By Madison Stagg
When UC Santa Barbara students trek down a rope on a Channel Island cliff with tripods and cameras in hand, Ian Kellett reminds them that telling the ocean’s story goes beyond mere facts — it’s all about capturing feelings that come from the heart.
Kellett, a Film and Media Studies lecturer at UCSB, is a field producer, cinematographer, and visual storyteller. He co-leads the Coastal Media Project with department colleague Chris Jenkins, and Summer Gray, a UCSB professor of Environmental Studies. It’s a nine-week, 12-credit intensive summer course focused on environmental media production and documentary studies, offered through the Carsey-Wolf Center.
“The Coastal Media Project is about ocean storytelling in its simplest form,” Kellett said.
Ian Kellett, UCSB Film and Media Department lecturer and Coastal Media Project faculty, works with student to explore the Pacific and raise awareness about ocean conservation .
The summer course uses emotional storytelling to convey the deep connection between people and the ocean, inspiring audiences to engage with environmental issues on a more personal level. In the student film “Catch-22” for example, lead editor Kylie Jasnock and her team documented the efforts of fishermen, innovators, and scientists working to restore kelp forests on the seafloor.
“Nature is the greatest teacher,” Kellet said. “It’s a great opportunity for students to form teams, get out into nature, get out onto the islands, and go on an adventure.”
Kellett, his students, and other faculty members spend the summer out on the Channel Islands working in groups, immersed in nature, where students pick a story that speaks to them, and start capturing it through film. Thanks to sponsorship from Canon, they have access to advanced equipment — technology so cutting-edge that even Kellett had to take the time to familiarize himself with it.
Since 2020, the Coastal Media Project has premiered four short films each year, with each film focusing on different topics related to coastal and marine issues. Students explore issues they are passionate about — be it related to the local community or a specific kelp species. They often incorporate their own personal journeys of discovery during the filmmaking.
Coastal Media Project students in summer 2024 capturing the Channel Island coast’s sunrise for their Coastal Media Project short film. Photo by Taylor Ortiz
The course fosters a collaborative spirit, where faculty members act as peer mentors for the students, who all help one another with each of their projects. Kellett is a big believer in inquiry-based learning, a learning process that engages students by making real-world connections through exploration and high-level questioning.
“What I’ve learned about being a good teacher is really about inspiring, cultivating motivation,” Kellett said. “We slow the learning process down, invite students to ask good questions, and let them discover their own passion.”
Kellett says that just as in political campaigns or social movements, emotional appeal is often more effective than reason alone. In his work with local Chumash people, he focuses on building lasting relationships.
A glimpse of the Santa Cruz Island Reserve coast, showcasing the natural landscapes that inspire conservation efforts. Photo by Taylor Ortiz
“If you’re really trying to make an impact, it’s about having ongoing relationships and connecting with people who are willing to take the time to slow down and commit to solutions that matter to them,” he said.
In Quwa’, a film that examines Chumash history and cultural preservation, students featured the voices of Chumash elders to convey the deep, ongoing impact of displacement on Indigenous communities. The short film explores the personal and cultural losses tied to land and identity, tapping into the emotional currents that inspire collective action.
“Collaboration is hard,” said Kellett. “We’re not doing it very well as a society… around important things like pollution, you name it. There’s a lot of different places where we could use a bit more collaboration.”
On the Channel Islands throughout the summer, students often face challenges, leaning on each other for support as they figure out their next steps. Kellett incorporates Marshall Rosenberg’s ‘non-violent communication,’ a method that encourages open dialogue, which he says helps the students work more effectively when conflicts arise.
The class has a purpose, and like any effective campaign, it uses multiple channels, including UCSB departments, clubs, students and social media, to raise awareness. Through the Project’s website and word of mouth, the Coastal Media Project has reached a diverse audience—from ocean scientists and fishermen to the local Santa Barbara community.
Kellett says the Coastal Media Project is part of his mission to transform UCSB into one of the world’s environmental media hubs, inspiring others to dive into environmental media and activism. “I’m 100% committed to continuing to bring university students out into nature and specifically to the reserve system,” he said.
Madison Stagg is a fourth-year Communication major at UC Santa Barbara. She conducted this interview for her Digital Journalism class in the Writing Program.