University of the Pacific’s innovative Media Arts and Production program, formerly known as Media X, has been reimagined to offer new concentrations and interdisciplinary courses to better prepare students for a multitude of careers in media, film, production management and other industries.

The four newly launched concentrations include film, production leadership, games and interactive media and animation. A variety of media classes have been created, and classes in business, computer science, performance/acting and art have been added to their respective concentrations.

“The Media Arts and Production program offers students a dynamic cross-disciplinary approach, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of the field,” said associate professor and department chair Marie Lee. “Foundational courses ground students in both theoretical and applied aspects of the discipline, creating a strong base for advanced courses that focus on specialized areas or integrate multiple disciplines.”

Students in the media arts and production program learn through hands-on coursework with access to a game development lab, animation lab, green screen studio, flex virtual production studio and an experimental projection space. A film studio is in the works.

Small class sizes and faculty mentorship also foster skill-building through projects spanning social media and film production to animation, 3D modeling, game design and more.

Joshua Salyers, instructor of game development and immersive design, said students often work in groups, with upperclassmen sharing ideas as well as tips and tricks they’ve picked up in internships, practicums and creative projects.

“We have an extremely dynamic student community in our program,” he said. “This is one of the things I am proudest of when I reflect on the work our students have done because they not only do amazing work and amazing projects, but they do them together.”

Third-year student Achish Enriquez ’26 mentors freshmen to help them find their footing within the program.

“I let them know that it's okay to reach out and collaborate and create together. We're all trying to learn from each other, and for the skills we might not find in our classroom, we can find in our classmates,” Enriquez said.

An endowment from alumnus Bob Bejan ’82 provides opportunities for Media Arts and Production students to connect with industry players at major events including the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas and the Cannes Film Festival in France.

Enriquez attended the South by Southwest Festival. “I was able to meet so many mentors and industry professionals,” he said. “Being in that environment really helped me hone in on how to market myself as a creative, and I think that's really important, especially when you're trying to figure out what role you want to play in this type of industry.”

The program also provides practical experience to prepare students to confidently enter the professional world.

“This is a wonderful major for students who want to develop their skills in creating all kinds of media. The classes and experiential learning opportunities make these students career ready when they graduate,” said College of the Pacific Dean Lee Skinner.