CSU Arts festival to honor Olmos

Six of the 41 finalists are Cal State Long Beach film/video students

By Ingela Ringbjer, On-line Forty-Niner

June 18,1998

As a kick-off of the CSU Summer Arts Festival, Cal State Long Beach will host a three day Media Arts Festival starting on June 28, CSU Summer Arts Publicity Manager Mark Jocson said.

Beginning in 1990, the Media Arts Festival started off first as part of the 13th annual CSU Summer Arts Festival. It is a three day long festival, all free to the public, Jocson said.

"Every year we have honored some industry person for their work in film and television. This year we will honor actor, director and producer Edward James Olmos," Jocson said. Olmos' works on screen, television and stage include "Zoot Suit," "Blade Runner," "Miami Vice," "Stand and Deliver," "The Burning Season" and "Selena."

On Sunday, June 28 at 8 p.m. in the University Theatre, the first evening of the Media Arts Festival will feature a question and answer session with Olmos, followed by a screening of his acclaimed film, "The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez."

On Monday and Tuesday, June 29 and June 30, special screenings of CSU film/video students' work will take place at the Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theatre.

The last of a three day judging session was Monday, June 15, at NBC studios, Jocson said. Of 130 entries from students from all the 23 CSU campuses, 41 finalists will be competing for the cash award prizes, Jocson said. Six of the 41 finalists are Cal State Long Beach film/video students.

Prizes include a $1,000 and "The Rosebud Award" to the winner best in show. A $500 and "The Rosebud Award" prize will be awarded to one winner in each of the six categories.

Film/Video categories include narrative, animation, music video, experimental, documentary and news feature/public affairs/cultural programming.

The judges who have viewed the students' works, "...were mostly industry-type professionals who know about film, and also professors from the CSU schools," Jocson said.

The winners will be announced on the last day of the festival, Tuesday June 30, at 8 p.m.

More than 35 events representing all art genres will take place at the CSU Summer Arts Festival, Jocson said. "We have a very good representation of music, dance, theater, arts and film and television."

Part of the summer events are 17 two- and three-week sessions where artists are brought in to teach a wide array of courses.

"Our courses reflect work students might not be able to get at a CSU campus, and they are geared toward undergraduates and graduates who want to work professionally with their artwork," Jocson said.

In relation to the Media Arts Festival, starting on June 28, is a two week long television course, Jocson said.

"The students will write and direct and star in a sitcom that will be produced here at the university and performed on July 10 at the University Telecommunication Center," Jocson said.

Following the Media Arts Festival are different art related events and performances. "Summer Arts is an academic program where we offer master classes and college credits for our students, and master teachers will perform or showcase their work in the venue of CSULB," Jocson said.