by LAURA TABOR
Lifestyles Reporter

Writing a research paper takes work and determination; but, even when it turns out great, no one really shows the paper off to friends and family.

If that paper is turned into a documentary, however, there may be room for bragging.

“These projects live beyond the classroom,” Beth Davison, associate professor of sociology and co-director of University Documentary Services, said. “People can link to a documentary you make and get much more recognition than the average research paper.”

University Documentary Services, UDS, is in its inaugural year at Appalachian State University.

Their main goal is to facilitate the production of documentaries on campus in various ways.

“We go into classrooms and teach sessions on the importance of research, interviewing, and video editing, in addition to holding workshops for faculty and staff,” Davison said.

UDS also works with students creating independent documentaries, and increase documentary awareness on campus.

“We hold one-on-one consultations with anyone interested in producing a documentary,” Tom S. Hansell, co-director of UDS, said. “We are also screening two documentaries in the coming weeks, and having the producers of the films come and talk afterwards.”

“Love Lived on Death Row,” a film by Linda Booker, will show in I.G. Greer Auditorium at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The film follows the interactions of a family whose father murdered his wife and was sentenced to death.

Also on March 4, UDS presents a screening of “A Steady Grind,” a film by Victoria Kereszi, in room 114 of Belk Library Information & Commons at 7 p.m.

The film follows the producer’s grandmother as she goes from homemaker to family junkyard overseer when her husband died.

The screenings are ultimately aimed at increasing awareness of the availability of multimedia outlets on campus.

“Documentaries can bridge the divide between the so-called ‘Ivory Tower’ and the local community,” Hansell said. “They create a flow of information that can facilitate the sharing of resources. Universities have knowledge and community members have experience. Both sides benefit from this sharing.”

The UDS Web site, doc.appstate.edu, features a showcase of past documentaries produced by Appalachian community members, a list of possible documentary ideas and resources for funding and equipment rental.

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