Students with a desire to learn how a professional television studio works can do so at Salt Lake Community College.
SLCC video classes offered through the communication department provide hands-on experience that allow students to focus on the artistic side of television production.
“Everyone has a story,” says video professor Tyler Smith.
The program teaches students how to use video to tell their stories. Video production students also get exclusive access to specialized equipment and facilities in the Center for Arts and Media.
The beginning class, Communication 2200, requires no prior experience — just a creative mind that is willing to explore the world of television.
Students learn the video production process, as well as the technical aspects of camerawork, video editing and recording.
The class gives students a new perspective on how shows are produced.
“Most of what you see on TV is a carefully constructed message,” Smith says.
After covering the basics in 2200, students can continue to work on their skills in the news production class.
While Utah is considered a hotspot for the film industry, many students start their careers working at local news stations.
Students who take Communication 2310 serve as cast and crew for the student news program, learning to shoot on location for stories seen on the show.
The final class, Communication 2510, deals entirely with documentary production. Students pick a topic and spend the entire semester shooting and editing video for screening in the Multipurpose Room.
These classes teach students how to explore aesthetic theories in the video production process.
“Students learn to become active viewers of visual media, rather than mere passive receivers of information,” Smith says.
Additional coursework in communications, television production and the media give students further insight into the industry itself.
An additional class will be offered in the spring of 2016.
Communication 1900 is a special studies course which will combine fashion and television production.
The class will document more than 1,800 clothing items from the SLCC Historic Fashion Collection. Many of the pieces are currently on display in the Eccles Art Gallery as part of the High Style fashion exhibit.
Spring enrollment opens this week. For students who want to explore their creative side next semester, use MyPage to register for video production classes.
