Elmhurst University will host a Digital Media Showcase on May 16 to celebrate films created by the University’s digital media students, as well as music videos made by Chicago middle school musicians and Elmhurst students as part of the University’s partnership with The Base Chicago programs for youth.
The evening begins with a red carpet walk and photos to welcome all participants and attendees. During the showcase, work by digital media students—including short films, documentaries and video game and animation highlights—will be screened.
The showcase also will feature “Feel The Base” music videos created over the past academic year by middle school students from Chicago’s West Garfield Park neighborhood, in collaboration with Elmhurst students and faculty.
It’s the second year for the Feel the Base program, an effort by Elmhurst University and The Base Chicago to bring music and filmmaking opportunities to kids on Chicago’s West Side. Middle school students in the program are selected to write and record original songs with the help of mentors from The BASE. Elmhurst University students and faculty then meet regularly with The BASE kids and help turn their songs into music videos.
At the same time, Elmhurst students learn firsthand about music recording, film directing and producing, and how to be good mentors and guides. Programs like Feel the Base provide Elmhurst students with hands-on opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills, giving them a professional edge as they prepare for careers and whatever comes next.
The program is led by Kristyn Jo Benedyk, associate professor and director of Elmhurst’s digital media program; John Klein, assistant professor of digital media at Elmhurst; and Eric Davis and Frank Brim, co-founders of The BASE Chicago, which uses sports, academics and the arts to get students invested in finishing high school and serving their communities. All of the middle school musicians involved in last year’s and this year’s program will receive an initial $50,000 scholarship to attend Elmhurst when they’re ready to attend college. The scholarship would convert to a full, 4-year scholarship if they remain engaged with the University throughout their high school careers.
The Digital Media Showcase begins at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 16, with the red carpet walk and photos, followed by the showcase at 7:00 p.m. in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel. The event is free and all are welcome. For questions, email [email protected].