Ari Staven is a senior at MSU. Her work centers around using algae to produce bio-fuels. She had the following to say about being in front of the camera for Energy’s Future.
Right before I was contacted about the film, I kept thinking about how I felt bogged down in my weekly routine and how much I wished that something different and interesting would happen. The experience of being filmed, doing my normal routine, added a level of excitement and also made me re-evaluate the importance of what I do. Having to explain, focus, and pose while talking about my work forced me to really appreciate the training I have received.
Before the first shoot I did not have any idea of what to expect, I was very nervous about having to talk for so long, without any precise notion of exactly what I was going to say. I learned one of the wonderful things about filming is that you can stop and say something over again; I wish I could do that in everyday life! The process was tedious, well planned and much more of a science than I had expected it would be. The filming experience was wonderful, so different from anything I know about, it made me appreciate and realize all the hard work film students must manage. I now wish I knew more about what went into making a film or documentary. I even watch TV differently, instead of just passively observing a documentary or a science show, I think about what had to happen to capture that moment. I am very glad that my eyes have been open to this, it makes you realize the importance of others efforts and I am happy I can be appreciative.
Ari
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Trevor Zuroff works at the Center for Biofilm Engineering at MSU. He builds small reactors, which allow bacteria to convert sugars to plastics. By understanding the chemistry and engineering involved in small scale experiments, his research may some day lead to large factories in which plastic is made from environmentally friendly plant waste instead of petroleum. Trevor had the following to say about his experience in Energy’s Future.
This film has allowed me to give people an insight into the work I do in the lab on the production of plastic. Traditionally, plastics are made in chemical reactions from petroleum pumped from the earth. My lab uses surface attached bacteria, called biofilms, as a tool to produce plastic from sugar solutions.
This film shows that an average day for me might mean engineering bacteria, growing the microorganisms, or even finding out what type of plastic was produced. I hope people learn from this film that even students from small towns in Montana can go to a university and participate in potentially world changing research.
Trevor
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Joules a junior in high school is still trying to decide what she wants to do after high school. She is interested in science but like most people isn’t really sure what careers in science are like. She had the following to say about being profiled in Energy’s Future –
I had a very fun time being a part of this film. Prior to this I had no exposure to what it was like to be a part of a film or a documentary. It amazed me how much goes into just a simple shot and I learned a lot about the world of filming. I can’t wait to see it all come together. I am interested to see how being a college student reflects the work of a high school student still trying to decide what to do in life. I think this film will help more people understand a little bit more of what it’s like to be a college student in the science field and how that’s different from what we may perceive it to be. Overall being a part of this film has been a great experience for me.
Joules
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Kevin Harlen, a researcher at MSU working on developing cheaper and more efficient ways to produce hydrogen had the following to say about his film experience -
I had a great time filming this movie. I wasn’t really sure what to expect when the film crew walked into my lab with cameras and lights and sound equipment but it turned out to be a really fun time. It was cool to see my work and my experiments “on the big screen.” The film also helped me realize how important it is for scientists to be able to communicate their research. As scientists we can be doing the most groundbreaking, earth-shattering research but if we do not have the ability to communicate our findings to the public then all that work was for not. While I was being filmed I also realized that communicating your science to the general public is not such an easy thing to do. There were a couple takes we had to do over a few times so that what I was saying would be both relevant and comprehensible to the general public.
Another thing that I think is great about this film is that it gets the word out about undergraduate research. When I entered college I really had no clue about undergrad research or how to get into it. If I would have seen a film like this, one that explains how a collection of undergrads actually got into research, it would have been a big help.
Kevin
