BC’s Brewster to Study Film in L.A.

From Bluefield, Virginia, to Los Angeles, California, Bluefield College’s Sahara Brewster is packing her bags and moving to the other side of the country for a semester of study at the Los Angeles Film Studies Center.

Founded in 1991, the Los Angeles Film Studies Center (LAFSC) trains students to serve in various aspects of the film industry with professional skill and Christian integrity. Exploring the art, craft and technology of film, LAFSC offers intensive hands-on production experience coupled with real world exposure, living and working in Hollywood.

Brewster was selected for the semester of study at the LAFSC by the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) through its BestSemester program. Bluefield College is a member of the CCCU, which offers students at its member institutions off-campus and study abroad opportunities at 10 different locations from L.A. and Nashville to Australia and Ireland.

“Entry into this BestSemester program is highly competitive in that over 150 CCCU institutions encourage their eligible students to apply for one of the 40 student openings each semester,” said Dr. Marshall Flowers, vice president for academic affairs. “Congratulations to Sahara on successfully navigating her application and acceptance into the LAFSC program.”

A BC communications and graphic communications major, Brewster had to complete 10 essay questions, multiple papers, and submit two letters of recommendation as part of the application process. As one of the select students chosen for BestSemester, she will study at the Los Angeles Film Center during the fall 2019 semester.

“I am very excited for this opportunity to get to study film and to explore L.A.,” Brewster said. “I think there are a lot of people who want to experience filmmaking and Hollywood. So I think it is pretty cool that I get to.”

As part of her studies, according to BestSemester, she’ll write and develop, schedule and budget, shoot and edit, all on state-of-the-art equipment, software and sets, guided by faculty who are working professionals and highly-regarded experts in their fields. The program will also connect her with some of the top companies and players in the business.

“If you’re serious about telling stories — via film and beyond, in LA and beyond — there’s no better place to get your start and build your resume,” said the BestSemester website.

A sophomore from Falls Mills, Virginia, Brewster will take part in courses like Hollywood Production Workshop, Faith and Artistic Development in Film, and Narrative Storytelling. She’ll also participate in an internship called Inside Hollywood.

“This will be a great challenge for me as I will be learning new things, living on my own for the first time, and navigating through a new area,” Brewster said. “It will bring me lots of great experience and knowledge that I can’t wait to bring back to Bluefield.”