California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA - The OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at CSU Channel Islands (CI) will kick off its 2012/2013 Lecture Series at the Camarillo Public Library on Sunday, Oct. 7, at 2 p.m. with “The Magic of Georges Melies.”

The free, two-hour lecture and discussion led by film expert and OLLI instructor Bob Koster will examine the life and work of French illusionist and film pioneer Georges Melies. Widely considered the “father of special effects,” Melies built the first movie studio in Europe and was the first filmmaker to use production sketches and storyboards. Though his silent films entertained audiences more than a century ago, he has recaptured public interest after being portrayed in the 2011 Martin Scorsese Oscar-Award-winning film “Hugo.”

With more than 40 years’ experience working in film and television production, Bob Koster now shares his passion for film and TV through teaching. He has taught production at UCLA, USC, Art Center College and AFI, lectured internationally, and authored three books on film production. As an instructor at OLLI, he teaches such popular courses as “From Hitler to Hollywood,” “Movie Musicals,” and “A History of Propaganda Films.”

OLLI brings the excitement and stimulation of college learning to area seniors ages 50 and over – without the hassle of tests, grades or degree requirements. OLLI members can select from a broad array of eight-week, university-quality courses taught by CI faculty as well as qualified faculty from other institutions. Classes are offered at the main CI campus, CI Thousand Oaks campus, Leisure Village in Camarillo, the Ventura Adult and Continuing Education Center (VACE), and Little House in Ojai.

The OLLI Lecture Series at the Camarillo Public Library is a partnership between the two institutions that brings “a taste of OLLI” for free to the public in a series of two-hour lectures presented by OLLI educators. For the 2012/2013 academic year, six lectures are planned. All are free and open to the public.

“These free lectures are a wonderful way for people to experience some of OLLI’s most popular instructors and the style and quality of our education,” said Nick Fuentes, OLLI Program Director and Operations Director for Extended University at CI. “OLLI offers a variety of courses driven by members’ interests, an extensive social network, and the opportunity to continue learning simply for the joy of learning.”

The Camarillo Public Library is located at 4101 Las Posas Road in Camarillo. For more information on the Lecture Series, visit camarillolibrary.org or call 805-388-5275. For more information on OLLI, visit http://ext.csuci.edu/community-ed/osher/ or call 805-437-2748.

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CI) is celebrating 10 years of education, innovation, growth and community enrichment during the 2012/2013 academic year. We salute our faculty, staff, students, alumni, supporters, and partners who continue the CI mission of a student-centered education emphasizing international and multicultural perspectives with interdisciplinary and experiential service-oriented learning.

Together, we are solving the problems of today, preparing the leaders and innovators of tomorrow, and contributing to the vitality of higher education.

CSU Channel Islands – A Decade of Distinction