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Wires, hefty cameras, spotlights, televisions- as I stepped foot into Furman University’s student broadcast room, I honed in on the setting and the people around me. Overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the set, I slowly retracted my steps and scooted into a corner to avoid getting in anyone’s way. I stood there and observed. I was quickly snapped out of my daze by a fellow student, “Hey, are you here from Digital Storytelling?” I nodded, and followed him as he gave a quick tour of the room and equipment.
Role On Set
My job was to be behind the camera. Having that role, I was truly able to watch and get a feel for what the anchors do, but also what happens behind the scenes. I learned that there is a lot of trial and error. The audio has to be at the perfect pitch, the pronunciation and tone have to be just right, the angles and transitions from camera to camera have to match the scene and whoever is speaking, and the lights have to be bright but not too bright that it washes out the anchors. It is very high stakes.
Student television provides an array of valuable experiences and skills that can benefit you now and in the future. It provides hands-on experience in several aspects of television productions, like editing, directing, camera operation, etc. It teaches you how to collaborate with others and gain problem-solving skills. You learn how to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, overcome unexpected challenges that might arise on set.
Moreover, you get a feel for the media industry by understanding how television production works, industry trends, and getting insight on how to be a professional and what you might face in the industry. All skills presented are very useful for a future career in communications whether you are behind or in front of the camera.