Alumni Spotlight, Campus Life, People, Teaching & Learning

From the classroom to the real world

UBC Okanagan’s Bachelor of Media Studies encourages Fiona Firby’s creative mind to thrive

October 2, 2024

Growing up in British Columbia’s lower mainland, Fiona Firby could have applied to any one of the several universities in the area—but instead, she wanted to step out of her comfort zone.

Having previously spent summers in Osoyoos, Firby felt comfortable in the Okanagan; for her, Kelowna offered a perfect balance: it was a close enough city that she could visit home during the holidays, yet far enough for her to grow her independence.

UBC Okanagan’s appeal was further heightened by its smaller class sizes, a significant factor since Firby graduated from a class of only 60 students. The idea of large lecture halls at other universities filled with hundreds of students was daunting.

When she arrived at UBC Okanagan, Firby initially pursued a Bachelor of Arts, but transferred to the Bachelor of Media Studies (BMS) program after some academic advising from UBC Okanagan and input from other students.

“I’m so glad I made this decision as I feel the program was a great place for me to grow both personally and academically. It allowed me to combine my love for film with a broader exploration of media—skills that I now use in my current job.”

“I’m so glad I made this decision as I feel the program was a great place for me to grow both personally and academically. It allowed me to combine my love for film with a broader exploration of media—skills that I now use in my current job.”

Firby says she had no prior coding experience, which made the idea of programming in the BMS a bit intimidating. She overcame her hesitation through specific BMS courses, which integrated computer science concepts and taught various coding languages, including p5.js, which is specifically designed for artistic purposes. This approach made coding more accessible and enjoyable for Firby.

“Early in the program, we created simple projects like moving dots or changing coloured bars. One of my first projects involved creating a dynamic display where clicking the screen altered the colours and sizes of the bars, sparking my interest in interactive art.”

In the fourth year of the program, students work on a capstone project, which can involve working with an external company or on a self-directed project.

Firby’s capstone was a self-directed interactive movie titled “RAPACITY,” a choose-your-own-adventure film focused on the temptation of greed, allowing viewers to make decisions that shape the protagonist’s journey.

“[The Bachelor of Media Studies] exposed me to various facets of media and provided the freedom to explore my interests, ultimately leading me to a career that blends creativity with technology.”

“I was inspired by the interactive film ‘Bandersnatch’ from the TV show Black Mirror, and worked to create a similarly immersive experience.”

Viewers navigated the narrative and experienced four distinct outcomes based on their choices. These outcomes ranged from a positive ending to a very negative one, reflecting the consequences of the viewer’s decisions. Additionally, the project included redemption paths, enabling viewers to alter their trajectory based on subsequent choices, ensuring their first choice did not solely dictate the storyline.

After graduating in 2022, Firby came across an opportunity at Transitional Forms, an entertainment innovation studio that blends artificial intelligence with storytelling to redefine how games, films and television are experienced.

Responsible for community management and content production initiatives, Firby has so far worked on a number of simulation games and platforms that use generative technology to unlock human imagination and align artificial intelligence with culture.

In her role, Firby finds herself wearing many hats typical of a start-up environment. “I’ve been able to utilize my skills in graphic design and video production while also getting the chance to engage in various aspects of the production process.”

Reflecting on her journey from UBC Okanagan to her current role, Firby appreciates how the BMS prepared her.

“It exposed me to various facets of media and provided the freedom to explore my interests, ultimately leading me to a career that blends creativity with technology. My degree instilled in me the confidence to make independent choices and the adaptability to thrive in a dynamic industry.”