Del Valle Digital Media Workshop

 

The Mobile Film School is THRILLED to produce our third digital media workshop, this time in partnership with Del Valle ISD, in the rural community of Del Valle, Texas. Fifteen high school students, ranging from freshman to seniors, participated in an 8-day, intensive documentary workshop from March 15-22, 2008. MFS faculty, staff and students clocked in roughly 99 hours of production time, which included presentations from industry professionals Jim Hart, Kate Dawson, Bill Crawford and Barry Coffing, as well as intensive instruction on the digital film and editing equipment. At the end of this course, the students produced a 9 minute short documentary film titled Till Death Do Us Part?, which focuses on the topic of marriage and divorce from their own personal experiences. Nearly 100 residents and friends turned up for the successful premiere screening, held at the Del Valle High School Auditorium on on Saturday, March 22. We want to make a special thanks to the Austin School of Film for providing post-production equipment, software, and support.

"MAHALO! The student of mine that you worked with has really opened up in all of his classes. I cannot take any credit for this, but I can credit the Mobile Film School for assisting in helping him feel comfortable in his own skin. I enjoyed the experience and I enjoyed what I saw in the kids once the school was over."
– Muriel T. Clark, STEP Teacher/Case Manager, Del Valle High School


We are inspired by the passion with which the faculty and staff at Del Valle ISD advocate for their students. For the first time, MFS was able to work with the school district to get the students to participate during school hours, highlighting the importance and relevance of the digital media skills taught in our workshops. In addition, we incorporated a culinary instruction component to our workshop with the brilliant help of DVISD Culinary Arts teacher, Dayle Hickman, and 7 hard working students. The culinary workshop teaches healthy meal planning, preparation and service, while providing food for our production students and staff. The Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation has recognized the instruction and amount of hours the students will work (60-80 hrs) during the culinary workshop and is awarding the culinary students internship credit and a certificate of completion.


We have already heard back from the students and their Del Valle High School Film Club has started plans to produce a narrative film as their first project. We congratulate all the students on their talents and wish them success in all their endeavors. The Mobile Film School will continue to consult with DVISD faculty and administration to help incorporate film and digital media technologies into their existing media program.

Sponsored by:

  • Carmelo's Restaurant
  • Clif Bar Company
  • JS Distributing
  • MusicSupervisor.com
  • Omega Broadcast Group
  • Sweet Leaf Tea
  • SONY
  • TricksterFilms

In Association with:

  • Del Valle ISD
  • Texas Restaurant Association Foundation

In partnership with the Austin School of Film, who provided post-production equipment, software, and support.

This program is made possible in part by a grant from Humanities Texas, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in Till Death Do Us Part? do not necessarily represent those of Humanities Texas or the National Endowment for the Humanities.