Press Releases

Naropa University and Spiritual Cinema Circle
To Collaborate on Conscious Media Institute

Instruction on “Awakening the Visionary Film Artist”
will take place in tandem with Gaia Film Festival

BOULDER, Colo. (March 18, 2008)— In a film industry dominated by special effects, megastar personalities and product placement, the importance of spiritually uplifting and thought-provoking material cannot be overestimated. This June, Naropa University and Spiritual Cinema Circle (a Gaiam, Inc. film club) will embark on a joint venture titled the Conscious Media Institute (CMI). Offering seven days of instruction, “Awakening the Visionary Film Artist: A Weeklong Intensive” will explore the emerging genre of conscious media and provide participants with the tools to develop ground-breaking film projects.

Led by Naropa’s own novelist and screenwriter, Writing & Poetics Chair Junior Burke, the institute will feature guest artists who place ethical considerations—particularly environmental awareness and healthy human relationships—at the core of their filmmaking.  Joining Burke as faculty will be Stephen Simon (co-founder of Spiritual Cinema Circle and producer of What Dreams May Come,) Jirka Rysavy (CEO, Gaiam,) Corwin Bell (multi-media artist and creative director of Wild Divine Biofeedback Games,) Peter Russell (author/scientist/futurist), Stacy Steers (independent animator and filmmaker), and others.

“Naropa’s dedication to contemplative practice in both liberal arts and professional education includes a long-standing commitment to creative writing and performance,” says Naropa University Vice President for Academic Affairs Stuart J. Sigman. “We are pleased to be able to extend our expertise and partner with Gaiam on this new educational venture.”

Professionals, film school faculty and MFA students interested in integrating their personal values with filmmaking—whether as screenwriters, directors or producers—are encouraged to attend.  In addition to formal instruction, experiential exercises and attendance at the 2008 Gaia Film Festival, participants will have the opportunity to trade ideas within interdisciplinary teams. Creative assignments will culminate in the writing of a narrative or script treatment to be developed afterwards into feature-length scripts aligned with the conscious media genre.

Spiritual Cinema Circle Co-Founder and CMI Instructor Gay Hendricks hopes the event will be the first of many such offerings. “We are thrilled that Naropa has joined us in providing leadership to the next generation of visionary media artists.”

This year’s CMI will take place on Naropa’s Boulder, Colo. campus, June 18-24.  Interested parties may find more information and submit applications by visiting the conscious media section of the Naropa University website: http://www.naropa.edu/consciousmedia/.

Founded in Boulder, Colorado in 1988, Gaiam, Inc. is a lifestyle media company providing information, goods and services to customers who value the environment, a sustainable economy, healthy lifestyles, alternative healthcare and personal development.

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of theNorth Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Naropa University is a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian liberal arts institution dedicated to advancing contemplative education.  This approach to learning integrates the best of Eastern and Western educational traditions, helping students know themselves more deeply and engage constructively with others. The university comprises a four-year undergraduate college and graduate programs in the arts, education, environmental leadership, psychology and religious studies.

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Reporters seeking information about Naropa University can contact:
Jane Rubinstein
Director of Marketing and Communications
303-245-4643
jrubinstein@naropa.edu