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Governor Bush Announces Media Arts Mentoring Program

3/10/2004

~Film production professionals to mentor high school students on media arts~

TALLAHASSEE - Governor Jeb Bush today announced the establishment of the Florida Media Arts Mentoring Program, a unique pilot initiative designed to bring film and television professionals together with high school students to highlight the art and craft of filmmaking. During the semester-long program, students will be mentored by production professionals in all phases of filmmaking, with the final team project culminating in the production of a public service announcement (PSA) to be aired on Comcast Cable.

"The film and entertainment industry is a vital part of Florida's economy, and this mentoring initiative provides a wonderful opportunity to introduce young Floridians to the profession of film production,” said Governor Bush. “Through the course of the semester, industry leaders will mentor these students on how to produce original works, which may ultimately spark their interest in pursuing careers in the media arts.”

The pilot program has been set at Godby High School in Tallahassee where twelve industry leaders mentor a class of ten students. Mentors include Academy Award and British Academy Award winning sound designer Richard Portman, underwater director of photography for the movie Jaws Rexford Metz, and past director of development for Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films Valerie Scoon. George Fernandez, a filmmaker-in-residence at Florida State University, guides the curriculum for the 50-minute class, held once a week during a twelve-week period. The students are taught techniques for writing, directing, acting, cinematography, and editing. The students’ final project will culminate in a one-minute PSA, to air on Comcast Cable via a partnership with the Governor's Mentoring Initiative.

"Godby High School is proud to host this exciting pilot program," said Principal Randy Pridgeon, Ph.D. "Video production has long been an important part of our curriculum, but this will be the first time working professionals have come in to teach our students about the real world of film and video production.”

This pilot program is sponsored in partnership by the Governor's Office of Film and Entertainment, the Governor's Mentoring Initiative, and the Florida State University School of Film. The Governor’s Office of Film and Entertainment is the state’s economic development program for the development and expansion of the motion picture and entertainment industry sector. For more information on the Governor's Office of Film and Entertainment or the Governor’s Mentoring Initiative, please visit www.filminflorida.com or www.flamentoring.org .

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