MDOCS Seniors' Legacy Creates New Traditions and Programs

As MDOCS approaches the end of it's fourth full academic year, the first class of graduating seniors who have been involved with the program since their first year at Skidmore will soon explore their passions and skills beyond campus.  "MDOCS Seniors" are not majors and minors -- doc studies classes instead contribute to growth in home departments.  So "MDOCS seniors" are those who exemplify  dedication to the ethics and community of doc, and both hone skills in documentary creation and invest in helping others tell their own stories as staff in DocLb or through colloboration on projects.

All our seniors will leave a mark.  Below we turn the spotlight on a few members of the class of '18  who have decided to take on one last major project - a "legacy" project, if you will - something that may live on beyond their time at Skidmore and continue to encourage students across disciplines to research and share stories that matter in creative and compelling ways. 

The Living Room 

"The Living Room is a student-oriented space where students can come together in DocLab during the evening to discuss their projects to a group of other creators. In this space, students have the chance to discuss their projects and receive feedback from their peers. Projects at all stages and in all media are welcome!

While different courses and student clubs allow students to design their projects and show the midway points and end results, The Living Room adds a space particularly designed for the "oops" or stuck moments that we all have during creation. It provides a space for artists' vulnerability and serves as a healing place to encourage students to continue their work and/or welcome a new perspective.

After I graduate, I hope the Living Room continues to stay informal, increase numbers of attendees and serves as a creators' community within multiple disciplines and departments at Skidmore College."

-Jamerly De La Cruz, '18

MDOCS: A Short Doc Film

 "I am working on an introductory, student perspective-based video that will answer the question, “What is MDOCS?” It’s been tremendously exciting to get to see the program expand and change over the last four years. For a lot of us seniors who have been with the program for so long, we would love to leave this school knowing that we’ve helped to plant the seeds for a sustainable MDOCS legacy. The video will feature one-on-one student interviews, as well as footage from the variety of workshops, classes, and special events that MDOCS has to offer. The hope is that we can show this video not only to prospective Skidmore students, but to current students who are itching to learn more about the program.

I would love if the bank of footage we’ve been collecting for this project can keep growing, and growing, and growing! There are a million different angles from which to approach MDOCS, and each one could be a separate video in and of itself."

-Sam Grant,'18

24 Hour Filmmaking Marathon

The 24 Hour Filmmaking Marathon is a film race that will challenge students to create a short video project - from conception, to production, to editing - all in 24 hours. The Marathon gives students from all disciplines the opportunity to bring their creativity and ideas to a visual platform. This is an opportunity for students from all skill levels, from those interested in video production, but have been unable to fit MDOCS courses to those that have taken several production courses and are ready to apply their skills to a fun, short-term project. The Marathon will also provide exposure and experience to filmmaking, working with a crew and cast, video editing, visual storytelling, and most importantly growing comfortable using the resources that MDOCS and DocLab have to offer.

My hopes for the 24 hour filmmaking marathon is to provide an annual event that becomes an outlet for all disciplines to display their areas of expertise in the form of film. 

-Maryam DeWitt, '18