Film is providing new opportunities for individuals to tell stories and inform the public through its educational visual appeal.
COLORADO CREATING FILM INCENTIVES
Film and media production now play a key role in informing the public.
Considering film’s influence, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade has developed a department that oversees incentives targeted toward videographers. The department of the Colorado Office of Film, Television, and Media (COFTM) runS these operations.
COFTM Deputy Film Commissioner Kelly Baug describes the role of her department.
“As a department we are meant to spread information on the film incentive program,” says Baug. “Videography is an incentive-driven field and is supported by Coloradan tax dollars. Those tax dollars go toward funding video production and educational opportunities for students.”
Differing states provide varying levels of incentives for their programs. Colorado encourages video production and the incentives developed by the COFTM compensate for 20% of production expenses, as stated on their main page. These incentives are provided to create more job opportunities and boost the economy.
With film incentives that compensate for large quantities of video production, this growing field that allows for creative exploration, has become enticing for students to pursue.
PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade is a government- and state-run agency that values the economic benefits that come from providing educational incentives. With an emphasis on education, the film commission provides opportunities for film producers and students.
As described by Deputy Commissioner Baug, introduced earlier, the department provides these incentives to grow educational opportunities.
“We support student films about various issues,” says Baug. “We want Coloradans to produce programing that is going to bring educational and socially impactful topics to the public eye.”
Although the Colorado Office of Film, Television, and Media focuses on information-based media to benefit the public, it also supports more creative freedom. The office is dedicated to providing education and career opportunities through its incentives and grants.
“We want to help to educate the public,” says Baug. “And even more importantly, help provide experiential learning opportunities for students.”
By informing the public, the COFTM is able to advertise learning opportunities for students. Opportunities provided account for various projects related to the broad field of videography.
The growing interest relating to job opportunities in the field of video allow for all audiences to partake in creating content through a visual medium.
THE BENEFITS OF ACCESSIBLE MEDIA
With the advancement of technology, video is more accessible to audiences. Listening to Baug’s expertise and experience, she believes that the media has come a long way and will continue to progress.
“I think that technology has come such a far way,” says Baug. “I feel like this increasing accessibility across the board allows for anyone to become a videographer.”
Even with incentives being provided from a government-run department, videography is a medium that is available to anyone. It is accessible and tailored to each individual.
“Film and television are the most accessible mediums,” says Baug. “And to see the faces of other people that you are relating to is important. It’s good to see how stories can relate to your own life.”
Video provides individuals the opportunity to develop content that is relatable. Content freedom gives multicultural experiences the chance be shared. With the influence and relevance of media today, stories reflective of differing experiences are valuable.
“People are citizen journalists all over the world,” says Baug. “And accessibility is making content creation very easy.”
Considering that video is accessible to all, cross-cultural identities can partake in the educational storytelling opportunities it provides. Opportunities are provided to those who seek engagement through this medium. It’s powerful to those who take advantage of its influence.
