Digital Media-Changing Technology and the RTVF Department

Fort Worth, TX

8/4/2009

By Breanna Kelly

Digital media is making the world smaller one Facebook page at a time and the Film, Television & Digital Media (FTDM) department at TCU is “ahead of the curve” in recognizing the power of this new technology. 

Previously known as the Radio-Television-Film department, it recently made a unanimous decision to drop radio from the title and replace it with the all-encompassing term digital media. 
Richard Allen, chair of the former Radio-Television-Film department for the last six years, believes that the name change will be welcomed by students and is a more accurate description of the changes in technology. 

“Radio-TV-film was limited because the world is now digital,” Allen said.  “People don’t go to college for a degree in radio, they go for a degree in media—an all-encompassing field that teaches you how to work in a digital world.  The term radio was misleading.” 

Digital media will have a new significance in the future of technology because it includes the study of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogs and other social networking sites found on the internet Allen said.  It will explore the changes from an analog to digital world and the most up-to-date technology that is presently used in Hollywood.

The digital media trend is also being embraced by other universities as well.  The University of Southern California’s film school is changing its name from USC School of Cinema-Television to USC School of Cinematic Arts, Allen said.

In addition to the RTVF name change, the department will welcome a new professor in the fall.  Amber Watts, an assistant professor who specializes in new media, will teach media analysis and new media.  She was previously a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a well-known school in communication studies and technology, Allen said.
“She will be a great addition to the staff, especially with her knowledge of new media,” Allen said. 

In his 17 years at TCU, Allen has seen the RTVF program grow from 75 majors to around 260.  The school’s reputation and alumni have continued to establish themselves in Hollywood, and across the United States. 

“The stature of the department and the level of the reputation continue to grow,” Allen said, “especially with what the faculty and students have accomplished.”
Allen remains hopeful about the future, even with the tough economic situation.  With the incorporation of digital media, he hopes the FTDM program will continue to expand and attract students who are passionate about their craft. 

“The Internet and digital media are changing the way the world works,” Allen said, and the FTDM department is working hard to keep the department up-to-date on the latest changes in Hollywood and new media.