(Image courtesy of Pexels)The College of Computing and Digital Media has partnered with DePaul Athletics to offer a new documentary course to undergraduate students through the School of Cinematic Arts. The course will allow student filmmakers to create short non-fiction films detailing the unique stories of DePaul's athletic teams and student athletes. This two-credit workshop course will begin in autumn 2021 and run every quarter.
“The connection between sports and filmmaking has never been stronger. The demand for content has never been higher," says Brad Riddell, an associate professor of screenwriting. “DePaul Athletics competes in an elite conference and recruits athletes from across the country and the world – many with a unique perspective and stories to tell."
Ranked a top film school by “The Hollywood Reporter" and “Variety," the School of Cinematic Arts is uniquely positioned with state of art facilities and industry-leading faculty to tell the story of the more than 215 student-athletes of DePaul Athletics. The film and television program has more than 1,100 undergraduate students, and houses major, minor and MFA degrees in documentary filmmaking.
“The outcome of this partnership will provide our filmmakers with valuable experience and portfolio material, and serve to elevate Athletics' programs. It will allow student-athletes a platform to share the causes and issues important to them," Riddell says.
Through the new course, students will form teams featuring a director/producer, cinematographer, sound person and editor. Each team will be responsible for working with DePaul's Athletics communications department to determine storylines within the department to bring to life on screen.
“We are thankful for the support and partnership of Dean David Miller, School of Cinematic Arts Director Gary Novak, and Documentary Program Committee Co-Chairs Anu Rana and Susanne Suffredin on this new offering," says Taylor Stapleton, senior associate athletics director.
“The storylines college athletics fosters around diversity and inclusion, teamwork, passion and perseverance are often unmatched," he says. “The challenge for athletic departments is finding ways to tell these unique stories in a meaningful way. Through the School of Cinematic Arts, we found a natural synergy. Not many athletic departments are fortunate to have such an accomplished and nationally-renowned film school on their campus."
Interested students that want to learn more about the course should contact Brad Riddell at brad.riddell@depaul.edu.