San Juan High School seeks to address the growing need for digital artists in the workplace with a Digital Media Pathway for students who seek training in design, production and distribution of digital art. According to the 2008 National Occupations Handbook:
Demand for multimedia artists and animators will increase as consumers continue to demand more realistic video games, movie and television special effects, and 3D animated movies. Additional job openings will arise from an increasing demand for Web site development and for computer graphics adaptation from the growing number of mobile technologies. Animators are also increasingly finding work in alternative areas such as scientific research or design services. [Occupational Handbook, 2008]
Students in the Digital Media Pathway choose four courses in one of three sequences:
·Video Production
·Website Development and Management
·Theater and Studio Management
The media labs at San Juan High School use powerful Apple computers with industry standard software to teach video production, web design and studio management.
In the Video Production strand students learn camera functions, story development and production workflow with Apple iLife and the Adobe Creative Suite. Advanced students progress to video editing with Apple Final Cut Studio taught by Apple certified teachers.
In the Website Development and Management strand, students learn fundamental design and development skills, build basic websites and manage personal portfolios online. Advanced students build complex sites using the Adobe Creative Suite.
The Theater and Studio Management strand is scheduled for opening in 2010. Students will produce live events in a modernized theater facility and manage distribution of content generated by the Video Production and Web Development strands using state of the art internet and cable broadcast tools in or new production studio.
Click HERE to see samples of student work from the Introduction to Digital Photography class.
