Streamwood High students learn ins and outs of broadcasting

Gone are the days when the audio-visual club members grabbed the spotlight by wheeling portable equipment from room to room.

These days, being a part of Streamwood High School's AV Club means a chance to do something cool, and maybe even be a star.

Club members are now spending their time editing video footage shot by other students, writing scripts, and some even appearing on the air on the Sabre weekly news Web cast.

Coordinated by instructor Bob Thomson and his secretary Sue Neely, the Web cast features a revolving lineup of 12 anchors. They auditioned last year for the spots.

"We don't want to pull them out of class too much," Thomson said.

Script preparation takes place on Wednesdays with the broadcasts recorded on Thursdays. It takes from 30 to 45 minutes to complete the recording, with anchors spending that time looking over their scripts, working on pronunciation and delivery.

Recently, senior Sanah Ahmad and junior Christina Cruz presented video segments of their stories on Deaf Awareness Week and the Run for Rett fundraiser. Cruz needed several run-throughs to master pronunciation of difficult surnames in one segment.

"Sometimes we have three anchors, with one doing sports, but this week we have three video segments so there isn't any time," Thomson said.

The somewhat cramped studio has a director's booth, a teleprompter and two static cameras focused on the anchor positions.

"I really wish more kids would get involved," Neely said. "At one point, we had a full crew with the kids running the cameras and wearing headphones."

The room is not soundproof, so sometimes announcements and noise filters in from the outside. The distractions don't bother the anchors, but sometimes Thomson asks for retakes because of the ambient noise or other problems.

Though a production sometimes finishes in one take, usually there are several stops and starts, which Thomson edits for the final product. The show is ready by mid-afternoon and is broadcast Friday mornings, then uploaded to the school's Web site where it remains for about a week.

The anchor jobs are the glamour positions of the production. Streamwood boasts WLS-TV news reporter John Garcia as one of its graduates. Garcia returned to the school last spring to guest on one of the tapings.

In addition to reading the news, anchors also take part in any on-site reports included in the broadcast. Senior Courtney Hinkle was in Busse Woods to tape a segment on the Sabre Run for Rett fundraiser.

She said she had a difficult time being on camera at first.

"I tried not to think about it," Hinkle said. "But after a while you just get used to it and it really helps you with public speaking."

Although the anchors are the most visible members of the group, the behind-the-scenes students put in just as much, if not more, into the weekly broadcasts. Senior Ryan Kiesel has written the bulk of the shows, preparing scripts from announcements and information submitted by clubs, teachers and other staff members.

"I prefer working behind the scenes," Kiesel said. "Last year I edited, but this year I wanted to write."

Two students, Ram Catapang and Rafal Cwiok, who also doubles as an anchor, spend a lot of time in the audio visual department doing independent study projects.

"We do most of the editing of the DVDs that go into the special reports on the broadcasts," Catapang said.

Thomson said the duo also edits recordings of annual school events such as the Mr. Sabre Contest, homecoming, talent show and choral concerts. These are duplicated and offered for sale to the student body.

"We're not trying to make a lot of money off these DVDs, but what we do make goes toward the department," Thomson said.

Senior John Gallione multi-tasks when he works on the broadcasts, having been a member of the production team since his sophomore year. Gallione, who has an eye toward working in journalism, writes all his own copy as well as acting as the school's sports reporter and anchor.

"I just have a blast when I'm up here," he said. "I really want to thank Mr. Thomson and Mrs. Neely because they're the ones who really work on this."

Other Streamwood students who take part in the broadcasts include seniors Isabella Martinez, Vincent Cintron and juniors Taylor Ross, Gemini Bhimani, Kristin Halwix, Patricia Vargas and Staci Williams. David Pfromm is part of the behind-the-scenes crew.