"We cannot make good news out of bad practice." - Edward R Murrow, CBS News
Introduction to Documentary Video
Are you passionate about sports? Dance? Computers? Have a story to tell? In this course students will make a documentary video by working in teams, each student participating in one of many aspects of the production. Students will learn how to set up and record interviews, how to shoot sequences, and how to edit their footage. The final projects will be shown online and on the Watertown channel. We will also examine documentary production techniques through a mixture of screenings, discussion, and hands-on exercises. Semester 3 credits
Television News Production
Ever dream about being a sportscaster? How about a news anchor man/woman? Here is your chance to turn your dream into a reality. The course will examine the range of ways in which TV news is made and produced. Classes will be held in our state-of-the-art TV studio. Students will have hands-on experience using the equipment, writing news programs, editing, and producing a TV news show for the whole school and town to see! Semester 3 credits
Multiple-Camera Television Production
Students with a desire to pursue the Digital Media & Communications field will be responsible for developing major content pieces for airing on WCAC. Students in this course will work collaboratively on productions of news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more, producing multiple shows per semester, presenting the world from the perspective of WHS students. The show will allow students to take on the challenges experienced by a real world television station at the local and/or network level. Students will rotate from on-air talent to technical and administrative roles. The instructor, acting as Managing Editor, will hear student pitches along with student producers, and help guide them in the production development and planning. Once productions are complete, the instructor will help to break-down and evaluate each production, and sharing with the class to improve future productions. Semester 3 credits
Radio Broadcasting
Do you enjoy talking about sports? News? Music? Entertainment? In the era before television, radio served as the major source for information and entertainment. Now, in the modern world of Digital Media & Communications, radio continues to serve as a popular source to engage listeners as they travel from place to place, or while they work on a daily basis. Students will learn about the importance of writing and language choice to paint the “word picture” in their storytelling, and advance stories and opinions, without the benefit of pictures. They will also be introduced to the basics of radio broadcast equipment, editing, and show preparation. Student teams will be responsible for conceptualizing, developing, and creating a radio program to be broadcast on WCAC-Radio and posted to the web as a podcast series. Semester 3 credits
