Pace University”™s documentary film team ”“ PaceDocs ”“recently premiered “Bee Aware,” a film focusing on the environmental threats facing one of the most important pollinators for humankind.
The film aptly debuted online on Earth Day as it spotlights the vital role bees play in our food supply, their importance to the environment and some of the challenges facing the insect and the environment. It was followed by a virtual Q&A with the filmmakers via Zoom.
“The PaceDocs team, under the guidance of Professor Maria Luskay, always does remarkable work,” said Marvin Krislov, president of Pace University. “This year, they did something extraordinary, persevering through a pandemic to create a truly inspiring, thought-provoking and poignant documentary. ”˜Bee Aware”™ is a wonderful example of Pace students”™ commitment to hard work, hands-on education and environmental conservation. I couldn”™t be prouder of this group of young filmmakers.”
The film was shot on location at bee farms throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Initially, the class ”“ made up of 20 graduate and undergraduate students from around the country ”“ was set to embark on a trip to Paris, France, last spring to spotlight the rooftop bees that survived the historic Cathedral of Notre Dame fire. But the global pandemic halted all international travel and the university, like most others around the world, immediately pivoted to remote learning.
Luskay, whose “Producing the Documentary” course is part of the Department of Media, Communications and Visual Arts, knew the show must go on. Luskay, assisted by Professor Lou Guarneri and the PaceDocs team, scrambled and came up with “Plan Bee.”
“This year”™s lessons were ones of endurance and adaptation,” said Luskay. “The students really learned how to adapt, change and solve problems as the world around them changed. I couldn”™t be more proud of them. They produced a great film.”
The popular class is part of Pace University”™s highly regarded film program and as part of it, students have been introduced to documentary filmmaking, teamwork, problem-solving and organization. They”™ve also been introduced to different areas of the world where they”™ve experienced firsthand a number of important environmental and humanitarian”‹ ”‹issues ”“ and have been challenged to document them in remote locations around the globe.
“Every year, Dyson College”™s student filmmakers travel abroad to produce a documentary that shines a light on an important issue, educating us all,” said Tresmaine R. Grimes, dean, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education.
Pace University”™s liberal arts college, Dyson College in Pleasantville, offers more than 50 programs, spanning the arts and humanities, natural sciences, social sciences and pre-professional programs (including pre-medicine, pre-veterinary and pre-law), as well as many courses that fulfill core curriculum requirements.
