Faculty
Lucas Cuny, MFA *Certified in Arri Camera Systems -Lucas Cuny grew up surrounded by corn fields and truck stops in New Haven Indiana.
As Luke Skywalker did or George Bailey always threatened, he shook off the shackles
of the small town and came to Southern California to face his ultimate adventure,
to pursue is passion for film. He studied film in Los Angeles, and would bring those
talents and knowledge back to the Inland Empire where he’s produced short films, documentaries,
and commercials. One year he got the crazy idea to run a film festival in Redlands
California and thus founded a non-profit Slate Inc. Through this non-profit he ran
two international film and beer festivals in the city of Redlands, ran workshops on
the art of filmmaking, and wrote grants to help fund local filmmakers in the region.
He eventually would earn an MFA in Screenwriting from California State University
Fullerton and continued in his academic pursuits thereafter. In those pursuits he’s
become a published author, first writing a book on how to run a film festival “Running
a Film Festival: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Project Management.” More
recently he’s been published in academic journals such as in the Journal of Film and
Video and in the Journal of Arts and Letters. In the Journal of Arts and Letters he
published an article based on his findings from research about careers for artists,
“Career Paths for Arts Majors.” He’s also presented several times at the University
Film and Video Association national conference. The topics of those presentations
included Web Series Development, panel discussions on screenwriting, and how to create
work experience opportunities for film and media majors. He continues to write and
produce and hopes to see the Inland Empire become a new thriving region for film and
media production. lcuny@valleycollege.edu
Donna Trewhella *Certified in Arri Camera Systems Adjunct Professor - Writing/Field Production/news and film production dtrewhella@sbccd.cc.ca.us.
Kevin Lyons *Certified in Arri Camera Systems - Kevin Lyons is an active independent filmmaker and business owner. He has worked in
Radio, Television, and Film, as a Cinematographer, Producer, Video/Audio Editor and
Graphic Designer. Over the years, he has grown a substantial network of clients across
the nation. His program emphasis include production, cinematography, and directing.
One of his favorite cinematographers is Roger Deakins. Adjunct Professor TV/Film Klyons@valleycollege.edu.
James Rippetoe, Adjunct Professor - Radio/audio production, jrippeto@sbccd.cc.ca.us.
Amber Barnard, Adjunct Professor -- Amber hails from the mountain town of Big Bear Lake, Ca. Eventually
making her way to Los Angeles county, she found life in the city to be more her style.
Amber was always drawn to the artistic world, initially by the angelic sounds of punk
rock music. Going to shows was a favorite past time throughout her high school career.
Then the music performance bug bit her quite hard and she had to be part of this crazy
music scene. Amber began playing drums of the punk and hardcore type, joined a few
bands in LA and her music career took off. Next, of course, came time to make music
videos and #Filmlife began. She enrolled at Cal State Fullerton to further her knowledge
of the film world and earned a Masters degree in Screenwriting. Shortly thereafter,
Amber jumped into the role of actor and producer of an independent production company,
New Vizion Films, based in Los Angeles, and through years of grinding, the production
team has been fortunate enough to work with people, brands and companies like IGN,
Ebony Magazine, Issa Rae on her original webseries: Awkward Black Girl, Comic-Con,
Nike, Cinemark Theaters, and many, many others. New Vizion has also produced feature
length documentaries accepted into the Tribeca Film Festival and The Santa Barbara
Film Festival. So- what else could she do with all this knowledge and experience you
ask? Well, teach of course! She was given a wonderful opportunity to teach film studies
at SBVC as an adjunct professor and she couldn't be happier! She still plays the drums, she still works with New Vizion Films as a producer, writer
and performer, and now teaches. What a crazy ride! She’s very excited for and always
looking toward the future abarnard@valleycollege.edu
