PANAMA CITY — Gulf Coast State College will begin offering an associate of science degree in entertainment technology by the fall semester.
“It’s expanding on the music production program,” associate music professor Rusty Garner said.
Garner said students who enroll in the program can get training in theater stage technology, which will include a focus on stage lighting, stage design and audio recording.
The technology program prepares students to work as technicians in the music and entertainment industry. There is also supplemental training for those currently employed in these industries or who have been in the past.
The entertainment technology degree broadens the college’s existing audio program for students who want to get an entry-level position in theater or entertainment, Garner said.
Students need to have broader skills than what were required 20 or 30 years ago and can get these skills from the program, he said.
Running a soundboard isn’t enough anymore, said Garner, who added those working in theater entertainment now need to know how to set up a stage and do lighting design. Training in shooting and editing video also may be needed, he said.
“The lines between the music industry and film are disappearing,” Garner said.
Gulf Coast President John Holdnak said the faculty at the school always is looking to adjust programs for the benefit of students and that the performing arts division is looking at ensuring students get a good job from their degrees. Holdnak said the entertainment technology degree is focused on the technical side and behind-the-scenes work of theater and music performances.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Holdnak said.
Brian Baillif, who is the Gulf Coast theater technical director and designer for set and lighting, said the entertainment technology degree is interdisciplinary.
One-third of the program will be traditional theater aspects such as special effects and carpentry.
Another third will focus on audio recording and handling microphone sounds.
The last third will cover digital media, such as setting up and operating a camera. The digital media portion also will focus on the editing and recording video. The way the theater industry is trending, Baillif said, venues want technicians to handle all aspects of a performance.
“The degree itself will take all those elements and merge them together,” Baillif said.
