For those wanting to pursue a career in the film and video industry, the live entertainment technology (LET) program at Lone Star College-Montgomery is now offering a curriculum with a concentration in video with integration into live entertainment. The LET-Video component, an addition to the popular LET program, will allow students to learn the basics of shooting and editing video.
“We are so excited about the LET-Video curriculum and the opportunities it presents for our students,” said Chase Waites, LET department chair. “The curriculum is quite comprehensive and includes classes in field and studio production, scriptwriting, editing, stagecraft, lighting, audio, and production management.”
The program is designed for students interested in any type of career in the film and video industry. It serves as a springboard to careers in filmmaking, video operation, broadcasting, editing, directing, and many others.
Two new LET-Video classes added for the fall semester include Scriptwriting (RTVB 1429), which meets Mondays and Wednesdays, from 1-2:50 p.m., and TV Field Production (RTVB 1321), which meets Mondays and Wednesdays, from 3:20-6:10 p.m.
The current LET program teaches the basics of video production; however, the primary concentration is on audio, lighting, and stagecraft. This new LET-Video program will touch on audio and lighting basics; however, students will concentrate on learning the fundamentals of film and video and how it can integrate into live entertainment.
“As we developed the LET program and began teaching the curriculum, we quickly realized that we were unable to meet the demands of the students that wanted to concentrate on the video end of LET,” explained Waites. “We also fielded many inquires about the existence of a film and video program, and ultimately, we determined that our students would be served best by offering a video offshoot of the LET program that meets those demands.”
LSC-Montgomery is the only college in the state and one of only a few nationwide that offers the live entertainment technology program. Four levels of training are available—a marketable skills award, which can be completed in one semester; a Level I certificate, which can be completed in one year; a Level II certificate, which can be completed in a year-and-a-half; and an associate of applied science degree, which can be completed in two years. Courses for the certificates apply to the associate of applied science degree, and many courses will transfer to other colleges as preparation for a degree in other fields including technical theatre, lighting and audio design, and other media arts related areas.
LSC-Montgomery’s LET program trains students to design, set-up, and operate lighting, video, and audio equipment. This includes microphones, sound speakers, projectors, recording equipment, audio mixing boards, lighting consoles and more—everything needed for an elaborate production.
“It’s more than just plugging in some lights, having a player for music, or pointing a camera and pressing record” said Rob Kreps, professor of drama and program coordinator of LET. “Specialists trained in this field can work in just about any industry from theatre and concert halls to corporations and churches to hotels or sporting venues.”
Students are encouraged to enroll as soon as possible as classes will be filling up quickly for this new program. Students with enrollment or program questions can contact Rob Kreps at Robert.P.Kreps@LoneStar.edu or Chase Waites at Chase@LoneStar.edu.
LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45, between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call 936.273.7000, or visit www.LoneStar.edu/montgomery.
Lone Star College System has been opening doors to a better community for 40 years. Founded in 1973, LSCS remains steadfast in its commitment to student success and credential completion. Today, with 78,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and the fastest-growing community college system in the nation. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball and LSC-University Park, five centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.