Carey Martin

Biography

Dr. Carey Martin joined Liberty University’s faculty in 2007. Since then, Dr. Martin has created more than a dozen new classes at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral level. In his primary role on the residential campus, he has taught more than thirty unique courses. He is also active in the online program, teaching classes in the graduate and Ph.D. programs each term since 2008.

In his ongoing creative and research agenda at LU, Dr. Martin has published more than a half-dozen journal articles and a professional text. He has also earned multiple national awards for his screenwriting and filmmaking. His service to the university has included the Institutional Review Board, the Athletic Committee, and the Faculty Senate, most recently as chair of the latter.

Prior to entering higher education, Dr. Martin worked for more than a decade in various professional positions, including radio DJ, television news crew, corporate media director, and filmmaker. He earned his undergraduate degree with a major in Radio-Television-Film from Northwestern University, and both his Master of Fine Arts degree in Motion Picture, Television, and Recording Arts, and his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Communication, from Florida State University.

In his spare time, Dr. Martin’s hobbies include community theater, primarily as an actor, and collecting books about movies and popular music. He resides in Forest, VA, with his wife Traci and their daughter, Bethany.

Academic Appointments

• Professor, Department of Digital Media & Journalism
• Graduate Faculty, School of Communication & the Arts
• Online Faculty, School of Communication & the Arts

Curriculum Innovation & Teaching

Developed and launched seventeen Undergraduate and Graduate courses in Digital Media & Journalism, expanding the Department’s curriculum across multiple media and strengthening professional preparation for emerging Media careers.

• Residential Graduate Courses Created and Taught
  • Digital Storytelling
  • Screenwriting Craft
  • Strategic Media Analysis
  • Special Topics: History of Film and Television
  • The Transmedia Organization
  • Visual Aesthetics
• Additional Residential Graduate Courses Taught
  • Communication Research Design
  • Mass Media Theory
  • Media Management
  • Media Strategies
  • Media Technologies & Communication Strategies
  • Religion and Media
  • Strategic Storytelling
• Online Graduate Courses Created and Taught
  • Digital Storytelling
  • Media Technology & Communication Strategies
  • Seminar: From Digital Analytics to Communication Action
  • Strategic Media Analysis
• Additional Online Graduate Courses Taught
  • Communication Theory
  • Effective Executive Communication (LU School of Business)
• Residential Undergraduate Courses Created and Taught
  • Chronicle of Motion Pictures and Television
  • Introduction to Storytelling
  • Media Industry & Ethics
  • Storytelling: Episodic Drama
  • Storytelling: Reality TV
  • Storytelling: Sitcom
  • Storytelling: Transmedia
• Additional Residential Undergraduate Courses Taught
  • Advanced Video Production
  • Communication Law & Ethics
  • Introduction to Mass Communication
  • Media & Culture
  • Scriptwriting for Visual Media
  • Scriptwriting Practicum
  • Senior Portfolio
  • Speech Communication
  • Survey of Media Business Practices
  • TV News Production
  • Video Production
  • Writing for Visual Media

Teaching Impact & Student Mentorship

• Served as committee member on seven successfully completed and defended dissertations since Liberty University Online School of Communication Ph. D. program’s beginning in 2019
• Served as committee chair on twenty-three successfully completed and defended Master’s theses since 2007
• Served as committee member on twenty-eight successfully completed and defended Master’s theses since 2007

Research & Creative Activities

Books

• In Print: “Applied Screenwriting: How to Write True Scripts for Creative and Commercial Video.” Routledge – Taylor & Francis, 2024
• In Press: “Shooting the Spoken Word: Technical Approaches to Conversational Cinema.” Routledge – Taylor & Francis, 2027

Academic Publications in Print

• “Which is More Vital to Production Classes: Teaching Content or Technology?” Editor & Co-Author, with Dennis Conway, Rustin Greene, & Julia Peterson.  Journal of Media Education, vol. 6 no. 2, April 2015.
• “The Action Adventure Film.” Movies in American History: An Encyclopedia, ed. Philip C. DiMare, ABC-CLIO, 2011.  (ISBN 978-1598842968)
• “Outsider Nostalgia in Dazed and Confused and Detroit Rock City.”  Studies in Popular Culture, vol. 33 no. 2, Spring 2011.
• “Cinema’s Scarlet Letters: the MPAA Rating System and Film Education in the Christian University.” Christian Perspectives in Education, vol. 3 no. 2, Spring 2010.  Available online at https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cpe/vol3/iss2/1
• “Montage Theory and Podcasting Application.” Journal of Media Education, vol. 1 no. 1, January 2010.  Available online at:
• “Plagiarism, Influence, Homage and Originality.” Feedback, vol. 50 no. 5, September 2009.  Available online at https://www.beaweb.org/pdfs/feedback/2009/50.5.pdf
• “Television Language in Support of Rhetoric in the Ministry of Billy Graham.” Carolinas Communications Association Annual, September 2006.
• “The Master of Suspense and the Acrobat of the Drawing Room: How the Relationship of Cary Grant and Alfred Hitchcock Shaped Their Collaborations in Suspicion, Notorious, To Catch a Thief and North by Northwest.”   The Film Journal, Issue 12, April 2005.
• “Why We Fight and Casablanca, Sixty Years Later.”  Published in The Holocaust Film Sourcebook, ed. Caroline Joan (Kay) Picart, Praeger Publishers, 2004. (ISBN 978-0275978501)
• “Careers in the Film Industry.”  Article for Encyclopedia of Communication and Information, ed. Jorge R. Schement, Macmillan Reference, 2002. (ISBN 978-0028653860)
• “An Examination of the Rhetorical Messages of Rev. Billy Graham and Rev. Jerry Falwell, as Manifested in Public Speaking and Television.” Doctoral dissertation, 1997

Double-Anonymized Peer-Reviewed Creative Awards

• Best of Competition, Faculty Scriptwriting – Television Spec Category, Broadcast Education Association (BEA) Festival of Media Arts for, “The Old Substitute”, 2025
• Best of Competition, Faculty Scriptwriting – Short Narrative Film Category, BEA Festival of Media Arts for, “The Last Cruise of CPO Hanahan”, 2023
• Best of Competition, Faculty Scriptwriting – Short Narrative Film/Half-Hour Television Category, BEA Festival of Media Arts for, “Night Falls on Tinseltown”, 2022
• Award of Excellence, BEA On-Location Creative Competition for, “The Substitute” (TV Spec Script), 2020
• Award of Excellence, Faculty Video- Narrative Category, BEA Festival of Media Arts for, “Ohfer”, 2016
• Best of Competition, Faculty Scriptwriting- Short Category, BEA Festival of Media Arts for, “Ohfer”, 2011
• Best of Festival King Foundation Award, Faculty Scriptwriting- Feature Category, BEA Festival of Media Arts for, “Comes a Cloaked Sword”, 2010

Invited and Applied Research Conference Presentation

• Presenter, “Screenwriting Craft: How to Hook ‘Em.” Presented at the BEA Convention, 2026.
• Presenter, “The SKW Steps: An Intro to Writers Room Screenwriting.” Presented at the Comparative Screenwriting Teaching Conference, 2026.
• Presenter, “Is it Worth It? College and Material Success in Media.” Co-authored with Victoria Boyd. Presented at the BEA Convention, 2025.
• Presenter, “Mutual v Ohio at 90: ‘Business Pure and Simple’ and its Influence Today.” Co-authored with Victoria Boyd. Presented at the BEA Convention, 2025.
• Presenter, “Anthology is Dead but It Won’t Lie Down.’” Presented at the BEA Convention, 2024.
• Presenter, “Canon by Correspondence: Academic, Professional, Pop-Critic, and Audience Consensus on the ‘Greatest Films of All Time.’” Presented at the BEA Convention, 2023.
• Presenter, “Reading the Primary Sources: An Exercise in Media Management Literacy.” Presented at the BEA Convention, 2022.
• Presenter, “The Blank Page: Jump-Starting Writing for News & Narrative; Public Domain Characters – Point of Departure Creatively” Presented at the BEA Convention, 2019.
• Presenter, “The Blank Page: Getting Script Writing Students – and Ourselves – Past the Agony of the First Line; Challenge: The Straczynski Steps.” Presented at the BEA Convention, 2018.
• Co-Author, “The Communication-Crime Connection,” with Tabitha Cassidy, presented by Ms. Cassidy at the BEA Convention, 2016.
• Presenter, “Best of the Fest! Faculty Scriptwriting BOF King Foundation Award Winners.” Presented at the BEA Convention, 2016.
• Presenter, “The Dark Side of Teaching: Classroom Communication Effectiveness & Classroom Safety.” Presented at the BEA Convention, 2015
• Presenter, “Tech Rules.” Presented at the BEA Convention, 2014.
• Presenter, “The Dark Side of Teaching: A Case Study of Violence in the Classroom.” Presented at the BEA Convention, 2014.
• Presenter, “Mythbusters: Real Science for Reality TV.” Presented at the BEA Convention, 2013.
• Presenter, “A Comparison of Student & Faculty Handbook Civility Expectations.” Presented at the BEA Convention, 2012.
• Presenter, “Screenwriting, Research Writing and Teaching Grad Students the Difference.” Presented at the BEA Convention, 2012.
• Presenter, “Mythbusters: Modern Science for Postmodern Television.” Presented at the Virginia Association of Communication Arts and Sciences (VACAS) Convention, 2011.
• Presenter, “A Fundamentalist Approach to Fairness.” Presented at the BEA Convention, 2011.
• Presenter, “The Scarlet Letters: the MPAA Rating System and Media Education.” Presented at the BEA Convention, 2011.
• Presenter, “America’s Most Unwanted: Real Life Interview Killers.” Presented at the VACAS Convention, 2010.
• Presenter, “How NOT to Get Hired: Real Life Interview Enders.” Presented at the BEA Convention, 2010.
• Presenter, “Plagiarism, Influence, Homage, and Originality.” Presented at the BEA Convention, 2009.
• Presenter, “Podcasting and Video Rhetoric.” Presented at the BEA Convention, 2008.
  • In addition, moderated thirteen panels at BEA between 2008 and 2026

Broadcast, Cablecast, Streaming and Corporate Video Credits

• Actor, LYH 250 Campaign. Broadcast Spring 2026, WLNI-FM, Lynchburg, VA. Producing agency: ZZZ, 2026.
• Director, World Conference on Qualitative Research Panel Promotion. Producing agency: Milacci/Volk/Smith Ramey Group, 2024
• Director, Simulation Center Virtual Tour. Reaccreditation video for Liberty University School of Nursing. Producing agency: Liberty University School of Nursing, 2023.
• Director, Ohfer, short subject, for Mirari Pictures™, 2015; available on Amazon Prime.
• Actor, 2014 Campaign “Thank You” Public Service Announcement. Broadcast Summer & Fall 2014, Comcast of Lynchburg. Producing agency: HumanKind & Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth, 2014.
• Director, 2011 Campaign “Thank You” Public Service Announcement. Broadcast Spring 2012, WSET-TV and Comcast of Lynchburg. Producing agency: United Way of Central Virginia, 2012.
• Director, What I Wouldn’t Give. Grant application video for United Way of Central Virginia. Fall 2011. Producing agency: United Way of Central Virginia, 2011.
• Director, 2011 United Way of Central Virginia Campaign Video. Producing agency: United Way of Central Virginia, 2011.
• Director, 2010 United Way of Central Virginia Campaign Video. Producing agency: United Way of Central Virginia, 2010.
• Director, Welcome to the National Civil War Chaplains Museum. Producing agency: National Civil War Chaplains Museum, 2010.
• Director, You Have a Future with Areva. Promotional video for Areva in the 2009 Region 2000 Technology Council Campaign. Fall 2009. Producing agency: Virginia’s Region 2000 Partnership, 2009.
• Director, 2009 United Way of Central Virginia Campaign Video. Producing agency: United Way of Central Virginia, 2009.
• Director, Liberty Lady Flames in 200 Seconds. Season highlight promotional video produced for 2009 LU Softball Team. Producing agency: LU Athletics – Softball, 2009.
• Director, 2008 Wreaths Across America – Blue Ridge Video. Producing agency: Blue Ridge Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 2009.
• Director, Road to Glory. Adaptation of original theatrical play. Producing agency: King’s Players, 2008.
• Director, 2009 Campaign Public Service Announcement. Broadcast Fall 2009. Producing agency: United Way of Central Virginia, 2008.
• Director, 2008 Campaign Public Service Announcement. Broadcast Fall 2008, WSET-TV and Comcast of Lynchburg. Producing agency: United Way of Central Virginia, 2008.
• Director, 2008 United Way of Central Virginia Campaign Video. Producing agency: United Way of Central Virginia, 2008.

Service & Professional Leadership

Liberty University 

• Faculty Senate, 2020 – present; Vice-Chair, 2023 – 2024; Chair, 2024 – present.
• Keynote Speaker, Lambda Pi Eta Phi Psi Chapter Induction Ceremony, 2026.
• LU:AI Research Challenge Review Committee, Liberty University, 2024 – present.
• Promotions Committee, School of Communication & the Arts, 2023 – present; Chair, 2024 – present.
• Faculty Athletics Committee, 2020 – 2023; Vice-Chair, 2020 – 2021; Chair, 2021-2023.
• Assessment Coordinator, School of Communication & the Arts, 2020 – 2021.
• Ad Hoc Faculty Senate Committee for Exceptional Learning, 2020 – 2021.
• Ad Hoc Faculty Senate Committee for Professional Mentoring, 2020 – 2021.
• SCA Support Liaison, COVID Emergency Transition to Online, 2020.
• Promotions Committee, School of Communication & Digital Content, 2017 – 2020.
• Graduate Senate, 2014 – 2020.
• Institutional Review Board, 2014 – 2016
• Faculty Curriculum Council, 2011 – 2016.
• Department of Communication Curriculum Committee, 2008 – 2012.
• Advisor, Liberty Chapter, National Broadcasting Society, 2007 – 2012.
• University Curriculum Committee, 2008 – 2010

Broadcast Education Association

• Chair, Faculty Writing Research Paper & Show Bible Competition, BEA Festival of Media Arts, 2024 – 2026.
• Chair, Writing Interest Division, 2023 – 2024 (also 2006-2008).
• Chair, Religion & Media Interest Division, 2021 – 2023.
• Vice Chair, Religion & Media Interest Division, 2019 – 2021
• Reviewer for fourteen research and creative competitions since 2007.

Other Organizations

• Competition Judge, Baptist Communicators Association Awards, 2024-present
• First Vice-President, Virginia Association of Communication Arts and Sciences, 2011-2013

Professional Development

Organization Memberships

• Broadcast Education Association, 1997-present
• Council on Undergraduate Research, 2017-present
• University Film and Video Association, 1992-2011, 2014-2022
• Society for Cinema and Media Studies, 2004-2007, 2014-2020
• National Broadcast Society, 2000-2014
• Virginia Association of Communication Arts and Sciences, 2010-2014

Professional Workshops and Seminars

• BEA/ National Association of Broadcasters Annual Conference, 2008-2019, 2022-2026.
  • Represented Liberty University at every BEA/NAB convention since joining LU in Fall 2007 (gap years were COVID cancellations). Participated in approximately 200 panels, workshops and seminars over the seventeen conventions.
• Comparative Screenwriting Teaching Conference, 2026. International conference examining screenwriting practice and pedagogy, hosted by Georgia State University (Atlanta).
• Ohio Association of Broadcasters-BEA(OAB-BEA) Summer Station Faculty Program, 2024. Conference with managers, talent and media experts at ratings leaders on FM and TV in Top 40 (Cincinnati) market.
• International Alliance of Christian Educators Faculty Development Conference, 2024. International conference examining higher education practice and pedagogy from a Christian perspective, hosted by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Dallas).
• StoryWorldQuest Conference, 2014. International conference examining transmedia practice and pedagogy, hosted by Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada).
• StoryWorld Conference, 2012. International conference examining transmedia practice and pedagogy, hosted by storycentral.com (Los Angeles).
• Liberty University. Completed multiple optional professional development workshops every year since 2007.