Salt Lake Community College is home to many clubs and organizations. One of the newest clubs on campus is already making waves in the community.
On Jan. 29, SLCC FLIX, the film club at the college, and SLCC brought 80 students from Mountain Crest High School to South City Campus to tour the Center for Arts and Media (CAM).
Mountain Crest High School has a special film department that allows students to take courses focused on cinematic works.
“What’s different about this tour from other tours here at SLCC is that these kids are film students,” says SLCC FLIX co-chair Joey Gregg. “Mountain Crest has a film program that these student are already a part of and have an interest in film.”
SLCC FLIX began in fall 2014. It is a club for students focused on film appreciation, productions services, community outreach, student/staff support as well as educational events.
Not only were the students brought for a tour of SLCC CAM building but they took the morning to attend a Sundance screening at Peery’s Egyptian Theater in Ogden.
“I have been taking other high school students to Sundance for the Sundance screenings over the years,” says Gregg. “Combining the two was just a good idea when it came to having Mountain Crest tour SLCC.”
Students were fed lunch while an orientation with associate dean Nick Burns and film professor Channing Lowe of SLCC discussed the film program at SLCC and USU. Together, USU and SLCC can provide a comprehensive production degree in film.
After the orientation students were spilt up into three groups and sent on a guided tour of South City Campus and the CAM building.
“Having our high school located so close to Utah State, many students plan on going there at the very least to get their generals done and then from that point many students interested in film wouldn’t know where to go,” says debate coach and film professor Brad Gibbons. “Having this partnership with USU and SLCC and this film program is a great opportunity for many of the kids interested in that.”
Students were given a portfolio with a colored movie ticket inside. They then split into groups for break-out sessions and a tour.
The students were treated to a live Foley and ADR demonstration given by professor Jon Clark in the recording studio. Jonny Olsen played examples of student films and his personal documentary on how to do graphics in the screening room.
Students also received hands-on experience with a steady cam from Mark Davis in his cinematography class.
“This is great because my class does not focus a whole lot on the technical side, we just go over what equipment is used from more of a literary perspective. This hands-on approach is a fantastic experience for these kids,” says Gibbons. “It’s one thing to look at a picture of a steady cam, and it’s a whole other thing to wear one and walk around with it.”
Students left talking of all they had seen and experienced.
“I like the atmosphere and the facilities. To see all the cool opportunities SLCC has to offer is tempting when it comes to college choice,” said Mountain Crest student Lindy Schroder.
For more information or to get involved with SLCC FLIX contact slccflix@gmail.com.
