Newest SMPTE chapter provides opportunities for future broadcast engineers

Rowan University this semester became the 15^th school in the U.S. and the 18^th in the world to host a student chapter of the Society of Motion Pictures and Television Engineers (SMPTE), an Oscar- and Emmy Award-winning professional association that sets many of the standards by which movies and TV shows are made.

Founding member Joe Ponisi, a senior Radio, Television & Film (RTF) major, said a campus SMPTE chapter will enhance opportunities for students to build experience and network with industry professionals in the technical side of TV and moviemaking.

Ponisi, who is also president of Rowan Television Network, urged students to build a portfolio of undergraduate work experience and continually make contacts.

“It’s a competitive field so you need to make the most of every opportunity,” Ponisi said. “The purpose of our SMPTE chapter is to build connections with people who are working in engineering, in the technical side of TV and film, while we’re still in college.”

Ponisi, of Holmdel, has held three internships -- one with Sportsnet NY, one with the New York Red Bulls soccer team and one with WFAN sports radio in New York. He’s also a part-time production technician for Comcast SportsNet in Philadelphia. 

Ponisi seeks a career as a television engineer, someone who maintains, troubleshoots and fixes all manner of set equipment including cameras, lighting and sound.

He believes the new SMPTE chapter will compliment Rowan’s RTF curriculum and its emphasis on building experience.

“You never know what can go wrong, what can break on the spot, and it’s the engineer’s job to be able to troubleshoot and fix it,” he said.

Keith Brand, chair of Rowan’s RTF department, said an active SMPTE chapter will provide information and expand opportunities for students.

"There are a lot of jobs in the field for students who understand the technical aspects of production,” Brand said. “SMPTE can give our students insight into those careers.”

Internationally recognized and accredited, the organization advances moving-imagery education and engineering across the communications, technology, media, and entertainment industries.

Founded in 1916, SMPTE publishes the SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal and has developed more than 800 standards, recommended practices, and engineering guidelines. It includes more than 6,000 members — motion-imaging executives, engineers, creative and technology professionals, researchers, scientists, educators, and students.