Major: Motion Picture/TV (MPTV)
Christopher Boyd took a year off after high school and worked on a documentary film crew for "FEMA City".
He also was taking prerequisite courses at a small community college in Florida but didn’t find the classes challenging, plus the school didn’t have the program he wanted. It was his mother who recommended College of DuPage.
“Working on ‘FEMA City’ was my first venture into my field and I loved it. I knew I wanted to do more of it, but I wasn’t sure how to get it started,” he said. “My family was from Illinois and I wanted to go back home but I didn’t know what my options would be. My mom suggested I look into COD. After researching the website and course catalog, I knew it was for me. We toured the campus and I was on my way. Ironically, when ‘FEMA City’ had its premiere at the 2007 Sarasota Film Festival, I couldn’t attend because I was in the middle of exams.”
COD’s Motion Picture/Television (MPTV) program provided Boyd with the foundation he needed to meet his career goals.
“The instructors really know their craft and they genuinely want to assist you in your field,” he said. “The class sizes made it easy for plenty of one-on-one interaction with the instructors. Also, several of the courses in the MPTV program are very hands on. In my opinion, that is the best way to study and learn in this field.”
The instructors really know their craft and they genuinely want to assist you in your field.
Christopher Boyd
After graduating with honors and receiving his Associate in Applied Science degree in Film and Video Production, Boyd transferred to the University of Tampa and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Communications. Since then he has been building an impressive resume, starting as a desk assistant with the PBS NewsHour at the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa. After that, Boyd became a reporter/producer at KPLC, an NBC affiliate in Lake Charles, La., and then returned to Tampa, first in a temporary position as an assignment editor at WFTS, Tampa’s ABC affiliate, then as the weekend assignment editor at WFLA, Tampa’s NBC affiliate.
After two years, he became the weeknight assignment editor at Bay News 9, Tampa Bay’s 24-hour local news channel, where he continues to work. In 2016, he formed New Era Films LLC, a production company focusing on documentary film production, and would like to see it take on larger projects. He worked on the company’s first documentary, "The Cigar City," which examines the history of Ybor City, Tampa's historic Latin district, and its founder, cigar manufacturer Don Vicente Martinez-Ybor.
He is taking advantage of a feature film production boom in the Tampa Bay area and worked on the 2022 comedy “The Throwback.” Boyd also continues to plan for future opportunities.
“I’d love to make another jump in markets,” he said. “Ideally, I want to be back in my hometown of Chicago working in news. At some point, I’d like to get back on air as well.”
As for COD, Boyd advises students to just go for it.
“COD is a great place to get your start. The quality of education and proximity to Chicago make it a perfect place learn and make connections,” he said. “I’m still in touch with several of my instructors from COD who are still offering advice when I need it.”
Learn more about the Motion Picture/Television program at College of DuPage