The Wartburg College Department of Journalism & Communication has designed a new program for digital storytellers who dream of becoming the next YouTube sensation, Netflix producer, short film director or documentary filmmaker.

Real-world, hands-on and client-based education will be at the center of the new digital cinema and production major.

“This is not a traditional film studies program,” said Penni Pier, department chair. “We are passionate about teaching young people how to use digital platforms to tell compelling stories.”

The program will help students develop screenwriting, producing and directing skills for digital video and audio media. Students will create documentaries and short films as well as learn how to produce and engineer audio programs and music.

“You might say that expensive Hollywood studios are becoming irrelevant when a young person can shoot a video, upload it to YouTube and get 50 million views,” said Travis Bockenstedt, multimedia producer in residence. “Now we have to empower this digital native generation to use those tools for the greater good. We want to teach great storytelling, solid ethics and even some business acumen so our graduates can utilize the Internet in a positive way.”

The major expands digital cinema and production already in practice in the department. As seniors, students produce an extensive multimedia documentary that is publicly adjudicated. In 2012, the department launched ReelOrange Productions, a student-managed production company that serves clients in the Cedar Valley. Last year Wartburg launched Knight Vision, a streaming network that gives students live sports production and broadcasting experience.

These opportunities have led to numerous awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for excellence in student production.  

“We thought it was time to offer a formal, distinctive program in an area we are already excelling at and passionate about. Now it’s time to recruit talented students who are eager to join our creative community,” Pier said.

Wartburg College is accepting students for the digital cinema and production program, which launches in fall 2015. For more information about the program, contact Pier at penni.pier@wartburg.edu or visit www.wartburg.edu/djc.