Students gain insight, experience in TV

The high school TV studio is a mass-media learning laboratory.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The WSCN television production class gives Warren G. Harding High School students a rare and valuable opportunity to improve their communications skills and fully immerse themselves in the digital electronic age.
"In a world where the technological advances are continually coming about, we are using new technology that's going to help us further our education," said Rachel Bilchak, a junior enrolled in the for-credit elective course.
"It helps communications skills and people skills," said Bilchak, who anchors WSCN programming and plans a career in journalism, with an emphasis on writing about history.
Bilchak is one of 35 students enrolled in WSCN, which was founded in 1993 and stands for Warren Student Communications Network.
Under pressure
Students participating in WSCN produce in two hours, under deadline pressure, a 10-to-15-minute daily school news and sports program titled "AM Newsbreak." The program is shown to all 1,600 Harding students during fifth period school announcements the same day it is produced.
WSCN students also produce for a potential audience of thousands a variety show that airs at 7 p.m. Thursdays on the Warren area's Time-Warner cable TV educational public access channel.
At WSCN, students are engaged in writing, reporting, announcing, field and studio camera operation, editing, directing and all other aspects of TV production using state-of-the-art digital equipment.
Before enrolling in WSCN, students must complete and do well in a freshman elective titled "Beginning Broadcasting," and be approved by WSCN's instructor, Fred Whitacre Jr.
"This is a class for self-motivated people -- people who are willing to work hard," said Whitacre, 28, a self-described computer geek, who facilitated the studio's conversion last year to digital equipment. "I hope that they can take with them effective communications skills," said Whitacre, whose youthfulness enhances his rapport with students.
"I like them to learn a little bit about journalism and how to structure a story properly, how to conduct a good interview and how to feel confident," said Whitacre, who is certified as an English teacher.
Building confidence
"Just being on camera every day or learning how to work on the show every day, you begin to develop confidence in your skill," Whitacre explained, adding that many WSCN students are considering broadcasting careers.
"You learn a lot about computers and technology, and you meet a lot of different people," said Nicole Rek, a sophomore, who works primarily as a stage director at WSCN.
"There's so much you can learn with the program, whether you want to be an anchor or a tech," Rek added.
"You get to learn a lot of different things about broadcasting. You can see if it's something you want to do again in the future," said Eugene Mach, a senior who edits WSCN's daily show. Mach, who is also heavily involved with Harding's robotics team, said he enjoys editing video, but doesn't enjoy being on camera as much.
"If they're very interested in computers and technology, this is a very good chance for them to get their hands on that every day," Whitacre said. "They can become very proficient editors with three years of practice."
Source of funding
WSCN is funded by the school district and by private donations, including a major gift from Roger Ailes, a Warren-area native who is chief executive officer of Fox News.
In contrast to its makeshift quarters in the high school, WSCN will enjoy its own soundproof studio and production facilities, with 30 computers and a built-in, professional overhead lighting grid in the TV studio ceiling when the new Harding high school opens next door in the fall of 2008.
The new facilities will allow WSCN to do TV broadcasting through a network to other schools, and Whitacre said a Web radio broadcast from the new studios is under consideration.
"For any student who would like to try something new and get involved with a high-tech school class, this would be the class to take," Mach said.
milliken@vindy.com