The Moving Image
Studying in the United States

In the 1990's the choice of courses for students at both graduate and postgraduate level has become endless. One of the areas that has grown the most is that of studies related to the Media. In the US, programs which cover film studies are becoming more and more popular, and can provide the creative international student with an exciting educational opportunity.

Jonathan Wacks, an independent film-maker and producer, formerly Samuel Goldwyn and currently teaching in Santa Fe, New Mexico, says: "Whether the mode of expression is video, film or multimedia, the aspiring artist is able to find his or her voice. Their personal vision and work can challenge prevailing political, cultural and aesthetic conventions". New Mexico, with its dramatic scenery, offers virtually unlimited possibilities to the filmmaker. The Garson Communications Center has recently been constructed there, following a $3 million gift from the late Greer Garson. Previous productions shot at this center include City Slickers, Desperado and Wyatt Earp.

It is not only New Mexico which provides students with the ideal location in which to undertake moving image arts programs. Los Angeles is an obvious choice, with both UCLA and the University of Southern California housing great film schools. New York is another city renowned for its universities, where more well-reputed film-related programs are available. In fact, all across the US, the international student should be able to find a program to suit their needs, both academically and culturally.

The Moving Image Arts student learns a diverse range of skills. They learn how to write feature length and short films, as well as other styles of writing for television, documentary and experimentally. The basics of cinematography are available to them, helping them to piece together all the varied requirements for a film, from costume and production design to lighting and special effects. Critical Studies teach them the basic history and theory from which to analyze film and video productions, whilst management skills enable them to run the whole show, communicate well with the many people involved, and produce the final piece.

Student will be required to become well versed in all these areas, and later encouraged to lean towards one of these disciplines, specializing in a particular area. Those with a special interest in production, for example, will be encouraged to take courses in cinematography, lighting, audio production, editing and directing. For those with special interests in critical studies, the tendency will be to take courses in film genres, national cinema, and special topics on directors such as Antonioni or Hitchcock.

With the rapid development of multimedia worlwide and its effect on the moving image arts, studies in this field educate the student in interactive media and telecommunications. Such studies give students a greater awareness of the present world cinema, something which individuals with imagination, the passion for creative expression and the desire for social and political engagement can develop for their own self-expression.

Exploring the creative process develops the students' ability to think and work independently, as well as integrating themselves well within a team, to create imaginative new work. Through hard work and endurance, they can become confident, and able to express themselves more than competently in the language of moving pictures. They are able to explore themselves as well as the art form, and learn that although Hollywood filmmaking is controlled by a corporate structure, it is still possible to remain true to the original vision whilst comprising somewhat to those who pay the production costs.

In the last couple of years, the whole industry has been turning towards digital technology. These create virtually unlimited scope to achieve on screen exactly what your imagination was telling you to attempt. More techniques and styles are available to you, and the possibilities can be incredibly inspiring. Student now face the challenge of gaining access to the equipment used by the professional world. However, despite the quality of state-of-the-art technology, it sometimes takes no more than a camcorder, an imagination and a commitment to creativity to express a personal vision. If you combine this ability with access to professional guidance, a successful career in moving images may be open to you.

So, if you are looking for a challenge and exciting course studying moving image arts overseas, you need to look no further than the United States for a truly rewarding experience.

Authors
Jonathan Wacks, Jenny Rudstone & Jenny North