How to Break into the Canadian Film Television and Radio Broadcasting Industry?

Centennial College’s three-year post-secondary program in broadcasting and film makes the right choice for you, if you:

• Are looking for basic minimum qualification that can help you seek an entry in broadcasting industry, without any industry connection
• Have a creative mindset but require technical skills to build a rewarding career in television, radio or films
• Wish to learn what goes into preparing, managing and carrying out the creative production
• Already have artistic talents and are looking to hone your skills
• Wish to understand the creative and commercial aspects of broadcasting industry, before actually trying to seek an entry to the industry
• Need an exposure to a variety of broadcasting industry practices and players
• Wish to explore dynamic broadcasting industry and opportunities for creative expression and employment

The film, television and radio broadcasting program is a comprehensive and intensive program and covers a wide selection of courses. In first year, you will be introduced to media: theory, workplace and issues, imaging: photography, writing for media, camerawork, tools and processes for communicators, history of broadcasting, radio production, lighting, film appreciation and analysis and editing.

You learn about filmmaking, TV studio, screenwriting, integrated media, sound to picture design, storyworks and documentary and factual in second year while the focus is on on-air promotions, broadcast career management, media business and entrepreneurship and portfolio production in third year.

During the program, you will have access to digital HD studios, equipment and systems and will learn to use them. You will also participate in journals, student films and TV and a student-produced news magazine TV show that airs live and online.

In addition to this, you will also get an opportunity to gain hands-on experience through an industry field placement in sixth semester with Canada’s leading TV channels, web production companies, radio channels, magazines, film production houses, commercial TV production companies and picture studios for 15 weeks.

The aim of the program is to help you:

• Gain an in-depth understanding of all aspects(creative, technical and commercial) of broadcasting industry
• Learn how to use digital equipment and systems
• Hone your creative skills and acquire new competencies necessary for a sustainable career in broadcasting industry
• Explore diverse career paths in broadcasting industry
• Create a professional portfolio of an advanced body of produced work

Why Centennial College?

There are numerous broadcasting schools in Canada but Centennial broadcasting and film program may be the best for you. This is because this particular program has a proven track record of training some of the country’s best writers, directors, producers, production crew members and studio executives for broadcasting and film industry.

Another reason is that the program offers a full-semester field placement through college-industry partnerships. It helps students gain real world experience along with relevant industry contacts, which are very helpful in seeking an entry to the industry. The college acts as a meeting platform for employers and broadcasting professionals.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to apply to this program, you will need secondary school diploma certificate, required minimum score in English Grade 12 C or University, or equivalent, a resume with two Letters of references and a portfolio demonstrating your ability to tell a story. You will also need to complete a broadcasting and film writing test.

Career Outlook for Film and Radio Broadcast Program

Interested in working in film industry or radio or television production companies? Along with being passionate and internally driven, and possessing a great deal of perseverance, you will also need creative and technical skills to seek employment with radio, television or film production companies.

With this, you will also require excellent communication and interpersonal skills, understanding of artistic and commercial aspects of the industry, media writing skills, camera work and lighting skills, editing and story writing skills.

Building a career in media and film industry is quite challenging. However, college education in broadcasting and film can help you gain the required knowledge, skills and hands-on experience, opening doors to a number of career opportunities in front of you.

Centennial College’s post-secondary TV and radio broadcast program prepares you for diverse careers in entertainment and media industries. While gaining both the creative and technical skills, you will also create new and original story ideas, and prepare, manage and carry out the creative production. The program also incorporates an industry field placement to complement your education.

The three-year program at broadcasting schools lays a strong emphasis on media workplace issues, photography, broadcasting history, writing for media, camerawork, communication, radio production, lighting, film appreciation and analysis, editing, filmmaking, TV studio, screenwriting, integrated media, sound and picture design, on-air promotions, media business and entrepreneurship, and portfolio production.

Career Outlook for Centennial’s Broadcasting and Film Program

As a program graduate, you will be able to find employment with radio and television stations, including specialty channels, production companies, corporate and commercial TV/Film production houses, feature and series film producers and web production companies. You may work as:

• Radio Broadcasting Assistant: As a radio broadcast assistant, you will be responsible for producing transcripts, program logs, editing audio packages using specific software, assisting with recording of transmissions, updating the radio station website, overseeing day-to-day production of local and national radio, planning, researching and producing live radio programs and broadcasting pre-recorded programs.
  
• Studio Manager: As a studio manager, whether in a radio or television channel, you will be required to work on technical equipment to record, amplify, enhance or mix sound. You will also be responsible for assessing the acoustics of the studio, positioning and operating the recording and amplifying equipment, maintaining sound and recording equipment, monitoring audio signals to detect sound-quality deviations and synchronising pre-recorded audio with visual content.
  
• Television Production Assistant: As a television production assistant, you will be responsible for editing and issuing scripts to and planning and distributing schedules of actors and crew members, organizing their accommodation and travel arrangements, handling expenses and sorting out enquiries. You may work on different types of television programs, such as reality shows, comedies, dramas, soap operas, or current affairs. You will be involved at all stages of a project, right from early stages to completion.

Apart from these, you may find employment as floor manager, film production assistant, production designer, and program researcher or location manager.  Alternatively, you can choose to study further for more advanced career options, by applying your academic credits toward a course at the associated university, institution or professional association.

Broadcasting and Film Program Balances Film and Broadcast Courses

When a program has a split focus, there is always the chance that one aspect will get more attention than the other. However, through a balanced approach, Centennial College’s Broadcasting and Film program has been training — for more than 30 years —some of Canada’s best writers, directors, producers, production crewmembers and studio executives for the broadcasting and film industry.

As one of the city’s most respected film and broadcasting schools, this offering prides itself on offering students hands-on experience that backs up theory. As such, students study out of digital HD broadcast studios that feature modern equipment and systems. In these facilities, students attend a range of classes.

Film-based courses:

• Film Appreciation and Analysis: Students learn the history of film and various forms of criticism. This allows them to gain a better understanding of the genre and an appreciation for what makes films worth watching and making.
• Filmmaking: Students study both the art and the execution of the filmmaking process. The emphasis is on storytelling, production, and postproduction in the making of individual and group films.
• Screenwriting: Screenplay format, structure and narrative language are covered with an emphasis on the art of storytelling. Course assignments include writing “Final Films” that are then produced.

Broadcasting-based courses:

• Radio Production: An overview course, this aspect of the program examines the structure and operation of radio stations, production companies and other related companies. The course also covers theoretical aspects of the basic radio field and control room/studio equipment.
• TV Studio: A fully hands-on course, each lab in this class involves instruction and demonstration followed by hands-on operation of equipment and systems in the production of simple television programs.
• Broadcast Career Management: This class is based on a combination of classroom instruction, weekend workshops and one-on-one time with the course supervisor. It teaches students how to be successful in their careers.

Additionally, students participate in student films and TV, as well as the JOURNAL, a student-produced news magazine TV show that airs live and online; and create an advanced body of produced work for a professional portfolio.

Whether students’ ultimate goal is to work in TV or radio broadcast program, or film, they benefit from the program’s last-semester field placement. This opportunity sees them working in the field with professionals to enhance their resume and become comfortable with the tasks they may complete once they launch their career. Among the companies with which Centennial College has field placement partnerships are: CBC, CTV, Cuppa Coffee Studios, Red Apple Productions, The Score, WNED TV Buffalo and more.

While grads are completely prepared for jobs with radio and television stations, including specialty channels; production companies; corporate and commercial TV/Film production houses; feature and series film producers; and web production companies, Centennial College also makes the transition to further education seamless. This is due to educational partnerships with Athabasca University; Davenport University, Griffith University (Australia; and University of Ontario Institute of Technology, which allow them to apply academic credit towards further study.

Breaking into Broadcasting Industry

Careers in broadcasting and films can be exciting and rewarding. The industry offers all sorts of job opportunities in technical, management and creative areas, along with a wide variety of supporting roles. Although the industry is fiercely competitive but there is no reason why one shouldn’t succeed, with thorough understanding of broadcasting industry, brilliant and creative ideas, excellent technical skills to carry out creative production.

How to Break into Broadcasting Industry?

A program in radio and television broadcasting can help you realize your dreams. There are a number of broadcasting schools in Canada that offer post-secondary programs in broadcasting and film. However, it is recommended that you make a thorough research before enrolling in a particular program. It is important to ensure that the program you choose sets you on the right career path and helps you fulfill all your specific career goals.

Centennial College’s three-year post-secondary film and radio broadcast program prepares you with the creative, technical and managerial skills that you will need for building careers in films, television and radio. You will be exposed to a variety of techniques and industry practices, while studying about the industry in-depth. The course combines classroom learning, hands-on training, portfolio development and a 15-week full-time industry field placement. The emphasis is on helping students develop a balance between the artistic and commercial aspects of the broadcasting industry.

What Will You Study?

The broadcasting and film program at Centennial College Toronto is a comprehensive as well as intensive program that covers all aspects of films, radio and television. It runs through six semesters, covering a wide range of subjects in the areas of photography, writing for media, camerawork and lighting, screenwriting, editing, documentary, radio production, story works, film making, tools and processes for communicators, radio production, TV studio, sound to picture design, and on-air promotions.

While gaining technical skills for creative production, you will also learn about workplace issues, history of broadcasting, film appreciation and analysis, and media business and entrepreneurship. The program also teaches you about broadcast career management.

Practical Hands-on

During the program, you will get opportunities to participate in student films and TV, journal and a student-produced news magazine TV show that airs live and online. You will also have access to digital HD equipments, systems and broadcast studios. The program also incorporates a 15-week industry field placement component, allowing you to put your learning into practice and gain hands-on experience working in a real life setting. This will give you an idea of how industry works and what employers expect from their workforce.

Career Options

As a program graduate, you will able to pursue your career with web production companies, corporate and commercial TV/Film production houses, production companies, feature and series film producers or radio and television stations, including specialty channels.

You may also consider studying further by applying your academic credits towards an articulated program with the associated universities, institutes and professional associations. This will help you upgrade your knowledge and skills and seek more advanced career options upon graduation.

Enrollment Guide

You can send your completed applications to the college, along with a copy of secondary school diploma certificate and scores in English Grade 12 C or university or equivalent. With this, you will need to complete a written test given to you by the college, and submit a portfolio of work and a resume that includes your media related experience and two letters of recommendation.

Building Careers in Broadcasting and Film Industry in Canada

The broadcasting and film industry offers a wide range of careers nowadays. Individuals can be engaged in creating stories and scripts, managing and carrying out the creative production, balancing the artistic and commercial aspects of the industry, producing series or feature films, producing content for TV and radio shows, film appreciation and analysis, screenwriting and editing and many more. The list of careers is endless in this industry.

Although it’s not mandatory for creative and artistic individuals to undergo a formal education in this field to build a rewarding career; however, most careers will require individuals to possess a technical and commercial understanding of broadcasting and film industry. A course in radio broadcasting and film not only helps them hone their natural talent and gain necessary skills but also exposes them to diverse career options in the industry.

As radio, films and television are dynamic fields with endless changes and advancements, and creative expressions, it is essential for professionals to have a strong and in-depth understanding of all aspects of the industry for consistent growth. With this, they must also be comfortable in using the equipment and technology and digital systems. Furthermore, the professionals are expected to possess a practical, real world experience in editing, writing, reporting, hosting and production.

Film and Radio Broadcast Programs in Canada

A post-secondary film and radio broadcast program is a comprehensive program that prepares students in all aspects of the film, television and radio industry, including creative, technical and commercial. It exposes them to a variety of industry contexts, settings and practices and procedures.

The goal of the program is to help students learn to prepare, manage and carry out the creative development and production procedures and create new and original story ideas. It also offers them an in-depth understanding of filmmaking, media business, portfolio production, camerawork and lighting, and workplace issues. It focuses on an all round development of students, so that they can easily handle communication tools, manage media businesses, publish magazines, handle live and online shows and work in HD broadcast studios.

Program Content

The broadcasting and film program is a post-secondary program that typically runs for three years through six semesters. It covers a wide range of courses in writing for media, radio and television production, film analysis, integrated media, screenwriting and filmmaking, sound to picture design, documentary and factual story creation, broadcast career management and media business and entrepreneurship.

It includes classroom learning, participation in student films and TV, working on a magazine that is aired live and online, portfolio development and a 15-week full-time industry placement.

Eligibility Criteria

Interested students who have completed their secondary education can apply for this program. They need to send their applications to the college of their choice along with a copy of secondary school diploma certificate and scores of English Grade 12 C or University or equivalent.

In addition, they also need to complete a writing test, submit a portfolio demonstrating their ability to tell a story and a resume that includes their media related work experience and two letters of recommendation.

Where to Study a Radio Broadcast Program?

A number of Canadian broadcasting schools in Ontario offer this program. Unfortunately not all offer full-time industry field placement, which is an essential requirement to build a career in this field. Centennial College’s program in broadcasting and film provides a full semester field placement, which complements classroom education. Moreover, the program reflects high standards of learning and offers excellent placement opportunities.

Broadcasting school teaches students to wear all hats in showbiz

The world is one big book with plenty of stories to tell. Centennial College Professor, Sheldon Reisler, can relate to that as he introduces the Broadcasting and Film (6401) program. This three-year program “trains you in radio, television, and film” and covers different areas of work within these three major categories. Students learn technical writing, the filmmaking process, and the production process. Rieslersays that what makes Centennial College unique from a list of broadcasting schools in Toronto is the relevance of its curriculum to the industry expectations.

“(Centennial) offers a generalist program. More so now than ever before, people have been called to be generalists. They’re not being called to be specifically shooters, editors, producers, directors, writers, or production assistants. There’s a whole variety of different skills being required. And because we have a generalist program, we cover a pretty significant gamut or spectrum of the industry,” says Reisler, who also has over 25 years of experience in the broadcasting industry, producing content and managing technical aspects in the field.

The first five semesters of the program includes a creative storytelling process, technical skill building, and portfolio creation, with practical experience in on-campus studios, led by trained instructors. Centennial’s radio broadcast part of the program includes training on studio equipment and control boards, and the television and film includes the creative writing and visual production process.Here is what you can expect during your time at Centennial:

• The creative production is combined with the technical production, where students are involved in all aspects of video production in studio classes.
• Upgraded facilities with four new HD cameras, an HD switcher, and monitor, allowing to shoot HD films.
• Students can create films and TV for Centennial, such as JOURNAL, a news magazine TV show led by students which broadcasts live and online.
• Faculty members with years of relevant experience teach their students about industry expectations and trends within broadcasting professions.
• The program is known to have produced some of Canada's best professionals in the broadcasting and film industry.

“If you finish five semesters in this program, and you feel that you got a pretty good training, and you really want to apply your skills and really test it out, you’ve got a sixth semester which is 15 weeks, on-location in a real-world working environment, where not only do you get the chance to work with other professionals, but there’s a chance you may get hired out of that particular job,”Reisler describes of the program’s top highlight for students. Here is what you can expect of your field placement:

• Apply your knowledge and training from your classes to the workplace, where you will find similar equipment and production processes that will help with your career transition after graduation.
• Networking is important in this industry and you can build your connections through this internship by getting to know business insiders and showing them your talents and abilities.
• Students have been placed in various production sets including the following companies: CBC, FLOW 93.5, Spy Films, BITE TV, Sportsnet, Dome Productions, CityTV, and TV Ontario.

Students are exposed to different types of production, which will serve valuable as they apply in the wide pool of job opportunities. The program teaches students to be generalists, in which they can lead a career as various content and technical producers in the film and broadcasting industry. Some careers that graduates have accomplished are TV Series Directors, Web Producers, Script Writers, and Traffic Coordinators.