Inside Syracuse University's Loud & Clear and Rhythmic: A Look at New York's Young Creatives

Los Angeles Times

28-01-2025

Amidst the clear-cut New York scene, Syracuse University stands as an academically diverse institution, highlighted by its extremely successful media show, 'Orange Television Network.' OTN boasts its ability of being a student-run lab of music, dance, drama, and more, allowing the artists of Syracuse a platform to showcase their talents for the school's students and faculty to catch on mobile and cable. An eye-catching sub-category of the show is 'Loud & Clear,' an OTN program that comfortably brags charming aspects of the singer-songwriter genre. It individualizes itself by inviting musicians from across campus to present original music to the show's audience. When I opened my inbox on the morning of my Loud & Clear interview, I was comically unsurprised by the reflection of chain messages that had amassed over our many days of coordination between myself, Director of Photography, Chloe Fatuova, and co-directors Sofia Chwe and Meena Chung. The girls were professional, responsive, and stunningly light; a relieving canvas to work off of on one's first feature interview. It had also quickly reminded me of why I had embarked on this particular project in the first place. Loud & Clear is adoringly reminiscent of the origins of radio and television, but simultaneously boastful of the fortes of Gen-Z. Creativity is sprightly, technicalities are vital, and I knew that amassing sets of students intelligent in both of these aspects was something special.
The girls quite deliberately understood my assignment, taking no time at all to fix a schedule and popping onto Zoom right on time, might I add. I set out inquiring small talk about whether the day's work had been tiring or ecstatic. 'All of the above,' Meena admitted. She was collected yet attentive, and somehow managed to display professionally in a scene so casual throughout the entirety of our session. Attached by the hip was Sofia, who remained a catalyst for detail and never failed to execute a rosy smile at the start of each call. A singer herself, Sofia described her desire to manage the stage alongside appearing on it as a difficult one. 'When applying to colleges, I was debating whether or not I should major in music. I didn't want it to become work, or for me to eventually have a hateful relationship with it.' She then explained her recruitment into Loud & Clear as something 'really lucky.' 'We were at the club fair when one of our prior directors, Abby, recruited us into the show. I had no idea what I was getting into.'
Sofia Chwe (left) and Meena Chung (right) working behind the scenes on a 'Loud & Clear' episode.
But photographer, Chloe, had a bit of a different story for her brand new show, Rhythmic. Rhythmic is the last-born sub-category of OTN, namely a pre-recorded dance and choreography show that has allowed Chloe to utilize her cinematography skills to the fullest. Chloe was the first that I had reached out to for the feature, and older than the other two girls, she presented herself as a born leader with remarks of enthusiasm for each of their answers and all of my questions. As executive producer of her program, she had long awaited for OTN to blend choreography and cinematography for a charming new gift to viewers, incorporating styles of contemporary dance suitable for its young audience. As it turned out, they took a liking to the idea immediately. 'Everyone who we've booked so far has just reached out to me. That's actually, most of the time, how we've gotten people.' When I asked her about the response to the show so far, it was far from difficult to sense her gratefulness through the screen. 'I got a text from a friend who said, 'This touched me as an audience, this is a phenomenal thing you're doing.' And I just wanted to start crying.'
Chloe Fatuova working behind the scenes on a 'Rhythmic' episode.
A broad school in terms of academics, Syracuse pushed many of its students into its diligent media programs, surprising the girls in how many artists attend the university. Sofia detailed this, saying that 'all of our music is written by the artists; they're originals. And it's just so impressive and amazing how many artists are on campus. We only have a certain part of that demographic on our show, but some of the recent performances really touched me.'
A quintessential part of management, Meena articulated how prior technical experience had helped her to call the shots in Loud & Clear. 'I feel like it's helped a lot. Through editing, you can kind of see how to handle everything director-wise through that lens, like how it's going to end up in post. They both help each other out.' I also asked her about what behind-the-scenes tactics look like for crew members to ensure that shooting days go smoothly for performers. 'Everyone helps out everywhere, really. That's part of why I love OTN, you get to do anything you want. We set up stages, and people like studio engineers need to set up the camera. Chloe's handles all the lighting. There are periods of waiting for all of that, but then it's go go go!' Chloe also walked me through the process for Rhythmic, saying that it's similar, but they have lately had more room to be experimental. 'We've been trying new things to get people introduced to more of a variety because I'm going away next semester (deep frowns from the other girls). It's very important to me that I'm handing it off to people who want to keep it going and care to learn about those things.'
Too adorable of a concept to omit, Chloe also debriefed me upon, what she calls, 'Rhythmic Circle Time.' 'I have like a binder and a piece of paper, and I say, 'Okay. We're going to watch her dance, and everyone just throw out ideas.'
As relevant as the girls' solemness is in their director-producer roles, they are also unfailingly funny.
'I've been pestering Sofia to get on Loud & Clear!' Chloe exclaims, followed with an enthusiastic agreement from Meena after I had wondered who their dream guests were for the L&C stage. 'We've been saying this. Imagine, not only how good it would be, but how smoothly the shoot would go if one of our directors was up there.' Sofia, hesitant, did not veto the idea completely. 'Maybe senior year. That's kind of scary though.' However, she did brighten up at the idea of a duet between her and Chloe. 'She needs to come and visit. Wait, that's such a good idea.'
With a Loud & Clear and Rhythmic collab, a podcast episode, and hopeful musician guests manifested for their futures, the girls let me go with an intelligible perspective on young creatives. We said our goodbyes, and with fingers crossed for their OTN dreams to unveil, they were on their way to set the stage for another day. Related