Education

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019 13 University College of the North offers more than 40 degree, diploma and certificate programs at two main campuses in The Pas and Thompson, and 12 regional centres. Here you'll experience quality edu- cation that inspires students who are building better lives for themselves, their families and their communities. What are your life goals? What do you aspire to become and achieve? HERE YOU CAN. UCN.CA University College of the North TAKE YOUR NEXT STEPS AT UCN. MEDIA ARTS PROGRAMS MAKE YOUR MARK IN THE MEDIA ARTS For the Free Press The sheer proliferation of modern media reflects the boundless scope of opportunity awaiting those with the skills and ambition to make their marks in this continually- evolving industry. In response to the ongoing demand for quality education and training in the media arts, two local private vocational schools are offering courses to help students learn what it takes to succeed in the media world, whether their preferred role is performing in front of a camera, contributing as part of a production team, hosting a podcast or even starring on YouTube. For the past 24 years, Mid-Ocean School of Media Arts (MOSMA) has helped students explore the world of audio production, including music/sound recording, sound for visual media, live sound reinforcement and sound for interactive media such as producing dialogue, music and sound effects for video games. It is the only Manitoba school to offer a 10-month diploma program in audio engineering, which includes theory, hands- on training, a two-month practicum and mentoring by industry professionals. MOSMA also offers various part-time evening courses as well. "We are creating a lot of content these days, so individuals who have an interest in capturing and producing it will have lots of opportunity," says Carlos Vela, MOSMA's director and head instructor. "Our programs offer an interesting blend of creativity and technology. Our students like technology, but they also want to create something with it, so that's why they gravitate to the creative media industry." To accommodate continuing student interest, MOSMA is expanding to include a new campus in Winnipeg's Exchange District in September. Vela says the expansion brings the school physically closer to other creative organizations in the neighbourhood, enhancing opportunities for potential collaboration. He says the remarkable growth in the province's creative arts production industries, especially film and sound, means the future is bright for qualified graduates to start and build their careers, right here at home. "Creative media, in general, in Manitoba is in very good health," says Vela, noting the production skills taught at MOSMA are applicable to a full range of creative endeavours. "We hope our school, along with others specializing in other areas, will create the talent pool of people who will enter these thriving industries — and stay here." Opportunity is also knocking for students graduating from Herzing College's 10-month Radio and Television Broadcaster program. Instructor Bev Edmondson brings more than 25 years of media experience to the program that teaches skills in 11 different radio, television and digital career positions. "The beauty of this program is that it is presented in three, fully self-contained terms," says Edmondson. "Students may enter the program and begin with audio and video production, or start three months later and begin their studies in the field of journalism or three months after that and start with announcing skills." Edmondson says the majority of Herzing's grads find employment in radio as announcers, news reporters, producers, sports commentators, writers and street-teamers. Students interested in video typically get jobs with production and promotions companies. Many large corporations and organizations have their own in-house audio-visual services, which offer another avenue of employment for program grads. "Our graduates are working on the air and behind the scenes at every major media company in Winnipeg and around the province," she says. "More and more students are coming to class wanting to be trained for online employment as podcasters, bloggers, YouTube personalities and social media specialists. A lot of millennials are grassroots media mavens. They want to create basic content, but get it out there fast. Some people are making an incredible amount of money as social media influencers." For more information, visit midoceanschool. ca or herzing.ca. ❚ Media arts programs help students learn what it takes to succeed in the media world, whether in front of a camera, as part of a production team, hosting a podcast or even starring on YouTube. MOSMA photo

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