Meg Daniels
Assistant Professor of Cinema and Television Arts
Department: Cinema and Television Arts
Email: mdaniels16@elon.edu
Brief Biography
Director and cinematographer Meg Daniels has been telling people's stories for over 25 years. After she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Photography from Rochester Institute of Technology, she became a photo essayist and freelance photographer producing projects about various topics ranging from restorative justice in South Africa to teenagers exploring their identity. After a three-year career as a newspaper staff photographer, she received her Master of Science Degree at North Carolina State University where she won an award for outstanding scholarly research for her thesis project in which she used photography and qualitative research methodologies to explore the emotional impact photographs can have on women. Her first feature film, Proper Pronouns, aired on North Carolina's local PBS station in November 2020. The film has screened in multiple film festivals including Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, New Orleans Film Festival, and Cucalorus Film Festival. Recently, Proper Pronouns was selected by South Arts (submissions by invitation-only) to participate in the 2022 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers.
Meg uses filmmaking to address social justice issues in North Carolina. She, her husband, and three fur children live in Pittsboro, NC.
Links
Education
Winston-Salem, NC. Short film: Proper Pronouns
MS, Adult and Community College Education
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
Thesis paper: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Negotiated Meanings: Conversations with Women Regarding Credible, Still Photographs.
BFA, Photography
Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY.
Employment History
Assistant Professor, Cinema and Television Arts, Elon University - Present
Freelance cinematographer, editor, producer and photographer - Present
Develop, produce, film, and edit branded content videos and still photography marketing campaigns for North Carolina companies, organizations, and magazines.
2018 – 2019 Teaching Assistant, Sports Storytelling
Worked closely with Chris Sheridan, Associate Professor of Practice at Wake Forest University, to design coursework in the Documentary Film Program. Moderated the online discussion forum consisting of both undergraduate and graduate students. Created weekly questions for in-class discussions regarding current events unfolding in the sports industry. Lead one class as part of the Teacher’s Assistant responsibilities.
2010 – 2015 The Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham
Lead faculty, photography program
Designed over 20 courses and syllabi for photography program; organized, juried, and facilitated student gallery shows; acted as department liaison; wrote equipment, lab, and studio policies; participated in critical, departmental decision-making
Contributing stock photographer
Contribute photography to stock libraries with Corbis, Design Pics, FirstLight, Tandem Stock, Novastock, Almay, and VWPix for re-licensing with editorial publications and the advertising industry
2015 Audio/video team member, Take XXVI Studios; Durham NC
Responsible for gathering audio and footage using professional cinema equipment during the filming of “Rocky Boy”, a short based on the song “Rocky Raccoon”; Smithfield, NC
1999-2015 Contract photographer,
The Rambler Magazine; The Sun Magazine; Mothering Magazine; The ADA Times; Christianity Today International; Duke Corporate Education; Durham, NC; Organic Gardening; Inside Lacrosse; Raleigh News and Observer; U Magazine; Time; Horse Illustrated
1997-2000 Staff Photographer, Democrat and Chronicle; Rochester, NY
Fulfilled daily newspaper photography assignments including but not limited to professional football games both locally and nationally, professional golf tournaments, First Lady Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright, Maria Shriver’s, visits to Waterloo NY during 100-year anniversary of Women’s Rights Convention; participated in country’s first instant, digital newspaper at Women’s Rights Convention and US Amateur golf tournament
1996 Photography Intern, The Winston-Salem Journal
Assisted and fulfilled daily photography assignments for three months
Courses Taught
Creating Multi-Media Content
Time-Based Media
Introduction to Photography
The Business and Marketing of Photography
Photojournalism
Editorial Photography
Portrait Photography
Advertising Photography
Current Projects
Currently, Meg is working on two documentary film projects. I'm Still Here, Love follows the devastating aftermath that three women experienced after the tragic deaths of their loved ones to COVID-19 indirectly caused by the systemic failure of state and federal governments, religious institutions, scientific experts, and social media platforms that allowed substantial amounts of disinformation to flood news feeds and airwaves.
Her episodic documentary, Taking Orders, focuses on how the COVID-19 pandemic paralyzed hundreds of small, NC businesses, causing irreversible damage for many. The federal government's hasty, unorganized response to rescue small businesses all but failed leaving a North Carolina restaurateur, CrossFit gym owners, and teen-aged candy store owner to redefine their livelihood at a time when there is little hope that small businesses will survive this pandemic.
Grants Awarded
The Filmed in NC Fund supports emerging and established artists with a proven record for producing singular and original work, exhibiting potential for meaningful community impact, and generating substantial economic activity in North Carolina. Financial contribution given for thesis film Proper Pronouns.
Publications
2006 Susan B. and Me, An International Collection of Personal Writings and Photographs by Women of All Ages
Two digital images selected to accompany prose in final print copy
Presentations
Proper Pronouns; This ten-minute film chronicles Liam Hooper’s trials as a transgender minister fighting intolerance in the South. This short reveals how Liam fights bigotry from the pulpit in an attempt to sustain his ministry in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Proper Pronouns; Based on the foundation of the short film, Proper Pronouns is a feature film that follows four transgender, ordained ministers fighting intolerance and discrimination in the Bible Belt, in particular, Dawn Flynn, as she seeks validation in the pulpit and reconciliation in her marriage, problems she did not face when she was Duane.
Restorative Justice; Rehabilitating South Africa’s Youth; A documentary photography project that reveals the accomplishments and setbacks that South African, under-privileged teenagers experienced while studying at a grassroots high school. The series reveals the teaching methodologies that focus on Mandela and Tutu’s concept of Ubuntu within the context of restorative justice, a corrective hermeneutic for salvation that focuses on restoring a soul that has been knocked askew. Self-published photography book of documentary photographs.
Photography Exhibits Collective Artists, Juried show, Duke Health facility; Chapel Hill, NC Five matted and framed digital inkjet prints on display for a six-month period
AI faculty group shows Alizarin Gallery, Durham, NC; Litmus Gallery, Durham, NC; The Carrack, Durham NC. Eight matted and framed digital inkjet prints on display for a three-month periodProfessional Activities
2019 – Present Member, International Documentary Association
2018 – Present Member, Women in Film
2018 – Present Member, University of Film and Video Association
Awards
2020/2021 Official selections in film festivals (Proper Pronouns)
Cucalorus Film Festival, NC; Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, AK; Indie Grits, SC; New Orleans Film Festival, LA; Out on Film, GA; Lady Filmmakers Festival, CA; Queen Palm International Film Festival, CA; River Run International Film Festival, NC.
Film Outreach Screenings (Proper Pronouns)
Selected by South Arts (submissions by invitation-only) to participate in the 2022 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers.
2020 Film festival awards
Nominee: Best Feature Documentary, Queen Palm International Film Festival; Best Director, Best Co-editor, Third Quarter Technical & Performance Awards, Queen Palm International Film Festival
2018 Filmed in NC Grant Recipient
The Filmed in NC Fund supports emerging and established artists with a proven record for producing singular and original work, exhibiting potential for meaningful community impact, and generating substantial economic activity in North Carolina. Financial contribution given for thesis film Proper Pronouns.
2018 Winner, South Pitch student documentary category
Provides opportunity for emerging filmmakers living and working in the American South to practice the art of pitching for their next film production.
2013 - 2014 Featured photographer, Behance (online platform) for project titled
“Lifestyles of the Not Rich and Not Famous”; Firstlight Stock Company; Ticka Arts Essay section for project titled “Restorative Justice”
2013 Honorable mention, Santa Fe juried “Backyard” contest
2010 Faculty of the Quarter, The Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham
2005 Nancy Pollack Award
Award given for outstanding scholarly research and the positive impact of graduate-level research on both the NC economy and the quality of life for its citizens. Thesis Title: “A Photograph is Worth a Thousand Negotiate Meanings: Conversations with Women Regarding Credible, Still Photographs”