Arthur Smith Virtual Production Studio shapes industry-ready graduates

The Arthur Smith Virtual Production Studio at The Creative School has been abuzz since opening to students in January 2025 — from filming game-shows and sitcoms for Media Production class, to student coverage of the Ontario provincial elections. 

Thanks to the generosity of Radio and Television Arts ’82 alumnus Arthur Smith, the studio was renovated and re-envisioned as a multi-camera, virtual production studio outfitted with the latest technology, including 3D gaming graphics software. The studio is designed to prepare students from multiple programs across Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) for film and television careers of today and of tomorrow. Sixty students from the Advanced Live Multi-Camera course in the Media Production undergraduate program were the first to break in the updated facility.

“This studio is a testament to the power of reaching for your dreams and the impact of this institution. My time at the RTA School of Media — with great teachers and state-of-the-art equipment — prepared me for this wonderful career creating thousands of hours of television for audiences all over the world,” said Smith. “I envision this studio not just as a space for learning, but as a launchpad where young, hungry students can take flight towards a career in production. It’s a privilege to be able to support the place that helped shape me, and I’m so excited to see what these next generations of talent will create as the entertainment industry continues to evolve.”

Smith is a pioneer of non-fiction and unscripted television and founder of A. Smith & Co. Productions. A trendsetting Hollywood producer, he has created some of the longest-running, culture-shaping unscripted series in television history, such as Hell’s Kitchen and American Ninja Warrior. He was named one of Variety’s “Titans of Unscripted TV” in 2022 and inducted into the Realscreen Awards Hall of Fame in 2021. In 2020, Broadcasting + Cable named Smith “Producer of the Year” and in 2025, an honouree of its Hall of Fame. 

This May, Smith is receiving a 2025 G. Raymond Chang Outstanding Volunteer Award for his years of service as an active guest lecturer and panellist in the RTA School of Media, including with the Master of Media Production program. In addition to the Arthur Smith Virtual Production Studio on campus, Smith has generously created the Arthur Smith REACH Award — which grants $2,000 annually to an RTA student. Smith has also been key to the success of RTA in LA, for which he provides financial support, established student travel awards, and graciously hosts RTA students in Los Angeles.

Fourth-year journalism student Adriana Fallico served as co-anchor for the TMU Votes special broadcast, demonstrating her on-camera talent in the Arthur Smith Virtual Production Studio for the February 27, 2025 Ontario elections. “On election night, it was fascinating to see students and faculty work with the technology of the Arthur Smith Virtual Production Studio to produce industry-level work,” she said. “The feedback from fellow students is that this is an amazing tool for future events that will add to one’s education and experiences.” TMU Votes was produced through a collaboration between the School of Journalism and the RTA School of Media programs.

“Arthur’s support is more than financial. As one of our most successful alumni, we are fortunate that he is always committed to the future of his alma mater and in particular the student experience,” said dean of The Creative School, Charles Falzon, emphasizing the invaluable role Smith plays in shaping student success. “I am so grateful for his support and friendship.”

Arthur Smith Virtual Production Studio supported by industry partners

The studio’s new production system features three advanced computers — known as Ampere engines — gifted from Zero Density. The studio also features Sony HD cameras, the Mo-Sys camera and lens tracking system, and lighting fixtures from Kino Flo, founded by Image Arts graduate Frieder Hochheim. These components form the core of the studio’s virtual production capabilities, with additional electronic elements for seamless integration.

The system is the result of eight years of collaboration with Groupe Media TFO, Zero Density, ROCKET and Herne Hill Media, and has since been widely adopted by industry leaders like Sportsnet and numerous international broadcasters and filmmakers.

Written with files from Braden Sykora and Tyler Small.