Whistler Arts Council

New Media Arts Club launched at Whistler Secondary School

Funding support provided by Shaw Cable and the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation

Starting in mid-February 2008, students at Whistler Secondary School will be provided an opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to create their own digital films through a new, after-hours media arts club.

The Club is being launched as a collaborative venture between Whistler Secondary, the Whistler Arts Council, the Whistler Film Festival, Shaw Cablesystems, and the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation.

Over a 20-week period, students will develop their media literacy, and learn how to use digital video cameras, develop scripts and produce films that portray stories that matter to them. These films will potentially be screened on Shaw Cable TV and at the Whistler Film Festival.

According to School Board Trustee Andre Janyk, "The School Board had been contemplating the potential of starting a media arts program for some time. Proceeding in this manner not only provides students with a meaningful learning experience, but it also builds community partnerships that will be a lasting legacy of the 2010 Games".

"The success of last year's GET REEL youth film program suggests that there is a large appetite among Whistler's youth for potential career opportunities related to the film business," said Bill Evans of the Whistler Film Festival. "The resulting ten minute, group production of Snowing, Going, Gone! amazed audiences when it was screened at the 2007 Whistler Film Festival. The media arts club will help elevate the local talent of young film-makers even higher."

Whistler is currently home to many film and television professionals, including Laura James who joined Shaw TV's Whistler office last year as senior producer. Laura has 20 years of media industry experience, including the production of several youth-oriented shows with YTV and Treehouse. As a company, Shaw supports various projects in the communities they serve, including the Whistler Film Festival, the Whistler Public Library's new digital learning centre and (most recently) the Media Arts Club at Whistler Secondary.

Students from grades 10 to 12 who have an interest in participating in the Media Arts Club should contact Nolan Cox, Vice Principal of Whistler Secondary. "This is a great opportunity for the school to form community partnerships, and to provide our kids with a very special learning experience and potential career opportunity," Cox said. Some enrolment restrictions may apply.