January 12, 2026 - May 14, 2026
SPOT 127 is a safe after-school place for high school students where they can learn skills that build their confidence and give them an outlet for their creativity, as well as prepare them for the future workforce.
SPOT 127 offers both virtual and in-person programs featuring a dynamic digital media curriculum designed for students ages 14–18 across the Valley. Laptops are provided and essential software is made available through Rio Salado College.
SPOT 127 develops technical media skills, positive study and work habits, and important life skills. Students become media literate and are introduced to new career and education possibilities with the help of SPOT 127 instruction. Leadership, teamwork, and communication skills are developed through instruction that reinforces student collaboration on projects.
Applications for Spring 2026 are now closed.
Please see our upcoming courses in Summer and Fall of 2026.
101 - General Requirement
This foundational course provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the core disciplines of visual and digital media. Through hands-on projects and guided instruction, students develop essential skills in photogtraphy, videography, audio production, graphic design, and writing. These skills form the backbone of effective storytelling and communication in medern media. By learning how to capture compelling images, produce engaging videos, record and edit audio, desgin visually apealing graphics, and write with clarity and purpose, students gain the confidence and technical ability needed to succeed not only in the program's advanced sections but also in real-world creative environments such as marketing, journalism, entertainment, and digital content creation.
Here is what you will learn:
Module 1: Course Introduction & Photography
Module 2: Foundational Storytelling & Writing
Module 3: Audio Production
Module 4: Video Production
Module 5: Leadership, Enterpeneurship, Graphics, & Motion Graphics
Module 6: Final Project & Showcase
Tuesdays & Thursdays | 4 to 6PM
Online
201 - Audio Pathway
This intermediate course builds on foundational audio skills by guiding students through the process of blending multiple sound elements into cohesive, professional-quality audio productions. Students will learn how to layer dialogue, music, sound effects, and ambient noise to create clean, balanced mixes that enhance storytelling and emotional impact. Emphasis is placed on using industry-standard software and techniques to achieve clarity, depth, and polish in audio projects. The course explores advanced narration and audio storytelling strategies. Students will study pacing, tone, vocal performance, and the use of silence and sound to shape compelling narratives. Through exercises in scriptwriting, voice recording, and editing, students will develop the ability to craft immersive audio experiences!
Here is what you will learn:
Module 1: Foundations of Audio Storytelling
Module 2: Production Tools & Mastering Techniques
Module 3: Advanced Interviewing & Narration Techniques
Module 4: Project Development & Production
Module 5: Final Project & Showcase
Mondays & Wednesdays | 4 to 6PM
In-Person
202 - Visual Pathway
This intermediate course builds on foundational media skills by introducing students to advanced creative and technical concepts in visual storytelling. Students dive deeper into the art and craft of cinematography, editing, and sound design, learning how to use these tools to shape mood, emotion, and narrative. Through hands-on projects, students explore camera movement, composition, lighting techniques, and visual continuity to enhance cinematic impact. Editing lessons focus on pacing, rhythm, and transitions, while sound design covers layering audio elements to create immersive environments and emotional depth. By the end of the course, students will be able to produce visually and sonically compelling media pieces that reflect a higher level of craftsmanship and storytelling sophistication.
Here is what you will learn:
Module 1: Cinematography Techniques and Shot Composition
Module 2: Professional Script Writing
Module 3: Advanced Editing Techniques
Module 4: Advanced Lighting
Module 5: Final Project & Showcase
Mondays & Wednesdays | 4 to 6PM
In-Person
View text description of the SPOT 127 Promo Video
[0:00] The video opens with uplifting, uptempo music and a white background accented with teal borders and an orange semi-circle in the top right. Large teal text centered on the screen asks: "DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL?"
[0:01] A split-screen shows students in a bright, modern digital media lab. On the left, two young men collaborate over a laptop. On the right, a close-up shows a laptop screen displaying a professional video editing timeline with a circular graphic.
[0:03] The view shifts to a long yellow table where three young women work. They wear over-ear headphones, focusing intently on their laptop screens as they edit media.
[0:05] A three-way vertical split-screen shows various students at circular tables. They are seen gesturing toward screens and discussing creative projects in a collaborative environment.
[0:08] The split-screen updates:
• Left: A man with long hair leans against a doorway holding a DSLR camera.
• Center: Students point at a laptop screen.
• Right: An instructor stands before a whiteboard that reads "Welcome!!" with a smiley face, gesturing during a lesson.
[0:10] Graphic background returns. Bold teal text reads: "WANT TO TELL A STORY LIKE THIS?"
[0:13] A series of student-produced product shots begins. A bottle of Dolce & Gabbana "Light Blue" perfume sits on a white surface. It is then shown being splashed by water under vibrant blue light.
[0:16] The perfume box rotates on a glass turntable against a neutral background.
[0:18] Back in the classroom, a student wearing a green Shrek mask looks toward the camera while others work in the background.
[0:20] A hand spins a circular rack filled with coffee pods. This is followed by a stop-motion sequence where a single coffee pod and a red snack bag slide across a white surface.
[0:25] A red jagged "price burst" graphic appears with yellow text: "ONLY $19.99!" It is superimposed over a black foam brick labeled "EXPO."
[0:27] A wide shot shows a group of approximately 15 diverse students and staff standing outside the SPOT 127 building, smiling for a group portrait.
[0:29] A fast-paced photo montage:
• Two young men laugh while reviewing footage on a camera screen.
• A student in a green shirt takes a photograph in a hallway.
• A close-up of a hand applying a "SPOT 127" logo sticker to a surface.
[0:32] Graphic background returns. Teal text reads: "FIND YOUR VOICE. TELL YOUR STORY."
[0:34] The text updates to: "SIGN UP TO JOIN US NOW AT SPOT127.ORG AND START CREATING TODAY!" The screen is decorated with icons of a professional camera and studio headphones.
[0:38] The official SPOT 127 logo appears. The "O" in SPOT is replaced by a set of blue and silver headphones.
[0:40] The screen fades to black.