I've completed the Convergence Music System which is a computer based "retro" jukebox that plays mp3's. I coded the entire project in Python on Windows and tested its cross platform capabilities successfully with Arm and Linux based computers.I'm now taking what I learned from the Convergence Jukebox music engine and am developing a concept called "Convergence Radio". It's a virtual radio station concept that uses nothing but internet based resources to automatically generate spoken and play pre recorded content.

Worked assisting LIFE with the implementation of the Your Membership CMS focused on LIFE's new web site. Also worked to standardize the look and branding of communications materials in print and other electronic mediums used by the organization.

Oversee membership maintenance, ledgers and reports, maintain all Aerie records, record minutes of Members and Directors meetings, receive monies and issue receipts for Aerie, and provide semi-annual reports to Grand Aerie.

Starting in 1989 and until November 2015 I sat on the Toronto Section Board of Managers as a Section Advisor. In 2010 -11 I served as the Toronto Section Secretary Treasurer having signing authority over the Sections accounts. As a Sections Advisor I have worked on numerous committees that operated local training seminars.These include the current "Boot Camp" series with my roots going back the the Movie and Television experiences in the mid-1990's. Position as Promotions Advisor included updating the Toronto sections Drupal based website. I also authored seven presentations (papers) for the section and you can find them documented in the projects section below.

While serving on the Toronto Section Board I was elected three times to SMPTE Board Of Governors (White Plains, NY) as Canadian Governor and served as SMPTE’s Global Education Director from 2008 - 2012. In the above named roles I worked on numerous committees that developed global educational strategy and on a number of international award committees. In this role I attended three Board meetings annually. NOTE - Was not Canadian Governor in 2010 and 2011 but did server on the SMPTE's Board as the Global Educational Director.

Working with Afterschool Program co-ordinator to develop and deliver a 14 week course to develop Computer Programming Skills for children age 9-12. Course included sessions with Lightbot, Scratch and basic Python. Goal of programme is for students to develop basic programming skills with the ability to continue their interests through self study upon completion.

During a 35 year career with Ryerson --that spanned five positions-- my efforts proved essential to the initial technology planning, installation and ultimately managing the Rogers Communications Centre. During my tenure at Ryerson I provided leadership in establishing the Rogers Communications Centre’s pioneering efforts in Digital Cinema, Digital Signage, Presentation Media, HDTV production, Non Linear Editing, Visual Computing and Interactive Television. This work included a design strategy for the University’s roll-out of the Centre’s 10 gig Ethernet plant, the first of its kind in Canada. I also rolled out the Faculty of Communication and Design’s first SAN system along with a faculty wide fiber optic strategy. Towards the end of my tenure projects included developing a knowledge base around ATSC M/H content production and the sports television installation for Maple Leaf Gardens, now the Mattamy Athletic Centre. In 2012 I demonstrated my work in Mobile Device app development by showing my Open Source work in Mobile (ATSC) TV development at the ATSC TechZone Pavilion at the National Association of Broadcasters Convention. I also presented a paper on the work at NAB’s 66th Broadcast Engineering Conference.Looking back I supervised the installation of three television studios that included a five-camera HDTV studio, the first of its kind in Canada. In 2002 I negotiated the country’s largest acquisition of HDTV production equipment for use in education and research.

Work involved organizing, operating and managing the computer, new media and broadcasting technologies in the multi-million dollar Rogers Communications Centre. This included managing and supervising the work of all technical support staff employed in the centre be they Audio, Video, New Media or Computer specialists. The position required working with academic departments, research facilities, students and external users of the facility providing instruction, guidance and training. Position involved predicting technological maintenance requirements for all technical facilities and keeping facilities operational by arranging needs through University service departments. Key to the position was designing new installations, noting areas for improvement and instituting the appropriate changes. At times the position required me to participate expertise with the media production group or research group where I would act as technical director, research developer or in a creative capacity as video editor for a variety of motion media productions.

In this role I developed and recruited instructors for the Saturday “Hands On” internet series of workshops. These pioneering courses focused on the emerging medium of interactive, online communications. The role included developing the series of topics that would be delivered, obtaining the services of qualified teachers on the various subjects and personally teaching workshops in basic Internet as well as Basic and Advanced HTML.

Initially I provided a course where advanced students could learn more about the video post production process and how television technology could be applied for effective communication. As time progressed the course expanded to include the emerging medium of interactive, online communications. In this role I provided lectures, workshops and assignments on various types of technology with their applications highlighted along with practical course assignments.

Taught MMM 200 Introduction to Multimedia - Provided an overview of the rapidly evolving field of new media which included both Internet and CD/DVD¬ROM technology and software. Provided a special emphasis on interactivity and the navigational and user-response facets of the multimedia experience. Also introduced students to the various information services available on the Internet and the status of technical developments with respect to video and audio delivery and Website construction.

Wrote a total of fourteen published articles. Served as Associate Editor for Broadcaster Magazine from June 2000 through March 2004.Articles Written;Producing HD (Mar. 2004), Going beyond (Oct. 2003), Ready To Watch (June 2003), TSN Sets the Pace for NHL Hockey Coverage (Mar. 2003), Global's Digital Newsroom (Jan. 2003), HDTV in Canada: Pioneering HDTV terrestrial broadcasting (Aug. 2002), SMPTE on Centralcasting: The benefits and pitfalls of centralcasting (Mar. 2003), iTV Content: Making DTV interactive (Jan. 2002), Internet TV: U8TV developing broadcast convergence business model (Sept. 2001), The New VI: A bit of old and new adds up to ... The New VI (Sept. 2001) and TAMING "THE DIGITAL HYDRA" (June 2000)

Article index at http://playbackonline.ca/author/bfortner/

This two-hour lecture based class was established to instruct students on the background to the technology involved in the modern television industry. To reach the 140 students I delivered the course twice weekly back to back. To teach it I developed lecture notes that exceeded seven-hundred pages in length. Because of the rapid changes in television technology the notes had to be upgraded annually. I developed a quiz based evaluation system to assist in handling the large class size. (Ryerson 1992-93 Calendar BRD-028).

Instructed an elite group of students the operational principles involved in a multi-machine videotape editing system typical in an advanced post-production operation at that time. Lessons included planning for an edit session, the use of time code, editing control unit operation, switcher, audio board, digital video effects, GPI's and character generator operation. It was a workshop/exercise based class so students could build their operational skills. Develop specialized course notes and exercises along with a suitable evaluation system.

Oversaw the initial technical design and later directly managed the facility installation, design and implementation of the Rogers Communications Centre. This was performed primarily by internal Ryerson resources. After major summer installation all facilities open on time and within the budget allotted to the installation group.

Organized, operated and controlled the use of the Applied Arts Television Production Facility. The AATPF was Ryerson's advanced video post production facility during this period used for both University productions and academic training. My role included supervising and trained lab assistants working in area. I coordinated directly with academic, student and external users of the facility for instruction, guidance and training. My role also involved predicting maintenance requirements, designing new installations and noting areas for improvement and instituting the appropriate changes. I also supervised and participated with the production group, often acting as technical director and videotape editor for most productions.

Fully responsible for operation of large videotape post production facility. The facility contained several 3/4" editing suites with appropriate time base correctors, monitoring devices and time code centre along with "dubber" VTR's of just about every format ( 1", 3/4", 1/2" open reel, Betamax and V.H.S.) and two Telecine's. Work often spread into the field for production where I would be responsible for videotape recording and audio. Was also responsible for overall technical direction of our field equipment and would act as videotape editor for productions.

Drawing attention through the broadcast media of the need for foster homes by the Children's Aid Societies. This was accomplished through the writing and promotion of public service announcements, appearing on the local media and distributing research to the local press. This programme eventually lead to a more massive advertising campaign by the Ministry of Community and Social Services.

Duties and Responsibilities: VTR playback, helping in every aspect of television programming through set-up, lighting, audio, directing, switching, camera, etc. Trained community groups on operation of equipment. Assisted staff in co-ordination of several programmes including, Cable Ten Sportsline, Teen Forum, Anybody Can, and Dance Machine, all live shows.