Whitney Stephen



Projects by Whitney Stephen

M3 Productions Brings College Life to the Screen Through Student-Made Films

By Luke Voss, Lexi Bunting, Whitney Stephen 

 

BLOOMINGTON Ind. (April 3, 2025) 

At Indiana University, Jada Tamia Parks has built something special from the ground up. As the founder and creator of M3 Productions, a production house that focuses on movies, music, and media, she’s brought together a group of like-minded students who share her passion for the film industry. For Parks and her team, M3 isn’t just about creating—it’s about learning, growing, and gaining real-world experience together, all while still in college.  “The goal is really for all of our members to get really immersed in the film industry as much as we can at this age,” said Parks. 

Jada Tamia Parks finds creative sparks in the depths of the Well B. Library film collection. She is one of the founders and creators of M3 Productions and she is always looking for an idea to stick. Photo L. Bunting

Made up of a group of freshmen at Indiana University, M3 Productions is taking their passion for film to new heights, with plans to turn their shared vision into a recognized presence on campus. The group, composed of talented students eager to make their mark in the film industry, is still in the early stages of their journey—but their ambition is already clear, to build a diverse catalog of films on their YouTube channel and establish themselves as a serious force in amateur production.

Through collaboration and dedication, they aim to demonstrate their skills and creativity, earning credibility within both the student body and the larger film community. With hopes of becoming an official student club by next year, M3 Productions seeks to create a space where aspiring filmmakers can come together, learn, and grow through hands-on experience. The group’s efforts reflect not only their individual passions but also their commitment to building a lasting impact on IU’s creative landscape.

Reading over script after script Isaiah Hamilton practices lines with co-actor Elizabeth Hauser. Hamilton is often know for going off script and improving but will look over the script before takes. Photo L. Bunting

The statement we want to put out there is that you’re never too young to start,” said Jada Tamia Parks, founder of M3 Productions. “Though we’re all young, we don’t feel the need to wait for opportunities to come to us or for things to be handed to us. We’re taking initiative and starting now,” she added, emphasizing the group’s drive to create and take control of their future in the film industry.

Currently, M3 Productions is focused on Wavelength, their latest project, which delves into the experiences of students entering college for the first time. This project aims to capture the unique and relatable stories of new students navigating the challenges of higher education. In addition to Wavelength, the group has recently completed several short films, showcasing their growing range and talent. Many members of the team take on multiple roles, working behind the scenes in production as well as stepping in front of the camera as actors. Despite the demanding workload, every member remains passionate and enthusiastic, eager to contribute to the group’s vision. Their dedication to the work is a testament to their commitment to storytelling and their drive to connect with an audience that can relate to their work.

Group of actors and actresses of M3 Production sit and wait in between filming shots. Due to the amount of time member of M3 Productions spend together many great bonds have been established. Photo E. Hauser. 

As a group, M3 Productions is always on the lookout for new projects to take on. Every biweekly, they hold pitch meetings to discuss the scheduling, details, and progress of current projects, as well as brainstorm ideas for new projects. One of the group members, Max Brinkmeyer, is currently working on a script that tackles the powerful theme of overcoming addiction. “I think portraying tough subjects within young adult media is important. We want these scenes to speak to people,” said Brinkmeyer, emphasizing the group’s desire to create work that resonates with a wide audience. These pitch meetings can become chaotic at times, as multiple voices compete to share ideas and get their thoughts heard. Despite the lively discussions, the group thrives on collaboration and creativity, using each meeting as an opportunity to refine their vision and take their projects to the next level.

One of the biggest struggles M3 Productions faces is working with limited resources as college-aged filmmakers. Being young artists comes with its own set of challenges, and the group is no stranger to the reality of tight budgets. ‘We are all just broke college kids trying to get something out there, we want to put time and effort into it,’ said Isaiah Hamilton, the creator of M3 Productions. Despite the financial obstacles, the group remains dedicated to their craft, finding creative solutions to bring their projects to life and push forward with their passion for filmmaking.

 

Apple Unveils A New Device In Their Long Series Of Products

Contact Information:
Ursula Stickelmaier
ustickel@iu.edu
Whitney Stephen
stephewm@iu.edu
Calli Stouder
cstoude@iu.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

CUPERTINO, California [Sept. 09, 2014] – Apple redefined the smartwatch when CEO Tim Cook unveiled the company’s new product, the Apple Watch, this Tuesday at the “Wish We Could Say More” Event in Cupertino, California.

Held at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts, Apple debuted its new product alongside the iPhone 6 line of smartphones. Cook showcased the product with Apple Vice President Kevin Lynch. As well as, British-American designer Johnny Ive and Apple’s Vice-President of Fitness Technologies Jay Blahnik. 

The Apple Watch features a multitude of capabilities all designed to create a personal experience for the user. From a customizable timepiece to a brand new way for Apple users to communicate to an all-encompassing fitness tracker, the Apple Watch is tailor-made for whoever uses it. “We designed the Apple Watch as a whole range of products, enabling millions of unique designs and parallel personalization both in appearance and capability,” Ive said. 

Man relaxes in the couch, his Apple Watch prominently on display.
Aaron Stephen embraces the comfort of his new Apple Watch in his home in Whiteland, Indiana, on Feb. 14, 2025. Full of many capabilities for all age groups, the Apple Watch allowed accessibility and comfortability on your wrist.

The design choices in particular that make the Apple Watch unique for the wearer include interchangeable watch bands and multiple case options which go with three different models of the device available: the Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition.

One of the new design choices that Apple made with the Apple Watch is the introduction of the Digital Crown which allows users to easily scroll through their Apple Watch device without anything obstructing their view. Should the user need to interact with the screen directly, the Apple Watch is able to detect both touch and force. This allows the watch to tell the difference between a tap meant to pause your music and a press meant to access contextually specific controls, that differ between app to app.

The apps available on the Apple Watch range from Apple designed apps to third party apps like Twitter or Pinterest. Third party app developers are able to use Apple’s WatchKit which will help them seamlessly integrate their own software onto the Apple Watch device. Any app on the apple watch will be able to provide automated functions for its users to quickly access.

The Apple Watch also comes with Digital Touch, the latest innovation by Apple. With Digital Touch wearers will be able to communicate with other Apple Watch wearers in new and unique ways. By tapping their screen in this function they can send physical vibrations to their friend’s device, users can draw pictures that will be sent and there is even the option to send your own heartbeat. This heartbeat function is just one of the many ways that Apple has made the Apple Watch more personal and intimate for their users. “That’s never been done before,” Lynch said. “It’s a really great aspect of this new form of communication with Digital Touch.”

Girl checks something on her Apple Watch.
Tara Stephen checks her Apple Watch to see if she hit her fitness activity rings for the day after coming home from her workout in Whiteland, Indiana, on Feb. 14, 2025. The Apple Watch allowed student athletes to be able to check their steps, heart rates and calories burned through the day.

What truly separates the Apple Watch from all other watches though is its fitness capabilities. It combines the information gathering technology of your typical fitness tracker with the easy to use and personal technology of an Apple device. Divided between two apps, the Fitness App and The Workout App, the Apple Watch is designed to give you a complete profile of your health.

The Fitness App is there to monitor all your activity and movement throughout the day as you wear the watch. It is then stored on your phone so you can track your day to day progress through something that is unique to you. In the Workout App the user is able to set personal goals based on how long they want to work out, the amount of calories they want to burn or even the distance you want to travel. You can also change your workout to fit whatever activity you are doing whether that is biking, running or lifting weights. 

Over time the Apple Watch will become tailored to you and is designed to provide helpful and healthy reminders to keep you active throughout your day. These goals will be both personal and realistic to you and your everyday life so you’re not getting any unneeded stress when it comes to working out. “Apple Watch is going to greatly improve the way we keep track of our activity and change the way we look at fitness,” Blahnik said. “We think it’s going to help a lot of people live a better day and a healthier life.”

Users of both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 5 lines of smartphones will be able to connect their phone to the watch and can access all the Apple Watch functions seamlessly. Starting at $349, all three models of the Apple Watch will be available for purchase in early 2015. “We think people are going to love to use Apple Watch,” Cook said.”It empowers people and enriches their lives. Apple Watch is the most personal device Apple has ever created.”

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FIRST CLIP – Apple CEO Tim Cook discusses the key points of the Apple Watch at the “Wish We Could Say More” Event in Cupertino, California, on Sep. 9, 2014. According to Cook, the Apple Watch featured multiple unique functions including a customizable time piece, new ways for Apple users to communicate and brand new fitness capabilities.
SECOND CLIP – The Vice President of Apple, Kevin Lynch, demonstrates the communication capabilities of the Apple Watch to a large audience at Apple’s “Wish We Could Say More” Event in Cupertino, California, on Sep. 9, 2014. The heartbeat function on the Apple Watch allowed users to send a real-time and accurate replication of their heartbeat to a friend’s device creating a more intimate feel for both wearers.