Kailtin Barbier
In Motion Staff Writer
Faculty spent most of last summer meeting to revise the Interactive Media Production program, adding classes for mobile media on the go and eliminating lectures to give the program a more hands-on focus.
The IMP Associate’s of Science program offers skills such as video editing, photography, broadcasting, audio, graphic and web design.
That is a lot of information to cover in a two-year degree, but Brad Moody, the new Associate Professor of Digital Media, says in an email interview from the United Arabs Emirates: “With the industry continuing to expand, there is a verifiable need for the next generation of workforce to have the ability to create content for both marketing and social media.”
This is the objective of the Interactive Media Program and Senior Professor Daniel Biferie agrees, “The field is really starting to change, people want a jack of all trades.”
Biferie, chair of the Photographic Technology program and the founder of the Southeast Museum of Photography, says that since revisions to the program, students will be able to learn on-the-go media practices with the new classes. Among those he is most excited about is Mobile Devices and Applications of Social Media and Sound for Media, with their focus on mobile devices and technology. The program has many directions that students can go in, based on their interest and what the industry will be demanding. Additionally the students will have their skills put to the test with the new IMP Capstone course that pulls all the skills together in a final multimedia project.
As Moody sees it,“Students will have a wealth of opportunities to gain experience by working on the college newspaper, In Motion, as photographers and designers to gain practical experience in having their work published.”
Daniel Bennett, currently a student in the IMP program says, ““I didn’t really know what I wanted to do and seeing that it had a little bit of everything I was interested. I felt like I might be able to find something specific that I wanted to do.”
Bennet and another student contributed to a video project that was featured in October in the campus newspaper, In Motion, on a Volusia County roller derby team. In Motion has published many of the student projects, especially from the RTV 2104 Broadcast Writing class, to enhance its print coverage. With the expansion of the IMP, the newspaper staff looks forward to many more collaborations.
Since its inception some five years ago, students have requested the program be expanded into a bachelor’s degree. Many DSC students do not have the means or ability to transfer to the University of Central Florida to continue their studies and this is a field full of job possibilities. While an AS degree is good, a bachelor’s is far better for long-term employment and higher pay opportunities.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in January of 2017 for those without a bachelor’s degree ranged between 3.8 percent and 7.7 percent. Whereas, for those with a bachelor’s degree or higher, the rate was 2.5 percent.
Elizabeth Kirkland, an IMP honors graduate and DSC alumni, says, “I would love to come back to get my Bachelors in Interactive Media. It would further my skills and definitely widen my horizons.”
A bachelor’s in Interactive Media could help students attain the career they are seeking, unfortunately it may take longer than anticipated to create the four-year program if it happens at all.
Professor Steven Benson, who will be replaced by Moody at IMP program director, describes the challenges involving implementing a four-year program.
“It’s a problem because of state-related issues. It’s not that we don’t want to, it’s that it’s made difficult.”
He is referring to the friendly, but fierce competition between state schools such as DSC and the larger universities. In addition, state college’s are focused on a community-based workforce — supplying areas such as Volusia County with school-to-jobs employment using local residents — rather than the traditional, loftier educational goals of universities. In recent years, as state college’s have expanded into bachelor’s programs, universities have drawn the line in the sand as far as what programs should be offered at in former community college system.
Whatever the challenges, Moody says he is up for the task. Currently he an associate professor of Digital Media at the American University in Dubai within the School of Art, Architecture & Design. His personal work and research employs digital media, sound, emerging technologies, hybrid physical ubiquitous design, mobile media and interactive design. Moody has a bachelor’s of science in Art Education and an MFA in Electronic Arts..
He has been nominated for and recognized as an Apple Distinguished Educator, a Certified Blackmagic Design expert, DaVinci Resolve Trainer and was accepted into Adobe Partners by Design Program for art and design faculty.
“I’m very much looking forward to meeting the students and working alongside the dynamic faculty currently in place to implement the new curriculum. A big part of my role will be to build upon the culture and identity of the program while encouraging student engagement via networking and opportunities not only in the college, but also with the larger community.”