SMPTE and Director AJ Bleyer Visit the CSULB Film Department

At the Film & Electronic Arts Department our mission is to educate the next generation of filmmakers and scholars, whose diverse voices tell compelling stories that speak directly to their individual communities, as well as society as a whole. Our department provides the platforms to elevate every student, and trains them to excel in their chosen areas of the industry. A key element to fulfilling this mission is inviting high level guest artists from the industry to speak with students and provide professional expertise to emerging filmmakers. We were thrilled to host the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) and DGA Director and Photographer, AJ Bleyer to campus on Tuesday February 13th.

During the visit, SMPTE shared the importance of students getting involved in the organization that aims to enable the technical framework that allows the global professional community to make media for artistic, educational, and entertainment purposes and to distribute that content for the benefit and enjoyment of all people worldwide. They shared how SMPTE can help students connect with other professionals in the industry from around the globe in addition to enhancing their careers, receive recognition, and gain access to latest developments in the “Art and Science of Storytelling” through conferences, webinars, seminars, and the SMPTE Journal. The CSULB film department plans to start a student SMPTE chapter on campus for film students and those in the creative fields.

Students enjoyed hearing from leaders at SMPTE as well as AJ Bleyer who was captivating in his passion for his field and provided an inviting and resourceful presentation. AJ spoke with students about his experiences shooting for elite vehicle manufacturers like Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin, Porsche, Tesla and many more in addition to serving as an ambassador for brands like Fujifilm, RED Digital Cinema, and frequently speaking at industry conferences like NAB and Adobe Max. Aside from his professional experience in the industry, AJ also touched on important topics like career progress, networking tips, how to manage stress, and how to market yourself as a filmmaker and creative professional.