chef leeSan Bernardino Valley College’s Film, Television and Media (FTVM) Department has collaborated with Inland Empire food aficionado Chef Lee Burton to produce a new TV show called “Go Local Lee” set to premiere on KVCR-TV. Students enrolled in FTVM 114, 112, 130, 131 and 132 will have the opportunity to support the show with production services and earn IMDB credit, solidifying their professional experience in TV and media.

Spring 2022 enrollment is open for all of the courses referenced above, with the opportunity to shoot video, operate cameras and lighting, engineer audio, and more.

“Our program thrives on partnerships like this, as we’re able to put theory into actual practice for our students, and not only do they learn necessary skills to thrive in the industry, but they end up with an IMDB credit at the end,” said Lucas Cuny, FTVM Faculty Co-Chair.

Production of the show began on January 18, marking the start of a collaboration that will greatly benefit local community food-related establishment, especially amid the hardships presented by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“I’m excited to collaborate with students at SBVC for my show. I want Go Local Lee to have a current, fresh perspective and I know the students will help me achieve the look and feel that I envision,” said Burton. “Being a culinary instructor, I enjoy working with students, especially on projects requiring lots of creativity and collaboration. I believe that experience, in any profession, is the best way to learn.”

The goal of Go Local Lee is to encourage viewers to support locally-owned restaurants and food-related businesses; while showing appreciation for the diligence that goes into operating a business serving homemade food and handcrafted beverages.

“After having worked every job in a restaurant, from busboy to general manager, to dishwasher to executive chef, I truly understand how challenging it can be to run a restaurant. I want viewers to have a sincere appreciation for how much goes into operating a restaurant. It’s really a show about people more so than it’s a show about food. I believe that if you get to know the restaurant owner’s stories, and have the opportunity to learn about their struggles, we’ll all be more inclined to support them.”

FTVM students will also have a chance to earn an IMDB credit producing, shooting, and editing their own version of the iconic show, MTV Unplugged. Via live acoustic performances, similar to MTV’s Unplugged, bands, artists and musicians are being asked to perform two to four songs, live, in front of an audience, as permitted by COVID-19 protocols. “We’re looking forward to providing this opportunity to all the great bands and artists in the region who rarely receive the chance to have their music spotlighted and broadcasted across a large platform, like KVCR-TV,” said Cuny. Taping began in January and will run through the duration of the college’s Spring 2022 semester.