From massive IMAX screens at international film festivals to the smallest screen in your pocket or on your wrist, the need for high quality, well-produced content has never been greater.
In the Radio, Television and Film program at San Diego City College, you'll get hands-on, technical experience working with the latest industry equipment to give you the skills to produce a wide range of content in preparation for transfer to a four-year institution or the careers of today and the future.
RTVF encompasses the fields of film, radio, broadcast news and multimedia production. The fields include all aspects of creation and production both behind and in front of cameras and microphones. You'll become knowledgeable in all aspects of the creation and production process while learning how to problem-solve efficiently and communicate your ideas effectively.
Multiple areas of specialization are offered, with numerous options for an Associate Degree and certificates. Many of those can be tailored to your specific interests or transfer requirements. Among the options for degrees (all offer a minimum of one certificate):
- Broadcast News - A.S.
- Film Production - A.S.
- Film, Television and Electronic Media - A.D.T.
- Video Production
RTVF is housed in the Media Center and Performing Arts building in the heart of City College's downtown San Diego campus. Depending on your focus, you could help run our student radio station, SDS Radio, or help us produce our award-winning weekly television news show Newscene in our HD digital TV studio and control room.
ICYMI: Setting the pace | Newscene wins prestigious national honor
Program learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of one of the emphasis in the Radio, Television and Film program, the student should be able to:
- Analyze media's impact on the public
- Operate audio, video or film equipment
- Produce audio, video, film or multimedia projects
- Direct or perform as voice or acting talent
Get involved
City College News Network combines four student news platforms into one, giving students practical, hands-on experience in multi-platform, collaborative journalism and media production. Get your start in the business without every leaving campus! SDS Radio and Newscene are run from classes in RTVF, while City Times and Legend are based in the Digital Journalism program. City students can participate in any of the four, regardless of major, and can even join two or more at a time. Joining the staff is as simple as enrolling in a class.
- Newscene (weekly TV news broadcast) - RTVF 145
- SDS Radio (student-run radio station) - RTVF 130
- City Times (digital-first news organization and newspaper) - DJRN 210
- Legend (news magazine) - DJRN 210
The San Diego City College Film Society is a student film club open to all City students. Meetings and other information is shared on Instagram.
Careers
Careers in film, television and radio are expanding to new realms thanks to technology. Some of the careers in TV news and radio you can get with an associate degree include on-air-personality, news reporter or multimedia journalist, news writer, news producer, operations engineer, news photographer, audio engineer, director and videographer, and numerous studio positions.
Careers that require four-year degrees include motion picture writer/producer, radio and television salesperson, manager, news writer/reporter and news producer.
To learn more about the wide range of occupations, salaries and projected growth visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics Beyond the Number report, published in April 2018.
Faculty
Chris Acedo - Assistant Professor, Radio, Television & Film; Co-Adviser, Newscene - cacedo@sdccd.edu
Acedo was a student at San Diego City College when he landed his first job in the television news industry. Acedo has worked behind the scenes at local television news stations including Fox 5 and NBC San Diego.
Cy Kuckenbaker, M.F.A. - Assistant Professor, Radio, Television & Film, Film Society Advisor - ckuckenb@sdccd.edu
Kuckenbaker has directed fiction and documentary films that have screened at festivals, shows, and websites including: MoMA NY, Centre Pompidou Paris, The LAFF, The Vancouver IFF, True/False, the NBC Today Show, Adult Swim, Atlantic website, Juxtapoz website, Designboom, Journal Du Design and more.