Nerd Nite Winona – #41

It’s our last Nerd Nite before our winter hiatus, but don’t worry—we’ll be back on January 22nd.

## Talk #1 – The Art of Film Music: A Personal Journey
by Paul Goltz

Paul Goltz will take us on a captivating journey through the history of film music, highlighting influential composers and their contributions to the art form. Drawing from his lifelong passion for film scores, which began at the tender age of 7, Paul will share insights from his extensive collection and personal experiences.

## Talk #2 – Aerial Artistry: Drones, Virtual Reality, and AI-Enhanced Cinematography
by Patrick Lichty

Patrick Lichty, an internationally acclaimed artist and Assistant Professor at Winona State University, will showcase his innovative work at the intersection of technology and art. Patrick has captured breathtaking footage of Winona using first-person view drones. He’ll demonstrate how he transforms this aerial imagery into mesmerizing “moving aerial paintings” using AI processing techniques, creating visuals that would make David Lynch proud. Patrick will also discuss his role in running the WSU Drone Lab and his explorations in virtual reality.

## Talk #3 – The Physics of Musical Instruments: Why Electric Guitars Rule
by Sarah Phan-Budd

Dr. Sarah Phan-Budd, professor and chair of the physics department at Winona State University, will delve into the fascinating world of musical instrument physics. She’ll explain why the electric guitar is a practical application of unified physics theories, making it “deeply, deeply cool” from a scientific perspective. In contrast, Sarah will humorously touch on the physics behind her own instrument, the viola, and why it might be considered “the uncoolest” in comparison. This talk promises to blend Sarah’s expertise in physics, her experience teaching the science of music, and her passion for classical music into an engaging and entertaining presentation.