In this email...

• From Your Academy Admin
• Program Highlight: TV/Media Production
• Staff Highlight: Matthew Balthrop, TV/Media
• Spotlight on the Arts and ARTSFairfax Scholarships
• Upcoming Events

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From Your Academy Admin

Fairfax Academy Community,

We hope you all enjoyed the slightly warmer weather this weekend! We have been enjoying celebrating with many of our seniors as they hear about their college acceptances. A reminder to all students to share with us (in-person or email) so we can celebrate you on social media and elsewhere.

A gentle reminder that a parent or guardian needs to contact us about all absences in addition to your student’s base school. You can call our attendance line (703-219-4060) or complete the attendance form on our website. We know there will be many days that students are involved in testing and/or senior activities. Please have your student complete a pre-arranged absence form for each type of activity. (You may list multiple dates on one form as long as they are for the same reason.) If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call us!

We are excited to offer a special workshop Tuesday for Ambassadors. Don’t forget to wear your Academy Ambassador shirt! When we return from Spring Break we begin our amazing season of spring events, culminating with our annual Academy Awards. Check out the schedule below and stay tuned for more details!

Warmly,
Mrs. Cook

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Program Highlight: TV & Media Production

The Television & Media Production course focuses on the creative and business aspects of filmmaking including script writing, producing, and filmmaking exploring various genres.

Students learn to operate state-of-the-art video equipment, video cameras and field equipment for productions outside of the classroom, and professional studio cameras, audio equipment, special effect generators, and character generators for use in the fully outfitted studio.

Students learn post-production and editing skills.

 

 

 

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Staff Highlight: Matthew Balthrop (TV/Media)

Matthew Balthrop brings to the classroom twenty years of experience in the professional media production industry, producing award winning media for some of the biggest brands in the world. His client list includes Audi of America, Marvel Comics, Intel, and the National Institutes of Health, to name a few. He continues to produce work as the Chief Creative Director for G14Media, a full service agency in the DMV area.

On the creative side of the industry, Mr. Balthrop's work as a director and show runner have earned him awards at film and television festivals around the country. He co-created the television show 'The Clio Exchange', a program which showcased the positive work of minority Americans throughout history. The show ran in syndication nationwide for a number of seasons. Currently, he continues to oversee different projects in various stages of development.

In the classroom, Mr. Balthrop creates an environment that is an honest microcosm of the professional production world. He encourages critical thinking and team work, pushing students to consider new ideas and techniques that will serve them not just within the production industry, but in any industry that they choose to go into. Some of his graduates have attended the most prestigious film schools in the nation, including USC, Colombia, Syracuse, and Emerson while others have gone directly into the film industry, working on major feature films such as Avengers - 'Endgame' and the Harriet Tubman biopic 'Harriet'.

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Spotlight on the Arts and ARTSFairfax Scholarships

Fairfax Academy is pleased to announce that Spotlight on the Arts in partnership with ARTSFairfax is offering two $1000 scholarships for two graduating seniors: one for a student majoring in music and one for a student majoring in dance who will attend any university or college for the 2023-2024 school year. All applications are due by April 18, 2023. If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Cook at amcook@fcps.edu.

Students interested in the music scholarship are required to submit:

• A video link of a 3 minute solo music performance or a 3 minute recording of an original composition.
• A 400 to 500 word essay from the applicant stating why they are pursuing a music degree in college and why they are applying for this scholarship.
• A completed application form (which includes a link to the student essay and video).
• Students will need to request two recommendation letters be emailed to amcook@fcps.edu by the deadline:
  • One from a music teacher with an emphasis on musical abilities.
  • One from any teacher, counselor or community member who can speak to the applicant’s character.

Students interested in the dance scholarship are required to submit:

• A video link of a 3 minute solo or group performance in which the individual is identified and featured.
• A 400 to 500 word essay from the applicant stating why they are pursuing a dance degree in college and why they are applying for this scholarship.
• A completed application form (which includes a link to the student essay and video).
• Students will need to request two recommendation letters be emailed to amcook@fcps.edu by the deadline:
  • One from a dance teacher with an emphasis on technical abilities.
  • One from any teacher, counselor or community member who can speak to the applicant’s character.

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Upcoming Events

• April 22 | MCT Fest
• April 29 | Academy Fashion Show
• May 5, 6 | Dance Showcase
• May 12 | MTAS Showcase
• May 15 | MTAS Signature Showcase at Signature Theatre
• May 23 | Academy Awards

Check out our events page for more information.

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FCPS Cares

Do you want to celebrate a Fairfax employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way, or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone.