{"id":3774,"date":"2024-09-23T09:33:53","date_gmt":"2024-09-23T13:33:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/latestnews\/?p=3774"},"modified":"2024-09-19T14:35:50","modified_gmt":"2024-09-19T18:35:50","slug":"biola-university-breaks-ground-on-its-school-of-cinema-media-arts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/latestnews\/2024\/09\/23\/biola-university-breaks-ground-on-its-school-of-cinema-media-arts\/","title":{"rendered":"Biola University Breaks Ground on Its School of Cinema & Media Arts"},"content":{"rendered":"

The newly renamed Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts at Biola University<\/a> broke ground in La Mirada, California on campus for its new 45,000-square-foot facility earlier this month.<\/p>\n

In May 2023, Biola University announced its benefactor, Lynsi Snyder-Ellington, president and owner of In-N-Out Burger, was opening up the family coffers to revolutionize the 116-year-old university’s film school.<\/p>\n

The $92 million, three-story building will be named in tribute to Snyder-Ellington’s grandmother, Esther<\/a>, who was co-founder of the franchise in 1948.<\/p>\n

Although Biola University is not disclosing the amount of the gift, they did confirm that it is the largest donation in the college’s history.<\/p>\n

Biola University and Its Double-Double Blessing<\/h2>\n
\"The
The new Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts at Biola University. (Image Credit: Concept Art from Biola.edu)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

According to the official news release, “the new building will rival some of the best educational facilities in the nation for media training.” California is already home to some of the top film schools in the country, including Cal State Northridge northwest of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount central to the City of Angels, and the Los Angeles Film School in the middle of Hollywood.<\/p>\n

Adding to Biola University’s existing and award-winning production facilities, the new cutting-edge studio center boasts the following features:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • 3,000-square-foot soundstage<\/li>\n
  • 285-seat theater<\/li>\n
  • Eight private editing suites<\/li>\n
  • Progressive, dynamic classrooms and computer labs<\/li>\n
  • Green room, make-up and costume rooms, and color-grading suites<\/li>\n
  • Emerging technology motion-capture stage<\/li>\n
  • Game design lab<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    “This groundbreaking ceremony is more than just the first step of a new building \u2014 it’s the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts. Thanks to the incredible generosity of many individuals and families, this studio facility will enhance our commitment to shaping the next generation of media storytellers by promoting excellence in both craft and character,” said Tom Halleen, television industry veteran and founding dean of the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts.<\/p>\n

    When the school received its name, it was said the accompanying “Scholars Fund” from In-N-Out Burger will “help make it possible for foster and at-risk youth to study film in the Snyder School.”<\/p>\n