Newhouse Visual Communication students tell ‘Stories in Skaneateles’

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (CITRUSTV NEWS)– Since 1999, The Newhouse School at Syracuse University has hosted the Alexia Fall Workshop for visual communication students. Students are split into teams and are given a lede about a story in various local communities that they then shoot. This years fall workshop focused on the stories of the people of Skaneatles, New York.

“Our topic is the Michael Bixler WordPress and letter foundry. It is a bookmaking shop and there’s only three of them in the entire country. We’re sharing their story and how they impact their local community,” said SU Junior Fisher Harris. 

Students shoot long form videos and still photographs on Friday that they then edit alongside Newhouse professors and industry professionals throughout the weekend. It is not as simple as it sounds, however. SU Senior Jess Van had to cover the harmful effects of algae blooms in Skaneatles Lake.

“It’s always challenging to make science look interesting. It’s also on how you make the images and the story itself speak to the mass audience,” said Van.

Students submit their work at the end of the weekend to be evaluated against visual communications students around the world.

Reporter: Brody Miller