Writer-director, GRCC alumnus Brian A. Miller to host workshop November 20

Writer-director Brian A. Miller, a Grand Rapids Community College alumnus, will host a workshop for filmmakers and actors on Tuesday, November 20, 2012, at Spectrum Theater.

Miller, whose films include “Caught in the Crossfire” and “House of the Rising Sun,”  will discuss the casting process and talk specifically about what actors can do to make themselves a marketable asset, how to nail the auditions, and book the job. He will also give insight into the film-making process, coverage and behind-the-scenes preparation.

Throughout the workshop – 6-9 p.m. in room 201 of the theater — actors will be put into mock auditions and filmmakers will work scenes from various features using blocking techniques for the camera.

Miller is an East Grand Rapids native working in Los Angeles. His third feature film, “Officer Down,” will be released by Anchor Bay in 2013. It stars James Woods, Stephen Dorff, Stephen Lang, David Boreanaz, Dominic Purcell, and Annalynne McCord. Miller just wrapped his fourth feature, “The Outsider,” which stars James Caan, Jason Patric, Jonny Messner, Shannon Elizabeth and British actor Craig Fairbrass.

The cost for the workshop is  $50 at the door and $20 for GRCC students and staff (with Raider ID). To register:  grfilmworkshop@yahoo.com

Wellness Department connects with community

Principles of Physical Education students Jared Dubay and Matt Nunn have been hired at Dickinson Elementary School to coach basketball teams for boys and girls in third through fifth grades.

Thank you to Jared and Matt for sharing their talents with the community.  Thank you also to Athletic Director Charlie Wells and Melanie Schiele Gady, both professors in the Wellness Department, and Kristy Chapman, of Dickinson Elementary, for working out the arrangement.

Donations keep Food Bank shelves well-stocked

The Office of Student Life and Conduct would like to send a huge “thank you” to the Computer Applications Department for its personal donations — and for collecting other donations — to support the campus Food Bank!

Department staff made a sizable donation, which goes a long way in supporting our students.

Professor Katie Vander Meer said the department has gathered money and provided Thanksgiving food baskets to students in computer applications for the past five years.

“With the creation of the student food pantry last year, this year we decided to donate a Meijer gift card to the pantry in hopes to help more students, and make our donation dollars go farther,” she said.

The food bank has been well-used, and it’s been a challenge to keep the shelves stocked. The generosity of all the donors is appreciated.

Lunchtime webinar focuses on making videos accessible

GRCC’s Center for Teaching Excellence will present a Live Webinar over Lunch on “Making Your Self-Produced Videos Web Accessible” from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, November 20, 2012, in room 316 in the Main Building.

This webinar will focus on videos created in-house that are included in online or web-enhanced courses, and how to include close captioning on them to provide accessibility for hearing-impaired students. Based on input about what software is used to create and host the videos, techniques will be provided that address efficiency, both in time and money, to caption those videos.

Full-time and adjunct faculty from GRCC may view at their own location or join us in 316. Guests from other institutions may view at their own location only if their institution is a member of MCCVLC, otherwise they are welcome to join us at GRCC to view.

• To view with colleagues over the provided lunch in the Main Building, register here.
• To view independently online, register here.

To register, call 234-2278 to register. Longevity Training Credit is available where applicable.

Video: The latest from GRCC TV on YouTube

Teacher Education Seminar | “No More Boring Lessons–Utilizing Common Core Standards.”

Campus dining hours change for Thanksgiving week

All campus dining locations will be open during normal business hours on Monday, November 19, 2012. But only The Quiet Cafe will be opened on Tuesday, November 20 —  from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Volleyball team brings home national title

Congratulations to Grand Rapids Community College’s volleyball team, which took first in the National Junior College Athletic Association’s national tournament on November 17, 2012!

The team won the Division II title — the first national title for any women’s sport at GRCC — by beating top-ranked Crowley County, 3-0. The GRCC women swept all three games.

“We had a lot of alumni text us and congratulate us last night, and that says a lot about the hard work everyone has put in the last six years,” coach Chip Will said in an MLive article. “This was a team win, but also a program win.”

Two MIOSHA seminars begin in February

In February, Workforce Training will present two seminars in the Construction Trades covering Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards.

Construction – Part 32 Aerial Work Platforms & Devices will provide an overview of the common hazards associated with aerial work platforms using case studies of actual accidents or photos of hazardous conditions. MIOSHA construction safety standards will be discussed, as well as the development and the importance of an accident prevention program.

This seminar runs 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. February 5, 2013, at Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC. It costs $105 per person. To enroll, click here.

A 10-hour MIOSHA program presents an overview of the agency’s regulations for the construction industry. The information is intended to help participants  develop an accident prevention plan, as required by MIOSHA. The program will include an overview of MIOSHA inspection procedures, as well as the most frequently cited MIOSHA violations in the construction industry. Students will receive a 10-hour card upon successful completion of the class.

Two sessions are available: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. February 27 and 28, 2013, and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 21 and 22. Both meet at Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC. The cost is $170 per person. To enroll, click here.