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Serena Stevenson

Serena Stevenson

Director, photographer, filmmaker, transmedia, Creative Director

Followers of Serena Stevenson1000 followers
location of Serena StevensonAuckland, Auckland, New Zealand

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    Multimedia story creator, creative, director, and brand/participatory story facilitator.

  • Education

    • Unitec Design School

      2009 - 2011
      Master’s Degree Design and Visual Communications A-

      This Masters of Design by Project. This research is a study of the relationship between a documentary photographer and two teenage girls. It unpacks how an invitation to collaborate in the creation of a multimedia documentary exhibition developed into an opportunity to research the methods of participatory documentary story telling. It examines how the use of digital media, incorporated with collaboration, influences the very threads and textures of the resulting exhibition. It is presented in… Show more This Masters of Design by Project. This research is a study of the relationship between a documentary photographer and two teenage girls. It unpacks how an invitation to collaborate in the creation of a multimedia documentary exhibition developed into an opportunity to research the methods of participatory documentary story telling. It examines how the use of digital media, incorporated with collaboration, influences the very threads and textures of the resulting exhibition. It is presented in three parts. The first is an exhibition of stills images presented as A0 ink jet posters, a seven and a half minute animated multi-media photographic documentary, displayed on a 40 inch portrait LCD screen, and a live interactive Blog site viewed on a 24 inch computer screen. The second is a 30-minute multimedia visual presentation. The third part is this document, the written and visual exegesis. In this document I will make reference to the work by its project title, Beyond Documentary. Show less

    • Unitec

      2009 - 2011
      Master's degree Design and Applied Arts

  • Experience

    • Serena Giovanna Stevenson Creative

      Jan 1997 - now
      Director, photographer, filmmaker, transmedia, Creative Director

      www.serenastevenson.comI think of photography and storytelling being like oxygen - they breathe life into the world and are an absolute necessity.So whether I'm designing or producing a film or brand story, consulting or working on a marketing campaign, I aim to make a positive impact on people, and breathe life into the purpose.My mission is to bring people back to the tradition of connection through emotive story, innovative media and participation for businesses, community organisations, groups and individuals. Show less

    • Big VOICE Ltd

      Jan 2007 - Oct 2014
      Founder, Creative Director.

      In 2008 I founded Big VOICE Ltd, one of New Zealand's first interdisciplinary media companies, Big VOICE Ltd developed, produced, and distributed films, commercials, exhibitions, brand identities, advertising concepts, digital content, and event-based entertainment.Key to the success of Big VOICE was education in the communications, marketing, advertising sectors.As a new form of marketing practice, I developed a collective business model. Testing new and existing ways to tell brand story, advertise, and launch new products and services. Other new businesses and rebrands like 90 Seconds, Biz Dojo, and Auckland live were clients with shared values. Working with medium, to large companies we produced concept to market communications across multiple platforms. Developing a creative business like Big VOICE took guts, dedication to bring a new way of audience engagement to our clients. As a connector I engaged in public speaking at conferences, seminars, and workshops. Well adapted in networking and business connect, in the design, tech, creative, film, and commercial business sectors. I closed Big VOICE to move to Germany and have a baby. In 2014 I moved back to Auckland, and in 2016 brought the vision of Big VOICE back to life under my own business name Serena Giovanna Stevenson Creative. Show less

    • AUT University

      Jun 2008 - Nov 2011
      Lecturer-Communications Degree

      Wrote and lectured the multi media photojournalism paper at AUT University as a part-time contract position.

    • Hochschule Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences

      Oct 2012 - Apr 2013
      Technical and Business English Teach

      I taught for 8 months, one day a week technical and business English to three classes at the University of Applied Sciences. Setting assignments, following German curricular, and assessment in the technical industries, teaching students English, majoring in mechanical, electrical, technical engineering.

    • Toi Ora Live Art Trust

      Apr 2013 - Oct 2015
      Digital Story Telling Director

      Design and facilitation to pilot programme for 'Express Yourself' creative youth project. Specialising in participatory multimedia story telling. Part time contact.

    • Lecturer at Unitec Communications Faculty.

      Jan 2015 - Jun 2015
      Lecturer for Digital Media and Communication Tools

      Digital Media and Communication Tools with the end result in a multi media story project for the Auckland Museum. Part Time Position.

    • Speak Story

      May 2017 - now
      Founder

      Speak Story.www.speakstory.coSpeak Story is an enabler, its accessible story for community and business. We team up with business and community to help define story, giving the tools to create social media, photography, and video content that is meaningful and emotive. Because for most small business and Start Ups there's little or no budget to hire an advertising agency or marketing company, we help to easily make content in detail, or on the fly using the digital camera, or smart phone. Its always been Serena's belief that story telling has the power to change. Community is at the heart of Speak Story, where we workshop in diverse environments, to help participants connect with themselves, family and their people. Connect with a mentor to DISCOVER, CREATE, EDIT and SHARE engaging, moving, affordable stories – using digital technology.The power of story is in your hands. Create your own story culture. We show you how.www.speakstory.co Show less

    • British Council

      Mar 2019 - Jan 2020
      British Council Active Citizen Facilitator

      Active Citizen Facilitator for British Council. Globally connected, locally engagedActive Citizens is a social leadership training programme. We build trust and understanding by supporting people to take action on issues they care about. We help business and social enterprise drive change.

  • Licenses & Certifications

    • Qi Gong Teacher Training

  • Honors & Awards

    • Awarded to Serena Stevenson
      AVP Creative Entrepreneur Award 2011 Arts Regional Trust Jul 2011 Selected for the prestigious Art Venture Award: Through its unique and innovative programmes and approach, ART is growing entrepreneurship in the Auckland’s arts, culture and creative sectors to generate cultural, creative and economic outcomes that benefit the region.
    • Awarded to Serena Stevenson
      Masters in Design-With Merit 2011 UNITEC Design School Sep 2010 BEYOND DOCUMENTARYTo build skills within disadvantaged and marginalised communities using innovative participatory photography and digital storytelling methods so that they have the opportunity to represent themselves and create tools for advocacy and communications to achieve positive social change. Beyond Documentary is an extensive meaningful transmedia story telling project that contributed to the VOICE of a group of isolated teenagers living in the South of Auckland NZ.
    • Awarded to Serena Stevenson
      Roy W Dean Documentary Grant Winner From the Heart Productions May 2004 The winner of the 2004 Roy W. Dean New Zealand Documentary Film Grant with my doco Ta Moko. About contemporary Maori facial Moko, it's an extension of Stevenson's Moko--Art of Nature, a short film/doco that was selected to tour the US as part of the Resfest film festival and screened on the National Geographic Channel. It will follow the journeys of four people (two male, two female) from different iwi who have chosen for a variety of reasons to get facial tattoos. Since receiving the grant… Show more The winner of the 2004 Roy W. Dean New Zealand Documentary Film Grant with my doco Ta Moko. About contemporary Maori facial Moko, it's an extension of Stevenson's Moko--Art of Nature, a short film/doco that was selected to tour the US as part of the Resfest film festival and screened on the National Geographic Channel. It will follow the journeys of four people (two male, two female) from different iwi who have chosen for a variety of reasons to get facial tattoos. Since receiving the grant (valued at over $50,000 and including goods and services donated by Kodak, The Film Unit, Panavision, Tail Mobil, Farry & Co attorneys, Digital Post, and an Avid editor simply identified as David). Show less
    • Awarded to Serena Stevenson
      Cathay Pacific Travel Photographer of the Year 2004 Cathay Pacific Airways Mar 2004 Cathay Pacific Travel Photographer of the Year Award (winner)Avis Award for Best New Zealand Image Category (winner and second)AA Traveller Magazine Award For Best Unpublished Image Category (winner and third)
    • Awarded to Serena Stevenson
      Moko Art Of Nature- National Geographic National Geographic Channel Mar 2003 Moko Art Of Nature a multi-media short film was chosen to screen world wide on the National Geographic Channel and world wide film festival Resfest.
    • Awarded to Serena Stevenson
      M.I.L.K 1999 AWARD PQ Blackwell Publishing Dec 2001 Inspired by the 1950s landmark photographic exhibition "The Family of Man", M.I.L.K. began as an epic global search to develop a collection of extraordinary and geographically diverse images portraying humanity's "Moments of Intimacy, Laughter and Kinship" (M.I.L.K.). This search took the form of a global photographic competition in 1999. It was not only the richest in photographic history, but also one of the most significant, drawing participation from 17,000 professional and amateur… Show more Inspired by the 1950s landmark photographic exhibition "The Family of Man", M.I.L.K. began as an epic global search to develop a collection of extraordinary and geographically diverse images portraying humanity's "Moments of Intimacy, Laughter and Kinship" (M.I.L.K.). This search took the form of a global photographic competition in 1999. It was not only the richest in photographic history, but also one of the most significant, drawing participation from 17,000 professional and amateur photographers in 164 countries. In total, over 40,000 images were received by M.I.L.K., including entries fromat least four Pulitzer Prize winners.The 300 winning images were chosen by eminent Magnum photographer Elliott Erwitt, and became the basis for a published collection.Ten years after the original M.I.L.K. competition comes a brand new collection - FRIENDSHIP, FAMILY, LOVE & LAUGHTER. One hundred and fifty extraordinary images from around the world, chosen by Elliott Erwitt, continue to celebrate our moments of intimacy, laughter and kinship. Show less
    • Awarded to Serena Stevenson
      NZIPP Photographer of the year 2000 NZIPP Dec 2000