FILM 140: Science Documentary

This course is designed to introduce students to topics in environmental science and the basics of documentary filmmaking, in order to teach students the art of communicating science-related issues through visual media. This semester we will be focusing on the many environmental science issues related to the growing and distribution of food. Possible topics for films made in the class include local food movements, the externalization of environmental costs in the large-scale industrial agriculture, food waste, and profiles of local organizations with a stake in the growing and distributing of food. No prior filmmaking experience is required.

Past Projects

  • 2011: Vegan vs Omnivore

    A documentary that compares the sustainability of a vegetable-based diet and a meat-based diet. It follows a vegan student at Wesleyan University (Haley Sacks) and an omnivore student at Wesleyan University (Jake Barack) to gain insight into their perspectives on diet, sustainability, water consumption and virtual water. Interviews with Nunzio Corsino and Stephen LaPenta illuminate the water involved in producing food and Professor Suzanne O’Connell explains the concept of virtual water.

    Vegan vs Omnivore: Investigating the Water Footprint of Diets by Rhiannon Tudhope, Greer Dent, and Chinh Duong

  • 2011: The Wine Business

    A documentary on the challenges vineyard owners must face in Connecticut and their subsequent path towards overcoming these obstacles. This documentary provides insight into the fastest growing agricultural sector in the state of Connecticut.

    The Wine Business: The Struggle for “Local” Wine in Connecticut by Conan Cheong

  • 2011: The Leftovers

    An investigation on the conflicts of institutionalizing composting on the Wesleyan campus.
    The Leftovers by Zoe Treeson
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  • 2011: The Greenhouse Effect

    Growing flowers, vegetables and herds in greenhouses in Connecticut extends the growing season.

    The Greenhouse Effect: The Hunt for Locally Grown Year-Round Produce by Ian Vasquez

  • 2011: Saturated Sustenance

    This film weighs the environmental ramifications of vegan and omnivore diets at Wesleyan, particularly with regard to their associated water use, and offers findings and solutions that promote a more sustainable water footprint.

    Saturated Sustenance: The Water Content of Vegan & Omnivore Diets by Greer Dent

  • 2011: Pulped

    A look at the quandaries of institutionalizing composting on campus through the eyes of the composting committee, dining director (Michael Strumf), head chef at Star and Crescent restaurant (Ryan Talbot), and operations manager at Dainty Rubbish (Fred Smyth).
    Pulped by Marina Reza
  • 2011: Nutritious Mush

    This documentary follows the current, student run composting initiative at Wesleyan, and the obstacles the committee faces in terms of getting the administration involved and institutionalization. It is a brief history of the successes, failures, problems, and future of the composting committee, depicted with many officials involved with food and waste management on campus.

    Nutritious Mush by Rob Roth

  • 2011: Eating the World’s Water

    An informative documentary that pursues the water footprints of two Wesleyan students, a meat-eater and vegan; and explores the impacts of their diets on the greater issue of a growing world water crisis (along with the choices we can make to reduce the strain on virtual water through the food we eat).

    Eating the World’s Water — An Exploration of Two Diets by Chinh Duong, Rhiannon Tudhope and Greer Dent

  • 2011: Connecticut Vineyards

    A documentary on the challenges vineyard owners must face in Connecticut and their subsequent path towards overcoming these obstacles. This documentary provides insight into the fastest growing agricultural sector in the state of Connecticut.

    Connecticut Vineyards: Overcoming Obstacles by Annie deBoer

  • 2011: California Dreaming

    A documentary focuses on the challenges vineyard owners must face in Connecticut and their subsequent path towards overcoming these obstacles. This documentary provides insight into the fastest growing agricultural sector in the state of Connecticut.

    California Dreaming: A Story of Connecticut Wine by Reed Sarney

  • 2011: Alternative Growing

    Growing flowers, vegetables and herds in greenhouses in Connecticut extends the growing season.

    The Greenhouse Effect: Alternative Growing in Connecticut by Adrien DeFontaine

  • 2009: The Road Less Traveled

    A look at three nurses’ choice to become involved in integrative care.

    The Road Less Traveled: 3 Nurses in Integrative Care by Brenna Galvin

  • 2009: Stalwart

    A documentary look at Sharon Hines, a nurse with stage four lung cancer, and her battle with her insurance company over payment for treatment.

    Stalwart by Laurenellen McCann

  • 2009: Sissies

    A look at the caregiving role of men in nursing.

    Sissies: Men in Nursing by Elliot Skopin

  • 2009: Nursing Tensions

    A documentary on the integration of University of Maryland Nursing School in 1950 focusing on the stories of Esther McCready and Rosetta Sands.

    Nursing Tensions: Race Relations in Nursing by Chris Doucette

  • 2009: Men in Nursing

    A documentary on the perceptions of men in nursing.

    Not Just a Woman’s World: Men in Nursing by Kait Halibozek

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  • 2009: Living on the Other Side

    A documentary on the importance of emotional support for Sharon Hines, an oncology nurse, in her struggle with stage four lung cancer.

    Living on the Other Side by Gabe Elder

  • 2009: Lifelong Learning

    A look into the changes in nursing education from the 1950s to the present

    Lifelong Learning: The Evolution of Nursing Education by Sarah Gillig

  • 2009: I, Nurse

    An investigation into relationships between nurses and patients.

    I, Nurse by Vyta Pivoriunaite

  • 2009: Healing Touch

    A look at the importance of touch in healing and integrative medicine.

    Healing Touch: The Integration of Compassion and the Placebo Effect by Ian Trancynger

  • 2009: Healing the Whole

    Three nurses discuss why they chose to become involved in integrative care.

    Healing the Whole: Three Nurses’ Decisions to Practice Integrative Care by Carolyn Cohen

  • 2009: Fight for Your Life

    Sharon Hines, an oncology nurse with stage four lung cancer, battles with her insurance company over payment for treatment.

    Fight for Your Life by Nathaniel Draper

  • 2009: Are You My Doctor

    An exploration of gender roles in the nursing profession featuring interviews from within the medical profession.

    Are You My Doctor? by Christian Skorik

  • 2007: Two Faces of Yeast

    A discussion on the usage and biology of yeasts featuring interviews with Mark Flory and Scott Holmes, Professors of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry.

    The Two Faces of Yeast by Tom Akita

  • 2007: The Player’s

    A discussion on the research of private versus academic scientific research featuring interviews with Ishita Mukerji, Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Maiko Kondo, MB&B undergraduate student, and Tim Connely, Medical Chemist at Bristol Myers.

    The Player’s: Student Research & Private Research in the Scientific Project by Jeff Stein

  • 2007: Science as a Second Language

    An exploration of public perceptions of science featuring interviews with Ishita Mukerji, Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Melissa Marcucci biology lecturer, and Kelly Knee, MB&B graduate student.

    Science as a Second Language By Allison Rock

  • 2007: Real Science

    A discussion on the process and challenges of scientific research featuring Janice Naegele, Laura Grabel, and Gloster Aaron, Professors of Biology, and

    Joe Carpentino, Ph.D student of biology.

    Real Science: The Challenges of Research Today by Tara Abaring

  • 2007: Profile of a Scientist

    A look at a scientist’s creation of art through science featuring interviews with Frank Stellabotte, biology graduate student and Best Dobbs-McAulffe, postdoctoral research associate.

    Profile of a Scientist by Keenan Mitchel

  • 2007: Muscles in Motion

    A discussion on muscle development featuring interviews with Stephen Devoto, Professor of Biology, Best Dobbs-McAulffe, postdoctoral research associate, and Frank Stellabotte, graduate student.

    Muscles in Motion by Rosemary Ostfield

  • 2007: It’s Hard to be a Clone

    A discussion on epigenetics, the study of changes in gene expression caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence, featuring interviews with Sonja Sultan, Professor of Biology and Scott Holmes, Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry.

    Hard to be a Clone (Epigenetics) By Katie Johns

  • 2007: Frank’s World

    A look at the work of Frank Stellabotte, biology graduate student, and Stephen Devoto’s (Professor of Biology) lab studying embryonic muscle development.

    Frank’s World By Jack Johnson

  • 2007: Exploring Epilepsy

    A discussion on epilepsy featuring interviews with: Patrick Danis, Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut, and Janice Naegele and Laura Grabel, Professors of Biology.

    Exploring Epilepsy By Shay Bauchner

    (Video Unavailable)

  • 2007: Born to Run

    This documentary features marathon runner Dana Royer, Associate Professor in the Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences.  He and Douglas Charles, Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology discuss the endurance running from a biological and anthropological perspective.

    Born to Run By Grish Enikolopov