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Founded by Alex Steyermark and Lavinia Jones Wright, the 78 Project story is a groundbreaking documentary-based transmedia project that began as an acclaimed web series in 2011 and has since evolved to include an ever-growing collection of full-length webisodes and streaming acetate recordings, soundtrack albums, live events series, and now a feature length film.

Alex Steyermark’s feature films, “Prey for Rock & Roll” (2003), “One Last Thing…” (2006), and “Losers Take All” (2013), with casts including Cynthia Nixon, Ethan Hawke, Gina Gershon, Michael Angarano and Wyclef Jean, have been acclaimed at US and International film festivals from Sundance to Toronto to Tribeca, and are distributed throughout the world.  Steyermark started his filmmaking career as a documentary cameraman and editor, before segueing to feature film picture and music editing.  Prior to directing, he distinguished himself as a film music supervisor and music producer working with a wide array of recording artists (including David Bowie, Public Enemy, Michael Jackson, Dave Grohl and more) on films by Spike Lee, Ang Lee, Jonathan Demme and Robert Rodriguez, among many others.

A Philadelphia native and current Brooklyn Resident, Lavinia Jones Wright has documented and contributed to both the New York and Philadelphia music scenes extensively.  Most recently as a member of ASCAP’s marketing department, she wrote and edited words, audio and video for ASCAP’s Playback Magazine, website, award shows and ASCAP’s Field Recording web series and coordinated for ASCAP’s Inside Music e-newsletter.  As a journalist, Lavinia has contributed to Billboard, SPIN, WSJ Speakeasy, AOL Spinner, Harp, Magnet and Crawdaddy! among others.  Both independently and with venues and promoters, Lavinia has organized numerous concerts, festival shows and special events.  She has recorded and performed as a member of Adam Arcuragi and the Lupine Choral Society, the inventors of the Death Gospel genre.

This film-screening series, sponsored by the Film Institute at Montclair State, is a weekly program for MSU students and the public. The program features contemporary filmmakers who come to speak about their work and profession in an open forum that invites audience members to ask questions and hear personalized inside stories. Admission is free.