Academic Chair

B.A.  Broadcast Operations

M.A. Communication

Brian L. Shelton is primarily a documentary filmmaker but also specializes in live television and commercial video production.    Mr. Shelton produces television commercials and industrial videos for several area businesses.  Primary documentary interest is local history.

Mr. Shelton is also a qualified broadcast engineer and facility designer.

Classes Taught

Com 130 Intro to Mass Communication

Com 157 Video Production 1

Com 257 Advanced Video Production

Com 251 Film History and Appreciation

Com 297 Motion Picture Production

Ron Schulz

Adjunct Instructor

B.S. Cinema and Photography

M.A. Public Visual Communication

Ron Schulz’s main emphasis is in Film History & Theory. During his work on his Master’s Thesis, he did extensive research at the Walt Disney Studio Archive under the creator of the Disney Archives, David Smith.  He has done research at the Museum of Modern Art’s nitrate film archives housed at the Wright-Patterson Airforce Base in Dayton, Ohio.  Mr. Schulz is the President of the Board of The Rockford Film Project/Storefront Cinema.

Classes Taught

Com 251 Film History & Appreciation

Com 252 The International History of Film

Jerry LaBuy

Adjunct Instructor                                                      

B.A.  Film/Video Production
M.F.A.  Digital Cinema  

Jerry LaBuy has worked in radio, television, and film production since 1998. Prior to his career in production he was on staff with the University of Southern California's School of the Cinematic Arts.  While at USC, Mr. LaBuy founded his own film production company, The Caledonia Night Sky Co., which focuses primarily on narrative filmmaking.  His most recent projects include:  The Embers, Collinsville, and Crossing the Lake. His films have screened at many film festivals worldwide including screenings at the Gene Siskel Film Center. He is also the Director and Programmer for the Mosaic Student Film Festival.  

Mr. LaBuy's extensive background includes commercial, news, corporate, music video, documentary, and narrative production as well as radio production and sound design.  This experience allows for a well-balanced program focusing on all aspects of audio and video production.  

Classes Taught
Com 156 Audio Production I
Com 257 Advanced Video Production
Com 297 Motion Picture Production 

Shawndra C. Bateson

Instructional Technician/Lab Manager

Shawndra Bateson is a Rock Valley College Mass Communication alumni and is currently working for the college as an Instructional Technician/Lab Manager.  Shawndra supervises and assists with lab work, maintains all editing stations and other equipment, trains our students on Avid and Final Cut Studio systems, produces media for the college, and documentary film.