January 11th, 2007

  What started out as only a dream finally became a reality due to the hardwork, sacrifice, and determination of all those involved. The Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media Arts began as nothing more than a concept. Today, the school is celebrating the opening of the $41 million Marion Knott Studios.

The Marion Knott Studios is the brainchild of Bob Bassett, the dean of the Dodge School. Its been my vision for about eight years now...its purpose is to function like a small Sony or Paramount. It has a television stage, digital post production capabilities...about every tool that a filmmaker needs, Bassett says about the new building. Indeed, the building as well as the school itself is purely state-of-the-art. The 76,000-square-foot Marion Knott Studios complex, which opened summer 2006, comes complete with sound stages, pre- and post-production facilities, allowing students 24-hour access. The sound stages allows students to build whatever type of set they want. Typically, students might have to go to someones house and use their living room to shoot a scene. However, there could be buses outside, or other types of noise that ruin the sound. When shooting on set, there is no fear of that. Students can re-create the look they want, as well as have ample space for lighting and sound equipment. They are taught how to build the sets and have access to prop houses to get what they need, Bassett says. The school itself provides students unparalled hands-on experience. From day one, students get a camera in their hands and have access to more than 200 top-of-the-line industry standard video cameras using 35mm film. The school also has a Spirit 4K, a $1.6 million piece of equipment that allows students to convert their film into digital images, which once again, is an industry standard these days. Students also work with AVID, a program that was used on films such as Million Dollar Baby. But its not only the addition of the Marion Knott Studios or the impressive list of equipment that has made the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts one of the best schools in this field.

We have 31 faculty members who combined have worked on more than 100 feature films. Were talking about theatrical releases. For example, David Ward is on the staff. He won an Academy Award for The Sting and was nominated for Sleepless in Seattle and Flyboys. We have John Badham, who directed Saturday Night Fever and Wargames. We are very mainstream television and film oriented, Bassett says, adding that the school is only possible because there are a number of visionaries who live in Orange County that support the university.

One such person is Twyla Reed Martin, who is the president of the Charles D. and Twyla R. Martin Foundation, which focuses on the advancement of the arts and higher education in the Orange County community. When I met with the dean during the preliminary stages, I could see the potential, the aspirations. When he [Bob Bassett] talked about his vision, I knew I wanted to help, Martin says. And to help raise awareness for the Marion Knott Studios, Martin began researching ways to reach people that might want to become involved with the project. Martin often hosted one-on-one dinners in hopes of gaining support for the building of the Marion Knott Studios. She also held fund-raising receptions in her home and at other venues. I wanted to raise awareness in the community. Fund-raising is not about asking someone to give a million dollars. No one is going to give money if they dont know anything about the cause...Its a process of getting to know people..., Martin says. In fact, Martin was the person who put the Dodges in contact with the college. I read about Lawrence and Kristina Dodge in Newport Beach [714] and I learned that Kristina had produced a film. I didnt know them, but I became aware of their interest in films and filmmaking. Kristina eventually became very involved with the college and even took broadcast journalism classes at Chapman, Martin says. When we heard Bassetts vision for the film school and the emphasis he puts on teaching students the importance of storytelling, we knew we wanted to support it, says Kristina Dodge. Martin also serves on the Campaign Cabinet for the college and as chair of the upcoming university gala, The Premier. According to Martin, the event celebrates Dodge Colleges rise to distinction and prominance as well as the opening of the Marion Knott Studios. The gala is a red-carpet event that will include celebrity attendees. Guests will arrive for a film premiere and then proceed to a sit-down dinner, which will be followed by an after-party.

Chapman University sure has come a long way and a good party seems like the perfect way to celebrate a success story. Congratulations to the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.

Jenny Y. Wang