Meeting & Agendas

The meeting opened with Christian Raymond welcoming and thanking the participants and each member introducing themselves and elaborating on their area of expertise.

Christian R. explained the two pathways of AA and AAS degrees, noting that the AAS ‘flipped the script’ on the AA degree by being intensive in RTF courses with the goal of created an avenue for industry success for our students. This led to a discussion of the question, “What kind of training is missing” for the current plan. Tim R. stressed the need for critical thinkers who are also well versed in industry funda mentels and norms. Scott R. noted the importance of students getting real world experience on actual professional sets even if it is only for a one-day internship. Patrick S. noted the lack of students who understand the basics of producing and who struggle with organizational skills. The group agreed and offering a new producing class was met with support and recommended, along with plans already in the works for a new media literacy class. Steve B. noted the need to understand the distribution and marketing world for success after the film is made is critical too. Scott R. also noted the need to stress conscientiousness, promptness and professionalism as important skills.

Brian U. David S and Laura D then gave a short demo of camera equipment, showing the Sony FS700 used in lighting, film style production and advanced production classes. the new Panasonic UX90, a fixed lens camera and the 4K Panasonic studio cameras. Brian U. gave a demonstration of the functionality of the new cameras and explained that a High Dynamic Range update was recently installed. The studio cameras it was pointed out are of a much higher quality than the current studio equipment with the eye on having them be the centerpiece of the new Highlands TV studio.

Christian R then gave a short overview of the progress at Highlands on Phase II, showing floor plan drawings to illustrate the new space. It was also noted that this move to Highlands puts the RTF department in proximity to similar disciplines in a Digital Media creative space. Alka B noted the importance of the 60 seat screening room as a place for smaller gatherings and showings with guest directors and film makers. Christian R. pointed out that there is also a larger theater suitable for end of semester screenings and other programming. Ideas were also solicited for how to best utilize the story experience lab space and offering that as a possible area for community/RTF collaborations.

The move to Highlands was a logical transition to discussing how that opportunity might best be realized with new programs or collaborations to take full advantage of the space. Tim R. questioned the interaction with the Journalism department and asked if any future collaboration in that area is being considered. Patrick S mentioned the importance of podcasts in the current media environment and elaborated that the move is now away from audio only podcasts to video podcasting and asked if the new space was geared to that possibility. Brian U. pointed out that the Internet Radio Studio was being designed to incorporate cameras for a ‘radio on video’ style production facility. Steve B asked about production possibilities. At this point Kevin A. elaborated on Picture Up and RTF Chats and the evolving approach to those two programs created by the RTF department to promote ACC and RTF. Laura D added some information about how Picture Up was folded into existing classes to also make the production a teaching moment. Scott R. noted UT’s success with producing short student documentaries on mental health issues, the best of which have been incorporated in the Stories of the Mind, an Emmy award winning series. Tim R. asked about an emphasis of field production and how much time students spend working outside the classroom and studio environment to acquire content and learn content gathering skills. Several members noted that the gap between technical skills and creative skills is smaller now than ever and that students need exposure to a wider range of skill sets more now than ever before.. Christian R. then again discussed new classes under consideration and asked for input on what new classes should be offered. There was reaffirmation of the need for a Producing class. Christian R discussed the Media Literacy Class as potentially part of the Gen Ed curriculum further, again supported as crucial skills for all students. The challenges of teaching AR/VR production were discussed with Michael H elaborating on how the narrative language of VR is still in its formative stages as videomakers in that field struggle to incorporate VR into story telling that goes beyond travel or music performance. All agree that VR/AR has an important place in the future of the industry with JJ noting VR/AR’s emergence over 3D Production which was agreed to be a dead end. Tim R emphasized again the importance of teaching Social Media and Digital Media skills due to their important role as key components of 21st Century literacy skills.

Christian R highlighted the current internship program and the new addition of the Samsung Internship/Collaboration. This partnership has features10 paid internship positions at Samsung for students who are producing, shooting and editing training videos for Samsung in-house use. Christian R. also noted that ACC/RTF has placed successful interns at many of the institutions represented at this meeting and that the internship program leads to developing employable students. There was an invitation for the members to consider other partnerships with RTF in the future.

Discussion of the future of the industry led to comments about the opportunity afforded with the new Highland facility. Brian U. mentioning that the goal was to build a Video over IP (VOIP) facility, as that is now the wave of the future. J.J. Weber mentioned an industry trend among PBS facilities to move away from Avid editing products with a consensus that Adobe Creative Suite products are growing dominant. Suggestion was made that we should consider going to an entirely PC based facility with the move as AR/VR is advancing faster in the PC world and that editing on PC platforms is becoming more and more prevalent in the industry. The consensus is that exposing students to high quality productions and involving students at a hands-on level to a variety of skill sets will be the best way to prepare them to succeed in the current media landscape. Meeting Adjourned.