Canon selects UW-Stout for exclusive Explorers of Light program with award-winning cinematographer

Cinematographer shares professional skills

Hagan offered lectures and hands-on workshops during her visit, focusing on topics such as camera coverage, lensing choices, lighting techniques and set etiquette. During a workshop with B.S. video production seniors on April 14, Hagan covered all these subjects and more while helping students record a short mockumentary-style video.

As Hagan offered suggestions, about 20 students adjusted lighting, prepared cameras and monitors, hoisted boom mics, and performed in the brief sketch, which will be used to introduce students' films during the upcoming School of Art & Design Senior Show on Friday, May 8. During a break in the action, Assistant Professor Keif Oss explained that the workshop allowed Hagan to demonstrate her mockumentary-making skills. Among her many Hollywood credits are mockumentary-style series such as "Parks and Recreation," "Arrested Development" and "Welcome to Flatch."

"Embrace the imperfections," Hagan told the students before they began multiple takes of the sketch. "Sometimes the imperfect makes it feel more real."

Early in the process, Hagan advised the camera operators to stand in the space and watch a take of the scene unfold with only their eyes, not through a monitor or camera eyepiece. "The No. 1 rule on set is to pay attention," she explained.

The director of the classroom project, senior Luka Sunjic of New Berlin, said it was a privilege to work with someone who had such extensive industry experience.

"Shana was so knowledgeable and down-to-earth, and she really cares about the medium," Sunjic said. "I learned a lot about her style. I think what I appreciate most about Shana and her work is how she is able to use cinematography to convey emotion in the frame."

Sunjic, who will graduate in May, said he attended nearly every event Hagan held on campus. "Shana offered a unique perspective into the industry and offered a lot of helpful advice that I will take with me after graduation," he said.

Canon builds strong relationship with UW-Stout

Oss, who is program director for the video production program, said UW-Stout has built a strong relationship with Canon over the past six years, hosting annual fall visits that include hands-on production workshops using the latest cameras and lenses.

"Canon tends to choose schools where students demonstrate strong engagement and enthusiasm for the craft, which our students have consistently shown during these interactions," Oss said. "I consistently hear the engagement level by UW-Stout video production students stands out in a national crowd."

Taking part in intensive workshops with an award-winning professional of Hagan's caliber is a clear demonstration of UW-Stout's polytechnic identity, Oss added.

"Bringing consistent, outside industry expertise into the classroom strengthens the connection between theory and practice, ensuring students gain immediately relevant, career-ready skills," he said. "This kind of engagement adds meaningful value across every aspect of what defines a polytechnic education."

Hagan said she advises students to get as much experience as possible in school and to work on as many projects as they can, taking each as an opportunity to make a new connection, hone a new skill or use a new piece of equipment.

"I love that this next generation of filmmakers has so many opportunities for work," she said. "Studios and networks along with streamers and other online platforms provide so many different avenues for an incredibly diverse variety of content."

UW-Stout's School of Art & Design is one of the largest public art schools in the Midwest. It offers bachelor's degrees in animation and digital media; game design and development-art; graphic design and interactive media; illustration; industrial and product design; interior design; studio art; arts administration and entrepreneurship; fashion design and development; and video production, and an M.F.A. in design. UW-Stout also has a new program in game and media studies.

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