Blue Horizons

Program Description

Housing Options

Application Process

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Using Media to Communicate Vital Stories of the Global Ocean

June 21 – August 22, 2008

This 9-week summer program brings together students interested in digital media production and environmental studies to learn about important issues of the global ocean from a local, California perspective. A coordinated series of interdisciplinary courses and related activities introduces students to scriptwriting; media portrayals of the environment; the biological, socio-economic, and political aspects of marine conservation; and the latest innovations in environmental filmmaking. 

Students will gain the skills necessary to communicate effectively with their peers, scientists, policymakers, and the general public by producing short, compelling videos. Issues such as marine protected areas, sustainable fishing, watershed ecosystems, beach erosion, aquaculture, and others will be closely studied, providing a foundation for the research necessary to produce an informative film.  Techniques of digital video camera operations, sound gathering, lighting, and editing with industry standard Final Cut Pro will also be covered.

Please see the attached flyer for program details. 

This Program is open to undergraduate and graduate students in all disciplines, but the criteria for acceptance include a demonstrated preparation in media or biological sciences. Questions can be addressed to Professor Constance Penley at penley@filmandmedia.ucsb.edu. Application forms will be available in late March at www.summer.ucsb.edu/specialprograms.html. Screening will begin April 11, 2008; applications received after that date will be considered on a space-available basis.  Submit applications to fawcett@cftnm.ucsb.edu, or mail to Blue Horizons, Carsey-Wolf Center for Film, Television, and New Media, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-7100. Additional program information can be found at www.cftnm.ucsb.edu.

We are grateful to Sony Pictures Entertainment for its donation of equipment to support
the Environmental Media Initiative's Blue Horizons Program.