March Virtual Meeting: Media Technologists, Meet TikTok

Featuring STEM Influencer Darrion Nguyen (lab_shenanigans) and the Editors of Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical

This month join SMPTE Hollywood as we introduce media technologists to TikTok, the short form social video app where memes (and stars) are born. While many media professionals working in Hollywood might think of apps like TikTok as passing trends full of noise, there are over a billion active monthly users on the platform worldwide. That means these 15 to 60 second videos have a bigger potential audience than all cable subscriptions or any streaming service – for far less investment in infrastructure and execution.

To get a closer look at the creative opportunities and technical challenges of short form social video and inspire SMPTE members to dig deeper into these platforms, we’ve invited creators working for and with TikTok’ers to give us a deep dive into their projects. We’ll learn directly from these creators about their ideation processes, the technical workflows, and what professional media toolmakers can learn from TikTok’s toolset. The presentations will be followed by open Q&A.

Speakers

Darrion Nguyen is a graduate from the University of Texas at Austin and received his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. He has created more than 100 videos and garnered over 14 million likes. By combining popular memes and concepts from biochemistry, Darrion seeks to make science accessible, propel STEM communication, and empower people to learn science. Named the “Bill Nye of millennials”, this research technician is breaking the mold from within the lab.

David Bengali is a projection and media designer in New York. He has designed theater, opera, and dance Off-Broadway, regionally, and internationally. He has a BSE in Computer Science from Princeton University and MFA in Design for Stage and Film from NYU.

Lacey Erb is a projection designer based in Brooklyn, NY whose work includes theatre, opera and dance, as well as event, space and installation design. Intrigued by how projections and technology can be used in storytelling, Lacey is active in new works and devised pieces, and loves collaborating with music and movement based work. Lacey has an MFA from the University of Texas at Austin, and a BFA from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Kate Ducey is a projection designer based in Brooklyn, NY. Kate specializes in design for new work and movement-based performance. She holds a BA in Theatre from Northwestern University and an MFA in Integrated Media from the University of Texas at Austin

Thanks to Seaview Productions for permission to share artwork and clips from Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical.

Hosted by SMPTE Hollywood Section Managers Kylee Peña (Netflix) and JoAnne Kim (Legendary).

As always, SMPTE Hollywood meetings are free and open to all, even non-members.

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