The focus of SOS: Media is on the development of each student's own personal style and creative approach to work with moving images and sound.  Students who are interested in experimental film and digital video production, sound design, writing, collaboration, contemporary media history and theory are invited to join this learning community of media artists. This program is designed for students who have already developed some expertise in media production, are familiar with aspects of media theory and wish to do advanced production work that may have developed out of previous academic projects and/or programs.

The nature of "experimental" media requires a period of germination for new ideas, approaches, and impulses to emerge.  During the first quarter we will take this time for development and reflection. In the fall students will expand their skill level in imagemaking (16mm and DV) and sound design through workshops, exercises and a collaborative project.  We will also study contemporary media artists who in particular have made special contributions to the development of experimental media practice and have attempted to push the technological as well conceptual boundaries of the moving image.  In addition each student or team of students (for collaborative projects) will do extensive pre-production planning and research for a major film or digital project to be completed by the end of the academic year. During winter students will complete the principle photography for their projects that could involve production work off campus for an extended period. Students are encouraged to think creatively and broadly about their subject matter and will be able to propose media projects that may require travel to other areas of the United States or even abroad.  During spring quarter each student will complete post-production work, finalize their artist's portfolio, explore ways to sustain their work as media artists and participate in a public screening of their work.

In addition we will  utilize on line resources such as blogs, wiki sites, and streaming media to create a virtual learning community that will support our work. We will also study web design in order to create media artist's web sites and develop skills in DVD authoring to create portfolio and proposal documentation pieces.