March 2008  |  Volume 3, Issue 1, Page 4

The New Digital Imaging Center
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But then, there was this dark, damp room in the basement. The fluorescent lights were dim and buzzing. The walls were covered with fake knotty pine paneling. And it was hard to determine the dimensions, because the entire room was broken up into tiny cubicles surrounded by sagging dividers. Nobody wanted it.

Except Howard. Hoping against hope that the Dean wouldn't decide to use it as a dungeon space for part-time faculty, Howard began to hatch a plan. With a little creativity and some help from the architect, this sump of a room could, and would, be transformed. A new specialty lab, the Digital Imaging Center would complement our editing facility down in Halligan; one already filled to capacity with our filmmaking students. It would meet a need that we had identified for years: a space dedicated to digital photography and extended filmmaking projects. The new lab would be open only to selected students; first and foremost of whom would be the students of Exposure, a remarkable group dedicated to documenting the conditions in areas of socio-economic and political concern, quite literally, all over the world.

Lo and behold, after twelve weeks, at least twenty gallons of white paint, eight beautiful "daylight" fixtures, six iMacs, two state-of-the-art Epson printers, and a new carpet, the Digital Imaging Center was born. We've already put the students from Exposure through intensive weekend workshops on digital color management, and inducted them into the cult of Photoshop. And now, we will be watching as three major student films come to life in the DIC. The first is a documentary about a number of socio-economic changes in Colombia. The second, also a documentary, will focus on urban gun culture in the United States. Finally, the third is a feature that just recently wrapped, and whose grandeur will be sure to rival any film ever produced by students of the ExCollege. Shot on a 250 acre farm in Bucks County, it's a period drama that takes place during World War II, and was filmed using an internationally renowned collection of WWII memorabilia- from helmets and uniforms to canons and tanks and everything in between!

Hollywood Stories: Writing for Television and Film
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One such weekend occurred last fall, when, along with 22 other Tufts undergrads, I participated in the "Hollywood Stories" mini-course; a weekend-long pilot program proposed by Communications and Media Studies and sponsored by the Experimental College. The course, taught by Tufts alum and well known Hollywood script writer Jeff Strauss A'84, attracted an overwhelming number of students who shared an interest in writing for both television and the silver screen. The class, which took place over one unusually warm October weekend, provided for an intense and focused hands-on classroom experience. While the early mornings and long days spent in the classroom were tiring, the majority of class time involved interactive and discussion-based exercises; ones that held our attention despite the extended hours.

The class began with a discussion of dramatic stories. As a group, we devised our own definitions of this style of literature, examining the roles of irony, tension and the creative conclusion. Using these definitions we each drafted the beginning of a television show and shared it with the class. The opportunity we had to receive input from both Jeff, who has written for numerous TV shows including Will & Grace and Friends, and from our peers, had a palpable and positive effect on our writing.

In addition to honing our screenwriting skills, we learned how to properly pitch our ideas to producers. Jeff used anecdotes from his own experiences to illustrate the arduous and oftentimes emotionally draining process of selling a script. We were also able to see the ways in which a writer's script is changed over time, by analyzing some of Jeff's work on Friends; comparing his original submitted screenplays to what eventually aired was definitely an eye-opening experience for all of us.

The class ended with a discussion of Jeff's own writing process. We listened intently as he explained the various techniques he uses to overcome the dreaded "writer's block," and concluded by encouraging us to continue critiquing one another's work, and offered to help us with our writing in the future.

Looking back, I feel that this one mini-course contributed greatly to my education. Not only did I learn an enormous amount, but I crafted a persuasive pitch for a television show I intend to revisit and perfect over the next few years. I am grateful that I took advantage of the opportunity to work with such a well-respected Hollywood writer; he provided me with hands-on experience in a field that genuinely interests me, and has helped me more clearly define my goals as a student.

Lastly, working with a Tufts alum who has a definite respect for this university and the Experimental College was a rewarding experience that I hope every student should, and will, be lucky enough to share.

No Jumbo Left Behind: Our 18th Annual Opening Up the Classroom

On February 13^th, 2008, faculty, students and staff gathered together in Ballou Hall for the ExCollege's 18^th annual Opening Up the Classroom. The event, aptly titled, "No Jumbo Left Behind," addressed the very real possibility of an exit exam coming to Tufts. After guests took part in a "mock" exam that included questions from the GRE, LSAT, and MTEL, the playful game gave way to the more serious issues of when, how and why students should be required to take the test. To the alarm of many undergraduates and professors, the discussion also addressed some of the national trends in higher education and politics that have been ushering this exam from theory to reality. While the discussion and debate gave way to a multitude of opinions, the evening demonstrated, as always, how the ExCollege continues to be one step ahead of the curve.

Why Take Harry Potter Seriously?
A Spring 2008 Colloquium

If you are in the area, join us for an examination of how the Harry Potter series has relevance beyond the page and screen. On Wednesday, March 5, in Barnum 104, students will come together to hear Shawn Klein A'95, author of Harry Potter and Philosophy, and social activist and President of the Harry Potter Alliance, Andrew Slack, speak to the philosophical and practical ways in which these books and films have shaped American culture. All are welcome!

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