UPPER SCHOOL
Making the Cut
The art of media at CPA Upper School
CPA Upper School ’ s Center for Visual Media and Publication ( part of The Institute for Cultural Engagement ) houses the Academy ’ s award-winning media arts program , a place where students come to discover their own gifts through the trade of media production and design . Instructor of Media Arts Michael Ellson has nurtured the program for 10 years , building a multi-tiered curriculum which includes fundamentals of production , film , cinema , television , broadcast journalism , commercial marketing , music production , documentary storytelling and more . The program boasts five Mid-South Emmy Awards ( all best-in-class ) and eight Tennessee High School Press Association ( THSPA ) awards from the 2020-21 school year , including the Bonnie Hufford Media Advisor of the Year award presented to Michael Ellson this past spring .
From its earliest beginnings , the CPA news broadcast has been student-run and community-focused , a lively showcase of what ’ s going on around the Academy and the larger Nashville community . In its early years , the broadcast became popular among upper school students as a way to be involved in school life and
learn the basics of broadcasting ; however , since then , the curriculum has expanded to focus on industry savvy , technical mastery , life skills , interpersonal skills , portfolio management , goal setting , and career development . Students are offered leadership opportunities within the program , handling roles such as showrunner , producer , and director of photography . Students facilitate long-range projects , manage timelines , deadlines , and creative concepts , learn software , handle equipment , work with industry professionals , lead interviews ... and ultimately , they produce valuable content .
Michael ’ s classroom is outfitted as a studio and equipped with state-of-the-art fixtures , but his student ’ s work is featured anywhere and everywhere , on and off campus . “ It ’ s really amazing to see students express interest in the program early on in their upper school careers . Caroline Vaccaro , our showrunner , has been working toward leading our TV and Cinema class since she moved here from California the summer before her junior year ,” says Michael .
Caroline took the introductory Media Foundations class her first year at CPA , knowing she had tapped into a personal passion , and she had the skillset to feed it .
“ I applied to be Showrunner for TV and Cinema my senior year because I knew I could handle the job . It ’ s what I want to pursue professionally . I report to Mr . Ellson as chief communications officer , manage our project timelines , act as a positive influence in the class , and help make sure each role stays on task ,” explains Caroline .
Caroline plans to attend the University of Oklahoma to pursue a degree at the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communications ( with a minor in Entrepreneurship ). Her time in the media program at CPA has honed her project management style , technical skills , and creative expression . Caroline received ample recognition for her hard work this year , winning two Emmy awards : Best Arts & Entertainment , Cultural Affairs for her Grand Ole Opry Feature Story , as well as Best Talent , and two THSPA awards : Best Television Reporter , and her music video , Silent Night , won second place for Best Music Video . “ I look at so many women leading in this industry who communicate strongly , with grace and grit , whether
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