Latest news with #SavannahCollegeofArtandDesign
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mom Finds Comfort in Breathtaking 'Sign' From Daughter Who Died in Texas Flood
The mother of a Texas flood victim says she received a sign from her late daughter: a vivid rainbow stretching across the sky. 'Joyce Catherine telling us from heaven 'all is well with my soul,'' Kellye Badon of Beaumont, Texas, wrote in a July 7 Facebook post. In Badon's photo, a soft arc of color gently rises from the trees near the water's edge and fades into the clouds above. Earlier that day, Badon shared the news that 21-year-old Joyce Catherine's body had been recovered after a three day search, writing, in part, "God showed us the way we should go this morning! We found our lovely daughter who blessed us for 21 years!" Joyce Catherine, an architecture major at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), was staying with friends at a riverfront home in Hunt, Texas, when a wall of water rushed through the property after heavy overnight storms. Badon alerted friends to the unfolding emergency and asked for prayers on Facebook. 'At 4 am this morning, a flash food came through and washed their cars away. It happened so quickly with so much water, they could not get in the attic,' Badon reported. She noted that the homeowner's son reached his father by phone, but while they were talking, he and two others were carried away by debris. Joyce Catherine was the last person to speak before the connection was lost. In an statement, SCAD described Joyce Catherine as a 'beloved daughter, friend, and classmate' who was passionate about using her talents to make a difference. She had recently contributed to the redesign of donation centers for Goodwill. The July 4 flash floods in Central Texas have claimed at least 119 lives, a toll that continues to rise as search crews and volunteers sift through wreckage. Among the dead are 27 children and counselors from Camp Mystic, a Christian girls' camp nestled along the Guadalupe River. As of July 9, 173 people remain missing. This article was originally published on
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
SCAD Takes Cannes: IndieWire's Future of Filmmaking
The Savannah College of Art and Design is the university launchpad for a career in film and television. The opportunities for actual professional experience SCAD offers are second to none. From film sets to casting offices to production and costume design facilities, this is where someone with film and TV dreams can get their career started even before they graduate. SCAD students have the unique opportunity to study abroad at the university's Lacoste location in Provence, France. Students enrolled in the Spring Quarter documentary film class get the once in a lifetime experience to travel to the coast to attend the Cannes Film Festival where they network with film industry professionals, see highly anticipated films, learn on the ground with their professors, and are inspired to create their own unique content. More from IndieWire 'The Eva Victor Grad Program': Inside the Year-and-a-Half the Director Spent Preparing to Make 'Sorry, Baby' 'The Cat in the Hat' Trailer: Bill Hader Gets Animated for Dr. Seuss Adaptation The festival experience allows them to picture themselves returning to the Croisette with their own films one day. Watch the video above and read more about each of their stories below. Matison LeBlanc, 2023 GraduateSumma Cum LaudeBFA in film and television, minor in dramatic writing Since I left school, my number one priority has been to develop my first feature film called 'Ada and the Doc.' It's based on the untold true story of the first woman executed by the state of Louisiana. I made the short proof of concept as my senior project while I was at SCAD, and I'm really proud to say that it is screening three times while I'm here in Cannes, twice in the Palais with Film USA and then once here [at the American Pavilion] with the Emerging Filmmakers Showcase. I actually went to SCAD as a painting major first. My background had only ever been in fine art, like David Lynch. He didn't know he ever wanted to be a filmmaker until he did it. It was the same for me. I had been drawing and painting my whole life and then I got to SCAD and I took Film 100 on a whim and said to myself, 'I'm never doing anything else ever again.' And so I took every film class. I had always been a writer, so I delved into the writing classes, learned how sets work, got on a set in any capacity from being a PA to being a special effects makeup artist. I got to work on 'Fear the Walking Dead' while I was in Savannah. I got to work in the zombie department. As far as the project itself ['Ada and the Doc'] goes, SCAD provided state of the art equipment. Not a lot of people can say they filmed their senior project on an Arri Alexa, so that was amazing. But probably the most invaluable thing from SCAD would have been the crew, the connections I made there because SCAD has a major for pretty much every art discipline around, so you have a built-in crew from costume designers to sound designers and more. It means everything to be at Cannes, especially considering my internship placement with Lionsgate. I've been learning so much information that has really demystified the entire sales ecosystem for me. My team of SCAD producers are flying in today for the screening, and they all bought Marche passes, with our development funds for the future and so we're going to go in there and try to sell this film! Tess Nelson, Class of 2026Third-year film and television major, with a minor in creative writing I knew I wanted to be in film since 4th grade. I'd always been very involved in the arts. My parents were both theater actors. We watched a lot of movies and then when I was in 4th grade, I did a research project on Charlie Chaplin, and I just loved it so much I thought, this is all I want to do. I think I loved the heart. I think that's very central in Charlie Chaplin films. I knew that I wanted to tell stories and I knew that I wanted to tell the stories that I was impacted by, and so for a long time that was through both writing and directing. Because you fall so in love with the stories that you write, it breaks your heart to hand it off. Besides, I love working with the actors too, so that's where I'm happiest. I would say one of the greatest things about SCAD is the people that I've met there. I've made fantastic friends: Really, really talented, driven people with a love for storytelling, not just for the glamour of Hollywood. I have so many fantastic people that have helped me create works that I'm really proud of. And then of course, the professors are a great thing: Chris Donahue, Frank Green, and Christopher Millis have really supported me and helped me grow. They're fantastic. Cannes is one of the greatest film festivals in the world. It's in a beautiful location. It's terribly exciting. Probably all of my favorite films have done really well in Cannes. 'Naked' by Mike Leigh did really well in Cannes. 'Elephant' by Gus Van Sant did really well in Cannes. 'Close' by Lucas Dhont did really well in Cannes. Every screening I go into could be the great thing that changes my life in some regard. Layla Doyley, Class of 2026Third year film and television major What really made me want to go into film and television is just the opportunity to tell stories. I love telling stories visually in any way, and so I think film is such a great medium to do that. SCAD definitely has the resources that I need to be able to do so. I first started telling stories through fashion. I started out as a fashion major at SCAD, and then transitioned into film once I realized how much I love to edit and be a director behind projects. Being able to use clothing to communicate different things to people, I saw how much I really love that aspect of fashion, and wanted to carry that into filmmaking. I think what excites me the most about filmmaking is definitely the story development process, starting out with an inkling of an idea, and then getting to develop that into something that I think is mature and is more polished. It's the brainstorming aspect, getting to collaborate with people, getting to talk through your idea and being able to start that project. The most exciting thing that I've learned at SCAD is how to develop and create polished scripts, how to edit, and how to take feedback and take it well. It's really valuable to be able to not be so defensive with your work, but actually take it back and edit it further and further and continue to get the feedback that you need. I absolutely love Ava DuVernay and her work. I love watching what Spike Lee does as well. But I also really love this documentary called 'Daughters.' I recently saw it at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival. It really inspired me to go into the documentary filmmaking arena. Cannes is such an opportunity. It's such a unique chance to be able to connect with different people and talk with different people, have discussions and learn from people. I see myself as a sponge, and so everywhere that I go, I take things in and learn. Ben Bostian, Class of 2026Third-year film and television major, minor in acting I grew up as a big 80s kid. I was a big lover of vintage things. I started just watching a ton, a ton of movies, and I fell in love with a local legend from where I'm from in New Jersey — Kevin Smith. He's an indie legend. He said, 'If you love movies so much, you should just make one.' I was in high school drifting about not knowing what to do, and I thought of that, and said to myself, 'Oh, why don't I just make a movie?' So that's how I got into film. I like how some directors are able to switch from genre to genre, like that, and, with each film, makes something very different while keeping their same style. My favorite of all time is Hal Ashby. Him and Robert Altman are my two '70s legends. The best part about SCAD is the connections and how the professors go ground level with you. They have a lot of knowledge and experience, but they treat you as professionals. They treat your sets seriously, and they encourage you to be on as many sets as you can. I'm an acting minor as well — I'm getting a lot of experience with casting offices (SCAD has the only professional in-house casting office in higher education). I have always loved acting. I love films. So I came to SCAD because they have great programs for both. Cannes is the greatest film festival in the world. But I also sleep outside to wait for tickets at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival. And the biggest thing with the SCAD Film Festival is everything that does well there, and all my favorites there, all start at Cannes. I'm really just excited to be here and experience it. I saw 'The Left-Handed Girl' this morning. Sean Baker is one of my favorites. He's my hero, and he produced and edited the film, and it's very much a Sean Baker film, but Taiwanese, and that was my favorite so far. I've already made some connections here at Cannes, which is one of the most important things. Hopefully I'll be back here someday with my own films. Charlie Luther, Class of 2026Film and television major, with focus on editing When I was growing up, I was interested in the directorial and writing side, and I found I was taking any video I could find and editing it together. That slowly became something that I was good at, something that I had a niche for. Then I went to SCAD and fell in love with editing. Now I've worked on a bunch of student projects, editing and post production, and I really like having a leadership role in that. The editor I admire is one that I just met at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival: Myron Kerstein, the editor of 'Wicked' and 'In the Heights' and all those musicals. Before I went to SCAD, I would say that the industry was very daunting to me and I wasn't sure what steps to take. By learning that those steps are actually possible, SCAD has helped give me more opportunities and connection. I have also learned how to talk to people, how to establish connections and keep them for a long time. That's probably the most valuable thing I've learned. For me, being in Cannes means meeting people, making connections, experiencing new things. Whether that's meeting a new connection or seeing a film that introduces a new idea I never thought of before, or realizing that my little niche group at SCAD is one part of a huge puzzle, and hopefully one day I can start putting that puzzle together myself. Colleen Ryan, 2024 GraduateBFA in film and television production, with minor in producing I had the opportunity to go to Cannes this year as a recent alum of SCAD. Being here, I'm hoping to develop a better understanding of the way the business side and market of the film industry works. I heard that there's a lot of really great opportunities to hear about that side of things, meet people in that world and develop a better understanding here at one of the biggest film markets. I'm hoping to direct and produce in the long run. Currently, I'm hoping to just get more experience working on projects that are more mission driven, about causes and things that I care about and believe in, in whatever capacity is possible at this level. Being a student at SCAD, I was able to gain a lot of real world, hands-on experience that I don't think I would have been able to get at any other university. It was very immersive in terms of learning through doing, rather than just in a classroom, and I think that was super valuable for someone like me that didn't really know what they were going to do going into school. And so to be able to jump in head first, with the guidance of so many professors that are also working industry professionals, was a super helpful way to really develop an understanding of the filmmaking process, practically as well as conceptually. I love Sean Baker, who won the Palme d'Or last year. Greta Gerwig as well, who I believe was on the board of deciding that last year. And one of my biggest inspirations is Emerald Fennell as well. I think just a really powerful female storyteller who branches outside of what the traditional female lens looks like. I produced my film out of the country in Panama for my SCAD senior thesis, which was super special, because I really felt like SCAD had equipped me with the proper facilities to be able to execute something like that at such a young age with a team of other students. My most recent project was directing for SCAD their premier backlot film called 'Take Two' that we are currently finishing up and hopefully about to enter into the festival circuit. But that film was the first film that SCAD sort of produced on their own through their new Hollywood style backlot. And it was a very exciting and cool opportunity to do a production on such a large scale as a student. We had stunts, professional actors. It's a period piece and a time travel movie. It was very cool to be able to do that at SCAD as sort of my last thing before of IndieWire The Best Lesbian Movies Ever Made, from 'D.E.B.S.' and 'Carol' to 'Bound' and 'Pariah' The Best Thrillers Streaming on Netflix in June, from 'Vertigo' and 'Rear Window' to 'Emily the Criminal' All 12 Wes Anderson Movies, Ranked, from 'Bottle Rocket' to 'The Phoenician Scheme'
Yomiuri Shimbun
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
International Students Scared to Leave U.S., Return to School after Travel Ban
Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post Students walk on the campus of Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 7. As President Donald Trump signaled plans for a new travel ban after taking office, the family of a 19-year-old Venezuelan student at the Savannah College of Art and Design decided she shouldn't go home for the summer. She wasn't sure she'd be let back in the United States if she left. The possibility hung in the air for months, but nothing happened. Her parents, in Caracas, started planning to fly her back. Then the White House announced Wednesday that it would restrict entry to the U.S. by nationals of 12 countries, with partial restrictions on seven others – including Venezuela. The art school student immediately scrapped her plans to go home – or to any other country. She canceled a getaway to Costa Rica booked for the next day and instead plans to stay in Miami with her sister, who is also on a student visa. Her bags are still packed. 'I came here looking for better opportunities than the ones I could find back home,' said the student, who, like some other international students interviewed by The Washington Post, spoke on the condition of anonymity or withheld their full identities because they fear losing their visas. 'I came here to learn from the best and contribute as much as I can. I haven't done anything wrong, but they're treating us like we're some sort of terrorists.' While the White House says Trump's order would not affect current visa holders, it has plunged foreign students into uncertainty. Many colleges, bracing for a possible ban, have been warning international students for months to avoid nonessential foreign travel due to fears they could suddenly be unable to reenter the country. Now that a ban has arrived – during summer break for many schools – some students are scrambling to get back from abroad before the restrictions take effect Monday. Others in the U.S. worry they won't be able to return if they leave. Data from the 2023-2024 academic year show there were about 24,000 international students in the United States from the countries listed in the ban, which include many African and Muslim-majority nations. In his executive order, Trump said the travel ban was based on 'foreign policy, national security, and counterterrorism goals' and applies to people who are currently abroad and do not have a valid visa. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said that visas issued before Monday, when the order takes effect, will not be revoked and holders can enter the country 'as long as there are no other reasons that would prevent entry.' Students and experts are wary of the ban's scope – and about how it will be implemented at airports and borders, and whether efforts to obtain or renew visas will be disrupted. In late May, the State Department suspended foreign students' visa appointments as it prepared to expand screening of applicants' social media accounts, The Post reported. 'Prospective students will be forced to abandon their educational dreams, faculty members will no longer be able to effectively collaborate internationally, and families will be kept apart,' Barbara Snyder, president of the Association of American Universities, said in a statement. 'These bans send a message to all foreign nationals, even those not immediately affected by them: You are not welcome here.' By the numbers In 2017, during his first term in office, Trump enacted a travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries – sparking protests and legal challenges. The White House's latest travel ban comes as part of its broader effort to reduce immigration and align higher education with Trump's political agenda. Wednesday's order bars the entry of individuals from Afghanistan, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. It also partially restricts the entry of travelers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. Iranians are by far the largest group of students affected by the restrictions, according to data from the Open Doors 2024 report from the Institute of International Education and the State Department. More than 12,000 Iranians studied in the U.S. in the 2023-2024 academic year – roughly three times the number of the next largest group, Venezuelans, of which there were 3,904 that year. African countries targeted by Trump's travel restrictions send far fewer people to study at American institutions. Just 66 students came from Chad in 2023-2024, for instance. The Open Doors data show stark differences in the type of education pursued by students from each of the affected countries. The vast majority of Iranians studying in the U.S. – 81.5 percent – are graduate students, while most students from Venezuela and Myanmar are enrolled in undergraduate programs. For most countries in the ban, much smaller percentages of the students they send to the U.S. are enrolled in programs that don't lead to a degree or are working in the U.S. under 'Optional Practical Training' status. The latter allows eligible students to pursue employment related to their studies for a year after graduation; those in science, technology, engineering or mathematics fields can apply to extend that to three years. Families spend months apart Arshia Esmaeilian, an Iranian student at the University of South Florida, had hoped to visit his family in Dubai next winter break. His mother had also been applying for a visa to visit him and his brother, who is also on a student visa, in the United States. But the travel ban means neither of those trips are likely to happen, Esmaeilian said. 'I was very disappointed,' said Esmaeilian, 21. 'My parents don't even know if they'll be able to come to the U.S. as visitors to attend my graduation next spring.' Another Venezuelan student, a 22-year-old at Pennsylvania State University, hasn't been home since December. He has an internship in the U.S. this summer and doesn't feel like he can travel to Venezuela after it ends. 'I'm just not willing to expose myself to that risk since I only have one year left in my studies,' the student said, adding, 'I really just hope that my parents are able to see me graduate.' Universities issue warnings More than a dozen prominent universities sent out guidance for international students ahead of a potential travel ban – some before Trump's inauguration in January. The ban stems from a Jan. 20 executive order instructing the Departments of State and Homeland Security and the director of national intelligence to compile a report on whether allowing people to enter from specific countries was a national security risk. 'If you must travel, please check in with us first,' Stanford University's Bechtel International Center wrote in March. 'We are able to connect you to immigration resources.' The same month, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology told its students to 'bear in mind' that changes and restrictions could 'be implemented quickly and without ample warning for travelers.' Jeff Joseph, incoming president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, described the ban as the latest salvo in a 'full attack on students and institutions,' including visa revocations and tougher social media screening. He noted that the ban comes at a time of year when international students typically schedule consulate appointments in preparation for the next school year. 'I have big concerns that these students won't even get their visas in time to be back here for the fall,' Joseph said. He added that it is unclear how much difficulty visa holders will face when they try to reenter the country, and that he is watching whether the administration issues guidance before Monday to airline carriers and ports of entry. For Alejandro, a rising senior at the University of Florida, the ban on Venezuelans felt like 'a slap in the face.' 'Even more than that, actually – it feels like a full-on betrayal,' Alejandro said. He had celebrated Trump's victory in November, believing it would help restore democracy in Venezuela. 'I really thought he was on our side – not that he'd be the one locking the doors to innocent people,' Alejandro said.
Hans India
04-06-2025
- Hans India
TG lensman's works featured in expo at Coca-Cola hqrs in US
Hyderabad: Anirudh Dhannayak, a documentary and fine art photographer from Karimnagar, Telangana, has garnered international recognition this year as his work was featured in a prestigious group exhibition at the global headquarters of Coca-Cola in Atlanta recently, as part of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month celebrations. Themed 'Roots to Resonance,' the exhibition spotlighted artists who explore the nuances of identity, heritage, and cultural continuity within the diaspora. Anirudh's journey into photography is as evocative as his art. What began as a childhood curiosity—capturing travel memories with a simple camera—transformed over the years into a passionate pursuit of truth, culture, and human emotion. Although initially steered toward engineering, a serendipitous moment during a family wedding, where his photographs won admiration from overseas guests, marked a turning point. That event not only affirmed his talent but also gifted him the tool that would shape his future: a camera. He later formalised his training with a Bachelor's degree in Communication Design, specialising in Photography, and is currently pursuing his Master's at the Savannah College of Art and Design, US. His ongoing project, 'Natya Shastra: The Science of Dance,' explores the evolution and spiritual significance of the classical Indian dance form, Kuchipudi, within the Indian-American diaspora. Blending traditional motifs with experimental formats like stop-motion and moving portraits, the project exemplifies Anirudh's commitment to storytelling that bridges generations and geographies.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Award-winning musician and composer Jon Batiste delivers commencement address and performed at SCAD
ATLANTA and SAVANNAH, Ga., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) was delighted to welcome award-winning artist, musician, and composer Jon Batiste at the university's commencement ceremonies in Savannah and Atlanta for the largest graduating class in SCAD history. The ceremonies were held at the Savannah Convention Center on Friday, May 30 in Savannah, and Saturday, May 31, at the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta. Batiste spoke to more than 4,200 graduates, their families, and honored guests during the two-day celebration. "This moment right here is not only the beginning of you defining and shaping who you are in the world and what you will become and what you will leave as your legacy, but it's also a moment where you have this opportunity to really take it in and be at peace with the unexpected that will come in the dark times as well as the things that you will do to exceed expectations and become the first and only. I'm so excited to be here to share this moment with you. So thank you for being who you are and remember that that's all you ever need to be," he said. SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree on Batiste, who is considered a force of nature and a powerhouse of creativity and connection. An Academy Award and seven-time Grammy Award winning artist, he blends music, storytelling, and activism to inspire and unite. "It's a gift to connect with and inspire the next generation of creative artists from this globally renowned university," said Batiste. The 2025 graduates represent more than 40 top-ranked programs, including interactive design and game development, interior design, film and television, fashion, graphic design, and design management. Since its founding in 1978, the university's mission has been to prepare talented students for creative professions. Today, SCAD's success rate is unmatched. According to a 2024 study, 99% of recent SCAD graduates reported being employed, pursuing further education, or both within 12 months of graduation. SCAD alumni have found fulfilling careers at Adobe, BMW, Delta Air Lines, Disney, Google, Hasbro, Microsoft, NASA, Ralph Lauren, and more. "Our happy hive hums with joy this spring as more than 4,200 SCAD Bees — a record — have danced across the commencement stage and will fly off to rewarding careers around the world," President Wallace said. "What I so deeply cherish about SCAD's commencement is the love you feel, see, and hear, everywhere. From grandparents and parents, to students and siblings, cheers, tears, whoops, hugs, and high-fives celebrate phenomenal creativity, courage, and camaraderie. The world is yours, Bees!" President Wallace also presented an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in Savannah to Meta Vice President of Design Joshua To and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in Atlanta to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. To learn more about SCAD, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Savannah College of Art and Design
