When you enrol in our Broadcasting – Film, Television, Digital Media, and Radio advanced diploma program, you will enter a comprehensive space that provides a wide range of knowledge and skills in various areas within the broadcasting industry. Whether you are determining which avenue you want to pursue or you want to explore them all, this program can help set you up for success with lessons taught by current industry professionals, real-world assignments, and a 14-week, full-time industry field placement.
To describe the program in a sentence, Karen Shopsowitz, Program Coordinator of the Broadcasting program, shares, “It’s hands-on and practical and gives students a great opportunity to explore their creativity.”
Unique in its approach, Karen says the Broadcasting program allows students to explore different types of media and the different roles within the industry. She adds, “Students are working with cameras in the first week of class and creating short projects right from the start, working in teams and individually.”
As for how this program helps propel students into this industry with the applicable skills to succeed, Karen explains, “Something we do that’s different from a lot of programs is that our students do a full 14-week internship. They become valuable members of the team where they’re doing their placement.”
She continues, “Throughout their three years at Centennial, they learn so many different skills –how to work in a tv studio and do live broadcasts (the cameras, the jib, the audio gear, the switcher, the teleprompter, etc.); how to create a documentary and narrative films (filming, lighting, audio, directing, paperwork, production management, producing…. It’s a long list of skills!); how to create podcasts and radio shows; postproduction, from editing to more in-depth skills like post audio, advanced editing skills, compositing and colour correction; digital media and writing – all skills that are practical and creative and needed in the industry.”
Jeannette Loakman, an Instructor in the program, says the program “gives students a chance to play in all the traditional and upcoming sandboxes – Filmmaking, Broadcasting production – in-studio and in the field, Radio, and Integrated Media.”
There are several impactful, practical assignments within the program, one of which Jeannette points out is called the We Can Build It Together Challenge. She says this assignment “brings the students together and applies the skills they have been taught across the program in one multi-camera studio and on-location exercise.” She adds, “Another is the A Walk Together assignment that allows students to work with students from the University of Portsmouth and the University of West Scotland.”
Graduates of this program are equipped with a skill set that they can apply in their careers, which provides a sense of confidence entering into such a sizeable industry. Jim Lambie, an instructor within the program, shares, “One thing I consistently hear from my colleagues in the film and television industry is that they are always amazed by the graduates of Centennial’s Broadcasting and Film program. I believe that combining industry-focused assignments and a diversity of courses prepares our grads to walk into a fast-paced production environment with confidence.”
He continues, “The synergy created within the Story Arts Centre makes them strong and adept collaborators. Whether they are telling their own stories or the story of others, they are a valuable asset to any team.”
Speaking on the significant success of the graduates from this program, Karen says, “our grads are everywhere.” She explains, “They’re at radio stations like SiriusXM, working in TV at places like Bell Media, CBC and Rogers, on-set as camera operators, Assistant Directors, Production Managers, camera trainees, etc.”
She adds, “They are making short fiction films and sharing their work in festivals; they are creating documentaries and working on social media campaigns; they are video editors at some of the best companies in the city, and they are story editors and producers and researchers on documentaries and lifestyle shows. Some have started their own companies and are now passing on that knowledge to our students.”
If you are interested in learning more about the Broadcasting program, check out the program page, which details courses, admission, tuition, and more.
Article by: Alexandra Few
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