Sonoma State’s Cinematic Arts and Technology (CINE) program is a dynamic community on campus, offering many opportunities to get involved, whether you’re a major, minor, or just curious about film.
The department has a strong relationship with Sonoma International Film Festival, where many students intern and volunteer. Mill Valley Film Festival and San Francisco International Film Festival have partnered up with SSU to provide students with free festival passes and tickets to screenings.
CINE has also partnered with guest speakers, including Academy Award-nominated filmmaker RaMell Ross and Michael Poryes, the executive producer of shows like Hannah Montana and That’s So Raven. The faculty plans to continue inviting filmmakers and professionals to campus.
Plans are in the works to host workshops, as well as visiting filmmaker screenings and lectures with industry professionals.
Sonoma State and the faculty continue to establish traditions and events on campus. Last year, they hosted their first student film screening for Cinematic Arts and Communication and Media Studies majors, showcasing students’ films during finals week in the spring semester to give them the recognition they deserve.
Student clubs are a great place to connect with others with similar interests. The faculty hopes to restart the Film Club as an official student club, giving students the chance to collaborate on projects and build skills valuable in a film career. If you are interested in Film Club, contact Associate Professor Talena Sanders at [email protected].
“It’s so important to experience other cultures and get yourself outside of your comfort zone in college. You’ll learn so much about yourself by experiencing life in a totally different context,” says Sanders.
For those who want to study film but don’t want to change their major, they can consider a film minor, allowing them to pursue their interest without changing their main path. Students can also check out video production kits at the library, and multiple campus computer labs offer students free access to Adobe Creative Suite.
If you’re interested, consider the Cinematic Arts & Technology major and the Film Studies minor. Anyone is welcome to join and gain hands-on experience in film and media storytelling – there’s no portfolio requirement or special application required, and you will learn the skills you need and develop your personal creative vision through the courses.
Check out news and student-produced short films on Studio Blue’s YouTube channel (@StudioBlueSSU), and follow their Instagram (@ssu.studioblue).
