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CDM iMovie competition spices up creativity by Cindy Abole Public Relations When MUSC’s dental students are given an opportunity to show off their creativity and poke fun, the results can be award-winning.   The creative side of digital technology took a twist this past spring when College of Dental Medicine students were assigned a project that would have them set down their books and dental instruments in exchange for video cameras and laptop computers for four days in March.   Class of 2005 CDM students Clif Speaks, left to right, Jared Palmer and Rina Limonta edit their first-place iMovie, “Dr. M,” as part of a digital technology competition held between dental classes. The class netted $500 which was donated by Apple Computers. Students, under the guidance of Dental Informatics Professor Curtis Wise, Ph.D., accepted the challenge to learn, create and edit a movie using digital media and user-friendly software called iMovie that made it easy, fun and educational. The project would involve all dental medicine students and was organized by graduating class.    Their assignment was to produce a brief two-to-four-minute feature film. Their topic was only limited to each student’s creativeness and imagination.   Wise first heard about the program sponsored by Apple Computers for Georgia Tech students. It is part of a national campaign to stimulate and motivate educators, students and people to learn about technology and the advantages of today’s digital media. He contacted Apple and gained their support leasing equipment and funding prize money as an incentive.    The project was less daunting for then-freshman Jared Palmer and his fellow creative director-students, Rina Limonta, Clif Speaks and Jennifer Balkcum. Once they chose their theme, they created a story board timeline of each shot for their short piece.    “It was a fun stress-reliever,” said Palmer, whose previous computer experiences have been limited to PCs and not Macs. “Once our group got things going, ideas came quickly and we were able to involve many people in this large effort.”   Armed with a digital movie cameras and a creative eye, the students collaborated to communicate and share their ideas and inspirations. Their final cut, “Dr. M,” featured the imaginary happenings of a professor and his students and what goes on after they fall asleep during class. The class won the competition and took top prize of $500, which they used to celebrate with a class party.    “Dentistry is a visual art,” said Wise. “In a sense, this project gave everyone a chance to discover that even with minimal equipment, they can learn things and produce a good quality piece that’s really fun and creative.”   The final products were previewed by both students, faculty and guests at the annual South Carolina American Student Dental Association (ASDA) Awards Banquet on March 22. A select group of faculty judges reviewed each movie and ranked the winners.    Second place and $300 went to the third-year class with their spoof, "Another Bad Day," followed by  “11th Hour” and $200 for third place produced by the second-year class. Fourth place and $100 went to the seniors for their film, “Senior Advice.”    The class and audience wrapped up their evening with the debut of a special iMovie produced by students to honor CDM’s senior class featuring baby and childhood photos of each graduate set to music.    Wise was pleased with the results and is already making plans for next year’s project. He would prefer offering it after Christmas break and will include some extra time for editing.    The iMovies can be viewed online at http://ashley.musc.edu and click on Tooth time Follies 2002.