Two Utopian Academy for the Arts scholars, mentored by executives of the Atlanta Metro Studios, have been recognized by Union City Mayor Vince Williams for their role in directing a video in his “State of the City” municipal address. The project was led by two executives of the purpose-built facility under construction at the site of the old Shannon Mall in Union City. The soon-to-be-completed studios are reported to be the largest of its kind in North America.
Ed Richardson and Brian Livesay are the founders and managing partners of Atlanta Metro Studios. The two Utopian scholars– Tyrik Ponder, a sixth grader, and Jordan Allen, an eighth grader– were part of a professional crew that created the video. Others on the production team were Fulton County school seniors and film students, as well as Clayton State University film students (part of the Georgia Film Academy).
An AMS media release says:
“The video message was filmed at a green screen studio set based in Fulton County School District’s north office. The Utopian Academy scholars were accompanied on the job by Artesius Miller, Founder and Executive Director of Utopian Academy, and Lauren Lawson, Utopian’s broadcast instructor. Both scholars took turns coaching the mayor’s performance and working directly with him on notes to enhance his delivery. They asked Williams to have fun with it, emphasize certain words of the script as rehearsed and to use his hands at times to make a larger impression. Following the camera wrap, the scholars then went to the sound booth to assist the mayor in recording an additional voice-over needed for the script.”
“We at Atlanta Metro Studios are extremely excited about our collaboration with Utopian,” Richardson says. “We have an amazing partner in Artesius Miller. Utopian’s commitment to nurturing academic excellence with a focus on the arts is giving students a firm foundation to succeed in our ever changing global society. Utopian’s commitment to teaching students in a relevant, integrative, and challenging environment is the root of our collaborative partnership.”
“Atlanta Metro Studios is committed to engaging with the students at Utopian to introduce them to Georgia’s film industry professionals and to involve them in local productions, said Livesay (a production designer by trade, who put on his mentor hat for the production). Our ability to offer early exposure for Utopian’s students to a creative and collaborative career path is another way we can strengthen the immense local talent pool for this booming industry.”
