Florala News:
PRCA members win prestigious awards at
conference
Lucy Berry
Issue date: 4/22/10
Media Credit: photo courtesy of Emily Matthews
LION EXCELLENCE - (from left) Dr. Beth Garfrerick, Emily Matthews, and Lisa Darnell pose after the PRCA awards ceremony. Matthews won 2010 PRCA Student of the Year and Darnell won 2010 PRCA Educator of the Year.
Members of the UNA chapter of the Public Relations Council of Alabama won 18 awards at the state conference in Auburn on April 11-13.
The 2010 PRCA Medallion Awards honors students whose works demonstrate excellence and creativity in the field of public relations. The top awards went to PRCA president Emily Matthews for Student of the Year and PRCA co-advisor Lisa Darnell for Educator of the Year.
"This is an example of student allocation funding at its best," Darnell said. "The students represented UNA well."
UNA students took home three medallion awards, nine awards of excellence and six certificates of merit for their public relations projects. Competing against colleges like the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Auburn University, UNA collected the most awards during the ceremony.
The PRCA conference offered students and faculty the chance to attend workshops and hear speakers who work in public relations professions. The major theme of this year's conference was social media, as many of the activities focused on the new and evolving forms of communication today.
At the conference, students got a taste of what public relations practitioners do on a statewide and national level. The experience presented priceless networking opportunities between UNA students and professionals in the field.
"[The conference] was a really great way to meet influential individuals in our state," said PRCA member Lyndsie McClure. "It was really inspiring for me to focus on my future and see where I want to be in the next 5-10 years."
Established in 1993, the UNA chapter of PRCA strives to help students network with professionals, obtain internships, work on projects and gain experience for their future careers. PRCA members benefit from the prestige of being involved with the organization as well as from the real world skills they learn.
In the last year, PRCA has seen increased membership and awareness of the group. Members have worked with the UNA Theatre Group and fall Preview Day in order to sponsor and promote events on campus.
The 2010 PRCA Medallion Awards honors students whose works demonstrate excellence and creativity in the field of public relations. The top awards went to PRCA president Emily Matthews for Student of the Year and PRCA co-advisor Lisa Darnell for Educator of the Year.
"This is an example of student allocation funding at its best," Darnell said. "The students represented UNA well."
UNA students took home three medallion awards, nine awards of excellence and six certificates of merit for their public relations projects. Competing against colleges like the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Auburn University, UNA collected the most awards during the ceremony.
The PRCA conference offered students and faculty the chance to attend workshops and hear speakers who work in public relations professions. The major theme of this year's conference was social media, as many of the activities focused on the new and evolving forms of communication today.
At the conference, students got a taste of what public relations practitioners do on a statewide and national level. The experience presented priceless networking opportunities between UNA students and professionals in the field.
"[The conference] was a really great way to meet influential individuals in our state," said PRCA member Lyndsie McClure. "It was really inspiring for me to focus on my future and see where I want to be in the next 5-10 years."
Established in 1993, the UNA chapter of PRCA strives to help students network with professionals, obtain internships, work on projects and gain experience for their future careers. PRCA members benefit from the prestige of being involved with the organization as well as from the real world skills they learn.
In the last year, PRCA has seen increased membership and awareness of the group. Members have worked with the UNA Theatre Group and fall Preview Day in order to sponsor and promote events on campus.
"As PR majors, we wear many hats," Matthews said. "The more involved you can be on campus, the better off you are in the real world."
The group meets once every two weeks and brings in speakers who have careers in public relations. PRCA hopes to make the meeting times more accessible to students next year. Although most PRCA members are public relations majors or minors, the organization is open to any student who has a strong interest and enthusiasm for the field.
PRCA co-advisor and instructor Dr. Beth Garfrerick anticipates a mentoring program within PRCA in the future, where new students can pair with and seek advice from senior-level PR majors.
"PRCA helps you realize that this profession has standards and what an exciting, engaging industry this is," Garfrerick said. "It's a nurturing group and the students who join have more success in finding internships and first jobs."
Check out the PRCA website at www.una.edu/prca. To learn more about the organization, contact Emily Matthews at eamatthews@una.edu.
The group meets once every two weeks and brings in speakers who have careers in public relations. PRCA hopes to make the meeting times more accessible to students next year. Although most PRCA members are public relations majors or minors, the organization is open to any student who has a strong interest and enthusiasm for the field.
PRCA co-advisor and instructor Dr. Beth Garfrerick anticipates a mentoring program within PRCA in the future, where new students can pair with and seek advice from senior-level PR majors.
"PRCA helps you realize that this profession has standards and what an exciting, engaging industry this is," Garfrerick said. "It's a nurturing group and the students who join have more success in finding internships and first jobs."
Check out the PRCA website at www.una.edu/prca. To learn more about the organization, contact Emily Matthews at eamatthews@una.edu.
2010 PRCA Student Medallion Awards
Medallion
Leah Beth Downs, Brandi Norman, Kathryn Robinson-UCLA: Staying Competitive in the New Era of High Education Institutions
Allison Looney- Northwest Alabama Reading Aides Display Plan
Ethan Voce, Will Hodges- ATO Parent Video Newsletter
Award of Excellence
Chelsea Mitchell- Merichem Wood Preservative Trade Show
Lerrin Sutton- The Hangover Bag
Sarah Robbins- How UNA Students View the Communication Department Survey
Will Hodges- SERVICE Logo
Will Hodges- Alpha Tau Omega calendar
Will Hodges- Alpha Tau Omega Poster
Will Hodges- Alpha Tau Omega Promotional Brochure
Michelle Worley, Brandi Norman, Haley Howle, Candace Pike, Laine Roberson-A Campaign Proposal for the UNA Communications Department
Ashley Halzoks, Allison Looney, Kathryn Robinson, Sarah Robbins- Go NARA!
Certificate of Merit
Lerrin Sutton- Earle Trent Assembly Brochure
Ashley Halbrooks- NARA Newsletter
Amanda Terry- Newsletter for Earle Trent Assembly
Jessica Clayton- Earle Trent Assembly Brochure
Jessica Clayton- Earle Trent Assembly Display Plan
Will Hodges- ATO Parent Logo
2010 PRCA Student of the Year- Emily Matthews
2010 PRCA Educator of the Year- Lisa Darnell
Medallion
Leah Beth Downs, Brandi Norman, Kathryn Robinson-UCLA: Staying Competitive in the New Era of High Education Institutions
Allison Looney- Northwest Alabama Reading Aides Display Plan
Ethan Voce, Will Hodges- ATO Parent Video Newsletter
Award of Excellence
Chelsea Mitchell- Merichem Wood Preservative Trade Show
Lerrin Sutton- The Hangover Bag
Sarah Robbins- How UNA Students View the Communication Department Survey
Will Hodges- SERVICE Logo
Will Hodges- Alpha Tau Omega calendar
Will Hodges- Alpha Tau Omega Poster
Will Hodges- Alpha Tau Omega Promotional Brochure
Michelle Worley, Brandi Norman, Haley Howle, Candace Pike, Laine Roberson-A Campaign Proposal for the UNA Communications Department
Ashley Halzoks, Allison Looney, Kathryn Robinson, Sarah Robbins- Go NARA!
Certificate of Merit
Lerrin Sutton- Earle Trent Assembly Brochure
Ashley Halbrooks- NARA Newsletter
Amanda Terry- Newsletter for Earle Trent Assembly
Jessica Clayton- Earle Trent Assembly Brochure
Jessica Clayton- Earle Trent Assembly Display Plan
Will Hodges- ATO Parent Logo
2010 PRCA Student of the Year- Emily Matthews
2010 PRCA Educator of the Year- Lisa Darnell
ROAR Radio seeks new hosts
Lucy Berry
The National Broadcasting Society (NBS) is busy producing ROAR Radio, which students and faculty can listen to on channel 85 on any campus television.
The organization, which focuses on the development of electronic media, began broadcasting ROAR Radio last year. The radio shows offer a variety of diverse music and are produced entirely by UNA students.
"ROAR Radio is like working at a real station but with a little more room for imagination," said President Grace Alverson. "Our purpose is to further experience and knowledge of radio and future television production."
Members of NBS host individual shows of every music genre, including R&B, bluegrass, indie rock and old school rap. Students can tune in any time of the day to listen to the student-produced radio station.
Students who join ROAR Radio have the opportunity to gain knowledge of the radio/television field, use professional equipment and receive hands-on training.
"It's cool being involved in the creative aspect of producing your own radio show," said radio show host Tucker Duncan. "It's such a great learning experience."
NBS recently received new technical equipment and the group hopes to expand and reach a larger audience this spring. Although the demands of producing a radio show are high, members of ROAR Radio want to take part in more community service projects.
NBS requires students to pay a $45 annual fee to become a member of ROAR Radio. The organization accepts any student, regardless of major or previous experience.
"We need people who are dedicated, devoted and can commit themselves to their shows," said Vice President Aftan Merrida. "It's a chance for students to be creative and put themselves out there."
The radio station helps students prepare for the work force, build their resumé and utilize their creativity. While students produce their own radio shows, they also acquire experience in creating commercials and promotions.
ROAR Radio gives musicians at UNA the opportunity to be heard, and will play student music as long as it is edited for general audiences.
"If you have a band and want to be discovered, this is your chance to shine," said radio show host Eryn Green.
ROAR Radio allows students at UNA to have a voice and be imaginative without the limitations of a traditional radio station.
"We don't just play music," Merrida said. "We inform people."
NBS meets every third Monday at 3 p.m. in room 207 in the GUC. For more information about the organization, please contact Aftan Merrida at aftanlive@yahoo.com or sponsor Dr. Pat Sanders at pfsanders@una.edu.
New communications concentration gives
students hands-on experience
Jason Lankford
Media Credit: Ashton Lance
THE MAN BEHIND THE CONCENTRAITION - Professor Jason Flynn created the new Film and Digital Media concentration last semester after a year of hard work and preparation.
Film and Digital Media Production is a new concentration in the Communications major that began last semester. The founder of the program is Professor Jason Flynn.
Students in the program receive a broad range of experience in all facets of the filmmaking process, including screenwriting, cinematography, directing and editing. Students can then specialize in a particular area they are passionate about when it comes time to get involved in projects.
Flynn does not believe in delegating positions, but prefers that students choose their own path.
Flynn holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from UNC Greensboro. He came to UNA in August 2008 for the opportunity to start a new program.
Flynn faced a number of challenges upon arrival. There was a shortage of equipment and the department suffered from financial set-backs due to proration.
Flynn was given a timeframe of two years in which to launch the program, but he completed the preparations in one year. The department has grown considerably and they now have high-definition cameras, an editing lab and are getting a green screen this summer.
Professor Flynn's classes are taught in a non-traditional way. More emphasis is placed on hands-on experience than on textbooks and term papers. Personalization is a key element in his methods. Each student's unique talents and attributes are taken into consideration.
Flynn believes in promoting individuality among his students.
"You've got to separate yourself from the crowd," Flynn said. "Don't try to present yourself as something you're not."
Flynn also believes in the importance of developing the artistic aspects of filmmaking along with providing the necessary technical knowledge.
"Artistic training is just as important, if not more important, than commercial training," siad Flynn. "Anybody can read a manual on how to operate a camera, but you need artistic training to know where to point the camera and what to shoot."
One of Flynn's teaching techniques involves using "obstructions" rather than instructions. He assigns projects in which students must omit certain elements, such as natural lighting, from the film.
"I want students to be able to think outside the box and be able to troubleshoot," said Flynn. "When they are out in the real world shooting a film, conditions will rarely ever be perfect and they will have to be able to adapt to any situation and compensate for a lack of resources."
Students in the film concentration are involved in several upcoming events. In collaboration with Charlton James from the theater department, they are filming several scenes that will be utilized in the upcoming post-apocalyptic interpretation of William Shakespeare's Hamlet.
They will also be filming interviews with the cast of Back To the Future at the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival.
Other projects include a campus tour application for the iPod and iPhone that will allow visitors to navigate the campus easily.
Many UNA students, such as Radio/Television/Film major Leah Franks, express their approval of the opportunities that Flynn and the film concentration provide.
"It's good to see someone really developing a film program in a smaller area like the Shoals," said Franks. "That takes a lot of commitment and willpower. Judging from some of his students' work. He's doing a great job."
Flynn's main goal at this point is to promote growth of the department and create awareness among students on the campus who are passionate about film.
If you are interested in obtaining more information about the program, you can check out the Facebook group titled "UNA Film and Digital Media Productions" or stop by Flynn's office in Room 108 of the Communications Building.
Students in the film concentration are involved in several upcoming events. In collaboration with Charlton James from the theater department, they are filming several scenes that will be utilized in the upcoming post-apocalyptic interpretation of William Shakespeare's Hamlet.
They will also be filming interviews with the cast of Back To the Future at the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival.
Other projects include a campus tour application for the iPod and iPhone that will allow visitors to navigate the campus easily.
Many UNA students, such as Radio/Television/Film major Leah Franks, express their approval of the opportunities that Flynn and the film concentration provide.
"It's good to see someone really developing a film program in a smaller area like the Shoals," said Franks. "That takes a lot of commitment and willpower. Judging from some of his students' work. He's doing a great job."
Flynn's main goal at this point is to promote growth of the department and create awareness among students on the campus who are passionate about film.
If you are interested in obtaining more information about the program, you can check out the Facebook group titled "UNA Film and Digital Media Productions" or stop by Flynn's office in Room 108 of the Communications Building.
UNA, Shoals community gears up for George
Lindsey UNA Film Festival
Laura Walker
Media Credit: photo provided by University Communications
The 13th annual George Lindsey UNA Film Festival will be held on March 4-7. This is an independent film competition named after UNA alumnus George Lindsey who portrayed Goober Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show.
The festival, presented in the university setting and around the Shoals area, provides attendees with an exceptional lineup of quality workshops, panels, screenings, networking opportunities and informal interaction among filmmakers and all guests.
"This year is special because our theme is Back to the Future. There will be multiple workshops and panels for filmmakers throughout the festival," said Caleb Banks, who is overseeing the 2010 George Lindsey Film Festival.
UNA will host a Back to the Future Reunion on Friday, March 5 at the Shoals Theater. The reunion will include some of the film's stars, Lea Thompson, Claudia Wells and James Tolken, along with screenwriter/producer, Bob Gale.
The festival's priority is to discover emerging talent and promote their work by reaching, educating, inspiring and entertaining audiences with the best in cinematic art.
The hope is that a representative of each selected work will be in attendance for the invaluable opportunity to discuss their work with other attendees in provided forums.
"I think this festival is vital to the creative community of the Shoals. There is even a Shoals Spotlight category in the festival. We also have to ability to reach out to filmmakers from around the world," said Banks.
The Festival welcomes local, national and international entries.
Cian Hennigan of Ireland caught wind of the festival, and through a little help from his Facebook friends, is now traveling halfway around the world to visit the festival.
Banks works specifically with the student involvement aspect of the festival, and through that the 3rd Annual Leo Awards are being held in conjunction with the festival on Monday, March 1 in the GUC Performance Center.
"I look forward to this event every year," said Courtney Balentine, a student.
This event, sponsored by Leadership UNA and the Student Allocations fund, gives student filmmakers the opportunity to experiment with their creativity and show the campus what they can do.
"I have enjoyed helping my friends with their films," said Anna Veal, a past participant in the festival.
The first 250 students who present at the event will receive a Leo Awards t-shirt, and every student in attendance will have the chance to win door prizes.
Blogging attracts both students, teachers
Luke Smith
Media Credit: Ashton Lance
BLOGGING THE DAY AWAY - Blogging has attracted many different types of people, including professors.
Blogs (web sites usually maintained by individuals with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video) have steadily risen in popularity among UNA's students and teachers.
Blogs come in many types: personal, corporate and organizational, as well as those by genre, media type and device.
Personal blogs are ongoing diaries or commentary by individuals; corporate and organizational blogs serve a variety of business-related purposes; genre blogs focus on particular subjects; blogs by media type can feature everything from videos to photographs to portfolios; and blogs by device are defined by which type of device upon which they are written.
UNA students Molly Keeton and Song Lee Flagler both maintain blogs, as does Anita Garner, Associate Professor of English.
Garner, whose blog is titled Talking in Accents, says her blog originated as a supplement to her creative writing projects.
"Most of the blogs I was following at the time were more along the lines of the one that inspired Julie and Julia," said Garner. "They were blogs that seemed to focus on a specific time period as a person went through a particular experience. My own daughter has a current blog based on a similar format as she spends her final year in China."
Garner says that she is particularly drawn to travel blogs because of the opportunities to share in the experiences of exotic trips through reading entries and looking at snapshots.
Garner's blog was inspired by a line in Pierce Pettis' song, "Little River Canyon," which describes the experience of growing up in Northeast Alabama.
The line is, "We were so deep in that landscape we did not realize we'd been talking in accents all our lives."
Garner says the South is a very large place with many different variations on the Southern accent, and that she felt the need to describe and document the South she has experienced.
Garner's blog is linked to her web site, which allows her to easily update her personal calendar of appearances just by updating her blog.
Garner says that the best part of a blog is that it makes it easy for people who have never met you to contact you if they are interested in your work; all they have to do is leave a comment on your blog.
Flagler, who started her blog over a year ago after being shown a friend's, says, "I don't know if my blog is really about anything, other than about my life, although I've attempted to make it subject-oriented a couple of times. I blogged about sports for a little while; now it's mostly filled with my writings for classes."
Keeton says she started her blog first and foremost because she is a writer.
"I love to write for myself and to entertain; a blog helps me do both," said Keeton.
Keeton also mentioned that she hopes her blog will eventually be noticed by a publisher.
Keeton's blog is about her life and her thoughts on people, literature, movies and "whatever else pops into [her] head."
On what she likes most about blogging, Keeton says, "Words affect people, whether they realize how much or not. Blogging gets my words out there where so many types of people will read it."
Blogs come in many types: personal, corporate and organizational, as well as those by genre, media type and device.
Personal blogs are ongoing diaries or commentary by individuals; corporate and organizational blogs serve a variety of business-related purposes; genre blogs focus on particular subjects; blogs by media type can feature everything from videos to photographs to portfolios; and blogs by device are defined by which type of device upon which they are written.
UNA students Molly Keeton and Song Lee Flagler both maintain blogs, as does Anita Garner, Associate Professor of English.
Garner, whose blog is titled Talking in Accents, says her blog originated as a supplement to her creative writing projects.
"Most of the blogs I was following at the time were more along the lines of the one that inspired Julie and Julia," said Garner. "They were blogs that seemed to focus on a specific time period as a person went through a particular experience. My own daughter has a current blog based on a similar format as she spends her final year in China."
Garner says that she is particularly drawn to travel blogs because of the opportunities to share in the experiences of exotic trips through reading entries and looking at snapshots.
Garner's blog was inspired by a line in Pierce Pettis' song, "Little River Canyon," which describes the experience of growing up in Northeast Alabama.
The line is, "We were so deep in that landscape we did not realize we'd been talking in accents all our lives."
Garner says the South is a very large place with many different variations on the Southern accent, and that she felt the need to describe and document the South she has experienced.
Garner's blog is linked to her web site, which allows her to easily update her personal calendar of appearances just by updating her blog.
Garner says that the best part of a blog is that it makes it easy for people who have never met you to contact you if they are interested in your work; all they have to do is leave a comment on your blog.
Flagler, who started her blog over a year ago after being shown a friend's, says, "I don't know if my blog is really about anything, other than about my life, although I've attempted to make it subject-oriented a couple of times. I blogged about sports for a little while; now it's mostly filled with my writings for classes."
Keeton says she started her blog first and foremost because she is a writer.
"I love to write for myself and to entertain; a blog helps me do both," said Keeton.
Keeton also mentioned that she hopes her blog will eventually be noticed by a publisher.
Keeton's blog is about her life and her thoughts on people, literature, movies and "whatever else pops into [her] head."
On what she likes most about blogging, Keeton says, "Words affect people, whether they realize how much or not. Blogging gets my words out there where so many types of people will read it."
Pine Street jaywalkers: beware
Owen Whitehurst
Media Credit: Owen Whitehurst
Media Credit: Owen Whitehurst
NO CROSSING FOR THE WEARY - (Left) A lone pedestrian dodges traffic on Pine Street. (Right) Coty Coons protests the city's move to ticket student pedestrians.
Florence Police will now be ticketing UNA students who cross Pine Street or Wood Avenue anywhere other than designated crossing walks, SGA President Samuel Thigpen said.
After numerous attempts to try and have the city of Florence produce a pedestrian crosswalk across Pine Street in front of Kilby School, the city has not made plans to provide one. However, Florence Police will begin to ticket anyone who crosses the street anywhere other than the already existing crosswalks.
"There's only two crosswalks across Pine Street, one being at Flowers Hall across the bridge downhill and the other being at the far end of campus at the corner of Irvine," said Thigpen. "We want our students to be able to cross Pine Street without having to dodge cars, as well as not having to walk half a mile either direction just to cross the street."
Campus Police tried to resolve the matter by placing orange cones in different places around campus in order to help students cross the street in safety. Florence Folice then ordered the cones to be removed due to them being "a hazard" to the cars on the road.
"A crosswalk on Pine and Wood has been on SGA's goals list since last year," said Thigpen. "At the beginning of my term last year the SGA Senate past a resolution [to] address this issue and had a few meetings with Florence City Officials. We never saw much come from it."
Campus Police will start issuing warning tickets to students until Florence Police begins their Jaywalking Cam-paign.
"I received word that the city is going to paint a permanent crosswalk on Wood Avenue over UNA's Spring Break. This was great to hear," said Thigpen.
Thigpen went on to thank the University Police for all of their support in trying to make UNA a safer place for its students.
A specific date for Florence Police to start ticketing students who are illegally crossing the street has not yet been set.
After numerous attempts to try and have the city of Florence produce a pedestrian crosswalk across Pine Street in front of Kilby School, the city has not made plans to provide one. However, Florence Police will begin to ticket anyone who crosses the street anywhere other than the already existing crosswalks.
"There's only two crosswalks across Pine Street, one being at Flowers Hall across the bridge downhill and the other being at the far end of campus at the corner of Irvine," said Thigpen. "We want our students to be able to cross Pine Street without having to dodge cars, as well as not having to walk half a mile either direction just to cross the street."
Campus Police tried to resolve the matter by placing orange cones in different places around campus in order to help students cross the street in safety. Florence Folice then ordered the cones to be removed due to them being "a hazard" to the cars on the road.
"A crosswalk on Pine and Wood has been on SGA's goals list since last year," said Thigpen. "At the beginning of my term last year the SGA Senate past a resolution [to] address this issue and had a few meetings with Florence City Officials. We never saw much come from it."
Campus Police will start issuing warning tickets to students until Florence Police begins their Jaywalking Cam-paign.
"I received word that the city is going to paint a permanent crosswalk on Wood Avenue over UNA's Spring Break. This was great to hear," said Thigpen.
Thigpen went on to thank the University Police for all of their support in trying to make UNA a safer place for its students.
A specific date for Florence Police to start ticketing students who are illegally crossing the street has not yet been set.
Communications department alumni finding
success in
Hollywood, music industry
Luke Smith
UNA's Department of Communications and the Department of Music and Theater has produced an assortment of notable alumni over the course of its existence. Graduates of the department have gone on to become actors, screenwriters, playwrights, producers and directors, among other things. Several of them have found success in locations such as New York and Los Angeles.
Daryl Crittenden, a 2003 theater graduate of UNA, is currently appearing on the science fiction TV series Heroes, which follows a group of ordinary humans who possess supernatural abilities, and how these abilities affect their lives. Crittenden plays Chris Bowman on the show. Crittenden graduated from UNA in 2003 and left for New York City fifteen days later, where he lived for three years. While there, he participated in "commercials and other random stuff," which he says was "loads of fun."
Crittenden later signed with an agent and relocated to California, where he lives and acts today. He says, "UNA helped me in many ways. Dr. David Ruebhausen over in the theater department really opened my eyes to how a life in the entertainment industry was going to be hard work but could totally be accomplished." He also said that his four years at UNA left him feeling confident and ready to enter the world and become an actor, that his discussions with the theater faculty informed him that focus and drive were necessary and to always "think in successful terms with a sense of humor."
Whitney Dean graduated from UNA in 2007 with a degree in Entertainment Industry Management, and is a musician, songwriter and actor. He currently resides in Huntsville where he plays in the local bands Firewood and Eyes Around. Eyes Around is signed to World Citizen Records and is opening for Mute Math at UNA's spring festival this year. Dean is the band's keyboardist. Firewood is a collection of his best friends from UNA, and can be heard on the radio station WLAY.
Dean was recently cast on the TV series One Tree Hill as the drummer for one of the protagonist's bands. He has so far appeared on episodes 9 and 13 of the series' seventh season. To work on the show, Dean is flown to Wilmington, N.C., where the show is filmed. He says that shooting for an episode can last two or three days. Some of his songs are currently being reviewed to appear on One Tree Hill by the series' music director.
Daryl Crittenden, a 2003 theater graduate of UNA, is currently appearing on the science fiction TV series Heroes, which follows a group of ordinary humans who possess supernatural abilities, and how these abilities affect their lives. Crittenden plays Chris Bowman on the show. Crittenden graduated from UNA in 2003 and left for New York City fifteen days later, where he lived for three years. While there, he participated in "commercials and other random stuff," which he says was "loads of fun."
Crittenden later signed with an agent and relocated to California, where he lives and acts today. He says, "UNA helped me in many ways. Dr. David Ruebhausen over in the theater department really opened my eyes to how a life in the entertainment industry was going to be hard work but could totally be accomplished." He also said that his four years at UNA left him feeling confident and ready to enter the world and become an actor, that his discussions with the theater faculty informed him that focus and drive were necessary and to always "think in successful terms with a sense of humor."
Whitney Dean graduated from UNA in 2007 with a degree in Entertainment Industry Management, and is a musician, songwriter and actor. He currently resides in Huntsville where he plays in the local bands Firewood and Eyes Around. Eyes Around is signed to World Citizen Records and is opening for Mute Math at UNA's spring festival this year. Dean is the band's keyboardist. Firewood is a collection of his best friends from UNA, and can be heard on the radio station WLAY.
Dean was recently cast on the TV series One Tree Hill as the drummer for one of the protagonist's bands. He has so far appeared on episodes 9 and 13 of the series' seventh season. To work on the show, Dean is flown to Wilmington, N.C., where the show is filmed. He says that shooting for an episode can last two or three days. Some of his songs are currently being reviewed to appear on One Tree Hill by the series' music director.
Dean says that UNA helped him by providing him with an understanding of the entertainment industry's language and "what is generally right and wrong as far as business goes." He also said, "When you break it down, without the friendships I've made from UNA, and the support of the advisors and students, I wouldn't have all these cool opportunities, and they wouldn't come around as often either." He is currently pursuing a full time agent to book him for TV and film, and was recently an extra in the movie Love Don't Let Me Down, which stars Tim McGraw and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Drew Hampton, a 2006 UNA theater graduate, is an actor who has appeared on such TV shows as Lie to Me and Scrubs. He has worked as an extra, which he says is one of the easiest ways for an actor to obtain Screen Actors' Guild eligibility. He says, "One thing Dr. Ruebhausen tried to make clear to us theater kids is that it is all about networking" and that almost anyone a young actor meets in L.A. will be another actor, or at least another artist.
Drew Hampton, a 2006 UNA theater graduate, is an actor who has appeared on such TV shows as Lie to Me and Scrubs. He has worked as an extra, which he says is one of the easiest ways for an actor to obtain Screen Actors' Guild eligibility. He says, "One thing Dr. Ruebhausen tried to make clear to us theater kids is that it is all about networking" and that almost anyone a young actor meets in L.A. will be another actor, or at least another artist.