Student Documentary Accepted into New York Film/Video Festival

Santa Barbara, CA (PRWEB) August 17, 2005

Is it a big year for student David Wakeling? He is about to graduate from Brooks Institute of Photography with a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Journalism. He has also been accepted into the prestigious New York International Independent Film and Video Festival (NYIIFVF) to screen his video, ‘The Illicit Prescription.’ The festival, the world’s largest, is held in three major venues including New York, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. The Los Angeles event will run from September 22-29, and will screen more than 300 films and videos. Wakeling will be there…and hopes that his year goes from big to bigger.

‘The Illicit Prescription’ was created as part of one of Wakeling’s courses at Brooks Institute, a video class taught by world-renowned photojournalist PF Bentley. The 21-minute video examines the subject of medical marijuana in today’s America. It takes an objective look at the topic, presenting viewpoints and facts from both sides of the issue. The biggest challenge for Wakeling in producing the video was to find those willing to speak out against medical marijuana usage. He explains that there are vocal and organized groups, such as Norml (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) in support of medical marijuana but to get the ‘con’ side to be vocal was another matter. Ultimately, he found his counterpoint through the California Narcotics Officers’ Association and a youth drug rehabilitation center.

Wakeling, who notes that “I like controversial topics”, produced the video for just under $200. “I had my step-dad act as second camera-man…I didn’t have to pay him, which was nice.” Brooks Institute is also helping. Once Wakeling’s piece was accepted into the NYIIFVF, the school decided to become a sponsor of the event to help the young video-maker gain additional exposure for his production. Besides attending Brooks, Wakeling holds down two jobs. He is fervently hoping that the film festival will allow him to make “as many contacts as possible” that could, perhaps, offer him entrée into the world of documentary filmmaking, as well as documentary photography.

“One of my pet peeves is ignorance,” said Wakeling. “I am interested in cultural diversity, and if I can go on and make films that address this issue, that make people more aware…that’s great.”

Brooks Institute of Photography was founded in 1945 and is currently celebrating its 60th anniversary of providing visionary education. Part of the Career Education Corporation (CEC) network of schools, Brooks Institute offers a Master of Science degree program in Photography; Bachelor of Arts degree programs in Professional Photography, Film & Video Production, Visual Communication and Visual Journalism; an Associate of Arts degree program in Visual Journalism, and diploma programs in Professional Photography and Film & Video Production.

Graduates from Brooks have gone on to work for distinguished organizations including National Geographic, Smithsonian, the Los Angeles Times and other national media outlets, Hallmark Publishing, Cousteau Society, HBO, Kodak and literally scores of other leaders in visual media fields. For more information about Brooks Institute of Photography, go to http://www.brooks.edu or call the school at 888-304-3456.

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