New Spin on Wind Power
What do you get when you combine geography, visual arts and a splash of humor?
“The Mills Family Gets a Wind Turbine,” a Web site created by students in both the visual arts and geography and environmental systems departments. The retro, 1950s-style site includes five Webisodes about the fictional Mills family, who decide to put a wind turbine in their backyard.
The project was initiated by Professor and Chair of the Department of Geography and Environmental Systems Sandy Parker, who contacted UMBC’s Imaging Research Center (IRC) about doing a documentary-style film on wind turbines and wind power. At the time, IRC Researcher and Associate Director Lee Boot was about to begin teaching a spring 2009 IRC Fellows class about social media.
“The plan for the course was to take on an issue and treat it in a way that might engage the public more than the PBS-style formula,” said Boot. “The project seemed like a perfect match.”
Work was divided evenly as geography students worked on content, and the visual arts team created the videos, animations and the Web site. The storyline follows a consistent outcome: even though wind power may not be perfect, it’s a solid solution for now.
For some, the project was an opportunity to work in areas beyond their comfort zones. IRC Fellow Abbey Salvo ’10 found herself collecting and creating props, performing the voice over for an off-screen character and writing dialogue for the Webisodes. She worked on the creative side for the site, which she said was her “first crack at web design.” That first experience is now encouraging her to expand her knowledge while at UMBC.
“Though it may seem rudimentary to some, I had so much fun designing, redesigning, troubleshooting and creating that I have decided to pursue a graphic design major,” she said. Salvo is currently at work designing an IRC Fellows Web site and a personal portfolio.
Almost everyone involved with the project noted how much they covered in a short amount of time.
“A semester is not a lot of time to wrap their brains around an issue, come up with a concept, write a script, scout locations, hire actors, create numerous animations and then edit the whole thing together,” said Boot. “Plus I wanted it on the Web with commenting capability. They made it happen.”
To view the site and watch the film, visit www.themillsturbine.com.
For more information on the IRC Fellows, click here. For more information on the geography and environmental systems department, click here.
(7/16/09)
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