RTA Media Production alum hosts prestigious awards gala in LA

While Monica Brighton was pursuing her bachelor’s degree in the RTA Media Production program (opens in new window) , she had the opportunity to work as a television host for the award-winning TVO Kids show Backyard Beats (external link, opens in new window) . Most recently, the TV host and producer flew back from Los Angeles, where she had the honour of hosting the prestigious Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (external link, opens in new window)  (SMPTE) awards gala.

Celebrating the talented work of those behind the scenes

The SMPTE is an international professional association of engineers, technologists and executives working in the media and entertainment industry. The annual awards gala in Los Angeles celebrates the accomplishments and accolades of these professionals working behind the scenes that are integral to the creative fields. 

“Hosting the show was so much fun!” remarked Brighton. “It was the first time in three years it could be held in person, so everyone was really happy to meet each other. I got to meet people from all around the world. I never thought I’d be hosting an awards show at the same place they hold the Academy Awards each year.”

While Brighton was pursuing her bachelor’s degree in the RTA Media Production program (opens in new window) , she had the opportunity to work as a television host for the award-winning TVO Kids show Backyard Beats (external link, opens in new window) . 

Pursuing passions with an entrepreneurial spirit

Brighton's academic and professional career has allowed her to host television shows and event galas. The latter came about as a result of a project she worked on in her undergrad, in her fourth year of RTA Media Production, Brighton submitted an audio project from RTA864 Immersive and Interactive Audio, (opens in new window)  taught by Finlay Braithwaite and Kevin Konarzewski, to the faculty's annual TARA awards. After winning, she drummed up the courage to submit it as part of the Louis F. Wolf Memorial Scholarship application process. Shortly after applying for the scholarship, she received word that she had won, and part of the award was a ticket to the SMPTE virtual gala in 2021.

“I was attending the virtual gala last year and speaking to some of the executives when they asked me to stay online after the gala was finished,” stated Brighton. “One of the executives expressed an interest in me to host the gala next year, and I laughed because I thought they were joking.” 

To her surprise, the team behind the SMPTE awards reached out a few months later to confirm if she could host the show. Brighton immediately jumped on the opportunity and was flown out to LA in late October to host the 2022 SMPTE award gala.

For Brighton, hosting such a prestigious gala was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will be an important accolade in her professional career. Her be-all-end-all goal, she says, is to be a showrunner in New York City.

Interested in learning more about the SMPTE awards gala and Brighton’s role as host? Watch the full award ceremony.

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