The Office Hours (2023)
Genre: Podcast Video Series
Role: Creative Producer, Cinematographer, Video Editor
Description: A podcast series where prospective MSU students can listen to interesting academic topics from the professor or expert that the International Student Ambassadors team is taking a class with or having the chance to talk with. In today's podcast episode, we are going to discuss a pretty heavy topic of philosophy and how to master such a logic-based subject through methods of learning, teaching, and practicing.
Box Breathing (2023)
Production period: 3 weeks
Role: 3D Modeler, Website Designer, Cinematographer
Description: Emphasizing the importance of mental health protection, this project provides a helpful method of box breathing, which has been well-known for meditative effectiveness. By scrolling through the website, the user can experience the 4-step process of box breathing to let them calm and enjoy life better. The 3D box model is inspired by the 2D box in the original method of box breathing.
Grey or Great? (2020)
Genre: Music Video
Role: Creative Producer, Video Editor, and Dancer
Description: Getting trapped in a crampy and colorless life, a person starts to figure out their new ways of life by coloring their dreams through tonal colors.
CREATIVE FILMMAKING
360 Degrees of Names (2024)
Role: Creative Producer, Video Editor, and Choreographer
Description:
This project is inspired by a learning session on dimensional thinking, where we transform 2D or abstract ideas into real-life dimensions. It also focuses on the topics of creative legacy and the influence of personal background on creativity. Regarding personal background and dimensional creative thinking, it involves the process of me writing both of my names—Nguyen Minh Phuc and Alva—through my dance movements. In more detail, the umbrella appearing in the first scene symbolizes the accent “ê” in my surname “NGUYỄN.” In Vietnamese, this accent is called “ô,” which literally translates to “umbrella” in English. In the second scene, in a dance studio, I illustrate my middle name “MINH” and explore it through the symmetrical characteristics of all the letters in the middle name, with a mirror symbol. In the third scene, I illustrate my first name “PHÚC” with flexibility and dynamic movements from various angles. My first name signifies happiness and fortune, which I aim to depict through the richness of my movements. “ALVA” is represented through the tutting dance techniques with hand movements to demonstrate my efforts towards adaptability and independence. Upon arriving in the U.S., I felt as though I had nothing but my bare hands to build something. Additionally, my choice of the main palette colors blue and orange/yellow not only represents my favorite colors but also aligns with my horoscope, with the sun in Leo and the moon in Pisces.
In terms of creative legacy, I am inspired by the song of a famous Vietnamese songwriter from the 20th century, Trinh Cong Son, and his popular song "Diem Xua." Furthermore, I am also inspired by the idea of Zaha Hadid, the architect who designed the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at MSU. In one of her exhibitions that I attended, she mentioned the idea, “There are 360 degrees, so why stick to one?” This concept ties back to the idea of dimensional thinking and how I can intertwine my interest in dancing, nostalgic songs, and my identity.
documentary FILMMAKING
A-broad Ab-road (2023)
Role: Creative Producer and Video Editor
Description: While A-broad means away from one’s country, Ab-road means away from a familiar road to pursue one’s dream in unfamiliar places. Based on that idea, our presentation showcases a short film project highlighting the International Student Ambassador program of the MSU Office of Admissions as a pivotal resource for prospective students. This film delves into the multifaceted journey of international students at MSU, illustrating their adaptability, resilience, and the redefined concept of "studying abroad." The narrated experiences depict the challenges faced and the unforgettable stories crafted. Featuring international student ambassadors from diverse global backgrounds, the short film captures their shared empathy and curiosity to immerse in varying cultures. Despite the inevitable challenges of adapting to a distinct culture, these ambassadors recount memorable moments, epitomizing their collective yet individualized and growing experiences at Michigan State University.
Identities of Home (2023)
Role: Creative Producer and Video Editor
Description: This video offers a perspective that values restfulness and reflection as much as action and achievement in the journey of self-discovery and inclusion. It was inspired by the profound questions raised by Stuart Hal: “If identity does not proceed, in a straight unbroken line, from some fixed origin, how are we to understand its formation?” It is a narrative of unexpected discovery, where the anticipated challenges of cultural shock and homesickness gave way to a deeper introspection of what 'home' and 'identity' mean in a constantly changing world. It is also part of the Summer Recap video series of the International Student Ambassadors team in the MSU Office of Admissions.
A Day In the Life of Arjun Patel (2022)
Role: Creative Producer and Video Editor
Description: This video is produced as the final project for the film production course CAS 102: Story, sound, motion. It captures a day in the life of my roommate, Arjun, with his daily activities and interaction with friends.
PROMOTIONAL VIDEOS
MSU Campus Coffee Shops (2023)
Role: Creative Producer and Video Editor
Description: This video is produced as a project for the ISA Office of Admissions at Michigan State University. It showcases different coffee shops around campus, which are suitable for students to visit and study or hang out with friends.
Old Town Commercial Association (2023)
Role: Creative Producer and Video Editor
Description: Those two reels are part of a 5-reel series introducing different businesses in Old Town Lansing. This is a part of a non-profit project I worked with Street Teams in the College of Communications Arts and Sciences at Michigan State University.
A glimpse to MMA (2023)
Role: Creative Producer and Video EditorDescription: This video is produced as a project for the ISA Office of Admissions at Michigan State University. It showcases the regular activities of the club Mixed Martial Arts while also sharing the opinions of members and leaders with prospective students.
MUSIC VIDEOS
Kite (2021)
Role: Choreographer, Creative Producer and Video Editor
Description: This video is produced as a dance project capturing my feelings and sensations of youth while applying to university. It emphasizes dancing as a part of my identity and how I express myself to the world.
Recap of Vietnamese Folktale Festival (2023)
Role: Creative Producer and Video Editor
Description: This video is produced as a recap video for the Vietnamese Folktale Festival. The hardest part of the production process is to figure out a smooth transition that can capture the interest of the audience while still maintaining the spirit of the festival.
An English Teacher's Day (2022)
Role: Creative Producer and Video Editor
Description: This video is produced as a project of the VCU club (Vietnamese Cultural Union) to celebrate Vietnamese Teacher Day. It captures all the common activities of teacher and student life at high school and their interactions with each other.
Year Recap of F-Zone (2021)
Role: Video Editor
Description: Those two videos were edited to showcase at the Club Day of my high school to introduce the dance club I was in.
FICTIONAL FILMMAKING
PHONON (2021)
Role: Creative Producer and Video Editor
Description: This is a fictional filmmaking project for the RMIT Young Filmmaking contest. It tells a story about two people losing their ability to speak, yet each of one having a different attitude and behavior toward their own lives.
TYPOGRAPHY VIDEOS
Musique & Throod & F-Zone (2020)
Role: Video Editor
Description: Those three reels were produced mainly to introduce different clubs and organizations I was in. Most of them were showcased on the backdrop of stages that the club performed.
