Experiential OCAD U LiVE program gives students employable skills

Students are no strangers to producing excellent content through OCAD U LiVE.

This 24/7 on-demand digital streaming channel, with content produced by students for students, wrapped up its fifth season with season five finale episodes from a range of shows that aired the week of December 19.

OCAD U LiVE is a space where students can build employable skills in media production. Content creators are compensated for each episode they make and have access to professional equipment, including lighting, recording and editing tools at a dedicated studio on campus.

The platform’s creative direction is led by an advisory committee whose members include students and is supported by Executive Producer Leonardo Dell’Anno from OCAD U’s Marketing & Communications team. He is a Canadian Screen Award-nominated producer who has worked in the entertainment industry for more than a decade. 

Since its launch in the fall of 2020, OCAD U LiVE has hired more than 130 student content creators, produced more than 50 multi-episode series, presented over 500 original videos and broadcasted over 100 hours of programming.

Artistic Visions, Podcad and W.O.W. (What’s OCAD U Wearing) are three shows that aired during season five.

Artistic Visions

Elmer Bauman-Enriquez interviews new and upcoming artists, primarily OCAD U students on Artistic Visions. Bauman-Enriquez has hosted 13 unique interviews with such guests as artists Jasmine Liaw and Ali Shiekh, and filmed, edited and produced each episode.

Podcad

Podcad is hosted by students Alexander Araujo, Laiken Breau and Mark Krzepis, and filmed and edited by Artistic Visions’s Elmer Bauman-Enriquez. This show features light-hearted conversations with the team’s peers at OCAD U.

W.O.W.

On W.O.W., Hannah Cohen, Ali Sheikh and Jenny Zhen showcase what OCAD U students are wearing and how they express themselves through their clothes, with insight on students’ day-to-day lives.

In conversation with the creators behind Artistic Visions, Podcad and W.O.W.

What inspired you to create your show?

Elmer Bauman-Enriquez (Artistic Visions): What really made me want to create Artistic Visions for a platform that is growing and able to reach many viewers such as OCAD U LiVE, is to highlight the amazing artists that are either fully developed or even trying to figure out their footing in the art world. The idea of the show was born during the pandemic, and I had only gone through first year so far at OCAD U, and I had not been able to make as many friends as I did in first year compared to online. The show created an opportunity where I could talk to other creatives and explore the ideas and pieces they’ve created while also providing a space for them to speak their mind.

Alexander Araujo (Podcad): The always-inspiring people we get to meet on Podcad are what continue to inspire me. The best part is that there's always something new to talk about every week, this school is rich with diversity in artistic expression and personality, and we bring the best out of them.

Jenny Zhen (W.O.W.): W.O.W. was inspired by the fashion at OCAD U and how clothing is an expression that ends up connecting us as a community. We thought that the lack of documentation of this important aspect of OCAD U was surprising and decided to document it.

What role has OCAD U LiVE played in supporting your studies and career in film and TV?

Bauman-Enriquez: While I am an Integrated Media student, OCAD U LiVE has played a significant role in my career in understanding how to shoot specific shows, understanding lighting and scheduling, making sure audio is clear and consistent, and even editing and understanding the software. This opportunity to make a show for OCAD U LiVE has been leading to more opportunities in the field for creating content, for example, I was a camera operator for the recent Post-Growth Summit, which was a new experience where I learned a lot about livestreams.

Araujo: OCAD U LiVE has given me the opportunity to create my own show with my friends. I have also gotten the opportunity to be a part of the marketing team, which, as an Advertising student, lets me practice the things I love to do. 

Zhen: OCAD U LiVE has been an experience that has allowed us to interact with other students at school who we would normally not have the chance to interact with. Hannah on our team adds that, as an Integrated Media student, it has allowed for portfolio expansion and the opportunity to develop knowledge of film production.

What’s next for your show, or your career?

Bauman-Enriquez: I would love to continue creating Artistic Visions whether as a passion project or under OCAD U LiVE. As for my career, I would love to potentially head into film and be able to create projects that range from music videos and short films, to feature length films.

Araujo: Podcad is going to get a makeover. It'll be the same show you know and love, but with a fresh, new look.

Zhen: We’re hoping to start moving towards scenes of student life through our eyes where students can see the experiences of OCAD U more intimately. We also aspire to expand more into the Toronto fashion scene and find opportunities to find and document style inspiration at larger events.

OCAD U LiVE season six will premiere the week of January 30, 2023. Watch OCAD U LiVE on demand.