SOCIAL MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR IMPACT ON FILM MAKING FOR STUDENTS OF DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIZATION IN COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCES, NIZWA

Abstract

Social media and filmmaking accomplish the same purpose, which is to connect people. With the advent of the digital age, the social networking sites have had an impact in all aspects of filmmaking as well as education. The purpose of this study is to explore new media platforms and ways to utilize them by inquiring how the social networking sites influence various aspects of filmmaking and learning of filmmaking of the digital media specialization students in the College of Applied Sciences (CAS), Nizwa, under the Ministry of Higher Education, Sultanate of Oman The study showcases how Social Networking Sites (SNS) have over the years, made information easily available and experts in fields more accessible, thereby, supporting the process of pre-production, screen writing, planning, organizing and executing the script, as well as casting and funding. The study makes a case for a renewed approach in investing more resources in the sector, for students specializing in digital media courses in universities, which apart from enhancing learning from peer review and cross skilling, also provides an opportunity for monetizing the work of the students through virtual education, advertisements and distributing and marketing of their work. The study also takes into account a perspective through the gender lens, considering that women outnumber men in digital media specialization course in College of Applied Sciences, Nizwa.