Students in the film and television production program at Pacific Union College have many opportunities to experience the film world and add their own contributions.

In June, PUC’s annual student film festival screened short films in two packed showings at the Cameo Cinema in St. Helena. “This work has been a year-long experience for many of the students,” said film instructor Stephen Eyer. “They poured heart, soul and very long hours into these films.”

The most extensive of the films was a 25-minute drama by student Craig Church, "The White Abyss." It was filmed with the innovative RED digital film camera and professional actors — who also attended the screenings. “I learned a lot of things on this project,” said Church, who worked with a crew of students and instructors. “The biggest thing anybody gains … is being on a real film scene and not just another class. Taking everything you learned and coming together as a team trying to create this story.”

Eyer was also one of the organizers for this year’s SONscreen Film Festival at the Adventist Media Center in Simi Valley, Calif. Several PUC students entered short films and attended the festival, and film instructor Terry Cantrell led four film and television majors in preparing and directing the lighting setup for the ceremonies.

Earlier in the year, Eyer took three students and an alumna to the Sundance Film Festival, the largest independent film festival in the United States. The students were accepted into the competetive “University Students at the Sundance Film Festival” program and earned film credentials, had access to filmmaker-only areas, received discounted tickets and lodging, and met with other students. “For students to be able to experience the festival first-hand is both inspirational and something they will never forget," Eyer said.

Meanwhile, another student film project has seen on-going success: the 2006 documentary "Safe Surrender," produced by Brian Bazemore and Jackson Boren for San Antonio Community Hospital. The educational film about the Safely Surrendered Law has made its way to hundreds of thousands of viewers. It has earned a gold Aster Award and a platinum Ava Award, both national marketing awards. American Health Journal, which develops public service programs for PBS, also filmed a segment on the "Safe Surrender" film and program.

The new academic year brings some changes to the film and television program, which is run by the PUC visual arts department. Eyer and Cantrell are both leaving the department, and Rodney Vance and Melissa Pratt will join the program. Vance has an M.F.A. in playwriting and has worked as a head writer on two television series, written screen and stage plays and produced more than 30 stage plays and events (including an event for the Pan American Youth Congress at the Mexico City Sports Palace and one for a World Congress of Seventh-day Adventists at the New Orleans Superdome), and worked as an expert consultant in writing and as a radio announcer. Pratt holds a B.A. in film studies and an M.F.A. in film and video production. She also has experience making short films and documentaries.