The PaceDocs Team Focuses on the Slow Food and Farm-To-Table Movement

Filmed Across France and New York

Image

Pace University’s documentary film team, PaceDocs, will premiere its latest film, "For the Love of Food: Pour l’amour de la Cuisine" at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 8, 2023 at the Jacob Burns Film Center.

The documentary -- produced by Dr. Maria Luskay, Professor Lou Guarneri, and Pace University’s documentary film team -- focuses on the slow food movement, which began in Europe during the 1980s to preserve the culture of eating locally and combating the popularization of fast food.

During 14-weeks of production that included filming across France and New York, PaceDocs filmmakers spoke with farmers, chefs, and restaurateurs who have dedicated their lives to making slow food a reality in a fast-paced world.

“‘For the Love of Food’ is yet another extraordinary accomplishment from the PaceDocs team—a film that not only gives our students hands-on experience in the art of documentary filmmaking but also enables them to explore the values and environmental impact of the farm-to-table movement,” said Pace President Marvin Krislov. “At Pace we believe in the power of learning by doing, and year after year this course, under the leadership of Dr. Maria Luskay, provides a great example of real-world education that makes a difference in our students’ lives.”

This film explores the guiding principles of good, clean, and fair – and why that is a healthy recipe for a sustainable future. While eating farm-to-table has become a global phenomenon, nowhere is this passion for clean eating more apparent than in France where generations have relied on locally grown foods. From family-owned farms and markets in the Laon and Lorraine countryside, to beautiful restaurants in the heart of Paris, all the way back to a farm-to-fork eatery in Westchester, New York, this documentary explores the environmental and health benefits of eating clean, locally grown goods, the value of family traditions, embracing culture and heritage through cooking, and of course, the love of food.

“It’s gratifying to travel internationally once again and to be filming with students on location in France,” said Professor Luskay. “Sharing this once-in-a-lifetime experience with our students is as rewarding as it is educational as we learned the importance of where our food comes from as well as what it takes to complete a professional quality film on a strict deadline.”

The documentary is the focus of the popular class, “Producing the Documentary,” which is part of the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences at Pace University’s highly regarded film program that requires students complete a full-length environmentally themed documentary within one semester.

Students in the class are a mix of graduate and undergraduate with varying academic focuses, experience, and skillsets. They come together as a film crew and learn all aspects of filming and production. During the process, they learn teamwork, problem-solving, research, and organization, along with technical skills such as lighting, sound, camera work, interviewing, and other real-life lessons necessary to complete a film.

“For the Love of Food” continues a proud tradition of producing high quality, meaningful, and award-winning films. In recent years, Pace filmmakers have produced documentaries around the globe focusing on a number of topics, including the economic and environmental importance of oysters in our ecosystem (2022); the essential role of bees as pollinators in our food supply (2021); the impact of earthquakes in Hawaii (2019); the endurance of the people of Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria (2018); Cuba at a cultural crossroads (2016); reviving Curacao’s coral reefs (2015); as well as many other poignant films.

“Dyson College’s student filmmakers are impressive: They have produced another documentary that is timely and topical,” said Tresmaine R. Grimes, dean, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education. “The students learn their art and craft with hands-on production experience that will serve them well after they graduate from Pace. I am so moved by the talents of this team and the compelling film they have produced. Congratulations to them and Professors Luskay and Guarneri for another impressive PaceDocs production.”

About Pace University

Since 1906, Pace University has been transforming the lives of its diverse students—academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, New York, Pace offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs to 13,600 students in its College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.

About Dyson College of Arts and Sciences

Pace University’s liberal arts college, Dyson College, offers more than 50 programs, spanning the arts and humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and pre-professional programs (including pre-medicine, pre-veterinary, and pre-law), as well as many courses that fulfill core curriculum requirements. The College offers access to numerous opportunities for internships, cooperative education and other hands-on learning experiences that complement in-class learning in preparing graduates for career and graduate/professional education choices.

Gamr - Pace Entrepreneurship Studio Startup

Seyi Fakoya '23, co-founder
Eniola Edun, co-founder
Kunmi Adenipebi, co-founder

Interview with Lubin student Seyi Fakoya

Image

Tell us about your startup.

Gamr is building infrastructure for gaming and esports communities in underserved markets throughout the world. Founded by myself, Eniola Edun, and Kunmi Adenipebi, our mission is to unlock economic opportunities for all in gaming. Gamr's innovative solutions are built on inclusion, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or location, has an equal opportunity to earn money and have fun playing games.

Initially, Gamr's focus was centered on the African continent due to the potential we perceived to exist there. However, with the assistance of the team at the Pace Entrepreneurship Studio, we were encouraged to think beyond our current boundaries, as our technology could be applied on a global scale.

How did you come up with the idea for your company?

My co-founders with whom I started a business ventured into hosting esports tournaments under a tech conference platform named Techplus. This endeavor was successfully executed for a span of five years until the advent of the pandemic lockdown in 2020. We believe that the Covid-19 pandemic acted as a significant impetus for the creation of Gamr, as it facilitated a shift towards online gaming and esports, which ultimately resulted in heightened engagement rates. At the time, we used a bunch of tools like WhatsApp to manage the community, but there was no software we knew about that could be adapted to our market to manage tournaments. My co-founders approached me to join in building the technology in 2021, and that is how Gamr was started. Amidst the pandemic, we began conducting weekly scrims for PUBGM and CODM, with a minimum of 3,000 players participating on a regular basis.

How has the Pace Entrepreneurship Studio been beneficial to your company and its growth?

Initially, Gamr's focus was centered on the African continent due to the potential we perceived to exist there. However, with the assistance of the team at the Pace Entrepreneurship Studio, we were encouraged to think beyond our current boundaries, as our technology could be applied on a global scale. We have benefitted immensely from the weekly check-ins and resources provided by the Studio, as it has offered us a wealth of valuable insights on how to build a billion-dollar company. Nofar Nistani, the inaugural Studio Program manager, in particular, has been an invaluable asset to our team.

Image

What have your experiences been like with PES?

So far, my involvement with PES has largely entailed leveraging the wealth of resources that are readily available to me. I have frequently been reminded of the extensive support and resources that I, as a studio member, have at my disposal. While I admit that I may have previously underutilized these resources, I am gradually making strides towards changing this.

As a student entrepreneur, how have your classes at Pace University prepared you to start your business?

Pace University has played a pivotal role in spurring me to consider the opportunities that have been presented to me. Through the faculty and my classes, I have gained a broader perspective on the world of business and expanded my understanding of it. By analyzing case studies in entrepreneurship, delving into financial modeling, and comprehending financial statements, as well as completing group assignments that involved managing teams, I have been able to gain insight into the workings of the world and establish realistic expectations as I embark on starting a business.

What is a challenge you've had to overcome as a student entrepreneur?

Being a student entrepreneur has presented me with a host of challenges, including balancing academic excellence while managing other priorities that are often time-bound, such as assignments and case studies. Although I occasionally don’t have time for myself, I am thankful for the support and guidance provided by my professors, who consistently encourage me to strive for success amidst the chaos.

Image

Do you have any words of advice for a student looking to kickstart their own business?

For students interested in launching their own business or technology startup, I strongly recommend seeking out available resources, particularly those provided by the Pace Entrepreneurship Studio. Additionally, it is essential to take full advantage of the resources offered by Pace University itself, including the library, clubs, and even fellow students, in order to ensure optimal success.

Connect with Gamr:

• Connect with Gamr on LinkedIn
• Follow Gamr Africa on Instagram
• Follow Gamr Africa on Twitter

Connect with Seyi:

• Connect with Seyi Fakoya on LinkedIn
• Follow Seyi Fakoya on Instagram
• Follow Seyi Fakoya on Twitter