The 2019-2020 academic year represents the University of Tennessee’s 225th birthday. Celebrations have been taking place around campus all year long, and UT Libraries has found a way to honor UT’s past while also celebrating the creative voices of UT’s present and future.
Libraries is holding another edition of its “Free Range” video contest this year. The student film contest has occurred around eight times, according to media literacy librarian Michelle Brannen, who has worked at UT for 21 years. The theme of this year’s competition, “UT In Song,” was chosen to celebrate UT’s 225th anniversary by honoring the school and its traditions.
Libraries has asked UT students to submit a music video in which they celebrate UT in some way. Students can create their video for one of three categories—All Vol, Weird Al or All Original. The categorical options were created in order to allow students to express their creativity in a form comfortable to them.
To submit to the All Vol category, students must pick an already-existing UT song and create their own music video to accompany it. For Weird Al, students must select any preexisting song and write new lyrics to the tune—preferably UT-related lyrics—and then create a music video to accompany the piece.
The All Original category is perhaps the most creatively strenuous; it asks students to write a completely original song and then film a music video to accompany it.
Students are also encouraged to partner up with other students to create their music videos. Groups of up to six students are permitted.
Brannen explained that she hopes the contest will spark appreciation for creativity on campus.
“The whole idea of having a video contest is to kind of celebrate the video community and the creativity of these students, bring those people who are interested in that form of communication together and give them a chance to showcase their work and celebrate what they do,” Brannen said.
Brannen also hopes that the contest will spread the word about the media tools that are available to students in the on-campus media and production lab “The Studio,” which is located in room 235 in Hodges.
“It’s also a great opportunity to show people the resources they have available to them in the library,” Brannen said.
The Studio has a variety of software available for free student use, including recording devices, video production equipment, large printers, web workstations and more.
Shelly O’Barr, the Studio Manager and Libraries Media Producer, explained that students from all majors submit their work to the contest. The variety of students engaged in the competition is fascinating, she said.
“It’s really cool, because we see students from all disciplines,” O’Barr said. “It’s not just journalism and media people. We’re seeing all walks, so it’s a lot of fun to see what they make, see what they come up with.”
O’Barr hopes that overall, the competition will be a fun and relaxing experience for students.
“We just really are encouraging people to have fun with this,” O’Barr said. “Don’t let this be anything that’s intimidating, just get out there and really just have some fun make something ridiculous, y’all. It’s great.”
The competition is open to all UT students, and submissions are due on February 10. A film screening and awards night will be held in Lindsay Young Auditorium in Hodges Library on March 4, which will be a great opportunity for student creatives to meet others with similar interests and talents, Brannen explained.
An audience favorite award will be given after the screening, so competitors are encouraged to come to the screening and bring their supportive friends. The screening will be followed by a reception with food. Registration for the Free Range contest is available here.
