Live in Studio - Madonna University’s Broadcast and Cinema Arts school is going live in 5.. 4.. 3.. 2..

By Christy Malene • Photography By Kathleen Thompson

Madonna’s accredited four-year degree program in Broadcast and Cinema Arts is uniquely hands-on. Students learn from making real shows instead of only from lectures and reading. They’re tested every time the cameras roll. “You don’t learn to play music or create art only by studying theory. You learn by actually doing it, and doing it with professional equipment and teachers,” Chuck Derry, the program’s director, commented.

Madonna’s program ups the ante in production quality and gives students the skills and competencies they need to compete in the industry. Each week, BCA students write, produce, and direct television shows in their on-campus studio. They experience the hours of preparation, pressure of production, and possibilities of post-production. “I will go out into the media field knowing that I learned everything I need to know about television and film on the best equipment, with the best instructors around,” said student Sara Simnitch.

Madonna’s BCA program began the Fall 2009 semester in their new multimillion dollar TV studio. The growing science and media programs expanded their workspace by moving into their new 60,000 square-foot facility. The sustainable building, certified for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), is the first green building in the city of Livonia.

“I know what I’m learning in class will help me in the future because we have the privilege to learn on such amazing and up-to-date equipment,” commented BCA major Karyn Feick. The TV studio is separated from the rest of the building by a special sound proofing which extends from the foundation to the roof. There is a “floating” floor that’s completely level and smooth for the camera dollies. The control room has specially tuned recording speakers so the smallest quality change in sound can be heard. A main server connects all equipment, and all production is high definition. The entire facility is tapeless except for legacy equipment needed to work with clients or for field production. Students operate the new RED One camera and learn to edit the workflow in 6 high-end edit suites and an edit lab with ADR, Foley, and effects, in 7.1 surround sound.

“I love Madonna’s Broadcast & Cinema Arts program. There is nothing else out there like it. It’s what brought me to Madonna in the first place. Now that we have this awesome high-tech studio, we are able to make more professional looking shows. Plus, it is helping me get more acquainted with new technologies that I am hoping to use in the future,” said BCA major Katie Boomgaard.

The BCA faculty is from the commercial world and brings real life experience to the classroom. Derry is a DGA Director and a member of the NATAS silver circle. Christopher R. Coppola joined the faculty two years ago and teaches film classes online from Hollywood with face-to-face sessions on his frequent visits to Michigan. The newest member of the faculty is four time Academy Award nominee Eric Bruneau, visual effects artist, who teaches compositing and rotoscoping classes. Husband and wife team, Sue and Dan Boyd, have extensive experience in new media and complete the Madonna teaching team that help make the Madonna TV shows a reality.

For more information on Madonna University’s Broadcast and Cinema Arts program, check out www.madonna.edu

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