The Sonosopher: Making Engagement more than a Marketing Scheme

Many of you know that for the past few years I have been involved with the production of a documentary film that focuses on the life of UVU professor/artist Alex Caldiero. Last night I was lucky enough to see a rough cut of the film.
The project has been a collaboration of two amazing UVU Integrated Studies students named Torben and Travis. These guys, with the help of a handful of other students, have put together something quite amazing. I can't wait for you all to see it, and you will get your chance soon enough.
Alex Caldiero is a weird and wonderful man, and this movie captures him and his work so completely. When you see this movie (and trust me, you are all going to see this movie) you are going to be blown away by Alex and by the fact that this is a student project.
UVU does a lot of talk about engagement these days. OK, they beat the term to death most times. What bothers many on our campus is the fact that this idea of engaging students with learning by getting their hands dirty in the real world is not something new. It is often presented as a top-down mandate from the powers at be. The truth is that real engagement has been happening here all along and that only now does it finally have a name and a marketing campaign.
This film is also an example of what is possible in local cinema. As Torben and Travis have been slugging along with The Sonosopher, there are two other Utah Valley documentary projects that I have been lucky enough to be at least mildly involved with. One is from former UVU student Matt Eastin and the other is from two guys named Andrew and Josh. All three movies couldn't be more different, and yet all of them have things in common. In future posts I will tell you more about these other films, and about the exciting future of filmmaking in Utah Valley.
For now I just want to say how proud I am of Torben and Travis. They have made something very special and I know you folks are going to love it.

Check out www.thesonosopher.com in the coming weeks for more details.

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Jul 21, 2009

Brittany said...

I don't think it's a stretch to say that most UVU students prefer the kind of engaged learning that has been here all along to the corporate-defined version currently being pushed with such vigor. This film and the people surrounding it are proof that a quality engaged academic environment is accessible to students who are willing to seek it out.

I can't wait to see the film. I hope it receives the credit and respect it deserves on campus, in the community and beyond.

Vegor Pedersen said...

You said it Brittany! This project flowed from the natural engagement process that just sorta happens at UVU. That being said, the guys got tremendous support (cash) from Jack Christiansen and the Center for Engaged Learners.

BTW...Don LaVange pointed out that there was a spelling mistake on the website, that has been fixed. And that site will be updated soon with all the latest news and the trailer.