Dena Seidel – professional films

Professional Science Films Made at Rutgers University

Co-Creation of Professional Science Films – Seidel’s “science-in-action storytelling” model (Seidel et al., 2023) begins with trusting partnerships between scientists and storytellers and supports students to be active members of science teams leading their own self-directed STEM learning through storytelling research.

Developed at Rutgers over 15 years, this innovative STEM learning model invites young storytellers into science worlds to document scientific processes featuring committed scientists conducting their research over time. The science-in-action footage is then shaped into a compelling science action story, told in the voices of scientists as they apply the scientific method to answer questions that are meaningful and relevant to broad public audiences.

Science-in-Action storytelling model, Seidel et al, 2023, Frontiers in Communication

FILMS

Mysteries of 9° North (one-hour film in development)
https://mysteriesof9north.marine.rutgers.edu/

Mysteries of 9° North is an adventure story following an interdisciplinary science team traveling to one of the world’s most remote and hostile locations, the East Pacific Rise at 9° North, where active deep-sea volcanoes support rich and complex biological communities that are thought to provide a unique window into the evolution of life on Earth, to a time before the evolution of plants and photosynthesis. Co-created with 10 Rutgers undergraduate independent researchers.

MYSTERIES OF 9° NORTH PHOTOS : : :

Fields of Devotion 2022
https://fieldsofdevotion.rutgers.edu/

When a devastating disease wipes out farmers’ fields, growers turn to scientists for help. Fields of Devotion follows the inspiring partnership between New Jersey farmers and scientists as they work together to develop climate resilient food crops.

Available on Kanopy:
https://www.kanopy.com/en/product/13131055

FIELDS OF DEVOTION TRAILER : : :

FIELDS OF DEVOTION PHOTOS : : :

Antarctic Edge: 70° South © Rutgers University
https://beyondtheice.rutgers.edu

Antarctic Edge: 70° South is a science-adventure story that combines exploration, dramatic imagery and two decades of scientific collaboration into a compelling character-driven narrative. The filmmakers had unprecedented access to critically important climate research in the fastest winter-warming place on earth: the West Antarctic Peninsula. Funded by the National Science Foundation and the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, the film was made in collaboration with 14 undergraduate film students who served as assistant producers and assistant editors. Antarctic Edge features oceanographer Oscar Schofield.

Antarctic Edge: 70° South is available on iTunes and Amazon and is streaming on Netflix. Antarctic Edge was theatrically released in New York and Los Angeles, was broadcast on Participant Media’s PIVOT channel and is the recipient of several film festival awards.

Also available on Kanopy:
https://www.kanopy.com/en/product/antarctic-edge-70-south

ANTARCTIC EDGE TRAILER : : :

ANTARCTIC EDGE POSTER AND PHOTOS : : :

The War After © Rutgers University

The War After is a powerful, 70-minute documentary featuring nine U.S. veterans transitioning from active duty to the unexpected challenges of civilian life. The story is told through the voices of dynamic young men and women from diverse backgrounds and varied branches of military service, all sharing their surprising journeys into military service, the intense and at times harrowing experiences of active duty followed by the highs and lows of forging their own independent identities. The War After was produced in partnership with the Rutgers Office of Veterans Services and seven undergraduate film students who served as associate producers and assistant editors in collaboration with director Dena Seidel over the course of three years.

The War After premiered at Rutgers University on February 12th 2015, will have its festival premiere at the Garden State Film Festival in April 2016, and has been contracted by First Run Features for distribution.

Available on Kanopy:
https://www.kanopy.com/en/product/war-after

THE WAR AFTER TRAILER : : :

THE WAR AFTER POSTER, PREMIERE ANNOUNCEMENT AND PHOTOS : : :

Thailand Untapped © Rutgers University

Rutgers student documentary team, Steve Holloway and Chantal Eyong, follow three engineering students working with the volunteer group “Engineers without Borders” as they travel to a remote village in Northern Thailand to rebuild a water purification system.

Thailand Untapped was broadcast as part of PBS’ NJDocs series in April 2012 and was nominated for the MidAtlantic Emmy award for Best Documentary.

THAILAND UNTAPPED POSTER AND PHOTOS : : :

Atlantic Crossing, A Robot’s Daring Mission © Rutgers University
https://vimeo.com/67620333

Atlantic Crossing is a feature length science-in-action film following oceanographer Scott Glenn and his scientific team as they navigate an eight foot autonomous robot across the Atlantic Ocean. Robot Scarlet battles hurricanes, storms and ship traffic during her 9 month voyage, making science history while testing the next generation of ocean observation vehicles. Seven Rutgers undergraduates joined Dena Seidel filming and editing Scarlet’s mission over two years.

Atlantic Crossing premiered at Smithsonian’s Baird Auditorium in 2010 and was centrally featured in the mission’s two-year exhibit in San Ocean Hall. Atlantic Crossing aired on PBS stations around the country and is the recipient of several film festival awards.

ATLANTIC CROSSING TRAILER : : :

ATLANTIC CROSSING POSTER AND PHOTOS : : :

The Princess of Piombino © Rutgers University
https://vimeo.com/158410758

The Princess of Piombino was directed, filmed and edited by Seidel’s students Sean Feuer, Gabriela Elise and Adam Nawrot in Rome, Italy. The film stars Princess Rita and Prince Nicolo`Boncompagni Ludovisi who are working to conserve one of the great homes of Europe where their family has lived for almost 400 years.

PRINCESS OF PIOMBINO TRAILER : : :

PRINCESS OF PIOMBINO PHOTOS : : :

Generation at Risk © Rutgers University
https://generationatrisk.rutgers.edu/

Generation at Risk is a feature documentary film about the complexity of childhood obesity as told by the families who experience the challenges and the community leaders and researchers working to effect change. Filmed in New Jersey and Brazil and featuring Cory Booker, Generation At Risk was produced in partnership with the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health. Eight undergraduate students collaborated with director Seidel over four years filming and interviewing families, experts and scientists to weave together a complex and rich narrative.

GENERATION AT RISK TRAILER : : :

GENERATION AT RISK POSTER AND PHOTOS : : :

The Art of Becoming © Rutgers University

The Art of Becoming follows the creative journey of talented dancers and musicians as they face the newfound pressure of a growing spotlight while battling their personal insecurities. Produced by students in the Rutgers Center for Digital Filmmaking and in partnership with the Mason Gross Dance Department, The Art of Becoming was broadcast as part of PBS’ NJDocs series in October, 2012.

ART OF BECOMING STILL : : :

The Women Of Nsongwe © Rutgers University

The Women Of Nsongwe was directed, filmed and edited by Seidel’s student Jean-Paul Issacs in Zambia, Africa. Narrated by rural women in southern Zambia, this short film features the USAID funded research of Professor Jim Simon and his African based NGO-ASNAPP-Zambia team, providing women farmers with the means to economic independence.

WOMEN OF NSONGWE VIDEO : : :

WOMEN OF NSONGWE POSTER AND PHOTOS : : :

Produced and Directed by films students Jamie James Deradorian-Delia, Stef Wong and Sean Feuer for the National Science Foundation staring climate scientist Annmarie Carlton.

SKYCATCHER VIDEO : : :

SKYCATCHER POSTER AND PHOTOS : : :

ADDITIONAL INTER-DISCIPLINARY DOCUMENTARIES MADE BY, AND WITH, UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS UNDER SEIDEL’S ACADEMIC SUPERVISION:

Out to Swim
Directed by Andrew Germek
Made in collaboration with Scott Lazes and Dean Mark Schuster’s Sports and Sexuality course
Presented at NCAA conference 2010
https://vimeo.com/8704743

Zeffirelli © Rutgers University
Student directed film featuring Franco Zeffirelli
By Gabriela Gabbidon
https://classics.rutgers.edu/zeffirelli

My Father, Electromagnetic © Rutgers University
Student directed film featuring Elettra Marconi, daughter of radio inventor
By John Riggio
https://classics.rutgers.edu/my-father-electromagnetic

Migrations: The Story of Abena Busia © Rutgers University
About Professor Abena Busia from the Rutgers Women and Gender Department
By Natalie James
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boBIHfjo_c0

Inventing our Futures © Rutgers University
Featuring prominent women artists and leaders
Made in collaboration with Rutgers Institute for Women’s Leadership
Produced by Pilar Timpane

Planting Change: Growing a Healthy City © Rutgers University
Made in collaboration with the Bloustein School of Urban Planning
Produced by James Monahan

Destination Unknown: Our Changing Planet © Rutgers University
Edited by Laurence Sockwell
Featuring prominent Rutgers environmental scientists

Ocean Acidification © Rutgers University
Funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Ocean acidification in Oregon