By Raynard Churchwell
Georgia State University’s School of Film, Media & Theatre is proud to celebrate the exceptional achievements of its faculty and students for the 2023-24 academic year. This year’s honorees have demonstrated remarkable talent, dedication, and contributions to our program. We conducted a Q&A with our winners to gain insights into their inspirations, challenges, and future plans. Here’s a look at the outstanding faculty and students who have earned prestigious awards and recognitions.
Outstanding Undergraduate (Production) in the School of Film, Media & Theatre 2023-24 – Gina Barboza
Barboza earned nine A’s in the School’s course offerings over the past year and has been admitted into the MFA program. Her instructors describe her as having “boundless energy and a wide range of interests” as well as “curiosity, drive, warmth, and wisdom.”
Q: What drew you to the production field within film, media, and theatre?
A: “The magic of production and how it’s all constructed always drew me in. I learned new skills at GSU and discovered a passion for teaching.”
Q: Could you discuss a project you worked on that presented unique challenges and how you overcame them?
A: “In Acting/Directing class, I wrote, acted in, and produced a short script. It was challenging to be vulnerable, but I applied lessons from my acting professor to overcome it.”
Q: How do you see your role in production evolving in the future?
A: “I aim to help underserved communities produce and film their stories. I also hope to work on my screenplays and teach film production.”
Q: What has been the most rewarding aspect of your undergraduate experience in production?
A; “Building with other students and professors and learning new ways to tell stories. Film Theory with Professor Corey Couch changed my writing approach.”
Q: What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned about yourself during your time at GSU?
A: “I learned that it’s never too late to learn. I enjoyed being a student again and discovered new stories to write about.”
Q: What are some of your plans/goals after GSU?
A: “I plan to finish my mental health documentary, shop my screenplays, and continue my MFA program in Digital Filmmaking to teach students film production.”
Outstanding Undergraduate (Studies) in the School of Film, Media & Theatre 2023-24 – Joshua McIntosh
McIntosh earned six A’s in the School’s course offerings over the past year. His instructors describe him as an “exceptional student” who “demonstrates a commitment to the process of learning and growing.”
Q: What inspired your interest in studying film, media, and theatre?
A: “My love for film started when I was young. Movies resonated with me in unimaginable ways.”
Q: Can you share a particularly memorable project or experience from your undergraduate studies?
A: “A memorable project was my documentary about TV shows in Production I. I incorporated my love for TV shows and made it stand out based on how I envision future shows.”
Q: How do you plan to utilize your academic background in your future endeavors?
A: “After graduation, I secured a remote job in Film and Stage Media and plan to enroll in the Georgia Film Academy. My goal is to make movies and TV shows that impact culture and start my production company, Joshua McIntosh Production.”
Q: Who or what has been the biggest influence on your academic journey?
A: “My mother, who passed away in July 2023, has always supported my education. Additionally, directors Tyler Perry, Quentin Tarantino, and Spike Lee have influenced me significantly.”
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring students in the field of film, media, and theatre?
A: “Trust God and the process. Even though you will face challenges, you will emerge victorious and accomplish your goals.”
Outstanding Graduate Student (Studies) in the School of Film, Media & Theatre 2023-24 – Navid Darvishzadeh
Darvishzadeh is a PhD student completing his dissertation “Iranian Modern Cinema: Modernity, Deleuze, and the Collective Past” this summer. He has been the managing editor of *In Media Res* and recently earned a CETLOE Certificate of Excellence in College Teaching.
Q: What motivated you to pursue advanced studies in film, media, and theatre at the graduate level?
A: “My passion for understanding how visual media influences and reflects societal values drove me to explore these themes deeply through academic study.”
Q: Can you discuss a specific research project or academic paper that you found particularly stimulating?
A: “Works by Angelo Restivo, Alessandra Raengo, and Jennifer Barker have profoundly influenced my thinking, providing deeper insights into narrative, visual structuring, and film phenomenology.”
Q: How do you envision contributing to the field of film, media, and theatre scholarship in the future?
A: “My interdisciplinary research intersects film and media theory with Feminism, Queer theory, and World cinema, focusing on Iranian cinema. I aim to explore the nuanced intersections between cultural, philosophical, and aesthetic perspectives in film studies.”
Q: What challenges have you encountered during your graduate studies, and how have you addressed them?
A: “As an ESL student, I faced challenges with theoretical texts and writing. Taking on the role of editor for *In Media Res* has been immensely beneficial, exposing me to polished and unfinished works by various scholars.”
Q: How has your perspective on film, media, and theatre evolved since beginning your graduate program?
A: “My perspective has shifted from focusing purely on cinematic form and aesthetics to integrating broader historical contexts and identity markers such as race, gender, sexuality, and class into my analyses.”
Outstanding Faculty in the School of Film, Media & Theatre 2023-24 – Alessandra Raengo – Distinguished University Professor
Dr. Alessandra Raengo, a Distinguished University Professor and the founder of the liquid blackness research collective, continues to make significant contributions to the field. This past year, she celebrated the 10th anniversary of liquid blackness’s work, earning the prestigious Phoenix Award from the Council of Editors of Learned Journals for her work with the journal.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in academia within the field of film, media, and theatre?
A: “On the one hand, I fell into it. I always knew I liked to write but I majored in Philosophy and our program, like most in Italy at the time, did not include any writing except for the final thesis. A film class I took with a Minor in Communication allowed me to write a close analysis of a film, which was appreciated. This led me to pursue an MA and PhD in Cinema Studies at NYU. On the other hand, growing up surrounded by visual arts and classically trained musicians, I learned the value of the art object and the need for practices of care.”
Q: Can you share a gratifying teaching moment or experience that stands out to you?
A: “Early conversations about liquid blackness took place in the undergraduate classroom in 2013. Those students became integral to our first event: the ‘LA Rebellion: Creating a New Black American Cinema’ screening series. This experience continually reminds me of the visionary potentials of a classroom.”
Q: How do you approach interdisciplinary collaboration in your research and teaching?
A: “I don’t make a substantial distinction between research and teaching. The liquid blackness Project, in all its facets, informs each other. Interdisciplinary collaborations happen by praxis, not ‘by definition,’ as I believe intellectual freedom allows for more meaningful collaboration.”
Q: How do you stay current with industry trends and advancements in your areas of expertise, and how does this inform your teaching approach?
A: “My research focuses on the radical syncretism of black contemporary arts, depending on traveling to contemporary art shows and meeting artists, curators, and scholars. This effort to build a visual history for black music or a musical history for black visual arts continuously enriches my teaching.”
Outstanding Undergraduate (Theatre) in the School of Film, Media & Theatre 2023-24 – Angel Jose Luis Rivera-Barrett
Angel Jose Luis Rivera-Barrett earned six A’s in the School’s course offerings over the past year.
Angel was unavailable for our interview.
Outstanding Graduate Student (Production) in the School of Film, Media & Theatre 2023-24 – Gene Gregg
Gregg is an MFA student preparing to work on their thesis film. Faculty praise Gregg for their screenwriting and thoughtful contributions in class, and they anticipate a wonderful thesis project that will be a calling card for a successful career.
Gene was unavailable for our interview.
Georgia State University’s School of Film, Media, and Theatre celebrates the remarkable achievements of its faculty and students, who continue to push boundaries and inspire future generations in the fields of film, media, and theatre. Their dedication and accomplishments highlight the vibrant academic community at GSU and promise a bright future for the arts.
