Table III: Radio and Television Arts Electives

To further supplement their practical and theoretical knowledge in media, students in the Master of Arts in Media Production program shall select a total of two electives from advanced electives offered in the fall and winter terms of the undergraduate Radio and Television, Journalism and Image Arts programs. Students who take these cross-listed versions of undergraduate courses will be required to do additional and more advanced work to meet higher standards. 
Only a select number of courses from the following list will be offered each year.

 

MP8904 Advanced Media Management
MP8905 The Business of Music
MP8907 Television Programming
MP8908 Business Aspects of Independent Prod I
MP8909 Business Aspects of Independent Prod II
MP8910 Production Management
MP8911 Television Distribution
MP8914 Economics of Media
MP8915 Legal Issues in Media
MP8920 Media Restoration and Content Management
MP8921 Advanced Audio Theory
MP8924 Decoding Canadian Television
MP8941 Dramatic Writing
MP8943 Comedic Writing
MP8944 Writing for Animation
MP8945 Writing for Factual Programs
MP8956 Children's Television Production
MP8957 Documentary Production
MP8961 2-D and Object Animation
MP8962 3-D Animation
MP8964 Digital Virtual Environments
MP8972 Television Technical Producing
MP8974 Audio Post-Production and Sound Design
MP8975 Sound Synthesis
MP8977 Digital Media Broadcasting
MP8979 Radio Production
MP8980 Art Direction
MP8982 Video Compositing and Special Effects
MP8985 Factual and Entertainment Features
MP8988 Television Editing Specialty
MP8990 Directed Readings
MP8991 Directed Study
 

MP8904 Advanced Media Management  In this course, students will learn about organizational behaviour. Topics will include theories of employee motivation, individual behaviour, interpersonal and organizational communication, perception and personality in organizations, work attitudes and values, team dynamics and effectiveness, organizational power and politics, conflict and negotiation, leadership, and stress management. .
 
MP8905 The Business of Music  This course will explore how the music industry is organized, and how music is used in radio, television, film, and advertising. Topics include AandR, marketing, promotion, sales, artist relations, new media, business affairs, finance/royalties, manufacturing, distribution, contracts, and getting a record and video made. It will also explore the roles of artists.

MP8907 Television Programming  This course will examine the programming strategies of television networks, local stations, specialty and pay TV services and international cable and satellite channels. Students will learn how program scheduling, content, acquisition and production decisions are affected by everything from market forces and budgets to interactive TV and new media and technologies. Students will also analyse the impact of U.S. signals, international syndication, co-production, advertising and barter.
 
MP8908 Business Aspects of Independent Prod I  This course explores the role of the independent producer and the business and legal activities and materials necessary to produce independent production. Students learn about relationships with broadcasters and funding agencies, as well as program proposal preparation, creating business plans and effective pitching techniques. Students become acquainted with all aspects of the business side of producing as creative ideas proceed to be: acquired, developed, budgeted, pitched, licensed by broadcasters, financed, produced, posted, marketed, and distributed.
 
MP8909 Business Aspects of Independent Prod II  This course builds on the business skills developed in BDC 908. Students form small production companies, determine specific roles and develop a professional-standard business plan and strategy for an independent production. The proposal will be competitively pitched to a panel of broadcasters, funding agency representatives and producers.
 
MP8910 Production Management  This course will provide an overview of the role of the production manager in film and television. Students will become acquainted with the sophisticated administrative procedures and planning necessary for a successful production. Activities in the four stages of production will be reviewed: development; pre-production; production; post and wrap. Topics will include: script breakdown, scheduling, budgeting, industrial relations, facilities and suppliers, location management, accounting, talent and crew unions, contracts, reporting mechanisms and relevant forms and paperwork.
 
MP8911 Television Distribution   The distributor is essentially the producer's sales person of a program. This course will explore the essential responsibilities of television distributors and their relationship to the producer and investors of programming. Students will learn how and where programs are sold, revenue expectations from various genre and territories, and how to successfully market and promote programming. International markets, contracting, selling, merchandising and administrative details will be reviewed. 

MP8914 Economics of Media  As the broadcasting and new media industries evolve, old forms of management may give way to new structures. This course will explore trends in entrepreneurship, employment, types of "work" and different management styles in a world of mergers, consolidation and networks. Within different models, the financiers and economic models that support the industry will be reviewed.

MP8915 Legal Issues in Media  This course will provide students with a general familiarity and understanding of the concepts and legal process inherent in the business of broadcasting and communications. Topics to be covered include copyright, contracts, clearance of program rights, legal issues relating to the Internet and multimedia. Issues in entertainment law and sports law will also be reviewed, as will government regulation of the broadcasting and multimedia industries.
 
MP8920 Media Restoration and Content Management  Students will examine contemporary practice in media archival systems used in the audio, video and film sectors, both analog and digital. Students will also be exposed to digital preservation and restoration tools used for sound recordings and moving image media. Modern practice in digital content management and metadata systems will be explored, as well as the associated commercial, legal, ethical and aesthetic issues related to repurposing media.

MP8921 Advanced Audio Theory  This course is an exploration of Audio Theory for advanced applications. The course will cover modern audio practice as it applies to sound recording studios, live sound and sound reinforcement systems, acoustics and room and studio design, electronic and digital circuits and systems, computer applications in audio as well as Digital Signal Processing and compression systems and technology.
 
MP8924 Decoding Canadian Television  From This Hour Has Seven Days to This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Canadian television has its own unique set of nationalist practices. This theory-based course comprises a broad-ranging and multi-genre look at Canadian television content form the 1960's to the 21st century, including ways that audiences interact with national broadcasting.
 
MP8941 Dramatic Writing  This course will provide an advanced study of dramatic theory and the opportunity to further develop students' abilities as story tellers. A series of advanced lectures, readings and workshops will build on the theoretical foundations and course work completed by students in BDC 940. Students will develop an original concept for either a half-hour or one-hour television series, and create a Writer's Bible and sample script for their projects.
 
MP8943 Comedic Writing  This course is designed to cover the fundamentals of all comedy writing with special reference to the techniques of writing comedy for television, particularly episodic sitcoms and Saturday Night Live-type sketches. Students learn the language and process of TV comedy and are required to write a number of sketches and a fully realized script for an on-air sitcom.

MP8944 Writing for Animation  This course is designed to cover the fundamentals of writing for animated television series. Students will learn the language and process of writing for animation, and also meet with guests from the animation industry who will share their experiences and answer any questions students may have. Finally, students will be required either work in pairs, or alone, to create a fully realized animated script by the end of the semester.
 
MP8945 Writing for Factual Programs  In this course students will learn writing styles related to news, current affairs, science, business and other fact based programming. Through lectures, guest speakers, in class workshops and extensive writing and re-writing practice, students will develop an understanding of the structures and formats specific to fact based writing. Students will work both alone and with a writing partner to research, develop and write a number of current, fact based scripts.
 
MP8956 Children's Television Production  Students will research children's developmental stages, video interests and needs, and study contemporary children's television techniques and the effects that influences that TV has in the lives of children. Students will produce TV segments for carefully targeted audiences. They will also conduct and publish original research into one or more subjects that impact on children's television. The course will explore the societal and regulatory forces that influence the children's programming.
 
MP8957 Documentary Production  This course provides both a theoretical knowledge of, and some basic practical skills in building a video public affairs long-form feature story. Initially students deconstruct several professionally produced public affairs features to determine the components and develop a critical eye for aptness, length, communications value and story structure. Then working in teams, they will perform informational/visual research and interviews, prepare a script and then execute the production using single camera video equipment and editing suites.

MP8961 2-D and Object Animation  This course is an introduction to the world of 2-D animation and stop-frame object animation. It will include discussion of the history and aesthetic aspects of animation and also allow students to produce their own pieces. Equipment and software for simple animated projects will be introduced, and film, video, new media and interactive forms of delivery will be discussed.

MP8962 3-D Animation  This production oriented course will allow students to work with computer software to develop 3-D models and animated stories, starting from the concept, and moving to storyboard, an finally a fully-rendered production. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of software and technology and will study the role of 3-D animation in the advertising, TV and movie business.

MP8964 Digital Virtual Environments  This production-oriented course will allow work with motion capture devices, blue screen technology and software to create virtual characters and worlds. Students will study models of virtual and performance based visual production, and will create motion capture data as well as work with stock material to create finished visual projects.
 
MP8972   Television Technical Producing  An advanced course in television technical producing, this course is a continuation of technical production knowledge obtained in first year "context" courses and second year Production craft courses in television (both studio and EFP). Students will explore large live-event coverage (sports, elections, music specials, awards shows), and tours will be arranged to some technical production facilities in the Toronto area. The course is completed with a live teleproduction at the end of the semester.
 
MP8974 Audio Post-Production and Sound Design  This course will introduce students to the creative and technical aspects of creating a soundtrack for the moving image. Through a combination of lecture, screenings, discussion, and practical workshop modes, students will learn about the audio post production process, including dialog recording and replacement (ADR), Foley and sound effects editing, music and score, and mixing techniques.

MP8975 Sound Synthesis  This course will cover practices and principles of analog and digital sound synthesis and their historic origins; related audio equipment and applications; theories of sound samplers; algorithmic composition; synthesizers and sequencers; computer music; digital signal processing; computer synchronization; and MIDI applications in sound synthesis and recording production. Advanced sound synthesis techniques are studied and supplemented with sound synthesis studio laboratory work.
 
MP8977 Digital Media Broadcasting  In this hands-on-course, students will be responsible for managing Ryerson's internet broadcasting station, known as SPIRIT ( Student Produced Internet Radio and Interactive Technologies) and/or programming a channel on the video distribution system within Ryerson, known as Channel 84. Students will undertake varying roles including: managing the stations in terms of personnel; creating programming; arranging rights clearance for external productions; scheduling; liaising with other University courses which create potential programming; managing community outreach initiatives; and management of the technical facilities.
 
MP8979 Radio Production  The course will explore commercial and public radio programming and production. Radio advertising and formats will be explored. Students will have the opportunity to practice their skills in these areas by planning and producing content that reflects various formats and target demographics.

MP8980 Art Direction  The fabrication of reality for the screen is up to the Art Director, who created the on-screen environment that meets the director's aesthetic while being aware of the needs of the camera and lighting, and completes the whole by being responsible for all of a production's graphical elements. This course introduces students to both the theory and practice of art direction through guided exercises and work on student productions.

MP8982 Video Compositing and Special Effects  A large number of images that appear on our TV screens are treated with special effects prior to completion. Students will work with a range of basic image treatment software and will acquire skills on more sophisticated systems both on and off campus. They will learn the why and when for such effects treatments as special effects decisions can involve ethical elements.

MP8985 Factual and Entertainment Features  There is a broad spectrum of stories on television and radio that are fact-based but also meant to be artistic and entertaining. This course allows students to focus on these features, learning to create unique personal stories by developing the characters in their stories through specific styles of writing and interviewing. Students will choose an entertainment/feature program and do an extensive deconstruction of it. Students will work in teams to produce a ten minute feature.
 
MP8988 Television Editing Specialty  This is an in-depth course designed to provide a thorough understanding of the video editing process. Through exercises, the process is followed from the initial planning stages to the final online edit session. Timecode and cue sheeting processes will be used to assemble elements in a professional nonlinear editing environment.
 
MP8990 Directed Readings  The directed reading course is intended to permit the student to survey a coherent body of literature in an area of study related to the student’s program objectives.

MP8991 Directed Study  The directed study course is designed for individual students with specialized interests that may not be satisfied through course offerings in a given year. The course will be under the supervision of an assigned faculty member with expertise in the chosen subject field.