A video created by sophomore broadcast major Cecillia Nguyen won a statewide competition sponsored by the company proposing a high-speed passenger rail system to connect Dallas and Houston. Several other films created by UTA students were finalists in the competition.
Nguyen’s entry, Nguyener, explores the benefits of a high-speed train for Texas. The video features some of the plusses with fast-paced graphics and iconic scenes throughout Texas. The film won in the category of animation excellence.
“When I found out that I won the competition in my class, I was so happy to be around the people who supported me and gave me confidence throughout the process,” says Nguyen.
Texas Central put out a call for university students in Texas along the train’s proposed route to produce original 30- to 90-second films answering the question, “What travel pain points will be eased by the Texas high-speed train?”
Of the eight films that were named finalists in the competition, six came from UTA. As a prize for her winning submission, Nguyen will receive $5,000, and UTA’s Department of Communication will receive $2,000.
“I think this contest was a great opportunity for my students to challenge themselves and explore what the bullet train has to offer Texas,” says LaDonna Aiken, broadcast specialist at UTA and Nguyen’s faculty advisor.
