Young Filmmakers Promote Upward Bound Program

Center for Teaching and Learning Gives First Generation College-Bound Students Exposure to Advanced Computer Training and Media Production.

Released: August 20, 2004

MILWAUKEE – This summer, area high school students have had an opportunity to see how filmmaking really works. The students made five short documentaries at Marquette using top of the line computer film technology, in a program designed to prepare first generation, college-bound students for success after high school.

As part of Marquette's Upward Bound program, students attend internships within their field of interest. Due to an increased level of interest in media careers like film and journalism, the Upward Bound program added a practicum in Instructional Media.

A local filmmaker, Renato Umali, was brought in to teach the students media production, and supervise the making of the documentaries. The class then went on to shoot, write, produce and edit five short films, documenting the Upward Bound summer programs and their fellow classmates.

The group worked out of the Center for Teaching and Learning in the Raynor Library. “The chance to the use the Center for Teaching and Learning at the Raynor Library was incredible, and truly impacted the quality of our videos,” said Umali. “The editing environment in the library was great, and most importantly, the computers and software were fast and powerful. I have worked in many different school environments and this is by far the best situation I've had.”

"The students' experience was extremely positive. They were given a giant responsibility, and were given the support to meet that responsibility. There's nothing like presenting one's film on the large screen in front of a huge crowd. To have solid films to present and to experience such positive reactions from the crowd must have been immensely gratifying.”

The films will now be used as recruitment videos for the Upward Bound summer program.

"Research shows that first generation students face many more hurdles on the path to a meaningful education and a rewarding career,” said Gregory Frederick, Associate Director of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). “The Center for Teaching and Learning has provided an effective catalyst for exposure to important computer training that will ensure all students have a fair opportunity for a quality education."

Funding for the technology and equipment that made this project possible was donated by the SBC Foundation. SBC donated $100,000 over four years for the Center for Teaching and Learning.

Students are available for media interviews and to showcase their work. For more information contact Anne Broeker in the Office of Public Affairs, 414-288-0286.