Construction, Curriculum & Collaboration: Department Chair Adam Moore Shares Fall 2023 Updates With Alumni & Friends
Dear Beach Film Alumni,
Warm greetings from the Film & Electronic Arts Department at California State University, Long Beach! We're thrilled to share with you an array of inspirations, accomplishments, and innovations from a truly transformative academic year.
Our journey towards an exciting future commenced in May with the start of the long-awaited UTC Building Renovation Project. This transformation, featuring a brand-new 2400 sq. ft. soundstage opening this Fall, is not just about brick and mortar—it's about forging an environment that fuels creativity and nurtures talents. Come Spring 2024, our rejuvenated space will boast new classrooms, a state-of-the-art computer lab, an upgraded audio space, a spacious equipment room, and much more. Witness this transformation unfold by following us on Instagram @csulbfilm.
The Full Spectrum event held in May was a spectacular display of our students' potential and creativity. It underscored why our work matters - our students, with their innovative and evocative films, are setting the stage for a vibrant and diverse future of the entertainment industry.
Our ongoing partnership with the Newport Beach Film Festival has grown stronger, leading to even more opportunities for our students. This year, we also joined hands with New Filmmakers LA, as well as the Catalina Film Festival. These new partnerships brings our students closer to the vibrant Southern California creative scene, offering them unprecedented access to festivals and networking opportunities.
A landmark moment this year was our first-ever FEA Graduation ceremony. This inaugural event, set to become an enduring tradition, underscored the exceptional accomplishments of our students across all disciplines, and was held in addition to the College of the Arts Graduation ceremony at Angel Stadium.
On the faculty front, we celebrated the release of directing instructor Annette Haywood-Carter's film DAUGHTER OF THE BRIDE. And Creative Nonfiction Prof. Helen Hood Scheer's film BODY PARTS was released on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, and Vudu after its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in summer 2022.
Prof. Scheer's tireless dedication to her students was also recognized with the University's Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award - a proud moment for our department!
Speaking of faculty, this year we're thrilled to add two new members to our faculty. In Spring 2023, we welcomed Dr. Diana Anselmo, a critical studies scholar whose book, A Queer Way of Feeling: Girl Fans and Personal Archives of Early Hollywood, was published by University of California Press in February. Joining us this Fall 2023 is Matthew Montoya, a screenwriter who has written for The Good Wife and Truth Be Told, among others. They both bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our department, and we're excited about the fresh perspectives they offer.
Looking towards the upcoming academic year, we're introducing a new, comprehensive curriculum starting with the Fall 2023 cohort. The new curriculum is designed to provide a well-rounded film education, with a focus on production skills, written and visual storytelling, and critical studies in the foundational years. As our students move into their third and fourth years, they'll have the opportunity to specialize in areas such as Directing, Cinematography, Producing, Screenwriting, Postproduction, Creative Nonfiction, or Critical Studies.
Our ever-growing alumni network remains a cornerstone of our department. This May, we hosted an insightful panel discussion involving alumni from various sectors of the industry. They offered graduating students a valuable glimpse into their career pathways and insights into how to land – and keep – the job of their dreams. I’d also like to thank all who joined us for the alumni reception after the Full Spectrum showcase. It was great to see – and meet – so many of you.
In our hearts, we have always known that our alumni are one of our greatest strengths. You, with your ceaseless passion, creativity, and commitment, embody the spirit of our department. With your support, we can shape a future generation of filmmakers and artists who dare to dream big, who dare to challenge, and who dare to create.
Your success is a reminder that no dream is out of reach, no idea too audacious. You are a testament to the boundless potential within every student in our department, and an inspiration that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
We thank you for your continued belief in our department. Together, let's continue to foster creativity, spark innovation, and redefine boundaries.
Until we connect again,
Adam Moore
Chair, Film & Electronic Arts Department
California State University, Long Beach
