Bronx, NY – Students in the BCC Media Technology and Film Society Clubs along with The Media Technology Program of the Communications Arts and Science Department were working late hours to complete their films for the Sixteenth Annual BCC Film and Video Festival, which took place on Wednesday, June 10th at Cablevision’s Chelsea Clearview Cinema in NYC. This was the night when the five-minute original movies that they have been working on this semester were shown in a movie theater and their names were outside on the marquee. Motion Picture, Television representatives and potential employers were in the theater that night, checking out talented filmmakers to watch, provide scholarships to, and maybe hire.
The annual Film & Video Festival creates an exciting atmosphere for students to show off their work and a group of film industry representatives to see it. Special thanks to Dr. Debra Gonsher, Chair of the Communications Arts & Sciences Department for her continued support for this year’s festival. The festival would not be possible without her leadership and guidance said Professor Wisotsky. Production executives from the Eastman Kodak Company, Cablevision’s Clearview Cinema, Avid Technology, The Independent Film Channel, Panavision, Barbizon Lighting and many other companies were on hand to screen the films and present awards.
Last but not least, the BCC Film & Video Festival was also the setting for the Sixth Annual Peter J. Rondinone Memorial Awards. Professor Rondinone had his first teaching assignment in the BCC English Department. He died at the age of 48 five years ago. The Peter J. Rondinone Memorial Awards were established by the Media Technology Program to recognize students who have demonstrated the capability to make a positive difference at Bronx Community College and their community. This years awards presenter was Michael Arena, CUNY University Director of Media Relations. Michael and Peter were colleagues and editors of THE OBSERVATION POST while students at The City College of New York. The 2009 Peter J. Rondinone Memorial Award Winners were: Olimpia Liranzo, James Felipe, Juan Ortiz, Richard Ventura, Issy Andujar, Tyrone Rosmond, Arthur Jones, Arnaud Kabore and Wilfredo Suarez
The AVID TECHNOLOGY EDITING AWARD was presented to Media Technology student, Wilfredo Suarez for excellence in Television Non-Linear Editing. The award was presented by Mr. George Klippel, Avid Technology Educational Sales Manager, East Region.
The Media Technology Program at Bronx Community College prepares students for entry-level employment in production support and selected technical areas of video, film and associated media production. The first year students content includes exposure to the entire production process. Students are taught by industry professionals who provide extensive hands-on instruction. In the second year, students perform in various crew positions on actual production projects. Graduates may find employment as entry-level crew and/or production assistants in feature and short films, commercials, and industrial, educational, and documentary productions or employment inpost-production houses for video and film. Other students go on to receive BA’s or BFA degrees at a four-year college.
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Mary Healey, Director of Development, Rita DiMartino, CUNY Trustee, Curtis Jewell, BCC Foundation, Dr. Debra Gonsher, Chairperson, Dept. of Communication Arts & Sciences, Professor Jeffrey Wisotsky, Director, Media Technology Program and student honorees pose under the Clearview Cinema marquee.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Donley.
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Professor Jeffrey Wisotsky, Director, CAS Media Technology Program and Festival Director. Wilfredo Suárez, excellence in Television Non-Linear Editing winner for “Shades of Grey”. George Klippel, Education Sales Manager, East Region.
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Michael Arena, CUNY University Director of Media Relations, Dr. George Sanchez, Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, Rita DiMartino, CUNY Trustee, Dr. Debra Gonsher, Chairperson, Dept. of Communication Arts & Sciences, President Carolyn Williams, Prof. Jeffrey Wisotsky, Director, Media Technology Program, 2009 Avid Technology Editing Award Winner and 2008 Peter J. Rondinone Screenwriting Memorial Award Honoree, Wilfredo Suarez and George Klippel, Avid Technology Educational Sales Manager. Mr. Suarez received Avid Media Composer Software for excellence in television non-linear editing.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Donley.
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Wilfredo Suarez, 2009 Avid Technology Editing Award Winner and Prof. Jeffrey Wisotsky, Director, Bronx Community College Media Technology Program pose for a photo in front of Wilfredo's Eastman Kodak Student Award Winning Film Poster, "In Shades of Grey." Poster was designed by Media Technology graduate, Jamal Johns. Jamal is also an Award winning filmmaker and editor.
© Photograph by Thomas Donley