Videography production begins

Professional videographer leads CLC’s well-equipped new program

By Steve Waller, Public Information Specialist, Central Lakes College
Central Lakes College has a new educational degree program at the Staples campus: Videography.
Instructor Mark Ambroz, who worked as a staff photographer for KARE 11 TV, is an award-winning producer who knows all phases of the fast-growing profession. His professional expertise continues to be in demand through his business, One Guy Short Productions.
He is pleased to add “instructor” to his impressive resume’ and has begun to recruit students who share a passion for creativity using the best technology around.
Ambroz will demonstrate videography at the Nov. 21 open house on the Staples campus from 1 to 4 p.m.
“By the time I was seven, I knew I wanted to work in television,” he said in his office beside the new I Mac video editing lab at the Staples campus. “In high school and college, I focused on media arts. I jumped into my first real position in TV news the day before I graduated and have never left the production business.”
The Central Lakes College videography program offers state-of-the-art tools to go with the instructional expertise. From cameras, audio, and lights to editing software, the 22 students accepted to this program each year work with the best.
“We have the hottest JVC cameras out there,” he said of the $12,000 units at the center of a new studio, where students use assorted lighting and six flat-panel LEDs illuminate the set. “Our goal is to give students production packages to work in two-person crews.”
The packages include cameras, light kits, tripods, microphones, and the use of enhancements such as the crane-like “jib arms” for sweeping shots, specialty mini-cams, and steadicams.
These are all tools Ambroz uses to obtain the stunning imagery and sound that are trademarks of good videography. His quest for the best includes four years as a producer of the original “Minnesota Bound” with Ron Schara.
Ambroz’s work has also led to 72 awards in seven years as senior producer of “Good Fishing” and “Outdoor Secrets” with Babe Winkelman Productions.
He agrees with CLC President Larry Lundblad, who said, “Demand for graduates in many programs remains strong despite the lackluster economy.” Videography skills are involved in many positions among broadcast media and commercial facilities that create messages for clients around the world.
“We’re teaching how to produce commercials, web videos, industrials, and documentaries for careers in video, film, and television,” Ambroz said.
The college has invested $250,000 in new equipment to support the program because two-year community and technical colleges exist to serve their communities and respond to the needs of the area, said President Lundblad. “Videography is a fast growing career option.”
So, what do students get in this new program at CLC, whether they take the 60-credit Associate in Applied Science track or the 54-credit diploma route?
“Students will learn the proper techniques for shooting footage, capturing stories using digital media, organizing video clips and editing footage to develop a finished production,” Ambroz said. “They take courses in media production, lighting, sound and creative software suites, digital photography, scripting, producing and directing.”
They will develop the skills needed to professionally capture and manipulate video footage using audio sound rooms, video production studios, the latest creative software suites and high tech computer labs.
As graduates they will have job titles such as visual effects editor, videographer, producer, graphics designer, key grip, editor, director, cinematographer, broadcast designer, location manager, and writer.