Diverse Perspectives Series
To paraphrase James Baldwin, nothing can be changed until it is faced. This is certainly true of the inequities that have historically shaped digital media content, fields, and careers. In spring 2021, UConn’s Digital Media & Design department welcomed industry professionals, artists, and media scholars from film, game, design, cultural and other sectors to discuss how issues of equity manifest in their work, creative processes, and professions, allowing us to reflect on how our own practice can support greater equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Subscribe to the UConn DMD YouTube page to view each of these recorded live events!
The Diverse Perspectives series was supported by a 1-credit course DMD 3998/5998 - Toward Equity: The Digital Media & Design Speaker Series taught by professor Clarissa Ceglio. In addition to learning about how issues of
2021 Series Events Schedule
Amplifying Black Voices in Hollywood
The Diverse Perspectives in Digital Media & Design: 2021 Speaker Series
Friday, February 19, 2021
1pm to 8pm EST
Join us on Jorgensen Digital Stage for the inaugural event of UConn DMD’s Diverse Perspectives in Digital Media & Design: 2021 Speaker Series, Amplifying Black Voices in Hollywood. To paraphrase James Baldwin, nothing can be changed until it is faced. This is certainly true of the inequities that have historically shaped the entertainment industry, both on-screen and behind the scenes.
This one-day summit, which ran from 1pm to 8pm EST, featured conversations with Black leaders from various sectors of the film industry and examined its changing landscape by exploring efforts to increase diversity in all aspects of Hollywood from screenwriting, to development and production, producing and directing, and visual effects and post-production. Learn from some of Hollywood’s best, and see how they are challenging the status quo to transform the entertainment industry as we know it.
Summit Schedule (Friday, February 19, 2021):
1:00 PM, EST
Small Screen, Big Impact: Creating Content for Underrepresented Voices in Digital Media
Numa Perrier, Director of “Jezebel”
2:30 PM, EST
Reforming Hollywood's Writers' Rooms: How the TV Crime Genre Normalizes Injustice
Kristen Marston, Culture & Entertainment Advocacy Director at Color of Change Hollywood
4:00 PM, EST
Diversity Matters: The Value of Inclusion in Visual Effects
Chris White, Visual Effects Supervisor at WETA Digital
5:30 PM, EST
Challenging the Status Quo: Authentic Storytelling at the Studio Level
Alana Mayo, President of Orion Pictures
7:00 PM, EST
Fighting for Equity in Hollywood: Leveraging Film as a Conduit for Change
Romany Malco, Actor/Director of “Tijuana Jackson: Purpose Over Prison”
This summit was brought to you by UConn’s Department of Digital Media & Design in partnership with:
Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts
The H. Fred Simons African American Cultural Center
Monday, February 22, 2021
Bl(x)ck Rhizomes: A Digital Public History Praxis
Aleia Brown, Ph.D., Assistant Director of the African American History, Culture and Digital Humanities Initiative
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Friday, February 26, 2021
"Not Just a Princess:” Women in Animation
Searit Huluf, Story Coordinator at Pixar Animation Studios
Alex Rosenberg, Production Manager at Netflix Animation
Friday, March 5, 2021
Representations of Religion in Cinema
Shawn Snyder, Director / Co-Writer of “To Dust”
Friday, March 12, 2021, 1:00 PM, EST
Culture Changes Us: How Stories Work on Hearts, Minds & Bodies
Dr. Heidi Boisvert, interdisciplinary artist & creative technologist
Friday, March 19, 2021
From Festival to Distribution: Getting Your Film Seen as a Female Filmmaker
Featuring Cherrypicks and SXSW 2021 female filmmakers:
Paola Calvo, Director of “Luchadoras”
Jennifer Holness, Director/Screenwriter of “Subjects of Desire”
Kelley Kai, Director/Writer/Star of “I’m Fine (Thanks for Asking)”
Meg McCarthy, Content & Programming Executive at CherryPicks
Leah Purcell, Director/Writer/Star of “The Drover’s Wife (Legend of Molly Johnson)”
Friday, March 26, 2021
Complex Narratives and Indigenous Solidarity
Tracy Rector, Filmmaker, Nia Tero
Raven Two Feathers, Filmmaker
Jin Yoo-Kim, Producer / Impact Producer
Friday, April 2, 2021
Ethics, Diversity, and Inclusion by UX Design
Deneva Goins, UX designer, VMware
Friday, April 9, 2021, 12:00 PM, EDT
Diverse Perspectives Festival Spotlight: “Lucky Grandma”
Sasie Sealy, director / co-writer of “Lucky Grandma”
Saturday, April 24, 2021, 7:00 PM, EDT
“Summertime” Virtual Red Carpet and Festival Screening CANCELLED
Featuring Q&A with Director, Carlos López Estrada
And on the virtual red carpet:
Raul Herrera Jr. - Actor & Poet
Madyson Park - Actor & Poet