Certificate of Achievement: Video Engineering

This technical training program prepares students for an entry-level job for one of the following positions within this emphasis: video systems engineer, technical manager for both remote outside broadcast (OB) and in-studio production, technical operations supervisor or technician, video assist operator, digital cinema camera technician and assistant editor. The scope of instruction covers: broadcast and digital cinema camera systems, system design and integration for single and/or multi-camera production, appliance trouble-shooting and signal quality assurance and video standards.

Students successfully completing this program will be able to: 1.) Analyze and trace complex video system block diagrams and reference wire schedules during integration and/or system trouble shooting. 2.)Perform proper termination of video equipment to facilitate a working system.3.) Understand component functionality and overall system workflows. 4.)Determine and recommend video and audio compression formats for acquisition, post-production and content distribution. 5.) Perform end-to-end proof of performance testing of system build before going live. 

There are two cohorts within this projection, majors currently enrolled within the program and new students entering theProgram:  Within the first year (2023-2024) a total of eight (8) completers are projected to apply and have the certificate conferred. With the number of majors either in the Electronics andFilm and Television program, the goal is to increase that number by twenty percent (20%) YoY. This program incorporates a structured guided pathway where the department and counseling are working in concert to provide the necessary information and mentoring to the student when they are declaring the major.

 

 

The goal of the Certificate of Achievement inVideo Engineering is a CTE program intended to prepare students to secure an entry-level position as a video engineer or technician, working in the areas of remote outside broadcast (OB) and/or in-studio television, film or related media production companies.

This entry-level position could result in a career path to the positions of broadcast maintenance engineer, technical operations technician or supervisor, master control supervisor, video assist operator, digital cinema camera technician, assistant editor or engineer in charge (EIC) in the broadcast, film and content creation industry. The objective is to prepare students for paid internships or entry level positions, with the skill sets and knowledge obtained through the program to accelerate their careers affording them promotion to full time positions in the shortest period of time. According to the CTE Labor Market Indicators (LMI) for 2020-21, 27-4012 BroadcastTechnicians are an in-demand position with over three hundred openings within the LA County (SOC 27-4011 and SOC 27-4012). In addition, the Bureau of LaborStatistics indicates that Broadcast Sound, and Video Technicians will have a job growth of 21% from 2020 through 2030. 

 The course of study includes training in video standards and specifications, video systems design, integration, maintenance as required for the position. Potential employers include not only local over-the-air television broadcast stations, but cable networks (domestically), video systems integration companies, film and television equipment rental companies, signal delivery companies, telecommunications companies, theatrical film and streaming production studios, corporate video production companies.

This is a cross-discipline program between the Electronics and Film and Television. Because of the integration of computer networking for command and control of processes and entire systems, plus the technologies of video over IP, the requirement for studies in computer networking is mandatory. It is also a requirement that students have a working knowledge of basic electronic circuitry and electronic components.

Besides the hard skills that are taught, a component of the training will focus on the soft skills that are necessary for career growth within the industry. Entertainment and Broadcast industry companies are for the most part service oriented companies, with a large client/customer base. It is necessary for the student to understand the business protocols and develop the necessary people skills in working in a collaborative work environment that is deadline driven. This program is intended to provide technical training that is in support of artistic and business endeavors. No upper-division course is required or needed. Transfer to a university is not a requirement for employment.

 

The curriculum outline is as follows: 

Year 1 Fall: R-TV19A Beginning Video Production (3), ELEC 50 A Electronic Circuits-Direct Current (DC) or ELEC 50 B Electronic Circuits-Alternating Current (AC).  Foundation courses in both production and electronics. 

Year 1 Spring: R-TV 41A Beginning Video Engineering (3) and CNET 56 Computer Networks.  Foundation courses in both video engineering systems and video standards and computer networking topologies. 

Year 2 Fall: R-TV 41B Advanced Video Engineering.  Course focuses on design, integration and system maintenance. 

Year 2 Spring: R-TV 21 Remote Multi-camera Production. Field experience in working in engineering support role. 

Mt. San Antonio College GE requirements 24 Degree required units:60-62. It is recommended that students pursuing an associate’s degree a complete the CSU-GE-Breadth or IGETC pattern for their general education. This will maximize their ability to transfer coursework to a four-year institution if they desire.

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
R-TV 19A	Beginning Video Production	3	Yr1 Fall
ELEC 50A	Electronic Circuits -Direct Current	4	Yr1 Fall
or ELEC 50B	Electronic Circuits -Direct Current	4	Yr1 Fall
R-TV 41A	Beginning Video Engineering	3	Yr1 Spring
CNET 56	Computer Networks	4	Yr1 Spring
R-TV 41B	Advanced Video Engineering	3	Yr2 Fall
R-TV 21	Remote Multi-camera production	3	Yr2 Spring

Program is to be housed under the Film/Television program.

This is an existing state-approved certificate to be offered within the Film and Television Program. It complements the Video Crew Certificate (generalist) as well as our AS or AS-T degrees which incorporates a majority of the courses offered, but indicate an emphasis in training specific to this course of study when competing for employment. There is only one college that is offering a similarly structured course of study. Pasadena City College offers a Certificate of Achievement in Television Operations under the TOPs code of 0604.20. There are two courses that have similar components: TVR 108A Digital Video Systems “Processing, testing, and transmission of audio and video signals within a post-production, television broadcasting and internet streaming environment. Preparation for the Society of Broadcast Engineers' Television Operator's Certification Examination. ”. And TVR 108B “Theory and application of the roles IP technology and digital signal processing play in the field of broadcasting and streaming environments. Topics include physical infrastructure, performance, transport and compression.” Significant differences in our curriculum are the following: 1- Students are trained in the design, integration, end-to-end testing and maintenance of complex multi-camera production systems for transmission either via IP based streaming or Over-the-Air broadcast. 2- Post-production systems stand-up and maintenance. 3- Students are given physical hands-on training in the interconnection and termination of components utilizing wire schedules and block diagrams to facilitate the stand-up of a working system. The equipment they will be working with is funded by an SWP grant award specifically targeted for this training. 4- Students will have the opportunity to function in the roles of assistant Engineer in Charge (EIC), video controls operator (VCO), and assistant Technical Manager, working both in-studio and in the field with our $1.9M outside broadcast (OB) production truck. Mt. San Antonio College is located approximately twenty-one miles from Pasadena City College and some thirty miles from Los Angeles City College. Our primary service area includes the cities of Pomona, Diamond Bar, San Dimas, West Covina, Covina, Charter Oak and Glendora. Our program is forming articulation agreements with many of the surrounding High Schools, that have media and/or film and television programs. We are constructing a program that gives the same level of excellence for those equity Students who cannot attend outlining Colleges within the County.

16

• Modified R-TV 41 Video Engineering to R-TV 41A Beginning Video Engineering. Expanded scope of course to include: (1) multi-camera streaming production systems. (2) system specifications and build of materials creation. • Created R-TV 41B Advanced Video Engineering. New course focused on video systems integration, testing and trouble-shooting/maintenance.