Like all of my fellow students headed off to post-secondary destinations, the

media has had an influence on my life thus far. I, however, intend on returning the favor.

My name is Aaron Goodman, and I believe that Radio and Television Arts at Ryerson is

my true calling. From the cartoons I enjoyed watching as a kid to the movies I pay twelve

dollars to see, I have always been fascinated by the production of media; not simply how

it is made, but also how it makes its way into my living room. I am a man with many

hobbies: Playing guitar, collecting comic books, following my favorite hockey team, and

watching movies are all passions of mine, among many others. Though my interests are

diverse in nature, they share one common element: none of them would be possible

without the media. Without radio, I wouldn’t have been inspired to learn that new song I

recently heard; without television and the CBC, I wouldn’t be able to watch the Maple

Leafs every Saturday night. These are things that have helped define who I am, which is

I have developed a reputation as a skilled writer and articulate individual, having great

success in all areas of English and French studies. I earned the Civics award in grade 10

as well as the English award in grade 11. Many of the elective courses I have taken over

the past three years, including communications technology, media studies and history

through film have greatly contributed to my interest in media production. They have

helped me develop many technical and creative skills that would be essential to anyone

though some were done on my own time. In addition to learning the technical aspects of

video production, I have found it equally important to develop my skills as a storyteller

who is able to convey a message through the medium. The project which I am most

proud of is a m

When the possibility for extra-curricular work involving audio and video

production was available, I sought out the opportunity immediately. In October of 2008, a

fellow classmate and I were responsible for shooting several interviews of staff and

students at Thornhill Secondary School. The interviews focused on Thornhill’s

participation in “RAYS” (Restorative Approaches in York Region Schools), a new

method of dealing with conflict resolution in a more positive atmosphere. Standard DV

cameras were used to record the interviews, while audio was captured using lapel

microphones. TheThe finished product was presented by the Vice

Principal and other staff members at the 11th International Restorative Practices World

Conference in Toronto. We were told that the production was a success, and the videos

were well-received.

Out of everything I have learned inside and outside of school that will help my

future in Radio and Television Arts, I believe that the experience of working with a group

is one of the most important. For many group projects in Communications Technology,

as well as in other courses, I assumed a leadership role. I was often depended on for

creative input and organizing shooting sessions for video productions. While I was

responsible for making a lot of decisions, I made sure that other group members played

meaningful roles and were just as important in helping create the final product. There

were many instances aspect of a production, it is crucial to have a team that can offer valuable insight as often

as possible. I plan on using this knowledge in all future endeavors at Ryerson and

beyond.

There are many courses within the Radio and Television program that have

caught my interest. The Media Production courses will give me practical experience

working with new equipment and software; Communications Theory and Broadcast

Theory will enhance my understanding of the radio and television industry by learning

about its rich history from a Canadian perspective; while the Media Writing courses will

allow me to apply my strong writing skills to a variety of media formats, beginning with

audio and digital giving me a greater understanding of the social implications of media. Philosophy of

Religion (PHL 110) covers topics that have also fascinated me and would be interesting

to learn about at a university level. While some of the courses I plan on taking will nicely

compliment what I will be learning in Radio in Television, I hope that they will also

broaden my perspectives on life and ultimately make me a more enlightened individual.

After graduating from the Radio and Television program, I see myself using the

skills I have learned to become an avid member of the radio, television or film industry. I

hope to find a career that will allow me to apply my creative potential and have a positive

impact on Canadian broadcasting. Producing, editing, writing or directing original

Canadian content would be exciting careers that I would take considerable pride in. If my

career allows me to make significant contributions to the industry, then both the Radio

and Television program and myself will have benefited from my participation.

Radio and es, both academic and non-academic, make me a

logical choice for this program. I look forward to meeting people my age who share the

same passion I have for television, film and all media in general. Where I spend the next

four years will have a major effect on how I spend the years that follow; this is why I

intend to make the best of these four years at Ryerson. Being able to attend a university

program I will enjoy, not to mention one as highly-renowned as RTA is a once in a

lifetime opportunity that I will certainly not pass up . As my all-time favorite television

character Jean-Luc Picard once said, “Time is a companion that goes with us on a

journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again”.

Next fall, I plan on doing just that.