'Their eyes light up': Athens high school film production course prepares students for jobs
When Michael Bosby was hired to teach film and video at Athens Community Career Academy (ACCA), his classroom had one camera, a few outdated computers and nowhere to film. On April 24, Michael's Audio and Video Technology and Film program officially became CTE (career and technical education) certified with the Georgia film industry, which means that his students will meet state requirements to join the workforce right out of high school.
Bosby joined the ACCA staff in 2017 after having worked as a manager of a Chicago TV station. Once he realized that he would be essentially building the school's film program from the ground up, Bosby spent his first year making sure his students would be working with up-to-date equipment that would give them a competitive edge in the industry. During Michael's second year teaching, he was told that he had five years to get his class certified.
"I've been really blessed with the support that ACCA has given me, because I've spoken to teachers at conferences that don't have that," Bosby told the Banner-Herald. "I've heard horror stories from film and video instructors who are trying to start their programs with 70 students and one camera."
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Bosby's wife, educator Jacqueline Bosby, told the Banner-Herald that Michael's film course has received donations from The Athens Printing Company, Houseman Services, GEO Hydro Engineers, Joynt Production Network, Express H.O.M.E. Program and Athens-Clarke County Commissioner Ovita Thornton.
In addition to helping Michael Bosby build the film program at ACCA, Jacqueline Bosby created a Georgia state-required website with links to examples of the ways that the curriculum measured up in five standard categories: organization and administration, learning resources, students, instructional staff, and facilities and equipment.
Bosby's Audio and Video Technology and Film course is available for 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade students in the Clarke County School District. It is divided into three one-credit courses, which Bosby teaches at ACCA, Cedar Shoals High School and Clarke Central High School. Bosby said that there are currently more than 50 students on the wait list for his course at both high schools.
When asked what it meant to be certified, Bosby said that it shows value for the school and the program, and it tells professional companies that students who complete the courses are ready to work or to go on to college-level production classes.
Though Bosby is proud of how impressed the Georgia film industry representatives were when they visited his classroom for assessment, his biggest feelings of accomplishment happen when elementary and middle school kids come into ACCA for tours.
"When those students walk in the door of my classroom, their eyes light up because they've never seen anything like this," said Bosby. "I love hearing the surprised sounds and comments that they make. And when it's time for them to leave, the kids talk about how excited they are to be able to take these courses in the future."
To learn more about the ACCA's Audio and Visual Technology and Film Pathway, visit clarke.k12.ga.us/Page/4240.
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This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Athens high school film classes receive state certification
