBS Digital Studios. He has collaborated with the Obama White House, The US Air Force, Toyota, Boeing, Skillshare and more. Trace has also hosted, written or produced for PBS Television, Discovery Channel, Science Channel, TBD Network, Seeker, Amazon Prime, YouTube originals, and other networks across the globe. To listen to Trace's podcast "That's Absurd, Let's Elaborate", visit this link: https://thatsabsurdshow.com/ To donate to American University's School of Communication, visit this link: ⁠https://giving.american.edu/
Self & Professional Growth with Irina Gilbertson
Oct 4 2023
Self & Professional Growth with Irina Gilbertson
Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communications at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. Irina is a passionate, strategic marketing executive with over 17 years of experience. Her career has spanned a wide range of industries including consumer and B2B technology, media & entertainment, CPG, alcohol/spirits, financial services, healthcare and pro bono social/political issues she is dedicated to supporting.   She has led numerous high-impact, 360-degree campaigns for the world's largest companies (e.g., Amazon/Ring, Hulu, Intel, Microsoft, BMW, Toyota, Procter & Gamble, Nestle) in the world's biggest forums (e.g., Super Bowl, Olympics), building business and integrating messaging into pop culture. Fun fact: Irina helped develop Nestle’s first-ever Super Bowl spot for launch of Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups.   In her current role at Amazon, Irina leads strategic campaign development for brand and promotional initiatives for Ring in addition to creative marketing operations.   Irina is a former ballerina turned avid runner and yogi. She and her husband live in Los Angeles with their three cats: Calypso, Houdini and Helios. Check out Irina's LinkedIn page to learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irinagilbertson/ To donate to American University's School of Communication, visit this link:https://giving.american.edu/
David Ruck & Grace Eggleston; "The Erie Situation"
Sep 21 2023
David Ruck & Grace Eggleston; "The Erie Situation"
Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communications at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. David Ruck has told the stories of conservationists, aspiring astronauts, front-porch philosophers, underprivileged families in Baltimore, native Americans on the Olympic Peninsula, and shipwreck hunters of the Great Lakes. He's also made it a mission to help small businesses reach new customers, universities educate budding filmmakers, middle school teachers connect their students with mentors, and political candidates get more votes. All of this done with a camera, a computer, and the ability we all now have to reach an audience in the age of information.   Grace Eggleston is a documentary filmmaker based in Washington, D.C. Originally from Michigan, she is particularly passionate about water conservation issues in the Great Lakes Basin and beyond. She loves telling stories that explore the ties between people and their environment. Grace works as a freelance cinematographer and editor for a wide range of production companies and nonprofits, focusing mostly on documentary projects. She earned her MFA from American University’s Center for Environmental Filmmaking and is a University of Pittsburgh alumna. She loves to collaborate with scientists, artists, and other filmmakers who are passionate about conserving our planet and exploring the intersection of art and the natural world. "The Erie Situation", was David Ruck's idea for a documentary about a Great Lake gone bad after Ruck, president of Great Lakes Outreach Media, partnered with the Ocean Conservancy to chronicle NOAA’s use of buoys to monitor conditions on the eastern end of the lake, where the blooms migrate after they die, compromising the drinking water in places like Cleveland. One of the engineers who oversees the network of buoys encouraged Ruck to head to Toledo to learn what was causing the yellow tap water in Forest City. Eight months and 110 hours of footage later, Ruck needed an editor. Maggie Burnette Stogner, executive director of SOC’s Center for Environmental Filmmaking, connected him with Grace Eggleston, SOC/MA ’21, who was looking for a thesis project after COVID yelled “cut” on her film about the threats posed to the Great Lakes by Asian carp. Listen as they work together to navigate a documentary project during COVID! To donate to American University's School of Communication, visit this link:https://giving.american.edu/
*Flashback Episode* The Art of Directing with Claudia Myers
Aug 16 2023
*Flashback Episode* The Art of Directing with Claudia Myers
Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communications at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture. On this episode, welcome School of Communications’ decorated professor; Claudia Myers. Claudia teaches  classes such as Advanced Directing, Advanced Screenwriting, and Directing Actors for Camera. Leading a double life outside the SOC building, Claudia was named one of "10 Filmmakers to Watch" by Independent Magazine in 2015. Most recently Claudia wrote and directed ABOVE THE SHADOWS, a supernatural drama starring Olivia Thirlby, Alan Ritchson, Jim Gaffigan, and Megan Fox. The film opened the 2019 Brooklyn Film Festival where it won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature and was released theatrically last summer by Gravitas Ventures, and is now streaming on Hulu. Other projects include FORT BLISS; starring Michelle Monaghan, Ron Livingston & Pablo Schreiber, KETTLE OF FISH with Matthew Modine and Gina Gershon, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and won a Nickelodeon Screenwriting Award, & THE LONG ROAD BACK, a documentary about the military community. As a filmmaker Claudia has won numerous awards, was twice a finalist for the Sundance Screenwriters Lab, and is an alum of the Hamptons Screenwriters Lab. Claudia takes us through the status of directors, filmmakers, the pandemic (or endemic?) and where all responsibilities stand, have changed, or will change in the future. In addition, she breaks down the different classes she teaches at American University, their importance and how they can be used to shape your directing career earlier than you think!  To donate to American University's School of Communication, visit this link:https://giving.american.edu/
*Flashback Episode* Art Imitating Life with H Spencer Young
Jul 5 2023
*Flashback Episode* Art Imitating Life with H Spencer Young
Welcome to Media in the Mix, the only podcast produced and hosted by the School of Communication at American University. Join us as we create a safe space to explore topics and communication at the intersection of social justice, tech, innovation & pop culture! Our special guest today is SOC Alumn, H Spencer Young! To give you a little background on our guest today: H Spencer Young is a contemporary artist, screenwriter and film director based on New York’s Lower East Side. At his time at American, he was sponsored by Czech author and screenwriter Arnost Lustig to attend the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague.  During undergraduate studies, Spencer was one of 13 students from across the United States selected by presidential historian and author Dr. Douglas Brinkley for The Majic Bus, a twice-run collegiate experiential learning program. The Majic Bus traveled to 44 states to study Geography of the American Civil Rights Struggle, American Intellectual History, American Road Literature, and American Social history, where it precisely happened. Spencer’s artwork is featured in 3 shows in the next month at Art Basel Miami, and galleries in New York City and Cleveland. Amazingly, Spencer’s artwork raised thousands of dollars to help emerging artist grants, not-for-profit galleries, and organizations supplying resources to the art world. He has also written and directed many commissioned films, commercials, political documentaries such as “Swing State” in 2008, and music videos, which have been featured in W Magazine, The Atlantic, Brooklyn Vegan, Fact Magazine, New York Times, Zoe Report, Bloomberg, and film festivals nationwide. To check out H Spencer Young's diverse body of work, visit:https://hspenceryoung.com/To donate to American University's School of Communication and to continue supporting this podcast, visit:https://giving.american.edu/