The Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons, the Mary Pickford Institute and the Found Penny Foundation are teaming up to bring a mobile, state-of-the-art, digital production studio to three local elementary schools during the next six weeks.  This is part of an expanding K-12 Arts Education Outreach program designed to provide children hands-on opportunities in a broad spectrum of arts experiences.

Students at Stevenson Ranch, Bridgeport and Golden Valley elementary schools will, through the use of the high-tech equipment, participate in all aspects of the digital movie-making process.

The studio, or Mobile Film Classroom, comes with all of the necessary equipment – iMac workstations, digital video cameras, microphone kits as well as professional video and audio editing software and DVD production equipment.  The students, who first create and break into production teams, work on all aspects of the digital media creation process – from conceptualizing, writing and filming their stories to final editing, which can include voiceover, narration and music.

The Mobile Film Classroom is provided by the Mary Pickford Institute for Film Education.  Its revolutionary ‘education on wheels’ program also provides highly trained instructors who follow standards-based curriculum.  They guide students from conception to final production on projects that, for example, help to facilitate dialogue on subjects that affect their school, peer groups or society; or perhaps asks them what they would do if they were put in charge of their school.

“We are delighted to be able to bring this special outreach opportunity to local students,” said Adam Philipson, Managing Director of the Performing Arts Center. “We can’t wait to see the final product of the students’ creative work. This extraordinary program,” stressed Philipson, “is part of the PAC’s continuing effort to bring unique and relevant arts-based educational opportunities to northern Los Angeles County and our school districts.”

The Mary Pickford Institute for Film Education, Mobile Film Classroom has, since its inception in early 2006, served more than 5,000 Los Angeles-area elementary, middle and high school students, as well as developmentally disabled adults, providing its services to schools and students, no matter their socio-economic status or available resources, so that they have access to state-of-the-art digital media equipment and professional media instruction.

“I’m glad to finally be able to bring our offering in such a strong way to the Santa Clarita Valley and its schools,” said Keith Lawrence, Mary Pickford Institute President and CEO. “Northern Los Angeles County has had limited opportunities and is primed for this type of Arts Education experience. Our curriculum and the Mobile Film Classrooms,” stressed Lawrence, “are the leading-edge and we are thrilled to provide Santa Clarita with our program.”