Stay tuned for CCTV
By Jennifer Archibald Staff writer

School TV hosts Melanie Cox, left, and Samantha Meeks are at the news desk, preparing for a CCTV broadcast. Devon Chapman is manning the camera. Comet photo by Jennifer Archibald

Carroll Jr.-Sr. High School broadcasts its own TV show every Friday.

Called CCTV (Carroll Cougar Television), it's the product of an elective class called Mass Media Communications. Co-teachers are Tyler Sausaman and Danna Bonfiglio.

"It's a news magazine show," Sausaman said. "It runs on a two-week cycle, with one week to film and one week to edit. There are two teams, so there is a new broadcast every week."

He said class time is used mainly for planning, previewing, and editing.

"Most of the filming is done outside of class," he said.

Sausaman added that each show lasts 10 to 12 minutes and has five segments. They typically include sports, previews of coming events, interviews, and holiday-related features.

Bonfiglio said some of the topics students are working on now are "This Day in History," first day of spring, eighth grade Reality Store, and sports.

Teleprompter Sam Parker is running the teleprompter for the TV hosts. Comet photo by Jennifer Archibald

"The kids get really creative," Bonfiglio said. She explained that they use movie-making software. They use a green screen to add various backgrounds and they dub in music.

For each broadcast there are five reporters, an editor, assistant editor, and two TV hosts. The students all film, and rotate in the other responsibilities.

"I like filming the best," Evan Dinger said. "The hardest part is putting it all together on time."

"I like being a host and thinking of creative ways to connect the segments," Rachel Jamison said.

The reporters sometimes interview fellow students to get their opinions, and also interview students who have had accomplishments.

Bonfiglio said kids at school like CCTV because it's local.

Chandler Keown, a junior, said it's fun to watch his friends on TV, and the show also is informative.

Students taking the class learn more than the technological and creative aspects of producing a TV show.

"They also learn to meet deadlines, manage their time, and work together," Bonfiglio said.

They are graded on their work, and each will receive two credits for the year-long class.

Sausaman said the TV broadcasting course is different from other Carroll courses.

"There aren't a lot of classes where you broadcast your work to the whole school," he said.