CSUN’s Creative Media Studio Allows Students to Show Off Their Talent

  • Students examine work that was submitted to the Creative Media showcase. Photo by the Creative Media Studio.

  • Photograph submitted by CTVA major Erique DuBoise, winner of the showcase's Art category. Photo by Erique DuBoise.

  • Photograph taken on the CSUN campus by Erique DuBoise. Photo by Erique DuBoise.

When cinema and television arts major Erique DuBoise submitted photographs he took of the California State University, Northridge campus to the Creative Media Student Showcase in September, the senior wasn’t doing so with thoughts of winning a prize or receiving recognition for his work.

The showcase, which took place on the first floor of the Delmar T. Oviatt Library, celebrated the Creative Media Studio’s one-year anniversary. It featured student-made music, videos, photography, animation and graphic design from the past year. Judges were asked to vote on a winner in three categories: music, video and art.

The four showcase judges were so impressed with his photographs that they named DuBoise winner of the art category.

“The acclamation came as a surprise, because I had just begun to try my hand at photography,” said DuBoise, who does photography as a hobby. “The photographs were actually a product of my first outing with my Nikon DSLR camera.”

The studio, an extension of the Oviatt Library’s Learning Commons renovation in 2014, is located on the library’s first floor and gives students a space to work on artistic projects. The studio allows students to use or rent expensive equipment or software instead of shelling out hundreds — even thousands — of dollars from their own pockets.

Isis Leininger, coordinator of the Creative Media Studio, said DuBoise is among many students who may have been surprised by their recognition.

“It’s great to see all of these students that won or were recognized, because a lot of them submitted work that wasn’t related to their college major,” Leininger said. “[DuBoise] is not a photography major — he just does [photography] for fun.”

DuBoise noted that the studio encourages artistic personal ventures, as well as school or business-related media creations.

“The Creative Media Studio is truly a gem within the campus, and a necessary component to success as an artist or student,” he said.

Since opening in August 2014, the studio has seen a huge increase in student involvement, Leininger said. To accommodate the increase in students using the space, studio staff have added more equipment and expanded its hours to stay open on weekends.

“There’s a lot that’s happening right now,” Leininger said. “It’s very exciting.”

For hours, equipment and more information, visit the Creative Media Studio website. 

, ,