Insights on Digital Media and Higher Education

American copyright law is intentionally opaque. Outside of legal departments, few students or faculty members have a thorough understanding of Fair Use. Some studies even support an assertion that "no one" on campus understands it.

While this fog is helpful for courts that must continually interpret and redefine the spirit of copyright in the face of evolving technology (i.e., everything to come along since the printing press), the same gray areas can lead to confusion, intimidation, and widespread noncompliance on campus.

Educators across the country have long used smart classrooms and online learning platforms to transform traditional lectures. Students now expect film clips, PowerPoint presentations, and message boards in their learning experience. But, has this technology also transformed the work students produce?  What should educators expect from students with the same access to so much digital media? A 21st century education calls for competency-based outcomes, and much of today’s job market expects young people who can easily manipulate digital platforms. To hit on all of these points, and transform traditional assignments into more dynamic projects for today’s world, more teachers across many disciplines are turning to multimedia storytelling.

When platforms like Kickstarter initially gained traction in 2008 and 2009, Hollywood and educators both approached crowdfunding with due skepticism. It’s taken several years of testing the waters—and notable victories from industry regulars including Spike Lee (Da Sweet Blood of Jesus) and Zac Braff (Wish I Was Here)—but pursuing crowdfunding for films has finally moved into the mainstream as an accepted fundraising avenue for both big name filmmakers and aspiring students.

Congratulations! You’ve made your first film! So what should you do now? Where can you get exposure? Most beginning filmmakers will use this opportunity to play the festival circuit. At film festivals, your film will screen in front of dozens of people and you will make valuable connections by meeting agents, film industry professionals, festival programmers, and other filmmakers. However, before you start dreaming about red carpets, awards, and distribution deals, it’s important that you understand the current film industry scene and how difficult it can be to break into.

While most students show up for day one of Intro to Film ready to make the next Pulp Fiction, we know there are at least a few basic concepts they will need to master. Of course, it would be great to teach entirely through practicum, letting them work through the basics with their own film experimentations. But, the reality of large classes and short semesters gets in the way of these more fun assignments.

RESTON, Va., July 28, 2015 -- VideoBlocks, the first subscription-based provider of unlimited royalty-free stock video, today announced the launch of its Digital Media Action Grant to further advance its mission of delivering creative freedom to college campuses across the U.S., while encouraging the ethical use of digital content. For the first time, VideoBlocks will be awarding two grants of $10,000 to higher education researchers to study how digital creative content can help students build 21st century skills.