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Created on Thursday, 01 September 2011 12:41

Written by Beth Scott

Hurricane Irene may have caused a one-day delay, but Telecom students started their training the week before school in order to prepare for the first televised football game September 9.

Telecom students used the Menchville vs Woodside game as practice for when they broadcast games live this fall. Photos by Jazzmyn Reid

Students enrolled in Telecom's television production classes can attend Remote Production Training for a crash course in broadcasting a live event from NNPS-TV's remote production truck. They are then hired to work the game, which features Maury vs. Woodside. NNPS-TV (Cox Channel 47 and Verizon FiOS Channel 17) broadcasts five games live from Todd Stadium, and the students play important roles in those telecasts.

Remote Video Production Training generally consists of three days of training at the Telecommunications Center and in the remote video production truck.  The fourth day is a production practice game at Todd Stadium.

Students apply for the various positions available for a particular production.  Hiring for remote production positions is based on participation in the training sessions, auditions, job performance and work ethic.

As many as 15 students are employed for football and basketball games.  Crew positions include:  Camera Operators, Technical Director, Character Generator, VTR/ DDR Operator (Replay), Audio Operator, ENG Editor, Reporter, Announcer and Assistant Producer.

Besides football games, remote TV productions include basketball games, awards ceremonies, and all five high school graduation ceremonies.

Educational Supervisor Ray Price and Instructor Marcus Hickman run the training, giving tours of the building and the production truck, showing football clips, demonstrating how to properly roll audio and camera cables, plus giving specific training on the equipment used in the crew positions previously mentioned.

NNPS-TV Station Engineer Bryan Catlin guides students through the more technical aspects of the training, educating students who aim to become technicians and engineers.

And NNPS-TV sports announcer and "Sports Highlights" host Greg Bicouvaris helps train on-air talent (announcers and reporters).

Telecom students who participate in remote productions receive an hourly wage for their work, which sometimes involves long hours and always requires competency on the equipment, a little bit of stress, and a dose of physical labor (think setup and "strike," which is taking down the equipment).

The Telecom students probably think earning money is the best part of the week, but getting a head start on course requirements and acquiring real-life job skills also make starting school a little early a worthwhile endeavor.

Practice game