Reaching for the stars: Arthur Smith’s legacy in the RTA program
For those in the entertainment industry and beyond, the name Arthur Smith has become synonymous with success. Growing up with an admiration of television, Smith has solidified himself as a titan of industry, with more than 200 shows for over 50 networks passing through the doors of his production company, A. Smith & Co. (external link) .
To give back to the community that helped him get his start, the RTA Media alum has established The Arthur Smith “Reach” Award to provide financial support for students in the RTA School of Media (external link) , and coming later this year RTA’s existing television studio will be reimagined as the Arthur Smith Virtual Production Studio.
RTA School of Media alum Arthur Smith
Transforming Media Education
To help aspiring students reach their dreams, the newly named Arthur Smith Virtual Production Studio will reenvision RTA Studio A (RCC 180) as a state-of-the-art multi camera virtual production studio. Outfitted with the latest technology, students will be prepared for careers of today and tomorrow. The Studio will be integrated with other facilities, allowing students from multiple specializations to collaborate on productions.
“I’m thrilled that this generation of students will have a wonderful interactive, state-of-the-art facility at their disposal. To have the studio named in my honor is an incredibly humbling experience to say the least,” states Smith.
Arthur Smith and his book REACH: Hard Lessons and Learned Truths from a Lifetime in Television
Beginning this year, Smith has established the Arthur Smith “Reach” Award to provide financial support for students in the RTA School of Media. This award is designed to honour the mission of The REACH Foundation: to uplift people so they can reach for their dreams in their own lives, and each year will go to a full-time student who demonstrates financial need and excels in their program.
In his recently launched book, REACH: Hard Lessons and Learned Truths from a Lifetime in Television (external link) , Smith illustrates just how far you can go when you work hard, take risks, and reach for your dreams.
“I believe we make our good fortune—that’s been my philosophy,” says Smith. “Part of making our own good fortune includes putting yourself out there…to reach beyond what you believe could be possible. When you reach, you learn the difference between a pipedream and what you haven’t dared to try. But as you’re reaching in your life, I feel it's important to reach back and help others. TMU has been impactful in my life and it's a place where dreams begin and career goals are set, and I want to help nurture those dreams.”
Cementing a Legacy
Smith is also a founding donor of the RTA in LA program and created The Arthur Smith Travel Awards in 2018 to support students participating in the RTA in LA Initiative who demonstrate financial need. Students who participate in this program have the opportunity to develop their professional network and broaden their knowledge and understanding of the film and media industry during a two-week faculty-led intensive in Los Angeles.
For Smith, what motivated him most about his undergraduate career was being surrounded by so many like-minded souls who were all driven and determined to succeed.
“TMU provided me with a chance to do more than just learn but to really experiment, to take chances, and to really find myself,” says Smith. “It gave me the tools and confidence to go out into the world and reach. It influenced me greatly. I was so appreciative of the wonderful collection of professors and equipment that we were able to learn on and get creative with!”
Stay tuned for more information about the Arthur Smith Virtual TV Studio and the Arthur Smith “Reach” Award!