October 08, 2009

About 40 middle and high school students are getting a shot at making a TV commercial and learning about video production tools and techniques through the Slick Rock Video Academy, which begins Monday, Aug. 4, at California State University, Fresno.

The project is a collaboration of Fresno State’s Kremen School of Education and Human Development, the Fresno County Office of Education and Region VII of the California Technology Assistance Program.

Students from Fresno, Sanger, Clovis and other communities will stay in the residence halls on campus and attend classes 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily in the Kremen School.

Classes are taught by Kevin Scritchfield of Sierra High School in Tollhouse, Patrick Wilson of McLane High School in Fresno and Jon Corippo of the Fresno County Office of Education with support from Dr. Otto Benavides, a professor, and Lars Newlander, a staffer, both in the Kremen School.

On Wednesday Aug. 6, the students will produce a commercial for Hedrick's Chevrolet in Clovis. The auto dealer will provide three vehicles, which will be displayed on the grassy area near Keats and Maple avenues.

Evening programs will include presentations, discussions and work on projects that will teach and hone video production skills.