Words You Can Use: The BAVC BLOG

Sage Mandzik, Innovation and Media Arts Program Manager

The work really began on Day Four of the BAVC Producer’s Institute - well, I think some of the players of the Go Game, which took place the day before, may argue with me about that, so let me rephrase - Day Four was when the project work really began.

The morning was full of inspiration/information with workshops led by Michelle Halsell from Missing Pixel and Tony Walsh from Secret Lair. After lunch the teams were given the run of the place. Each group chose a lab to work in that best suited their technical needs. With nine groups of 2 - 3 people, plus the incredible mentors and team TIMA (BAVC’s Technology, Innovation and Media Arts tech staff), BAVC was packed. The mentors and staff bounced from lab to lab assisting each team simultaneously - broadening horizons and providing design ideas, encoding tips, editing assistance, a shoulder to cry on (I actually never saw anyone cry), and much more.

With presentations to their peers, funders and colleagues only days away, the energy was high. Over the next four days I watched the participant’s visions take shape. Many projects underwent huge shifts - people made bold changes after being influenced by the intensive trainings, discussions and interactions with the mentors and other participants. I remember sitting down with Alex from Bookstore Stories to check in about any additional technical needs he might have, and hearing that their project had done a 180 and they were now taking it on the road - as in a road trip.

And this was only day four…