Going into its third year, The Hub is a collaborative effort of educational film departments with the Utah Film Commission to be an active presence within the Sundance Community.
The Hub is a location at the Sundance Film Festival that highlights what is going on in the local film scene. Tourists, students and professionals meet and discuss film making, education and its importance.
“The Hub is a great place for us to interact with high school students and educate them on the resources that are available at the community college which pertain to the industry,” says Warren Workman, film instructor at Salt Lake Community College.
On Jan. 21, educators along with Marshall Moore, the representative of the Utah Film Commission, met to discuss the challenges they face in the industry of digital media and its quick evolution through the educational system.
Educators spoke of the lack of knowledge students have in regards to technology, basic computer skills and use of essential software.
“Students may know After Effects but don’t know the basic properties of word processing programs or even the difference between PC and Mac,” says Channing Lowe of SLCC.
The need for media and art centers is increasing.
“The last few years, we have been fortunate enough to receive grants and loans, but we will have to start looking elsewhere for other sources of funding,” says Lowe. Nothing more was mentioned on how institutions may go about obtaining funding for the upcoming years.
On Jan. 22, high school students visited The Hub, and attended Q&A’s on different aspects of the film industry. Students were taught various film making techniques including editing, camera movement and animation.
Workman gave his insight to the various film groups available in which the students may meet other fellow film makers and have a chance to network. Students were able to preview work done by college students, ask questions and explore any other interests they may have about film.
“The goal today was to help students, and create activities in which they may learn about different techniques in film making,” says SLCC instructor, Mark Davis.