From Filmmaker to App Builder: Olusola Adeaga's Experience in SMU's Online Master of Arts in Creative Technology

Olusola Adeaga was already working in film when he began looking for a program that could bring together art, design and technical skills. His interest in emerging technology led him to the Southern Methodist University’s (SMU) online Master of Arts in Creative Technology program at the Meadows School of the Arts, where he found an opportunity to explore new tools while continuing to build on his experience as a filmmaker.

Adeaga was particularly interested in Interactive Architecture. He had a specific goal in mind: developing the skills to create motion-capture visual effects similar to the work he had seen in films such as Avatar.

AI also became part of his experience in the program.

"Now with the help of AI, many things are now possible and easier. I love every aspect of the program," Adeaga said.

His coursework also led him to explore projects beyond filmmaking. Among them were MyTourCompanion, a tourism-focused app, and FilmCraftPro, a tool he developed specifically for filmmakers. Adeaga also has several other projects in progress.

Building MyTourCompanion gave Adeaga an opportunity to bring together technical skills and his creative instincts.

"I built my tour companion app coding, but with creative instinct, I wanted something different than normal, then I brought in different APIs for the safety of tourists all over the world," he said.

For Adeaga, learning to develop these kinds of projects represented a significant change from where he began.

"I could not have built anything before. I wasn't a code or AI expert before joining the school," he said.

Instructor Ira Greenberg also made an impression on Adeaga, particularly because of his willingness to continue learning as technology changes.

"I truly love him because he is not stagnant. He tries to keep up to the emerging technology," Adeaga said.

SMU's MACT program describes its students as founders and digital entrepreneurs. That emphasis resonated with Adeaga as he began developing projects of his own.

"The program makes you think and say, why not me?" he said.

The experience has also influenced Adeaga's filmmaking.

"The program was meant to advance where I was heading, and it has done more than that. I am a better filmmaker now because the program has expanded my view, and it is reflected in my new films. And now, I am publishing apps and games as well."

For anyone concerned that technical skills and creative work belong in separate worlds, Adeaga's advice is simple.

"You never know what you don't have until you see what you don't have."

Asked to describe the MACT program, Adeaga said: "Opportunity to be current in an ever-shifting world."

Olusola Adeaga's experience reflects his individual creative and professional circumstances and is not necessarily representative of the experience of all MACT students. Individual experiences and results may vary. This testimonial should not be interpreted as a guarantee of specific academic, creative, professional or career outcomes.

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