Gallery

Project Sponsored by the Central North Carolina Section of the American Chemical Society
Produced by Forsyth Technical Community College
With contributions by Winston Salem State University Music Department
Written by Bill Nell
Screenplay adaptation by John Kelly
Narrated by Clifton Bell
Voice Recording by Tohm Judson, PhD
Directed by John Kelly
Concept Art by John Kelly, Chris May, Nelson Ricardo, and Blake Leftwich
Storyboards by John Kelly, Chris May, and Nelson Ricardo
Animation by John Kelly, Sophia Thach, Chris May, Nelson Ricardo, Job Givan, Dan Mejorado, and Blake Leftwich
Editing: John Kelly
Titles: Terrence Duncan
Sound Design: John Platt
Composer: Matthew Taylor
Science Advisory: Bill Nell
Distribution and Outreach: Herb Burns

English Version: “Opportunities in Energy” was conceived and written by Bill Nell, a member of the Central North Carolina section of the American Chemical Society (CNC ACS). Upon agreeing to chair the CNC ACS 2011 Earth Day Committee, Bill wished to do something which would reach a large number of people and yet which would be different than conventional ways of celebrating Earth Day. Bill decided that making a short film to be shown to high school students in North Carolina’s Triad area would achieve these goals. Energy was chosen as the subject of “Opportunities in Energy” since it is a topical issue and one of the four themes of the International Year of Chemistry; the others being Environment, Materials, and Health. The United Nations declared year 2011 to be the International Year of Chemistry, in part because it marks the 100th anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Marie Curie.

Bill sought help from his friend John Kelly, instructor of Digital Effects and Animation at Forsyth Technical Community College (FTCC) to produce the film. John enlisted his colleagues and students for this purpose. John also enlisted the help of a musician friend to compose the musical score. Bill enlisted his friend Cliff Bell, faculty member at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) to narrate the film. Cliff enlisted the help of his colleagues and a WSSU student to record the narration using WSSU recording equipment. The process of script/film reviews/revisions as well as a desire for a superior film prevented its completion by Earth Day 2011. Therefore, the target completion date was changed to Earth Day 2012. The making of “Opportunities in Energy” is a successful collaboration among many dedicated, talented people, all of whom can be very proud of their efforts. Through Herb Burns, program coordinator for the Digital Effects and Animation program he asked his Russian colleagues, to translate the narrative in to Russian and created a Russian voice over. The Russian language version of this film is now being distributed in Russia and the Republic of Belarus.

“Opportunities in Energy” discusses current research and development efforts towards producing different types of alternative energy, as well as benefits of producing alternative energy. The target audience is high school students. “Opportunities in Energy” is intended to foster an interest in science and engineering, to inspire the viewer to pursue opportunities to solve our world’s energy problems, and to be light-hearted and entertaining.

Bill Nelll is an Analytical Chemist with experience in performing gas and liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry. Bill is originally from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin and is married and has lovely twin daughters.