Mr. Robert Dyas Gordon, Jr

Associate Professor and Interim Department Chair, Media Arts

Mr. Robert Dyas Gordon, Jr
615-898-5862
Room 155, John Bragg Media and Entertainment Building (BRAGG)
MTSU Box 58, Murfreesboro, TN 37132
Office Hours

varies by semester

and by appointment

Media Inquiries

Gordon has been in the television program production industry for 45 years and coordinates the Media Arts Live Production concentration for the Video and Film degree program in Middle Tennessee State University's College of Media and Entertainment.

Areas of Focus

Multi-camera Video Production | Television Program Production

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Departments / Programs

Degree Information

  • MBA, University of Cincinnati (1977)
  • BFA, University of Cincinnati (1975)

Areas of Expertise

Live and Recorded Multi-camera program production focusing on sporting events, television concerts, series and special events.

Media Arts Video and Film Program Coordinator

Media Arts Productions Executive Producer and Faculty Adviser

Blue Raider Student Television Advisor

MT10 Programmer

2021-22 Faculty Senate President

Biography

Gordon grew up in television studios because of his father's successful career managing TV stations. After graduate school, Gordon began his 46 year career in television by producing and directing news, talk and sporting events for stations in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Detroit, Michigan. He then came to Nashville as Executive Producer for Channel 2 and then Operations Manager for Channel 5.

Gordon then left the broadcast field to enter entertainment television production. He produced and...

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Gordon grew up in television studios because of his father's successful career managing TV stations. After graduate school, Gordon began his 46 year career in television by producing and directing news, talk and sporting events for stations in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Detroit, Michigan. He then came to Nashville as Executive Producer for Channel 2 and then Operations Manager for Channel 5.

Gordon then left the broadcast field to enter entertainment television production. He produced and managed series and specials seen on Cinemax, TNN, and syndication.

In the mid 90s, he formed his own company and produced a myriad of concert, comedy and award-show entertainment specials for PBS, TNN CMT, GMC, The Family Channel and for home DVD distribution.

In 2007, Gordon joined the faculty at MTSU and has taught basic, intermediate and advanced classes in multi-camera production and media aesthetics.

His students have learned to manage, produce, direct and crew live ESPN+ sporting events, dance performances, Award Shows and concerts including live concerts at Bonnaroo and for Capitol Records, one of which became a CMT Online special.

Gordon serves the Video and Film Program Coordinator, Executive Producer for Media Arts Productions, MTSU's television production company and faculty advisor for MT10, MTSU's county-wide cable channel.

Gordon tries to make his classes as "real-world" as possible, in order to prepare students for the professional world in which they are about to enter.

Gordon has received the Outstanding Experiential Learning Faculty Award twice, 2017-2018 and 2019-20. At the beginning of each semester, he introduces himself by saying, "I'm not here to teach you the way it was or how it should be. I am here to teach you how it is...and prepare you to go and make things better."

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Publications

"Video Production: Disciplines and Techniques, 13th Edition" Co-Author

"Routledge", May 2024

"Teaching TV Production Under Covid: Multitasking, Adaptation and Problem Solving"

“Broadcast Education Association, Journal of Media Education”. April, 2023

“Bonnaroo Is My Classroom”·              

Broadcast Ed...

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"Video Production: Disciplines and Techniques, 13th Edition" Co-Author

"Routledge", May 2024

"Teaching TV Production Under Covid: Multitasking, Adaptation and Problem Solving"

“Broadcast Education Association, Journal of Media Education”. April, 2023

“Bonnaroo Is My Classroom”·              

Broadcast Education Association, Journal of Media Education January, 2017.         

“Aphorisms In Multi-Camera Production Television Education”·            

International Conference on Communication, Media, Technology and Design – Zagreb 2016·              

Broadcast Education Association, Journal of Media Education January, 2018·

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Presentations

University Film and Video Association Conference 2022

Screening and presentation of the production of "TransAtlantic Sessions"

MTSU Institute of Experiential Learning LT&ITC Virtual Conference, June 2022

Teaching Multicamera Live Television in Both Normal and Abnormal Times 

Broadcast Education Association Convention April 2022

College Students and Community Media:Partnerships with PG and other...

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University Film and Video Association Conference 2022

Screening and presentation of the production of "TransAtlantic Sessions"

MTSU Institute of Experiential Learning LT&ITC Virtual Conference, June 2022

Teaching Multicamera Live Television in Both Normal and Abnormal Times 

Broadcast Education Association Convention April 2022

College Students and Community Media:Partnerships with PG and other outlets

Broadcast Education Association Convention On location April 2021

Teaching Television Production Under Covid

Broadcast Education Association Convention April 2020

Panel Chair – “Multi-Camera Television Production Instruction”

Panelist – “Teaching Broadcasting Heritage” 

Broadcast Education Association Convention April 2019

Panel Chair – “Multi-Camera Television Production Instruction”

Panel Chair – “College Live Special Projects” 

Broadcast Education Association Convention April 2018

Panel Chair – “Multi-Camera Television Production Instruction”

Panel Chair – “College Live Special Projects” 

Broadcast Education Association Convention April 2017 

Panel Chair – “College Live Special Event” 

Broadcast Education Association Convention April 2016 

Panelist – “Forming Student Production Companies” 

College Media Association TV Workshop, September 2014 

Panel Chair – “Where to Get a Job When You Graduate?” 

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Awards

Finalist, "Various Artist Independent Film Festival (VAiFF)" “The TransAtlantic Sessions” Producer 

Best Multi-Camera Category, “2022 University Film and Video Awards Competition” “The TransAtlantic Sessions” Producer 

Peer-reviewed Screened Entry, “2022 University Film and Video Awards Competition” “The TransAtlantic Sessions” Producer 

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Finalist, "Various Artist Independent Film Festival (VAiFF)" “The TransAtlantic Sessions” Producer 

Best Multi-Camera Category, “2022 University Film and Video Awards Competition” “The TransAtlantic Sessions” Producer 

Peer-reviewed Screened Entry, “2022 University Film and Video Awards Competition” “The TransAtlantic Sessions” Producer 

Silver Award - Telly Awards - “The TransAtlantic Sessions” Producer 

Platinum Award – “WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival 2022" “The TransAtlantic Sessions”, Producer

Award of Excellence – 2022 Broadcast Education Association, “Festival of Media Arts” Faculty Film and Video Competition. “The TransAtlantic Sessions”, Producer

Outstanding Faculty Award from MTSU’s Experiential Learning Scholars Program (EXL) for 2017-2018”  and "2019-2020"

Seven ”Significant Contributing Faculty Recognition” Letters from Provost Nominated by graduating students 

Excellence in Teaching recognition by Southern Community Bank. Jan 2016  

Award of Excellence from the Council of Advancement and Support of Education, Southeast District III “2012 Capitol Records Street Party Event” 

Screened Entry, “2018 Nashville Film Festival”, Episodic Showcase for "The Songwriters: Mac Davis Episode

Bronze Award, 37th Annual Telly Awards, 2017 

Outstanding Live Game Production, Sports Video Group, College Media Awards 2016 MTSU vs Florida International University Men’s Basketball  

Platinum Remi Award, WorldFest Houston International Film Festival,

2017 Award of Excellence – 2018 Broadcast Education Association, “Festival of Media Arts” Faculty Film and Video Competition. “The Songwriters” – Beth Nielson Chapman episode 

Finalist -  “Various Artists Independent Film Festival”. presented Oct 7 and 8, 2017 

Finalist, “Austin indie-Fest Independent Film Festival, “Mark O’Connor and the O’Connor Family Band 360 Video, “I Haven’t Said I Love You” 

Award of Excellence – 2018 Broadcast Education Association, “On Location” Faculty News Competition. “The Songwriters” – Mac Davis episode 

Award of Excellence – 2018 Broadcast Education Association, “On Location” Student/Faculty Open Competition. “MTSU/FIU Men’s Basketball Game, Live" 

Award of Excellence – 2018 Broadcast Education Association, “On Location” Faculty Video Competition. “Para”. Dance performed by “New Dialect” dance company. 

Award of Excellence – 2018 Broadcast Education Association, “On Location”, for  “Mark O’Connor Family Band 360 Video, , “I Haven’t Said I Love You” 

Finalist 360 Film Festival, Paris France, , “Mark O’Connor and the O’Connor Family Band 360 Video, , “I Haven’t Said I Love You” 

Finalist FROSTBITE International Film Festival of Colorado for “Ella”, a Dance video for the “New Dialect” Dance Company 

Finalist FROSTBITE International Film Festival of Colorado for “Heap”, a Dance video for the “New Dialect” Dance Company Grand Finale

Nominee, Various Artists Independent Film Festival 

Three Distinguished Speaker Committee grants for University Speakers, 2015, 2016, 2017 Special Projects Grant from MTSU Office of Professional Development 2016 

IRIS Award, National Association of Television Program Executives Silver Award,

International Film & Television Festival of New York. Silver Award,

International Film & Television Festival of New York

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Research / Scholarly Activity

"Video Production: Disciplines and Techniques, 13th Edition" Co-Author

"Routledge", May 2024

"Teaching TV Production Under Covid: Multitasking, Adaptation and Problem Solving"

“Broadcast Education Association, Journal of Media Education”. April, 2023

“Bonnaroo Is My Classroom” ·             

“Broadcast ...

Read More »

"Video Production: Disciplines and Techniques, 13th Edition" Co-Author

"Routledge", May 2024

"Teaching TV Production Under Covid: Multitasking, Adaptation and Problem Solving"

“Broadcast Education Association, Journal of Media Education”. April, 2023

“Bonnaroo Is My Classroom” ·             

“Broadcast Education Association, Journal of Media Education”. January 2017  

“Aphorisms In Multi-Camera Production Television Education” ·              

“Broadcast Education Association, Journal of Media Education”. April 2019

“Online Journal of Communication and Technologies”, International Conference on Communication Media Technology and Design, Volume 8, Issue 3, July 2018 · 

Conference Presentations

Broadcast Education Association Convention April 2022 Panelist – “Student P.E.G. TV Channels” 

Broadcast Education Association Convention April 2021 Panel Chair – “How to Teach Multi-Camera Television Production Under Covid” 

Broadcast Education Association Convention April 2020 Panel Chair – “How to Teach Multi-Camera Television Production”

Broadcast Education Association Convention April 2020 Panel Chair – “College Live Special Projects” 

Broadcast Education Association Convention April 2019 Panel Chair – “Multi-Camera Television Production Instruction”

Broadcast Education Association Convention April 2019  Panelist – “Teaching the History of Broadcasting”

Broadcast Education Association Convention April 2019 Panelist – “Production in a Pandemic: How are you doing TV/radio/audio/podcast production classes remotely” 

Broadcast Education Association Convention April 2018 Panel Chair – “Multi-Camera Television Production Instruction”

Broadcast Education Association Convention April 2018 Panel Chair – “College Live Special Projects” 

Broadcast Education Association Convention April 2017 Panel Chair – “College Live Special Event”

 Broadcast Education Association Convention April 2016 Panelist – “Forming Student Production Companies” 

College Media Association TV Workshop, September 2014 Panel Chair – “Where to Get a Job When You Graduate?”           

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Creative Activity

“The Songwriters”, Interview/Performance Series, PBS Stations Producer/Director   

"Chet Atkins and Friends" Cinemax, PBS re-air ,Producer.

>Concert special - Chet Atkins, Mark Knopfler, Michael McDonald, Everly Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson

"The Chieftains - Down the Old Plank Road" PBS, RCA Records, Producer

>Chieftains, Ricky Skaggs, Earl ...

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“The Songwriters”, Interview/Performance Series, PBS Stations Producer/Director   

"Chet Atkins and Friends" Cinemax, PBS re-air ,Producer.

>Concert special - Chet Atkins, Mark Knopfler, Michael McDonald, Everly Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson

"The Chieftains - Down the Old Plank Road" PBS, RCA Records, Producer

>Chieftains, Ricky Skaggs, Earl Scruggs, Alison Krauss, John Hiatt, Emmylou Harris, Martina McBride, David Rawlings and Gillian Welch, Patty Griifin, Del NcCoury Band, Tim O'Obrien, Buddy and Julie Miller

"Acoustic Attitude"- Barbara Mandrell, for home DVD release

"Steppin Out" - Barbara Mandrell, music and dance special for TNN, Producer

"The Last Dance"Barbara Mandrell, TNN special. Producer

"Willie Nelson/Wrangler Jeans Music Invitational" for TNN.  Producer

"41st Annual Gospel Music Association Dove Awards" GMC, producer  

"Gospel Music Association Dove Awards"1993 - 1996 & 2001 aired live variously on The Family Channel, WGN and PAX-TV. Producer

"America's Christian Music Awards" from Disneyworld. Producer  

"Alabama - Christmas In Dixie" for TNN. Christmas special Producer    

“Nashville Celebrates Elvis” – concert benefit – Producer

“Richard Thompson Live” Video Concert Producer/Director  

“Para” New Dialect Dance Company, Video Producer/Director  

“Heap” New Dialect Dance Company, Video Producer/Director  

“Ella” New Dialect Dance Company, Video Producer/Director  

 “Asbury Christian Concert Series” 2017 Director 

 “Mark O’Connor and O’Connor Band 360-degree 4K Music Videos” Producer/Director  

“Guffaw” comedy series pilot development with Brandon Tartikoff. Producer

“Chonda Pierce – Staying Alive, DVD Producer  

“Chonda Pierce – "A Piece of My Mind”, DVD Producer  

“Chonda Pierce – "Be Afraid”, DVD Producer

“Chonda Pierce – Best Bits”, Comedy concert DVD for Time/Life Home Video

"Funny Business with Charlie Chase”. 15 practical joke series. Producer/Director

“The TransAtlantic Sessions” Executive Producer 

"Daniel O’Donnell in Nashville “, line-producer. PBS Concert special  

“GMA Gospel Hall of Fame Induction”- TBN. Producer

"Sam's Place" - 2 Christian Music, multi-artist concert specials from Ryman Auditoriium for TNN, Producer "

#1 Country" - weekly syndicated country music news series, Producer

"Celebrities Offstage" – 17- episode personality documentary series for TNN. Director

"TNN Country News" - daily country music news series for TNN Producer 

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In the Media

“The TransAtlantic Sessions” Producer “Richard Thompson Live” Video Concert Producer/Director 

“Para” New Dialect Dance Company, Video Producer/Director 

“Heap” New Dialect Dance Company, Video Producer/Director 

“Ella” New Dialect Dance Company, Video Producer/Director 

“The Songwr...

Read More »

“The TransAtlantic Sessions” Producer “Richard Thompson Live” Video Concert Producer/Director 

“Para” New Dialect Dance Company, Video Producer/Director 

“Heap” New Dialect Dance Company, Video Producer/Director 

“Ella” New Dialect Dance Company, Video Producer/Director 

“The Songwriters”, Interview/Performance Series, PBS Stations Producer/Director 

“Asbury Christian Concert Series” Director 

“Mark O’Connor and O’Connor Band 360 degree 4K Music Videos” Producer/Director 

"Daniel O’Donnell in Nashville “, line-producer. PBS Concert special 

"41st Annual Gospel Music Association Dove Awards"GMC, producer  

“Nashville Celebrates Elvis”– concert benefit – Producer

"The Chieftains - Nashville Sessions"- For PBS and RCA Records DVD. Producer

"Chet Atkins and Friends" Cinemax and PBS, Producer

"Acoustic Attitude"- Barbara Mandrell, for home DVD release

"Steppin Out"- Barbara Mandrell, music and dance special for TNN, Producer

"The Last Dance"- Barbara Mandrell, TNN special. Producer 

"Willie Nelson/Wrangler Jeans Music Invitational"for TNN.  Producer

"Gospel Music Association Dove Awards"1993 - 1996 & 2001  aired live variously on The Family Channel, WGN and PAX-TV. Producer"

"America's Christian Music Awards" from Disneyworld . Producer 

"Alabama- Christmas In Dixie" for TNN . Christmas special Producer

“Guffaw” comedy series pilot development with Brandon Tartikoff. Producer

“Chonda Pierce – Staying Alive”, DVD Producer 

“Chonda Pierce – "A Piece of My Mind”, DVD Producer 

“Chonda Pierce – "Be Afraid”, DVD Producer

Chonda Pierce – Best Bits”, Comedy concert DVD for Time/Life Home Video

GMA Gospel Hall of Fame Induction”-TBN. Producer

Funny Business with Charlie Chase". 15 practical joke series, TNN

"Sam's Place"- 2 Christian Music, multi-artist concert specials for TNN, Producer

"#1 Country"- weekly syndicated country music news series, TNN, Producer

"Celebrities Offstage"- 17 episode personality documentary series for TNN. Director

"TNN Country News"- daily country music news series for TNN Producer 

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Special Projects

In Progress:

360 degree concert of A Capella, vocal group "Sonus"

Bluegrass Concert Special

Book on Live Event Directors

 

Courses

Advanced Multi-camera Production Live Sports

Advanced Multi-camera Production Music Concerts

Advanced Multi-camera Production Bonnaroo

Advanced Multi-camera Production Episodic Series

Multi-camera 2

Multi-camera 1

Networks: Then and Now

Sight, Sound and Motion