Viva Doc Activities in Fall 2008

Our theme for this semester can be none other than Change. We are going to see a lot of changes to our Doc Center in the coming months. Some changes have already taken place. Our classrooms are being furnished with new HD flatscreen TVs. You will all very happy to see them.

Other changes aren’t so positive. I’m sure that most of you have heard that the Doc Center cage is closing. Doc students will now get their equipment from the fifth floor cage and the advanced sound cage. You will receive details in class.

Along with this drastic change comes a ray of hope. Columbia’s documentary program has moved into high definition. This year’s Documentary 3 class will be using new Sony HDV cameras for their upcoming project. Chris Nelson was instrumental in developing the equipment packages that we’ll be using this fall. Our new gear and the work it produces will be part of his legacy in the Doc Center.

Sadly, Chris is leaving us. As his successor I am extremely grateful for everything he’s done to put the Doc Center in a position to flourish. He was the first person that I spoke to after my interview at Columbia and I was blown away by his honesty and encouraging words. Even though my interview had gone well, my mind was full of doubt. As I listened to him talk about his first years in the program I knew more than ever that I wanted to be at Columbia and it was at that moment that I knew I wanted to be part of the Michael Rabiger Center for Documentary.

That’s what I will do my best to maintain and build on. My hope is that the Doc Center continue to grow as a documentary community that is supportive, encouraging and collaborative. Arlen Parsa has taken the initiative to start our Viva Documentary website so that we can move into this new Doc Center era in style. We’ll be using the site to talk about our progress in Doc 3, WIP Fest and a possible trip to Columbia, Missouri for the True False Festival. It will also be a tool to promote non-fiction film in and around Columbia.

DOC STUDENTS – We also hope that you will use the website as well. Please let us know about anything that you think might interest our fellow Doc students. Let us know about films that you’re thinking about, working on or trying to get seen.

ALUMNI – Please let us know about your experiences with the Doc Center, the success that you’ve had since being involved in the Doc Center and some advice that you have for our current doc class.

If you wish to have your voice heard, please contact us.