Carroll Elementary students learn about TV production
By Jennifer Archibald

Lights, Camera, Action! Carroll Elementary students produced their own "TV video" as part of a convocation on TV production. The made-for-school tape includes a newscast, along with green screen performances and special effects. Shown in a skiing segment, as it is being recorded, are (l-r) Jarrett Gish and Jared Forgey. Comet photo by Jennifer Archibald

Carroll Elementary students visited a TV studio without ever leaving the building.

A portable studio was brought to the school as part of a convocation called "Lights, Camera, Action."

Students learned how a digital, state of the art studio works, including the technology, terminology, and hands-on experience.

They were introduced to camera terms, such as tilt and pan; to various equipment, including audio and video mixers; and to the green screen for special effects.

Some students got to try out the green screen. The audience laughed as they saw their friends right side up in front of the screen, but upside down on TV. Other students held on to a ski rope in front of the green screen, and simultaneously appeared to be outdoors, water skiing, on the TV screen.

After all grade levels had attended the convo sessions, a small group of students from grades three through six took part in a workshop. They produced a newscast of the day's events, which included the segments of student performances from earlier in the day. The production involved anchors reading from cue cards, student introductions to segments, and final editing. To make sure everyone had a chance to appear on the video, the camera panned the audience at each session throughout the day.

During the process, students picked up some TV jargon, such as "Quiet on the set" and "That's a wrap."

The convo was presented Monday by Derek McDonald and Gretta McDonald of Mobile Ed Productions. The VHS tape was completed by the end of the school day.

Assistant principal Natalie Mc- Quade said the video will be kept in the school library, and can be checked out to show in individual classrooms.