Programs and Activities
Hands-on learning is a must for a media future and CCM's Media Production program is designed to help you make the most of your college experience.
From internships and collaborative class projects to summer programs and student organizations, Media Production majors are provided with numerous opportunities to expand their skill set and digital portfolio as they strengthen their professional web presence, resumes and build professional connections.
In recent years, Media Production students have traveled to Germany, Poland, Alaska and California to produce acclaimed documentary films and new media work that has been broadcast on national and international television networks and accepted in film festivals on five continents. Student work has won numerous student and professional awards including student and professional Emmy awards, their media productions have been delivered over national and international television and streaming networks, and their films have been selected to prestigious film festivals on five continents.
Media Production connects faculty, staff and students with UC Athletics to produce live, multi-camera coverage of UC Athletic events for ESPN’s new subscription based streaming service, ESPN+.
During the 2019-20 academic year, Media Production worked with the UC Athletic Department to create its Sports Media initiative that ties academics and athletics at UC. MPRO students produce UC Athletic events for ESPN+. This includes football, men's and women's basketball and a range of other sports including baseball, women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer and volleyball. All ESPN+ events are accessible to fans alongside live streamed events from ESPN networks and other related video on the ESPN App, providing a one-stop destination to view conference events as part of any ESPN+ subscription. The college hired Emmy Award-winning sports media director Joe Brackman as a new faculty member to teach the classes in Sports Media, which is now one of the five curricular tracks in the Media Production Division’s track-based curriculum. Last year, Professor Brackman and MPRO students produced over 70 live UC Athletic events for ESPN+ and the broadcast networks of ESPN2 and ESPNU.
By integrating this initiative into its curriculum, the Division of Media Production is creating valuable learning opportunities for its students in the ever-expanding field of sports media production. This field overlaps with other areas in the Division, such as documentary production, on-camera talent development, cinematography, editing, audio and, of course, producing and directing. It also connects with our student media organization, Bearcast. The opportunity for Media Production students to produce content that is delivered via an ESPN network looks great on resumes and boosts the quality of their digital portfolios. Over the past four years, dozens of graduates from sports media have taken positions at a range of professional organizations throughout the country, including six graduates who now work at ESPN network in Bristol, CT.
Budding TV news and video journalists need look no further to get a personalized degree toward your dream job. Broadcast News is a curricular track in Media Production, and it offers hands-on training from current, Emmy-Award winning professionals. This track includes MPRO electives that cover topics from field and studio news production, news writing and talent development, portfolio development and select internships to prepare you for your final destination jobs.
This track is also for people who want to create videos for corporations, nonprofits or their own web channels. We will teach you how to craft the best visual stories for a career limited only by your imagination. The skills we teach prepare our students for the future as media evolves, for jobs that don’t exist today but will tomorrow. We’ve created a unique and comprehensive combination of classes and work individually with students to prepare the perfect digital news portfolio with which they can launch their careers.
Professor Hagit Limor is the lead faculty member on the Broadcast News track. Professor Limor has an extensive professional career as a broadcast journalist, winning ten Emmy awards and serving as national president of the Society of Professional Journalists. She continues to produce award-winning news reports, specials and documentaries. Additional faculty in the track also have extensive professional broadcasting careers and bring that experience to the classroom. Broadcast
News graduates have landed jobs as reporters, anchors, producers, camera operators and assignment editors at television news outlets around the country, and many are creating media content for professional organizations. Our graduates benefit from the internships and professional connections provided by Professor Limor and the Broadcast News faculty, and they are now working here in the Cincinnati and Dayton area, and around the United States.
The Production Master Class (PMC) is an experiential learning initiative that fuses the expertise of faculty members and professional filmmakers who work with the students to produce professional film and television programs to create a transformative educational experience for all involved.
The PMC is also an interdisciplinary Media Production course (MPRO 4035) that has enabled over 40 students to travel from remote locations including California and Alaska to work on the production of each documentary. The class is currently led by documentary film producer, CCM Digital Executive Producer and MPRO faculty member, Melissa Godoy, whose award-winning documentary films have received national PBS distribution. The experiential learning focus of the PMC has given students the opportunity to work with a cadre of over two dozen award-winning, professional filmmakers who work with the students as they shoot, write and edit during all stages of the film’s preproduction, production and postproduction stages.
The documentary films produced by the PMC have been featured on the CCM YouTube channel, screened at more than two dozen film festivals on five continents, and been picked up for national and international television network distribution on beIN Sports America and beIN Sports Canada, French television network, TREK-TV, Italian network, The Bike Channel, and the Russian network, FirstHDTV. Three 90-minute documentaries aired nationally on NBC’s Universal Sports Network. The PMC documentary The Fifth Mode, which told the story of a dedicated team of engineering students at the University of Cincinnati that make it to the finals of Elon Musk’s SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition, aired on multiple PBS stations in Ohio.
PMC documentaries have received multiple professional and academic awards from the Broadcast Education Association, the University Film and Video Association, the Communicator Awards, the Telly Awards and Graphis Awards. In 2015, a PMC film was nominated for a professional Emmy Award in the Best Documentary category by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Ohio Valley Region. In 2016, a different PMC documentary was accepted into the New York City Drone Film Festival, where it was nominated for Best News/Documentary against films from NBC News, Good Morning America and the National Geographic Channel.
The CCM Film Lab began during the 2020-21 academic year as an interdisciplinary and cross-curricular initiative that connects the faculty and students of Media Production and Acting programs at CCM to produce and market films for distribution within and beyond CCM and UC.
The CCM Film Lab establishes an innovative, collaborative nucleus at CCM, bringing together various media and performing arts students who are focused on film and television entertainment arts. Students in the Media Production, Acting and Theatre Design & Production programs work together to produce short films that will be entered into award competitions and at film festivals, where students can meet with potential film and television studio distributors. These films are also used as portfolio works to enhance opportunities for the students in their post-graduate careers and in promotional material for both programs, CCM and UC.
This innovative initiative has been designed to attract and retain top students interested in narrative film through its CCM Film Lab, Directing for the Screen, Single Camera Production and Capstone Film classes. As a result of these collaborations, films produced in these classes have been nominated for over 40 Ohio Valley Chapter student Emmy awards in the past four years and been accepted into dozens of national and international film festivals. These class projects provide these CCM students with a clear focus as they cultivate their ideal futures in the rapidly changing film and television industry.
The CCM Idea Lab is a collaborative cross disciplinary class involving students and faculty from Theatre Design and Production (Sound, Lighting and Technical Direction), Acting, Musical Theatre, Dance, Voice and Media Production. The lab creates emphasizes the use of immersive, cutting-edge technology in the production of performance media projects that also explore artistic and philosophical questions.
Students and faculty collaborate on these digital performance projects in the CCM Performing and Media Arts Virtual Production (XR) Studio to fuse traditional physical performance with virtual elements together seamlessly and in real-time. The advent of virtual production in the film/television/video industry has changed the way movies and television shows are produced, ushering in a new realm of possibilities in the creation of immersive, cinematic worlds once deemed impossible. The CCM XR Studio allows the Media Production, Theatre Design and Production, and Acting programs to provide students with ability to work collaboratively in this largest and fastest growing segment of the entertainment industry. Creative work produced in the CCM XR Studio will showcase CCM as a unique collaborative center that prepares students for careers in the 21st century performing and media arts.
This area in Media Production has been created in response to the increased popularity of podcasting in on-demand media consumption. In addition to being an entertainment outlet, podcasting is also an emerging marketing platform. Media production students analyze the aesthetics of podcasting through analysis and critique of variety of podcast genres and enhance their skills in audio production by completing short, audio production assignments that lead to the creation of a pilot podcast episode. Students in podcasting develop an understanding of the creative evolution of this new form of entertainment, its economic development, technical requirements and various forms of digital distribution.
BearCast Media is a student-run multimedia outlet located in the Media Production Division that provides the UC community and beyond with amazing content focused around music, sports and entertainment. BearCast Media’s state-of-the-art radio and production facilities are located in the heart of the division’s expansive audio and film and television production studios and labs. Focused on the media entertainment industry, BearCast is entirely run by students who take on the role of General Manager, Programming Director, Music Director, Promotions Director, Business Director, Sports Director, Social Media Director, and Video and Audio Director. As members of Bearcast, students gain practical, hands-on learning experiences and develop their media project portfolio, a necessary component for any student pursuing a career in the today’s media industry.
Advised by Professor John Owens, Ph.D. (who also founded the station), BearCast is a member of College Broadcasters, Inc., a national organization comprised of college and high school media outlets that offers events, programs and a network of expertise to support its members and provide educational and professional opportunities.
Media Production students can earn credit enrolling in Student Media Practicum: BearCast (MPRO 2025). In addition to creating audio and video content to promote the station and its sponsored events, a popular component of Bearcast Media is Queen City Sessions, which features the work of regional and national musical acts by providing recording sessions in the Division’s audio recording studios, filming the sessions, and creating a music video of the band for promotions and distribution on the Bearcast Media YouTube site. Recent music videos have garnered regional and national awards at the College Broadcasters Production Awards competition.
Bearcast Media offers students a great opportunity for portfolio development and work opportunities such as:
- Audio Engineer
- Promotions
- Broadcast Management and Programming
- Graphic Designer
- Sports Media
- Broadcast Journalist
- Radio DJ
- Cinematographer
- Photographer
- Web Design/Developer
Learn more about Bearcast Media at www.bearcastmedia.com.
Many Media Production students regard their internships as the most exciting and beneficial parts of their education, and most media employers see an internships as an essential component of a job applicant's experience. The Media Production curriculum requires that every student complete two semesters of internship (six credit hours): Internship I (MPRO 4000) and Internship II (MPRO 4001), which should be taken during the junior and senior year
Media Production students match their internships with a variety of media organization that are related to their curricular track and post-graduate career plans. These internships can be in the Cincinnati area (for students enrolled in other classes during the semester) or in markets across the country or internationally through programs like the Munich Summer Curriculum. Students are eligible for internships once they have completed their sophomore year or are given special permission by the Division Head. Interns earn three internship credits by working 10 hours a week over the 15-week semester.
Students should discuss their internship plans with their academic advisor, faculty advisor and/or Division Head before applying for internship with a participating internship organization. The next steps involve completing the Media Production Internship Application form, having their internship supervisor sign it, and then submitting it to the Division Head for a signature. Once this process is completed, students can register. This process must be completed before the first week of the semester of the internship.
Media Production students must prepare their resumes and digital portfolios before the internship application process begins. They work with their academic and faculty advisors to choose an internship. Our academic advisors and faculty connect current students with former students, professional contacts and internship opportunities (including our Media Career Fair), but it is ultimately the students themselves who will contact and apply for the internship as part of their professional development process, one that replicates the job search process they will undergo once they graduate. Internship supervisors submit a detailed internship assessment at the end of the academic term. That assessment is the primary basis for the student grade for the semester.
The integration of two different Internships into the required core curriculum has enabled many Media Production students to form industry connections that have led to that all-important first job. These prospective employers watch interns carefully and look for interns who have the right skills, but are also impressed by students who are dependable, eager to help, flexible and always willing to go the extra mile.
Many graduates of the Media Production Division go to work in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles, CA. The CCM Summer in LA program will provide MPRO students with the opportunity to work and live in the heart of the film and television industry in LA. There they can make connections with media professionals and begin their careers in the heart of the entertainment industry. Students will live in LA, earn UC course credit, intern at LA-based media companies, and network with professionals, including an extensive network of CCM and UC alumni at various social events, lectures and workshops during the summer.
CCM Summer in LA builds upon the Media Production Division’s focus on experiential learning designed to provide students with the hands-on skills and digital portfolio necessary to transition successfully into the professional world. Media Production has an extensive and active network of award-winning alumni working in media positions in Cincinnati and throughout the US, in Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, Austin, New York City and Los Angeles. For more information about CCM Summer in LA, please contact Media Production Program Coordinator, Pam Latham at lathampy@ucmail.uc.edu or 513-556-9488.
The Media Production program offers a selection of classes, both on campus and off, each summer semester. These courses provide students with the opportunity to advance in their areas of study and enroll in classes that may fill quickly during the regular academic year. These often include core classes such as Integrated Media Production I and II, Film and Television Production, Digital Audio Production and New Media I. They also include many advanced film production classes such as Lighting, Single Camera Production and Postproduction. Students who are considering out-of-town, full-time internships are encouraged to sign up for Internship I or Internship II during the summer semester. The Munich Summer Curriculum is a unique summer opportunity for students to travel to Munich, Germany while earning six hours of course credit, including an internship with a German media organization. Incoming transfer students are urged to sign up for summer classes as well as advanced students who may enroll in unique upper-level classes that are only offered in the summer. Incoming students who want to enroll in summer classes must pick up a form from CCM Admissions that allows them to register for classes. There are also opportunities for Media Production students and other non-majors to enroll in certain media production classes. This often involves contacting the course instructor for special permission to enroll.
One of the Division of Media Production's most popular summer programs is the long-running Munich Summer Curriculum: International Management + Internship. The MSC is offered through prestigious Ludwig Maximilians University (LMU) in Munich, Germany, in partnership with the University of Cincinnati. Students are able to enroll in six hours of course credit, including one of their required internships. They pay tuition and an affordable registration and housing fee that covers all classes, extra-curricular activities, the German “survival” language class, public transportation, and the internship.
The MSC initiative was created by former MPRO Division Head and UC Professor Emeritus, Manfred K. Wolfram, Ph.D, and offers an innovative, challenging summer academy focused on International Media course modules ranging and finishes with a four-week internship at a German media company. The MSC program is sponsored by UC International’s Study Abroad program, and UC International offers grants to alleviate costs for attending the MSC program as part of UC's Strategic Partnership Campaign. But most importantly, it adds academic and professional distinction to a student's portfolio and resume. Media Production students can earn up to six hours of semester credits while enjoying the culture and beauty of Munich, the Bavarian capital and a world-class city, known for its extraordinary, cultural attractions, its historical sites and its close proximity to the mountains. And Munich is a major hub of Germany's media industry! A "survival" German language instruction class and cultural immersion program are also an integral part of the curriculum. The program culminates with an Internship with a media organization in the Munich metroplex. The language of instruction and Internship are all in English. German language is not a requirement to attend the MSC.
Students from accredited academic institutions all over the world participate in the exciting and demanding MSC Summer Curriculum. Applications will be accepted beginning October 1st. For more information, please go to www.msc-misu.en.
The Media Production Division’s Annual Excellence Awards are a celebration of achievement by MPRO faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Family and friends of award-winning students and alumni are invited to the annual event which is centered around recognizing outstanding Media Production student award winners and our graduating class of seniors. Students award winners are recognized by faculty with scholarships, stipends, prestigious paid internships and our Outstanding Senior Award. Each year a different class of alumni is invited and our Outstanding Alumni Award recipient is recognized for achievement and their commitment to the Division.