“We shot these short pieces during the pandemic, which I feel brought out the best in everyone involved,” Hancock says. “We all knew the limitations and challenges brought on, but as artists we all wanted to express ourselves in a creative environment. That made this collaboration one of the best experiences in my career.”
Faculty and students collaborated on the series of safe, socially distanced performances that used a variety of technologies, including 360-degree cameras, in-ear monitors, live motion tracking and projection. Performance faculty directed students in short works of musical theatre, opera, dance and acting. Design and Technology faculty oversaw the creation of remote and in-person spaces that met social distancing requirements by using specialized cameras, microphones, projectors and other technology. Professors and students from CCM Media Production shot and edited the recordings of each work.
“I must applaud my colleagues, Richard Hess, Vince DeGeorge, Amy Johnson, Stirling Shelton, Shauna Steele and Sharon Huizinga for creating an inclusive environment for faculty and students to share and try something,” Hancock adds. “What this space provided was an intentional opportunity for collaboration utilizing the amazing talents within CCM. I'm proud of the work we accomplished, and I look forward to growing the lab moving forward.”
Watch the CCM Idea Lab videos on YouTube and learn more about each project below.