‘If you build it, they will come’- a line heard in movies, advertising and business for many decades, but true, nonetheless.
Florida Panhandle Technical College in downtown Chipley, Florida has offered the Digital Video Technology program for almost a decade, and popular opinion is that it is definitely not for the faint of heart.
This is due to a daunting and intimidating, 900-hour, comprehensive deep dive into many creative disciplines, inclusive of Photography, Video Production, Drone Technology, Audio Production, Basic Business Marketing, Responsible Social Media, Website Creation and Life Skills.
The Digital Photography Technology program has also been offered, and quickly became a secondary, advanced option for those who finish Digital Video and want to extend their reach, and possibly their grasp, by matriculating to this program.
As the saying goes, ‘Many are called but few are chosen’, and there have been a number of students attracted to the ‘glamour’ of this industry only to find that this art/craft/science requires a lot of work, patience and diligence.
Students are immediately ‘thrown into the deep end’ and required by Instructor Paul Goulding to produce content from day one, and the graduation rate and job placement rate has grown exponentially over the past years, with dual-enrolled high school students graduating their secondary school options and returning to the program as adults to finish the entire FPTC program, and adult graduates immediately finding well-paid career options.
Last year, Florida Panhandle Technical College offered the Television Production Technology Program, an advanced, challenging program which explored the newest Artificial Intelligence, Television Broadcast Standards, Live Streaming, Podcasting, Audio Production, Special Effects, Advanced Lighting Techniques, Social Media and Websites, Marketing and a deep dive into the Adobe Suite of programs, featuring After Effects, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Audition, Lightroom and others.
The expanded program immediately sold out, with a full class and a waiting list, with potential students standing by for spots vacated by those who cannot stand the heat.
At the end of the 1200 hour comprehensive program, nine students of the original 14 remained, all completing the program, graduating and achieving an average of two certification s each, a resounding success for the new program offering.
The upcoming 2024-2025 FPTC school year is just around the corner, with classes commencing on August 12, 2024, and the program has already attracted a group of new students, and several seats are still open.
With over 30 degree and certification programs available on campus, FPTC offers Welding, Nursing, Pharmacy Tech, Drafting, Electrical and Carpentry, Hemodialysis, IT and Cybersecurity, Heavy Equipment, Commercial Vehicle Driving, Corrections and Law Enforcement, and many more, including a less-strenuous, self-paced media creation program better suited to those who need a more flexible schedule.
Stop by FPTC Student Services at 757 Hoyt Street in downtown Chipley, give us a call at 850-638-1180 Extension 6317 for more information or simply email Paul.Goulding@FPTC.edu to find out why you might be a perfect fit for this career choice.
