The new Production Arts major is an interdisciplinary emphasis involving Ouachita’s Pruet School of Christian Studies as well as the university’s School of Fine Arts and School of Humanities. It is one of three new majors that will be introduced in Ouachita’s Pruett School this fall, including Christian Media/Communications and Biblical Languages.

Dr. Stan Poole, vice president for academic affairs, says that most majors are housed within one of Ouachita’s seven academic schools. With the Church Media/Production Arts major including more than one school, “this involved a greater collaboration among the schools.”

The deans of Christian studies, fine arts and humanities began with “conversations about putting together an attractive program for students interested in combining Christian ministry with expertise in production arts,” Poole explains. The Church Media/Production Arts major combines foundational courses in theology, biblical studies and ministry with hands-on study of production arts and media in such areas as stage lighting and sound, graphic design and video production.

“I was excited to see the level of collaboration among schools to create the new major,” Poole continues. “It allows us to take available resources on campus to meet the needs of students and churches.”

Dr. Danny Hays, dean of the Pruet School of Christian Studies, says each of the three new majors is designed to meet specific needs that have emerged in various ministry settings.

Detailing the need for the Church Media/Production Arts major, Hays says, “In the last 15 years, a new vocation has appeared in church ministry – media director. We view them as ministers and want them to be trained theologically. We also want them to have all the technical and artistic training and savvy they need for that particular vocation. It’s a unique combination of training and talent.”

Dr. Scott Holsclaw, dean of the School of Fine Arts, says the impetus behind developing the Church Media/Production Arts degree was, “the current trend in ministry and worship for expertise in technology, with an understanding of Christian ministry, worship and theology.”   

Citing the growing need to offer students an option for worship ministry that allows for the trends in technology in the worship centers, such as lighting, sound, design, staging, film and video, Holsclaw adds, “More and more high school students are working as volunteers in these churches and are wanting to find a way to combine their passion for ministry and worship with their passion for the arts. This interdisciplinary degree offers students options for exploring the area where they have the most passion such as art, music, theatre, media or film along with Christian ministry.”

“As most churches are using more and more technology in worship, this degree allows for the development of a theological basis for how these mediums are used and provides a solid foundation for a thoughtful and well-planned process in producing programs for worship,” Holsclaw says. “It is one thing to use technology. It is another to use it with an eye to how it will undergird the ministry and the worship of our loving, redeeming Savior. That is what we wish to accomplish with this degree.”

Dr. Jeff Root, dean of the School of Humanities, credited current and former Ouachita students with sparking interest in the new majors.

“Media jobs in churches and ministries have boomed as we have learned to use new communication tools to tell the story of Jesus,” Root says. “Whether media is displayed as part of worship or employed to enhance ministries, this combination of majors gives students some real-world tools to do the work of Christ.”

Emphasizing that the new majors are “vocationally-driven,” Hays says, “One of the strengths of Ouachita is that the different disciplines see education as a cooperative effort and are more than willing to work with each other to craft an interdisciplinary degree. It is an opportunity to draw on the expertise across campus and craft the degree to match the vocation. We feel this will enhance students’ options.”

Ouachita Baptist University is a private Christian liberal arts university in Arkadelphia, Ark. The school has an enrollment of almost 1,500 students from moreo than 30 states and 50 nations. U.S. News & World Report has ranked OBU the number one Baccalaureate College in the South for three years in a row.

Synergetic Audio Concepts, better known as Syn-Aud-Con, now has a video update available concerning their planned online training curriculum. The company has been developing a new website and online training since November 2009 and offers this video update of their progress.

http://www.synaudcon.com/website08/videoupdate.php

In the video, Syn-Aud-Con Owner Pat Brown says they have been able to add things to the online training they could never do live, using flash animation liberally. He says the live demos have been refined and are complete with audio and links for further study. Users will have an online profile and testing is available after every session.

“Audio professionals are pulled in many directions and are required to stay proficient in many areas,” says Brenda Brown, Syn-Aud-Con’s co-owner. “Audio is only one area of many. Syn-Aud-Con realizes the importance of shortening the learning curve. The motto, “Simplicity is empowering,” Brown continues.

She says the goal is to make the website and online training user-friendly. “The online training is the culmination of years of conducting live classes and learning what works and what doesn't.” Brown says the online training will be designed to put users in the classroom without leaving their computer, complete with animation, visuals, demonstrations and instruction.

“Using this approach requires more of our time to develop the content, however, it will be a valuable resource for you. We welcome your comments or suggestions. Thank you again for your patience as we go through this transition period,” says Brown.

The first in-person training this year is scheduled for June 5-11th at InfoComm. Until then the company plans to focus attention on getting the new website up and running.

John David Ware, president of the 168 Hour Film Project will moderate a two-hour, super session for the worldwide community of faith, including church media professionals, artists, and ministries seeking excellent faith-based content. The session will include screenings of award-winning, 168 signature eleven minute films and will explore the current Hollywood media climate for entertainment with Christian themes.

In partnership with the 168 Film Project (168), an incubator for filmmakers of faith for nearly a decade, the National Association of Broadcasters Convention (NAB Show), the world’s largest electronic media show, announced an event for the worldwide community of faith, including church media professionals, artists, and ministries seeking excellent faith-based content.

"Faith in Film: A Roadmap for Success in Hollywood" will be held Wed. April 14, 3:30-5:30 PM at the Las Vegas Convention Center.  The panel discussion features writer/producer Brian Bird ("Touched by an Angel"); Paul Lauer, founder of Motive Entertainment, which designed and managed the marketing campaign for Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ"; and writer/director Joshua Weigel ($100K award-winning short, "The Butterfly Circus"). The session is moderated by John David Ware, founer and president of the 168 Film Project.

The two-hour super session, included in this year’s NAB Show education program, will feature screenings of award-winning, 168 signature eleven minute films and will explore the current Hollywood media climate for entertainment with Christian themes.

Pictures like "The Blind Side" and "Fireproof" have opened to tremendous box office numbers.  The forum will examine: What are the necessary ingredients for such projects in a post "Passion of the Christ" world?  Where do opportunities exist for artists of faith?  What resources are available for the continuation of God's voice in the mainstream media?  Who is creating cutting edge content and where can it be found?

For more information on 168 and the NAB Show's "Faith in Film" forum visit www.168project.com. 
Special NAB Show registration incentives to the faith community are available, by using the code "HF02" - good for free, exhibits-only registration, now until April 1st or $100 off a Conference Flex pass until Feb. 5.  Attendees may visit the 168 exhibit (April 12-15) at the NAB Show's Content Central Area.

The NAB Show is April 10-15, 2010 in Las Vegas (exhibits open 12 April). It covers filmed entertainment and the development, management and delivery of content. See details at www.nabshow.com.

Panel Guests include BRIAN BIRD a writer/producer whose credits include "Not Easily Broken" (2009), adapted from the novel by T.D. Jakes for Sony/Screen Gems; “Saving Sarah Cain” (2008) and “The Last Sin Eater" (2007) for 20th Century Fox in partnership with Michael Landon Jr., more than 250 episodes of "Touched By An Angel," 'Evening Shade," "Step by Step" and "The Family Man."  He is currently working on “The Shunning” and “When Calls the Heart” for Fox, and “Unlikely Angel,” the untold story of 2005’s Atlanta hostage crisis in partnership with producer Ken Wales (“Amazing Grace”).

PAUL LAUER is the founder of Motive Entertainment, which designed and managed Icon Productions’ successful marketing campaign for Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ." He is also credited with major grass roots campaigns for the Tom Hanks film "The Polar Express," blockbuster "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," and many surprise successes like "Rocky Balboa,"  "United 93,"  "Secret Life of Bees," and Ben Stein’s "Expelled." The films he has helped market have grossed over $2 billion worldwide.

JOSHUA WEIGEL began writing and directing short films in 2007.  His film “Stained” won 8 awards including Best Film at the 168 Film Festival in 2008.  Most recently, he co-wrote and directed a depression era film called "The Butterfly Circus,” which won the $100,000 first prize for Best Film in The Doorpost Film Project.  "Butterfly" stars Nick Vujicic, Eduardo Verástegui ("Bella") and Doug Jones ("Pan's Labyrinth," "Rise of the Silver Surfer").  Josh and his wife Rebekah are currently seeking financing for the feature film version of "The Butterfly Circus." As an actor, Josh played the lead role in the feature film "To Save a Life" (2010).

Moderator JOHN DAVID WARE is the founder and president of the 168 Film Project (168), which has birthed more than 375 short films in its seven-year history.  It has helped propel the careers of hundreds of media professionals by providing real-world experience, recognition and collaboration with some of Hollywood’s top professionals.  John has written feature-length screenplays and is the writer/director of a short film spoof of Hollywood stereotypes entitled "The Chronicles of Hernia: the Lion, the Ditch and the Studio" (www.chroniclesofhernia.com).

The 168 Film Project is a competition in which films are based on a Bible verse and created in a one week time period to premiere at the 168 Film Festival. The eighth annual competition will occur February-March 2010, and the film festival is March 26-27.

www.nabshow.com
www.168project.com