Richmond Film Studio Feasibility
The students explored the feasibility and benefits that a film studio may have in the Richmond, Virginia area. This team examined the possibility, practicality, benefits and sustainability of the creation of a film studio in the community from an economic, technical and social perspective.

Ian Edwards, Cinema
Nathaniel Mollick, Cinema
John Charles Schneider, Cinema
Zach Snowden, Cinema

Award: $1,450 [additional travel funding support from Cinema Program]
Faculty Mentor: Rob Tregenza, Director of Cinema

VCU/Public Recycling Enhancement

VCU's current recycling program only occurs within its buildings. Research involved analysis of critical high density pathways on campus in order to accommodate the need for recycling activity that occurs between buildings. VCU construction parameters, sustainable material specification options, and examples of successful institutional precedents were examined. Analysis of this information was synthesized for the design and manufacturing of a prototype recycling bin appropriate for utilitarian outdoor use.

Zachary Becker, Interior Design
Chase Cochran, Interior Design
David Choe, Craft/Material Studies
Matthew Brett, Sculpture + Extended Media
Carlton Morgan, Sculpture + Extended Media and Craft/Material Studies

Award: $4,250
Faculty Mentor: Camden Whitehead, Interior Design

The Abaya as Inspiration for Fashion Design

VCU Fashion Design juniors collaborated with six Fashion Design seniors from VCU School of the Arts in Qatar on a project that used the abaya (robe worn by Muslim women) as inspiration. The designs were critiqued by the VCU Qatar students and produced by tailors in Qatar. The experience tested how well ideas are communicated and received. The finished garments were included in both the VCU and VCU Qatar annual fashion shows spring 2008. This project was the first cross-campus and cross-cultural collaboration between VCU and VCU Qatar fashion design departments.

Fashion Design students from Richmond: Natalie Hakim, Kelli Green, Nicole Osborne, Ra-Yeon Jang, Audrey Leeon, Shanna Shin, Shelby Day, Jessica Goodspeed, Corey Stewart, Lindsey French, Amy Galles, Holly Sullivan, Kendra Palin, Cara Hodge, Kathleen Gary, Darryl Schneider, Brittany Monteith

Award: $2,000
Faculty Mentors: Kim Guthrie, Department of Fashion Design and Sandra Wilkins, VCU Qatar Department of Fashion Design

Postmodern Narrative in Cinema

The team researched aspects of postmodern works of literature that have been used to a film's benefit. The students also examined previous attempts at adapting postmodern novels into films. They applied this research to the creation of a multimedia art installation the centerpiece of which was a short film that contains elements of postmodern narrative and visual interpretations of the literary techniques used in postmodern literature. The project's investigation and application of research points toward a way in which postmodern novels could be better adapted into films.

Michael Bryant, Cinema
Stephen Farris, Cinema
Dominic Butchello, Art Foundation Program
Cole Sullivan, Art Foundation Program

Award: $3,700
Faculty Mentor: Rob Tregenza, Director of Cinema

Terranet - Microsoft's 2008 Imagine Cup

The team created a multi-player real time strategy game for the 2008 Imagine Cup competition theme “Imagine a world where technology enables a sustainable environment." Players were faced with the choice of using renewable energy sources or fossil fuels and other non-renewable energy sources to create a stable futuristic society. The goal was to make a digital experience that is fun and visually compelling while still having a prominent theme of environment conservation.

Cody Wright, Kinetic Imaging
Matt Taylor, Communication Arts
Francis Yaconiello, Business/Information Systems
Chris Bradford, Business/Information Systems

Award: $5000
Faculty Mentors: Cody Wright, Kinetic Imaging and Francis Yaconiello, Business/Information Systems

Deconstruction-Reconstruction

Garments and accessories were created using various construction, fabric manipulation, surface design, and stitching techniques in order to recycle and reuse the fabric scraps. Muslin and scrap metal were used in the construction of accessories and custom hardware for the pieces. One-of-a-kind garments and accessories will be entered into multiple design competitions.

Casey Bianco, Fashion Design
Sarah Holden, Craft/Material Studies
Brittany Felter, Craft/Material Studies
Jessica Lee, Fashion Design Soo Kim, Fashion Design
Josefina Stephens, Fashion Design

Award: $3,600
Faculty Mentors: Kristin Caskey and Linda Lee, Department of Fashion Design; Sonya Clark, Susie Ganch, and Julia Pfaff, Department of Craft/Material Studies; Dr. Cindy Kissel-Ito, School of World Studies