This past spring the College of Dental Medicine students of the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston made and edited movies using digital video cameras, Apple laptops and iMovie.
The project was conducted under the guidance of Dental Informatics Professor Curtis Wise, involved all dental medicine students and was organized by the graduating class, according to an article in the Catalyst Online , a MUSC publication. The assignment: produce a brief two-to-four-minute feature film. Their topic was only limited to each student’s creativeness and imagination.
Wise first heard about the program sponsored by Apple Georgia Tech students, the article said. The professor contacted Apple and gained their support leasing equipment and funding prize money as an incentive.
The winner of the iMovie competition — as judged by “a select group of faculty judges” — was “Dr. M,” which featured the imaginary happenings of a professor and his students and what goes on after they fall asleep during class. Second place went to the third-year class with their spoof, “Another Bad Day,” followed by “11th Hour” (produced by the second-year class), and “Senior Advice” (by the seniors).
The final products were previewed by students, faculty and guests at the annual South Carolina American Student Dental Association (ASDA) Awards Banquet. The iMovies can be viewed online; click on Tooth Time Follies 2002.
Wise was so pleased with the results that he’s already making plans for next year’s project.