Levi Dean

View Scopus Profile

Dr Levi Dean

Assistant Professor in Communication & Cultural Studies, Director of Audio-Visual Technology

 https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2010-5435
Calculated based on number of publications stored in Pure and citations from Scopus
20192025

Research activity per year

Personal profile

Professional Information

University and Academic Service and Good Citizenship
 
As Director of Audio-Visual Technology at UNNC since 2022, I have been fortunate to contribute to the development and transformation of the university’s filmmaking infrastructure. Collaborating with Dr. Filippo Gilardi, I helped secure university approval for the Global Platform initiative, which established world-class facilities, including an Apple MAC Lab, a Virtual Production & Motion Capture Studio, and a DCI & Dolby Atmos Cinematic Studio (to be unveiled in 2025). As part of this initiative, I had the privilege of leading two of the projects as project manager: the creation of the Apple MAC Lab, guided by valuable stakeholder feedback, and the Virtual Production and Motion Capture Studio—both of which have been positively received.
 
Key Contributions:
  • Securing Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee (RKEC) approval for the MOU with ARRI, "Establishing the First ARRI Partnership of Virtual Production and Motion Capture in Asia."
  • Leading UNNC in becoming an accredited ARRI Film School.
  • Securing internal funding for professional filmmaking equipment, such as the ARRI Mini-LF Camera System, as well as A/V equipment to support the MA International Communications program, ensuring students have access to the full professional workflow of video production.
  • Co-authored the business case for the MA in Digital Screen Production that will launch in September 2025.
  • Project Managing and Teaching a short, three-day filmmaking course to NBIS students in 2023 and 2024.
  • Collaborating on filmmaking projects, including serving as co-writer, producer, cinematographer, and colorist for the UNNC MA Digital Screen Production Commercial Video.
 
I am particularly passionate about supporting the next generation of filmmakers. Through projects such as the award-winning Chinese short film Half the World is Sleeping (2024), where a talented crew and cast of 40 UNNC students and staff worked together to bring a story to life, I have focused on creating opportunities that inspire emerging storytellers. Helping students develop their skills and confidence continues to be one of the most rewarding aspects of my role. My next project will centre on producing and co-directing a short virtual production film.
 
Professional Qualifications
 
  • ARRI Accredited Lecturer in Camera Systems 
  • ARRI Certified Virtual Production Colour Management (New York, USA)
  • ARRI Certified ALEXA 35 and Mini-LF Camera Systems User (Munich, Germany)
 

Nominations and Awards for Creative Work

 

“Half the World is Sleeping” (2024) – Role: Co-Producer, Production Manager, Set Manager, 1st Assistant Camera and Focus Puller

Awards:

  • Winner: Best International Student Film, Canal de Panama International Film Festival
  • Winner: Best International Short Film, Avignon International Film Festival
  • Winner: Best Original Screenplay, International Short Cinema Festival (Bolivia)
  • Winner: best Social Short Film, International Short Cinema Festival (Bolivia)

Selections and Recognitions

  • Finalise: New Zealand Asia Pacific Film Festival.
  • Semi-Finalist: New York Indie Shorts Awards (IMDB-qualifying festival).
  • Official Selection: Times in-Between (British Association of Film, Television and Screen Studies). 
  • Official Selection: MIRDA Corta Short Film Festival.
  • Official Selection: San Lorenzo Film Festival.
  • Official Selection: 9FilmFest.
  • Official Selection: Africa International Film Festival. 
  • Official Selection: Asian Film Festival – Los Angela Hollywood.Official Selection: International Media Arts Film Awards.
  • Official Selection: Nottingham Film Festival. 

 

“Angela” (2022) – Top 10% of 1,000+ submissions, BlueCat Screenwriting Competition. Role: Screenwriter 

 

“Ciaran” (2013) – Winner: Best Student Film, LA Thriller Film Festival. Role: Co-writer

 

“Deception” (2012) – Top 10 Finalist, Pretzel Film Directors’ Competition. Role: Screenwriting, Director, Editor and Producer. 

 

“Rock, Paper, Scissors” (2014) – Selected as the Open Set Film for the GoKinema Film Festival and directed by Oscar-winning cinematographer Philippe Rousselot. Role: Screenwriter

 

“Worthless” (2012) – Semifinalist, Scriptapalooza Screenwriting Competition. Role: Screenwriter 
 

Teaching

Undergraduate 2024-2025:

  • Documentary and Reality (Convener) 
  • BA Dissertation Supervision 
  • Transmedia Narratives and Digital Literacy 

Postgraduate 2024-2025:

  • Storytelling and Video Production (Convener)
  • MA Dissertation supervision 
  • PhD Supervision 

Research Interests

  • Storytelling 
  • Filmmaking
  • Documentary Studies 
  • Virtual Production and Motion Capture

Education/Academic qualification

PhD, Screenwriting Studies, Bangor University

Award Date: 2 Jun 2021

Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE-PCET), University of the West of England

Award Date: 6 Jul 2015

Master, Scriptwriting , Bournemouth University

Award Date: 1 Sept 2013

Film & Media Studies with Practice, Manchester Metropolitan University

Award Date: 1 Jul 2011

Disciplines

  • Theatre Studies and Film Studies
  • Journalism and Communication

Person Types

  • Staff

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics where Levi Dean is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
  • 1 Similar Profiles
View full fingerprint

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
Explore network further
  • 11 Article
  • 2 Review article
  • 1 Digital or Visual Products
View all 14 research outputs