PS Film Fest Hosts DATA Students

_______________________________________________
Over 100 DATA students, DATA counselor Deborah Applebaum, and DATA teachers Matt Hamilton, Matt Cauthron and Rose Gonzalez attended the first two films screened at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Jan. 7, 2008. The students saw “Blessed is the Match, The Life and Death of Hannah Senesh", and “The Black Balloon.”
The event was held at the Palm Springs High School Theater and included students from Palm Springs High School, Indio High School, Desert Hot Springs High School, Palm Desert High School, and La Quinta High School.
Before viewing the films, the students heard from author/filmmaker James Parkinson, a Palm Desert resident, who wrote “Soldier Slaves,” a book that was made into a film by Parkinson and documentary filmmaker Ashley Karras. Free copies of the book were given to each student who attended he screening. Lunch for the students was hosted by Chipotle.
___________________________________________

Digital Imaging Students Visit Chagoya's Bordelandia at the PS Art Museum

_______________________________________________
words by Leah Oakes




















On Tuesday, December 16, 37 DATA students and DATA teacher Matt Cauthron visited the Palm Springs Art Museum where students toured the current exhibitions, which included "Borderlandia" by Enrique Chagoya and "Against All Odds" by Keith Herring. Chagoya uses contemporary icons to illustrate the differences between indigenous societies, while Herring's art explores the many themes of life that many people overlook.
During guided tours by adult docents of the museum, students were encouraged to dialogue about the pieces they were viewing.
"The exhibitions at the museum have fueled my passion for photography,” said DATA senior Jessica Smith. “They have also convinced me to re-dedicate myself to my goals. Because of my exposure to the museum over the last couple of years in DATA, I learned to decipher multiple messages that artists place in their work, and how art speaks louder than words."
See the web gallery here!
___________________________________________

Students Visit The Getty and CSU Northridge

_______________________________________________
Photo & words

By Leah Oakes



Eighty-five DATA students, grades 10 through 12, DATA teachers Matt Cauthron, Jill Nation, DATA counselor Deborah Applebaum, and CCHS counselor Lacy Fredricks visited California State University Northridge (CSUN) and the J. Paul Getty Museum, Nov. 21st.
“I really liked the CSUN campus and everyone we visited there was really friendly,” said DATA junior Cynthia Reyes. “Everywhere we went, there were people performing. And I really enjoyed the sculptures at the Getty. I had never been to the museum before and I tried to visit every building there to see everything. The view of the gardens and Los Angeles was amazing. The day ended with a beautiful sunset.”
At CSUN, students toured the campus and met with an admissions officer. The students also met with professors in the Art Department. CUSN offers a number of majors that Digital Arts Technology Academy students at CCHS might be interested in including photography, broadcast journalism, graphic design, cinematography, and video/digital art.
Of particular interest to the DATA students at The Getty were “Please Be Seated,” a video installation constructed by Nicole Cohen and “In Focus: The Landscape,” which includes work of more than 25 renowned photographers.
See the web gallery here!
___________________________________________

Creativity and Digital Artistry with Wade Byars

_______________________________________________

As a follow up to DATA's visit to The Desert Sun, photographic artist Wade Byars discussed his composite artistry in DATA's digital imaging studio/classroom Fri., Nov. 7, 2008. The presentation focused on his use of image collection, Photoshop technique, and the many ideas behind his surrealist pieces.

In preparation for this event, digital imaging and photography students previewed and discussed the photographer's imagery in an online forum at the Digital Arts Education Ning

and will continue to reference his work in further Web 2, project-based learning assignments.

"DATA truly appreciates the time and energy Mr. Byars has donated to the Academy and sincerely welcomes him as a friend of the program who can clearly demonstrate the connections between what is taught in the classroom and what is practiced in the field"

-Mr. Cauthron, Digital Imaging Instructor, Apple Distinguished Educator

___________________________________________

DATA Students Get the Scoop at The Desert Sun

_______________________________________________
Photo by
Cecilia Tellez











"Everybody has a story and I love telling stories," said Desert Sun sports reporter Patti Myers to 14 DATA students who had the opportunity Oct. 23 to tour our local newspaper.
The students, accompanied by DATA Coordinator Matt Hamilton, DATA Counselor Deborah Applebaum, and DATA teacher Matt Cauthron, heard from Sun Executive Editor Rick Green, web editor Nick Bolland, and photojournalist Wade Byars.
Green, who freelanced for his local paper while still in high school, told the students that the newspaper business is rapidly changing with the advent of the Internet. "The days of waiting to get your information when the morning paper hits the porch are over. We're no longer just a newspaper; we're an information company." Green said that reporters now write from the web and update for the newspaper. "It's a lot different than when I started out with a notepad in my pocket," he said. "The digital world has transformed our profession."
Green said the Sun's online newspaper, mydesert.com, gets three million web hits a month, while the paper edition of the Desert Sun has a circulation of between 40,000 and 57,000, depending on what time of year it is.
Sun photojournalist Wade Byars, who became interested in photography while shooting pictures of winos and derelicts near his neighborhood, began working at the Desert Sun in 1992. His passion for photography extends beyond his working hours at the Sun, and he's working on publishing a book of his surrealistic photographs, some of which he shared with the DATA students during their visit.
___________________________________________