… And How Does a COM Student Get To Be a Real World Student?

Students have to apply for acceptance into Real World Productions (FT505). To do that, undergraduates must have a 3.0 GPA and graduate students, a 3.2 GPA.

Second, students must have taken Production 1 (FT353 or FT707).

Real World students must be dedicated and really good at teamwork. Since Real World clients are usually organizations that cannot afford a polished video by a professional video production company, this is the next best thing. Usually clients are thrilled with the final product so it works for everyone.

Third, Real World Productions is a class that operates as a student run, client-driven production company. As such, we work with clients in the community on projects such as PSA’s, fundraising videos and mini-documentaries.

As an alum of BU and Hothouse, it was such a pleasure to work with the students. I was blown away by their professionalism, their talent, and their dedication to the projects. They produced high-quality, creative work and managed to do it under a challenging deadline. I was so pleased and so impressed by the final product.

Nicole Savini, Advisor to “FTD: Love is Out There”, BU Alum, and Executive Producer, “Girl Rising”
Four students pose with their award from the National Academy of Television.
Bryan Yeh, Lining Bao, Suha Chung and Sophia Daniluk with their Student Production Award for the Urbanity Dance video. (not pictured, Yixi Zhou).

Briefly, here’s how Real World works for the student and the client.

  1. Client and students meet to discuss the direction, needs and issues of the project.
  2. Client pays a $500 equipment fee for the production. If additional project-specific funds are needed, students create a budget which the client must approve before providing monies.
  3. Student roles are assigned – producer, shooter, editor, etc.
  4. At every step of the production process, the client and students communicate about the project. Remember, the client pays for this production.
A group of a dozen or so students jumping in unison next to a Green Line trolley.

I was extremely pleased with the results, which were above and beyond my expectations. What I especially liked was the students’ enthusiasm for the projects and the efficiency that they worked with in getting things done, especially in getting so many quality shots in such a short time frame. Hollywood could take some pointers from them!

Frank Hsieh, Director, Beantown Swing Orchestra

Clients do not pay for the hours the students put in as shooters, editors, writers, and producers. However, there may be expenses such as travel, location fees, meals and actors, as well as other items the client may request. Those will all be factored into the budget which the client, upon approval, must fund. If you have questions, please write to Professor Sitomer at ssitomer@bu.edu.

It’s amazing that we get to come out with a finished product like this and that we get the practical experience of working on a team, working with a client, and being in a professional environment.

Personal Profile: Rafeeat Bishi 

African American woman with short brown hair in blue collared jacket smiling at camera.

Rafeeat Bishi is a 2024 cum laude graduate with a BS in Film & Television.  Upon leaving BU, she began work at a PR and Communications firm that provides strategic advice to executive clients across a variety of industries. 

What would you say to someone thinking of applying to this class?

Do it! Don’t be afraid to try something new or work with clients, new classmates, or in a different environment. You will learn many skills that apply to professional careers while creating something impactful for clients!

What was your experience like in this class?

My experience in Real World Productions was great. I learned so much and got to engage in a new form of production. It encouraged me to pursue a career in creative production and client work!

What was it like working with a team on your project? 

Working with a team was a rewarding experience. It pushes you to think outside of the box and value other perspectives before starting new projects. Also, our team had diverse backgrounds and experiences in production and media, so we relied on each other’s strengths throughout the project.

Did you find that working with clients and taking this class have been useful in your career? If so, how?

Even though I’ve only been in my current position for a month, I have applied so much from the Real World! The biggest skills would be client management, collaborative teamwork, and project management. I have to be adept at adjusting to client needs, be creative with media opportunities, understand audiences, and work with team members to produce impactful messaging. My day-to-day tasks include creative ideation, working with media outlets, and developing communications strategies. These are all skills and experiences I developed when working at Real World Productions.