Christian media school opens in J'lem

Students will learn about biblical themes and faith along with film and TV.

By TAYLOR INNES
foreign press 248 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
foreign press 248
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Kings School of Media recently opened a new state-of-the-art facility in central Jerusalem near the Mahane Yehuda open market. The school is designed to help students from all over the globe to become fully equipped professionals who will function as ‘salt and light’ in the media and entertainment worlds. Students will study film, media, television and the recording arts for two years, and will also be trained in developing their talents for use in professional and ministerial capacities.
“Media today has such an impact on our culture, but for the most part that impact is fairly negative. Our desire is to train up media professionals who can change the entertainment industry from the inside out,” said Kings School of Media director Greg Williams.
Greg and his wife Sarah Williams previously founded a similar media school for the successful Teen Mania movement based in Texas.
The new school is under the auspices of the King of Kings congregation, led by Pastor Wayne Hilsden, who calls it “a dream that has suddenly come together.” He notes that the school has already won first prize at a Christian competition in Los Angeles for its production of a Messianic worship CD.
Students at the school will be learning not just film and television production, but also about biblical themes and the Hebraic roots of the Christian faith.
“They will be writing stories and shooting videos in the place from where the Word of God is to go forth to the ends of the earth,” Williams told The Christian Edition. Williams is himself a veteran videographer, with several Christian music video productions to his credit.
The courses start with classroom sessions during the first two months and then hands-on training, during which each student is assigned live broadcasting jobs and various projects that a production company employee would do. After sufficient training, the students become project leaders and mentors of new students.
The areas of training include producing, directing, editing, videography, motion graphics, print design, the recording arts and event production. While students will focus on particular subjects, they will also be exposed to every facet of the school’s curriculum.
“Breaking into the entertainment industry isn’t as easy as just getting a degree. Nine times out of ten, the person with the most actual experience and broadcast work will win over the one with the degree.
That is taken into account at Kings School of Media,” said Williams.
“Unlike other film schools where you come away with one or two student projects, here you’ll be working on many broadcast projects with real deadlines. By the time you’re finished, you’ll have a diverse portfolio.”
“At Kings School of Media, our passion is more than film and media.
Our driving passion is to see God glorified in and through our life and work… That’s why discipleship is woven through every aspect of what you’re doing at the school.”