Media Arts

Department Overview

DESCRIPTION OF EXCELLENCE

The New Media Studies (NMS) program at Valley Christian High School is one of the most diverse media studies programs available at any high school in the country, boasting courses in cinematic arts, 3D animation, radio production, and television broadcasting. We strive to prepare students to be not only excellent story tellers, but also Christian artists who are able to influence and impact those with whom they come in contact. Offering courses may change year to year.

DISTINCTIVE EXPERIENCE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

State of the art equipment and facilities provide students with hands-on experience in all aspects of media production, including production development, cinematography, sound engineering, On-Air DJ experience, film and television directing, and editing. Radio broadcast courses manage and produce programs for KVCH, the world's first high school radio station to broadcast live on the internet. In addition, the NMS department regularly hosts seminars with industry professionals who provide students with further training and insight into the business of media production as well as opportunities to build professional contacts.

The Art of Filmmaking

In this course, students study the art and history of film. Students will learn to "read" a movie-how filmmakers can use a single frame to tell us everything about the story, the characters, the setting and much more; how editing can be used to create emotion and ideas; how the placement of a camera can change how we feel about a character. Students will learn how a film is structured and how to outline a story according to Hollywood standards. Finally, students will be introduced to production concepts like screenwriting, blocking, cinematography and editing.

Applied Filmmaking

This course develops the skills and concepts learned in the Art of Filmmaking and guides students through the production of short films. For each unit, students will write, film, and edit a short film focusing on specific skills. Students will learn industry-standard techniques for filmmaking and creating beautiful, visual stories. Students should expect to make movies outside of class time.

Advanced Applied Filmmaking Honors

For students who have completed Art of Filmmaking and Applied Filmmaking, this course will focus on the production of a single short film each semester. Students will assume the roles of writers, directors, and producers as they develop a story, script it, break it down for production in terms of props, equipment, locations and actors, secure locations and--working within a predefined budget--acquire the necessary props, costumes and equipment. They will then decide upon a director and assistant director (the other students will be producers), cast the film from the student body, and begin production. The production crew will be drawn from the Applied Filmmaking course. The last part of each semester will be dedicated to editing and delivering the final product.

Additional Expectations: Students should expect to meet after school every other week and to meet a couple of weekends per semester to work on the production of the film.