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Michelle Simms

Lecturer
Curriculum Vitae

Quick Information

Contact

Office Hours

Time listed on syllabus or by appointment.
_______________________________________

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Affiliations

  • Visual Performance and Material Culture Program
  • Film Studies Program

Biography

Dr. Simms is fascinated with the structure and power of Story and utilizes the Hero’s Journey in her course design. As a Lecturer in Film Studies, Dr. Simms teaches the language of film through her Introduction to Film Analysis course and introduces Aggies to the film world through her special topics courses centered on story performance through the performance language of writing, directing, producing, and cinematography.

Dr. Simms is an Informal Education researcher, leveraging Entertainment-Education methodology to create film and television shows that communicate academic concepts through the language of entertainment media.

Ask Dr. Simms how her eclectic academic background and film industry experience actually work together. She loves to tell that story!

Education

M.F.A.

Film & Television
(focus: Directing)
Regent University

Ph.D.

Curriculum & Instruction
(focus: Entertainment-Education)
Texas A&M University

M.Ag.

Natural Resources Development (focus: geographic information systems)
Texas A&M University

M.S.

Geography (focus: geography education)
Texas A&M University

B.S.

Geogrphy
Texas A&M University

Scholarly Interests

  • Film/Television writing, producing, directing
  • Structure and expression of the story across entertainment media
  • Teaching science through an Entertainment-Education methodology
  • Filmmaking-as-performance
  • Different-abilities and the Arts

Courses

FILM/ENGL 251

Introduction to Film Analysis (Fall/Spring)

3 Credit Hours
FILM /VIST 333

Story for the Screen

3 Credit Hours
FILM/VIST 489

Special Topics: Story for the Screen (Spring 23/Fall 23/Spring 24)

3 Credit Hours
FILM 489

Special Topics: Story for Audio Media (Fall 24)

3 Credit Hours
PERF 489

Special Topics: Improv (Co-taught, Fall 23)

3 Credit Hours
FILM 485

Special Topics: The SXSW Experience (Spring 2020)

3 Credit Hours
PERF 489

Special Topics: Intro to Improv (Fall 23)

3 Credit Hours
PERF 457

Performance and Technology (Fall 22)

3 Credit Hours
PERF 460

Performance Theory (Spring 2021)

3 Credit Hours

Projects + Creative Works

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  • 2025:

    • Production for short film.

  • 2024:

    • Adaptation of HG Wells War of the Worlds.
    • Pre-production of untitled ScreenDance film.
    • Film Production minor curriculum development.

  • 2023:

    • Hosted Joel McCrary for PVFA workshop and visit to Improv class.
    • Hosted Shun Lee Fong for Improv class visit, PVFA workshop, and LoreFest keynote speaker.
    • The Improvaneer Method workshop with Aggie Achieve at Texas A&M University.

  • 2022:

    • The Improvaneer Method workshop with Aggie Achieve at Texas A&M University.

Research + News

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  • Screenwriter Paul Guyot Shares Insight And Guidance With Performance Studies Students

    Read more

  • Annual Lorefest To Celebrate Storytelling Over Five Nights Of Events And Performances

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  • Storytelling in the 21st Century – Our Academic Selves – Conference, Spring 2024

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  • Aggie ACHIEVE Students To Show Improvisation Skills In Event With School of Performance, Visualization And Fine Arts

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  • Teaching The Art Of Improv: Actor Joel McCrary Leads Workshop For Students On Friday

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  • Cooperation And Comedy: Joel McCrary Shares Techniques With Students During Improv Workshop

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