HISTORY
When the colleges were forced to move online in March, I watched my students' motivation, energy and enthusiasm slowly dwelled away. As the year progressed, the unrest and outbreak of social injustice further added to the high levels of frustration and anxiety already installed due to COVID-19. While facilitating a virtual event this past summer entitled 'One City, One Film', I witnessed first hand the lack of awareness and appreciation of people who are 'different'. Afterwards, I was inspired to contribute to the education of the mass on the importance of respecting everyone as a human beings, particularly through my position as a professor of video and digital media and thus 'The Unprecedented Awards' was born.
This awards show styled competition is designed to educate, empower, and encourage students during this 'unprecedented' time to embrace and learn from people who are different from you. Furthermore, in a world where the validity of a virtual learning experience is constantly challenged, this platform will offer opportunities that a youtube tutorial can not. This experience will recognize and honor students within the collegiate arena, producing digital media content and scholarship.
In a world of uncertainty, this competition provides an outlet for creativity, innovation and self expression. Lastly, by having the students place their complete pieces online, this is also designed to promote economic self sufficiency. The people watch, like and subscribe the videos and channels, the closer the student will be to being able to monetize their channels, creating an additional passive income.
-Watricia Shuler
Adjunct Instructor of Digital Media
& Co-Owner of The Artist Bloc
