TV Studio Success - Magnet Schools of America

Producing a Professional News Program
In an Elementary School
Baltimore County Public Schools
Towson, Maryland
Anne Groth, Library Media Specialist
Vicki Lockwood, Resource Teacher
Bill Groth – District Support AV Services
Cromwell Valley Regional Magnet
Elementary School
WCVE
In the beginning…
Principal’s vision in 1994
•All students contributing to programming through
language arts and technology
•Multiple opportunities for students to perform on
camera
•Programs constantly running on big screen in lobby
of school
In the beginning…
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EMG provided onsite assistance during our first two years
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Funded through a federal magnet schools assistance grant
In the beginning…
FOCUS
• Sharpen written language skills
• Improve oral presentation skills
• Become familiar with a variety of graphics software
The Library Media Specialist
•Developed a professional TV studio
•State of the art equipment (analog/VHS)
•Worked with the teachers to include all students
What You Need is…
…Team Work
What You Really Have is…
… A Symphony
How do we
accomplish
this?
Hmmmmm…
Advisory Team
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Library Media Specialist
Tech Integration Teacher or Liaison
Music, Art or PE Teacher
Technical Support
Ideally – three faculty advisors
“one is the loneliest number…”
Benefits of a School TV Studio
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Combines skills from many disciplines
Requires application of knowledge
Requires thinking on your feet – problem
solving
Camaraderie
Great PR – parents LOVE it!
(and if you work it right, so will your principal…)
Authentic Task
Classroom Teacher Schedule
Every student gets the opportunity
to participate in the
announcements on camera and
behind the scenes.
Each homeroom is assigned two
weeks.
Students get two or three jobs
each week..
Other opportunities arise when clubs and administration share news,
provide information, and acknowledge accomplishments.
Preparing the students…
Setting The Stage
Dressing For The Camera
• No Green or Blue
• Orange, Red, Purple, Yellow and Brown work well
• No “Questionable” Messages On Clothing
On-Camera Challenges?
• Looking up and reading smoothly while on
camera
• Voice projection
• Posture
• Clothing
• Looking into the camera
Work Behind the Scenes
Broadcast Format
• Broadcast format is made up of a series of
design elements.
• Try to keep the format consistent to build
familiarity
• OK to vary the format on different days of the
week.
• Develop signature opening, music, mascot and
closing.
Setting the Stage
• Curtains and Backdrops
– Grey or light blue curtain
– Chromakey green curtain or fabric
Curtain and painted wall
• Professional Foam Core Sign
– Available at your local sign company
– Include mascot and call letters (WCVE)
Format Details
• Use Other Interesting “Technical” Elements to
Add and Keep Interest
• Fades
• Transitions
• Music
Regular Program Sequence
• Opening
• Pledge of Allegiance
• Lunch Menu
• Weather Report
• Birthdays
• Special Features
Up Next ?
• Riddle of the Day
• Book Talk/Trailer/Review
• Value of the Month
• School Event Report
• Super Study Skill
• Musical Moment
• Special Guest
• Club Update
• Morning Jump & Shake
• Student Recognition
• Pre-Recorded Segment
• Friday Funny
• This Day in History
CVE Broadcast
•Ranges from five to eight minutes
•Goal is five minutes
•Length influenced by special features and
technical difficulties
Selecting the Crew – Making the Tough Decisions
How DO We Do It When We Can Only Choose Nine?
Planning and Training
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Applications
Interviews
Auditions
Setting guidelines for meetings/practices –
commitment
• Student Contract
• Parental Permission Form
Planning and Training
• Setting the length of service
• Clipboards and Checklists √
• Meetings – Debriefing and Evaluating
• Continuous Improvement
New Crew
• Ten 3rd grade applicants selected
• Two week training begins
• 5th grade experts model, explain, and supervise
• 4th graders take over last two weeks as senior
crew members
Application Process
4th and 5th grade students
make up the studio crew. Near
the end of each school year 3rd
grade parents receive an
application via email.
•Two year time commitment
•Exclusive contract (no other
activities or clubs)
•Parent’s signature to assure the
commitment is understood
•Blind recommendations from
two teachers
•Interview process with
outgoing (5th grade) crew
•Auditions
Crew Roster
•Ten tasks
•Three week rotation
Morning announcements
brought to you by
kindergarten students.
Mrs. Weikert‘s Friends
Morning announcements brought to
you by (experienced) fifth grade
students.
Mrs. Leis’ fifth
grade friends
Continuous Improvement - Morning Crew Meetings
• Held about every three weeks
• New job rotations roster
• Review and practice
• Evaluation of progress/discussion
• Ethical use – adding pictures appropriately
List of Jobs
•Floor Manager
•PowerPoint
•Feature Reporter
•Tricaster
•Camera Tech Talent
•Camera Tech Anchor
•Video Mixer
•Scriptwriter/Music Tech
•Sound Engineer
•Swing Tech
Checklists laminated and kept
on a clip board for each child.
Crew is expected to carefully
check off tasks as they go.
Tricaster
This is the heart and soul of our equipment.
Sound
Background music is an important enhancement
to our broadcasts. We use an iPod.
PowerPoint
PowerPoint slides: birthdays, menus, feature
reports, etc.
Video Mixer
This equipment serves the transition
function from one camera shot to the
other. There are numerous transitions
from which to choose.
Cameras
We have two cameras fixed on tripods, each focused on
a particular shot: the anchors or the other reporters who
transition throughout the broadcast. The anchor
camera is checked prior to the broadcast. The talent
camera may need adjustment during the broadcast
Anchor
depending on the height of the students or the size of
the group. These adjustments should never be done
while on air.
Talent
Behind the Scenes Challenges?
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Adjusting the sound in a timely manner
Remembering the 5 second rule
Checking spelling and punctuation
Pronouncing names correctly
Setting the zoom (never while live)
Fading the music
Background noise
As if all those skills weren’t enough…
• Guide primary students during their broadcasts,
• Rehearsing scripts
• Show them where to stand, when to start, when to move, and where
to look.
• Write their scripts, guide them in the control room, encourage them,
and act as role models.
5th Grade Résumé
At the end of the year, the 5th graders
receive a résumé describing all of the
tasks and equipment which they have
mastered.
More Leadership…
• Guide parent participants through a broadcast on Tech Expo nights
• Assist in teaching Towson University graduate students in a Video
Production course
• Provide tours of the studio during Open House to prospective
parents and students
More Benefits of a
School TV Studio
• Cross-age and grade tutoring
• Taking criticism appropriately
• Pride in accomplishments
Celebrations and
Field Trips
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End of year party – saying hello and goodbye
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Recognition at the Awards Assembly
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Field trip to local TV station
Volunteers…
Common Core Standards
English Language Arts Standards > Anchor Standards > College and
Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Speaking and Listening
Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas
•CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA..SL.4 Present information, findings, and
supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and
the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose,
and audience.
•CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.5 Make strategic use of digital media and
visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of
presentations.
•CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.6 Adapt speech to a variety of contexts
and communicative tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when
indicated or appropriate.
Emergency Plans
It’s not working!
Help!
What do we do now?
The Answer…
Know The Odds (50/50)
Plan Ahead!
What Are The Odds?
• Since almost ALL technology depends on
Computers…
– Remember, There Are ONLY 2 Kinds of
Computers:
• Those That HAVE Crashed
• AND…
• Those That Are GOING To Crash!
Be Ready, Just In Case That Day Is TODAY!
How To Prepare
• Practice During Training Meetings
• Discuss Possible Work-Arounds
• Have A “Backup” Radio Broadcast Ready
– Radio Jobs On Back Of Job Checksheets
– Studio Connected To School PA System
– Audio Only PSA Lead-in Ready As Transition
Other Tips For Avoidance
• During Training, Instruct The Crew – No “Happy Clicking!”
– Lift Feet When Walking
– Watch Cables and Connectors
– No Horseplay
– Focus On Task On Clipboard
– Be A Symphony!
Think “Protection”
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Sandbag All Lighting Stands & Tripods
Cover Floor Cables With Carpet Squares
Secure Loose Adapters With Velcro Strips
Electrical Tape & Cable Ties
Rubber Gloves For Camera Operators
Strain Loops At All Connections
Think Safety
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Snail Races
Horses Left At The Hitching Post
Soft Voices
Nike Shutdowns
Store All Unused Equipment
Proper Equipment Shutdown
TVStudio2Go
• TVStudio2Go Is:
1.
2.
3.
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7.
8.
Mobile
Affordable
Customizeable
Easy To Maintain
Easy To Store
Easy To Use
Under $14K, Setup
Only Power &
Network Required.
Tricaster 40
CVE is a green school
so no paper handouts
were available today!
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code sbsz5s to
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