If you are looking for firsthand experience with video production work, Parkland College has just the program for you. Parkland College Television (PCTV) is a student-run television station. To get involved with PCTV, you can register for class COM-144 with Professor Chris Foster.
PCTV has their own multi-camera television studio where students learn about operating equipment, working different crew positions, scriptwriting, lighting, and more. In this course, students receive firsthand experience with producing videos.
This is a great opportunity for students to discover if video/audio production is something they would want to pursue as a career. Being confident in front of a camera is a lot easier said than done. As well as this, working in a team-oriented environment may not be for everyone. PCTV allows you to expand on your creative ideas and explore the world of video production.
In COM-144, students produce their own personal shows and other productions. During this process, students have a lot of creative freedom such as writing their own scripts, building unique sets, and even inviting outside guests onto their shows.
Lucas Sommers, a current COM-144 student, talks about his favorite thing about PCTV:
“In my class, my favorite thing to do has been either working the cameras or being on someone else’s show,” says Sommers, “I will be taking the next class after this one and I am excited about learning more about the editing process of video production.”
COM-145 is the class Parkland offers to students after completion of COM-144. This course is post-production-oriented (editing process of video production) compared to COM-144. This course also has an emphasis on equipment, techniques, and approaches to field production.
Another COM-144 student, Cameron Scott says, “PCTV helped by showing me more things in a TV setting, where you normally don’t get that behind the scenes. Which is helpful because I’ll be able to apply this to my future career by using things like the switcher. As that is something that helps with livestreams.”
PCTV offers first-hand experience that a lot of other institutions do not offer. Teaching students about technical uses of equipment and different crew positions is one way they achieve that goal.
You can tune in to PCTV by going to Parkland’s YouTube channel. This is where different programs from PCTV are posted. For example, Parkland Report, For Art’s Sake, Cobra Corner, and Closer Look. PCTV posts a variety of content involving information about career success, student life, Parkland’s campus environment, and more.
If you have questions or are looking for more information about PCTV click HERE.
