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Student Work to be Screened at LA Alumni Event

For the first time, student creative work from the School of Media Arts and Studies (formerly Telecommunications) will be screened in Los Angeles for Ohio University alumni and industry professionals. The LA screenings will take place on Saturday, October 11th beginning at 7 p.m. in the Chaplin Theatre at the Raleigh Studios in Hollywood.

“The screenings will serve as a great platform to showcase the excellent work we’re producing in the School of Media Arts and Studies,” says Director Roger Cooper. “And, I know the LA Chapter of the OU Alumni Association is excited to have this event because the screenings will serve as a great networking opportunity for LA-based alumni and industry professionals.”

The 2½-hour event will include three narrative projects produced in the Media Sc hool’s 419 class during Spring 2008, plus recent entries from the School’s annual 48-Hour Shoot Out competition. Several short films created by LA-based alumni will also be shown in the 170-seat Chaplin Theatre. A reception will follow in the Raleigh Studios Cafe.

“It’s hard to overstate the value of connecting the work our students create here in Athens with Ohio alumni and media industry professionals in LA,” says Cooper. “Making connections is critical in the creative industries, and we have an excellent, growing alumni base in LA. The screening and reception will be a great way to bring people together and expand the profile of the Media School in LA.”

The strength of the recent 419 projects led to an enviable problem. “All (five) of the 419s were very strong this year,” says Frederick Lewis, Associate Professor and Sequence Head in Video Production. “Any of the five would represent us strongly in LA.” The 419 projects to be screened are Dying Western, Changing Tastes and Jim. Professor Lewis says that these three films dealt with issues and themes that were not addressed in previous 419 productions.

Cooper sees this year’s screening and reception as the first of an annual event. The School is also in the planning stages of creating an “OU in LA Program” for undergraduate students. The screenings will serve to help advance this vision.

For more information about the School of Media Arts and Studies, please visit http://www.mediaschool.ohiou.edu