New Cinema Arts Facility Unveiled

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Chris Harty Schaefer, Cinema Arts Focus Program Director, works with students in the new state-of-the-art green screen studio.

New Cinema Arts Facility Unveiled

THe newlY-renamed cinema artS FocuS Program, FormerlY called the Media Focus Program, has a brand new, state-ofthe-art facility. “As a proud alumna of the Cinema Arts program, it is thrilling to see its evolution,” remarked Principal, Allison DeFrancesco Castro ‘03. “Re-envisioning the space has allowed us to enliven and re-imagine all parts of the program to better meet the needs and talents of our students in this cutting edge industry.” What sets the Providence Cinema Arts Focus Program apart from other media programs is not only the incredible building and equipment but also the resources and experience of its educators.

Over the course of the summer months, the former media classroom was transformed into a ground-breaking, full Production Center that houses a studio that most professional news stations would envy. Cinema students have full access to a floor-to-ceiling green screen, control room with live streaming multi-camera broadcast capabilities, a 24 track audio sound board, Black Magic design switcher, and three Black Magic Ursa Mini cameras with 4K capability and teleprompters. The studio ceiling is outfitted with an impressive collection of DMX controlled LED light panels.

The students are taught and screen their films in a professional industry environment where they are surrounded by 20 fully equipped Adobe Premiere editing stations and the latest animation technology. Newly-appointed cinema arts teacher, Elric Kane, an independent filmmaker and passionate instructor who has previously taught at Columbia College in Chicago, as well as the Relativity School in downtown LA, was blown away.

“This is as impressive a facility as I’ve seen at a college level. To think we have four years to work with students in high school is exciting.” Kane remarked.

Cinema Arts Focus Program Director, Chris Harty Schaefer, who has been nominated for two Emmy Awards and brings 25 years of experience as a director, producer, and writer in television, first came to Providence when her son Charles Schaefer ‘13 was in the Media Focus Program.

“I saw an amazing opportunity to share with my son, and the Providence community, my own experiences of working in the industry.”

Schaefer has worked with Steven Spielberg, HBO and the History

The Most Reverend Bishop Gerald Wilkerson, guided by Campus Minister Nicolas Estrada ‘07, blesses the hallway entrance to the new facility.

Channel on documentaries about the making of Saving Private Ryan, and Amistad, and is passionate about encouraging students to use media in a meaningful way.

“I love my job! Where else would we have this unique opportunity to engage students, develop their filmmaking skills, foster their individual creativity, and communicate stories that will impact the world?”

In mid-September, a VIP reception was held to give donors, industry folks, and former focus program students an advanced look at the new space. Days later, Bishop Gerald Wilkerson was on hand for the official ribbon cutting ceremony and blessed the new space.

Aside from the state-of-the-art equipment, the modern construction of the facility, which includes some of the original brick walls, and the vibrant colors used in furnishings, are sure to inspire creativity.

Walking through the hallway that leads to the new Cinema Arts Center, one can’t help but notice the inspiring quotations from current and past film directors painted on the walls. As students enter into the modern workspace, they step into the real world of filmmaking where they develop practical hands-on experience in the film industry. Here, they hone their critical thinking through interdisciplinary curriculum that expands their knowledge with each year.

As Mr. Kane explains, “I view my role as teaching them what’s under the hood of cinema, how a film works. Through a better understanding of the craft, they will learn to build their own engines.”

Cinema Arts students brainstorming on projects in the new classroom area.

Students in the control room monitoring what goes on in the green screen studio.

Elric Kane, Cinema Arts teacher, works with students.

Chris Harty Schaefer, Cinema Arts Focus Program Director, Joe Sciuto, Head of School, and Allison DeFrancesco Castro ‘02, Principal, cut the ribbon to unveil the new Cinema Arts facility.