Wednesday, February 20, 2013

A Series of BYU Events

   Last week my articles explored some of the hidden gems at BYU. Please enjoy!
    First, I went to the free movie night at the library. The people were great--some people attend that event religiously, there were some professors, and a random crew of students looking for cheap dates, and it was fun to chat with them. The director was great, too. He really made it quite the evening. He told me that in 14 years they had never had a reporter attend, but I was welcome. Then he emailed me some lovely film stills from Special Collections to use in my story.
  Next, I attended a lecture for the Kennedy Center. I was surprised by how many people I knew were there--I guess geeks for history, religion, and politics flock together!
   And of course, the Life, the Universe, and Everything symposium. Don't panic! I learned about how to write a politically correct "damsel in distress," which has to be an important life skill. Also, did you know that the reason female superheroes always win in the movies is that violence against women automatically gives a film an R-rating. So if you want mainstream audiences, you have to let the girls win. Interesting.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Sleeping Beauty and Other Good Things

   I wrote a couple more articles that I am letting you all know about. So, this is a fun preview of the BYU production of "Sleeping Beauty." I enjoyed writing it--I actually just walked around the Richard's building asking questions until I found the advanced ballet class. I walked in (feeling really out of place in coat, boots, and scarf amidst all of these ballerinas in leotards and pointe shoes), had a word with the instructor, and found myself interviewing Aurora herself. It was a bit of an adventure. 
   And here is one  I wrote about how BYU students find jobs after graduation. Mine is pretty optimistic. Sadly, someone else wrote an article about people from between the ages of 18 to 29 are mostly unemployed. Hmph. At least someone is trying to follow prophetic injunction to seek the good in the world!