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Media Production

Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Program Website: ryersonrta.ca/programs/ba-media-production (external link, opens in new window) 
Administered by: RTA - School of Media
Program Format: Full-time, four-year program.

Ryerson's Media Production program is designed to prepare students to perform a wide variety of tasks which make up the profession of electronic communications. The program provides an integrated series of courses to equip students with practical skills and a foundation of theoretical knowledge.

O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses including Grade 12 U English (ENG4U)/Anglais (EAE4U).

Notes:
  1. A grade of 70 percent or higher will be required ENG4U/EAE4U. 
  2. Final admission selection will be based on grades and non-academic criteria, including an interview. 
  3. As part of the admission selection process, applicants must visit the Program (opens in new window)  page for details about the non-academic requirements.
  4. A non-academic assessment fee of $50 CDN (subject to change) is required and will be requested by Ryerson as applicable.
  5. Students must be able to keyboard, as hand written assignments will not be accepted.
  6. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.

Media Communications in Canada is a rapidly changing environment which requires motivated individuals who possess discipline, flexibility and creativity. The information age is open to those with analytical and conceptual skills and the flair to recognize and act on new opportunities.

An appropriate academic background for this program would include the foundation skills developed in the traditional secondary/post-secondary courses which stress research, information synthesis and application of process to achieve results. Performance, arts and media courses should be chosen sparingly to develop and indicate career interest.

The Media Production program centres on content creation/storytelling, media production, critical theory and the law and business of media in radio, television, music and new media industries. The BA in Media Production will offer five Concentrations: Radio and Sound, TV and Video, Digital Media, Media Business and Screenwriting.

Community Practice Hours

To graduate from any of the RTA School of Media Undergraduate Programs, each student must complete a minimum of 60 hours of Community Practice unpaid volunteer work in a qualifying RTA institution or project. This can be done at any time over the four years of the program. This will be considered one requirement of successful completion of RTA 711, RTA 82A/B or RTA 431.

Liberal Studies

Students must take three lower level liberal studies courses and three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

Formerly 'Radio and Television'.

Fall 2013 and prior admits: English courses are not available for credit.  

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

Formerly 'Radio and Television'.

Fall 2013 and prior admits: English courses are not available for credit.

Minors

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education Certificates

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

1st & 2nd Semester

1st Semester

REQUIRED:

RTA 101 Introduction to Media Theory and Practice
RTA 102 Creative Processes
RTA 103 Digital Media Production I
RTA 104 Sound Production

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

2nd Semester

REQUIRED:

RTA 210 Media History
RTA 211 Production Theory
RTA 212 Media Writing
RTA 213 Production: Introduction to Multi-Camera
RTA 243 Production: Introduction to Single Camera

  

3rd & 4th Semester

An optional Concentration may be selected from Core Elective Table I starting in 4th Semester.

3rd Semester

REQUIRED:

RTA 315 Business of Creative Media
RTA 316 Concepts in Narrative

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

REQUIRED GROUP 1: Choose Option 1 or Option 2:

Option 1: One of the following:

RTA 311* Production: Intermediate Audio
RTA 313* Production: Intermediate Multi-camera
RTA 314* Production: Intermediate Single-Camera

*RTA 311, RTA 313 and RTA 314 have a GPA Weight of 2.00 and a course count of 2.00.

Or

Option 2: Two of the following:

RTA 312 Motion Graphics
RTA 317 Digital Media for Evolving Audiences
RTA 320 Interactive Storytelling
RTA 321 Intro to Tangible Media
RTA 925 Making Objects
RTA 928 Gaming Theory and Practice
RTA 930 Social Practices in Hybrid Media Spaces
RTA 932 Hacking, DIY and Open Source Cultures
RTA 934 Virtual Identities and Communities
RTA 935 Institutional/ Personal Media Platforms
RTA 958 Networked Art
RTA 962 Interaction Design
RTA 963 Web Design
RTA 965 Advanced New Media Topics
RTA 967 Interactivity and Net-working
RTA 968 Emerging New Media Practices

4th Semester

REQUIRED:

RTA 310 Media Aesthetics and Culture

CORE ELECTIVES: Two courses from Table I.

OPEN ELECTIVES: One course from Open Elective Table.

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

  

5th & 6th Semester

5th Semester

CORE ELECTIVES: Two courses from Table I.

OPEN ELECTIVES: Two courses from Open Elective Table.

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

6th Semester

REQUIRED:

RTA 503 Project Development - Media Production

CORE ELECTIVES: One course from Table I.

OPEN ELECTIVES: Two courses from Open Elective Table.

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

  

7th & 8th Semester

Revised and First Offered 2017-2018.

7th Semester

CORE ELECTIVES: One course from Table I.

OPEN ELECTIVE: One course from Open Elective Table.

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

REQUIRED GROUP 1: Choose one of the following four options:

  Option 1: Thesis Project & Exhibition
  RTA 710* Thesis: Production Project
     
  Option 2: Thesis Project & Open  
  RTA 710* Thesis: Production Project
  Option 3: Major Research Paper
  RTA 71A/B Thesis: Major Research Paper
  Plus one course from Open Elective Table (opens in new window) .
  Option 4: Media Writing Project
  RTA 75A/B Thesis: Media Writing Project
  Plus one course from Open Elective Table (opens in new window) .
  Option 5: Two courses from Open Elective Table (opens in new window) .

* RTA 710 has a GPA Weight of 2.00.
RTA 71A/B and RTA 75A/B are two-term courses that have a
GPA weight and a course count of 2.00.

8th Semester

REQUIRED:

RTA 711 Master Class

REQUIRED GROUP 1:  Students continue with the Option started in the Fall term:

  Option 1: Thesis Project & Exhibition
  RTA 810* Advanced Distribution/Exhibition
     
  Option 2: Thesis Project & Open  
  Two courses from Open Elective Table.  
  Option 3: Major Research Paper
  RTA 71A/B Thesis: Major Research Paper
  Plus one course from Open Elective Table (opens in new window) .
  Option 4: Media Writing Project
  RTA 75A/B Thesis: Media Writing Project
  Plus one course from Open Elective Table (opens in new window) .
  Option 5: Two courses from Open Elective Table (opens in new window) .

REQUIRED GROUP 2*: One course from the following:

RTA 811 Internship
RTA 812 RTA Productions
RTA 813 Directed Readings

* RTA 810, RTA 811, RTA 812 and RTA 813 have a GPA Weight of 2.00 and a Course Count of 2.00.  

RTA 71A/B and RTA 75A/B are two-term courses that have a GPA weight and a course count of 2.00.

A Concentration is a structured plan of study within a program (6 to 12 core or professional electives) that provides an opportunity for advanced or in-depth study in a particular area of interest.

The following optional Concentrations may be selected from within Core Elective Table I (opens in new window) . Concentrations are optional, but must be formally declared and completed before graduation to be noted on the academic transcript.

Concentrations available to students admitted Fall 2014 and after.

Concentration in Critical Media Theory

Students will complete RTA 101, plus five (5) of the following:

RTA 220 New Media Art History
RTA 323 Contemporary Strategies in New Media
RTA 903 News and Current Affairs Theory
RTA 938 Digital Popular Cultures
RTA 939 Indigenous Media
RTA 940 Canadian Televisual Studies
RTA 946 Issues in New Media Theory/History

Concentration in Digital Media

Students will complete six (6) of the following:

RTA 221 Experiential Media/Interdisciplinary Practice
RTA 222 Intro to Computational Arts
RTA 223 Intro to Experience Design
RTA 317 Digital Media for Evolving Audiences
RTA 320 Interactive Storytelling
RTA 321 Intro to Tangible Media
RTA 925 Making Objects
RTA 928 Gaming Theory and Practice
RTA 929 Multi-platform Narrative
RTA 930 Social Practices in Hybrid Media Spaces
RTA 932 Hacking, DIY and Open Source Cultures
RTA 933 Hacking, DIY and Open Source Studio
RTA 934 Virtual Identities and Communities
RTA 935 Institutional/ Personal Media Platforms
RTA 948 Interactive Spaces
RTA 953 Mobility and Mixed Reality
RTA 954 Empathy Machines
RTA 958 Networked Art
RTA 959 Visualization and Generative Processes
RTA 961 2-D and Object Animation
RTA 962 Interaction Design
RTA 963 Web Design
RTA 965 Advanced New Media Topics
RTA 967 Interactivity and Net-working
RTA 968 Emerging New Media Practices
RTA 975 Video Compositing and Special Effects
RTA 982 Advanced Digital Media Production

Concentration in Media Business

Students will complete six (6) of the following:

RTA 901 Advertising
RTA 904 Advanced Media Management
RTA 906 Marketing for Media Professionals
RTA 908 Business of Producing I
RTA 909 Business of Producing II
RTA 912 The Audience
RTA 913 Media Entrepreneurship
RTA 914 Business Case Studies in Communications
RTA 915 Legal Issues in Media
RTA 916 Advanced Media Marketing
RTA 917 Public Relations
RTA 918 Ethics in Media
RTA 919 The Art of Negotiation
RTA 927 Business of Music I
RTA 937 Business of Music II
RTA 950 Selected Topics in Media
RTA 960 Selected Topics in International Media
RTA 999 RTA in LA

Concentration in Radio & Sound

Students will complete RTA 311, plus five (5) of the following:

RTA 905 History and Culture of Popular Music
RTA 907 Sound Media
RTA 921 Advanced Audio Theory
RTA 971 Audio Post Production and Sound Design
RTA 972 Sound Synthesis
RTA 974 Radio Broadcasting
RTA 981 Advanced Audio Production
RTA 985 Sound for Video Producers
RTA 996 Beyond the Radio Format

Concentration in Screenwriting

Students will complete RTA 212 , plus five (5) of the following:

RTA 320 Interactive Storytelling
RTA 922 Transmedia Writing
RTA 923 Intro to Writing for Video Games
RTA 926 Studies in Genre
RTA 941 Dramatic Writing
RTA 942 Advertising Copywriting
RTA 943 Comedy Writing
RTA 944 Writing for Animation
RTA 945 Writing for Factual and Reality Programs
RTA 999 RTA in LA

Concentration in Social Media

Begins 2017-2018.

Students will complete six (6) of the following:

RTA 521 #Activism: Media for Social Change
RTA 902 Social Media
RTA 917 Public Relations
RTA 930 Social Practices in Hybrid Media Spaces
RTA 932 Hacking, DIY and Open Source Cultures
RTA 933 Hacking, DIY and Open Source Studio
RTA 934 Virtual Identities and Communities
RTA 935 Institutional/ Personal Media Platforms
RTA 967 Interactivity and Net-working

Concentration in Television & Video

Students will complete either RTA 313 or RTA 314*, plus four (4) of the following:

RTA 908 Business of Producing I
RTA 909 Business of Producing II
RTA 910 Production Management
RTA 911 Directing and Performance
RTA 912 The Audience
RTA 913 Media Entrepreneurship
RTA 955 Sports Broadcasting
RTA 956 Children's Programming
RTA 957 Documentary Production
RTA 969 Television Technical Producing
RTA 970 Lighting, Grip and Effects Specialty
RTA 973 Independent Production
RTA 975 Video Compositing and Special Effects
RTA 977 Current Affairs Production
RTA 978 Editing Specialty
RTA 979 Advanced Television Editing
RTA 983 Video Production - Advanced

* RTA 313 and RTA 314 have a GPA weight of 2.00 and a course count of 2.00.

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see  (PDF file) Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

Chair: Nancy Chapelle
Executive Director, Bell Fund
TVO

Grant Buchanan
Partner, McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Jocelyn Hamilton
President, Canada
eOne Television

Michael Hirsh
Executive Chairman
DHX Media
Formerly CEO of Cookie Jar Entertainment, Founder of Nelvana

Matt Hornburg
Executive Producer/Partner
Marble Media

Tom Igoe
Associate Arts Professor
New York University

Raja Khanna
Co-CEO
Glassbox Television

Karen King
Speaker, Author, Inclusion Consultant

Bernie Lucht
Distinguished Visiting Professor
Ryerson University

Mark Milliere
Senior VP, Production
TSN

Scott Moore
President of Broadcasting
Rogers Media Inc.

Jim Munroe
Executive Director
The Hand Eye Society

Linda Schuyler
President
Epitome Pictures Inc.

Justin Stockman
Vice President, Specialty Channels
Bell Media

Peter Sussman
President
Aver media
Former CEO Alliance Atlantis Entertainment Group.

Jay Switzer
Chair and Co-Founder
HollywoodSuite

Karen Thorne-Stone
President and Chief Executive Officer
Ontario Media Development Corporation

Madeline Ziniak
Chair
Canadian Ethic Media Association

David Zitzerman
Partner
Goodmans Entertainment Group