A new collaboration at the high school has students excited to get to
the classroom to start the day’s work – producing “The Morning Show,” a
joint effort between the technology and English departments.
According to English teacher Michael Augello, the initial goal was to
produce a show that both informs and entertains. Each show allows
collaboration and creative input from the student anchors and a spot
interview that highlights teachers, students, teams, programs, events
and other things going on in the school and community.
On the technical side, students are learning from technology teacher
Brian Chalmers how to shoot and edit their own stories, which includes
setting up a shot with proper lighting, arranging and connecting
microphones, framing the subject within the shot and editing during
post-production. They also learn how to manage and operate cameras, the
control room, the teleprompter and other equipment necessary in
producing the show.
With Mr. Augello, the students learn how to find and create stories and
determine not only how the story affects their audience, but how best to
engage their audience in telling the story. During interviews, students
must frame their questions in an order that makes sense and in a way
that gives their subject room to discuss and explain – a real flowing,
conversational interview, not just simple yes or no answers. Being an
anchor is a great educational challenge for the students by developing
and enhancing their organizational and public speaking skills. They are
responsible for writing the script and developing transitions between
segments all while speaking clearly and conversationally toward the
camera.
The first successful air date was early October and the students work to
produce each program just one day in advance. It is broadcast
throughout the building during homeroom so everyone has a chance to stay
involved in the happenings of Earl L. Vandermeulen High School.