ATC broadcast media program builds skills

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This article was published 15/12/2021 (1466 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

“Can we set up in the press box instead of the truck?”

“Who will be doing the hand-held on the field?”

“Are the snakes organized and wound properly?”

“Who’s the director? The producer? The scorebug? The switcher?”

Each question is met with a flitting hand or a sharp “Got it!” or “I’m on it.”

Ken Plaetinck is holding court with his team, currently in their second semester of the broadcast media program at the Louis Riel Arts and Technology Centre.

 
“All right, let’s go test the set-up,” said Mr. P., as he is known, as he led the 12 students to the studio.

The team had received word at 9 a.m. on this day that they would be streaming a high school football championship game at the East Side Eagles Field.

The day would be busy. The group was also planning to work a volleyball game at Dakota Collegiate. The students, equipment, and roles would have to be reshuffled and divided into two factions.

Student Kyle Bergantim was assigned to the Eagles broadcast, stationed in the stands with a broadcast studio camera, following the action on the field and zooming in on key plays based on calls from a student director in the press box.

He appreciates the hands-on nature of the program.

“I work best when I’m doing work, instead of just studying and reading it… and it could get us a job in the future,” Bergantim said.

Mr. P. has designed the program “to emulate industry standards and expectations as close as we can so that kids can walk into professional production teams and know what to expect.”

The students earn internships and jobs with some high-end employers such as Dome Productions (with affiliates TSN and Sportsnet), the Blue Bombers, True North Sports + Entertainment, the University of Manitoba Bisons, William F. Whyte International, and a variety of media and video editing companies.

The morning test run went well. The students felt confident they would put on a solid show, even if some will have to  brave inclement weather conditions. Their work is especially appreciated by parents who can’t attend live games owing to COVID-19 restrictions.

All students work with professional-grade equipment, communicate with precision and brevity, problem-solve constantly, and depend on one another in a fast-paced team environment.

The broadcast media program at ATC is one of 13 applied learning or apprenticeship choices in the division for Grade 11 and 12 students to test their interest in stepping off the beaten academic path for two semesters in their senior years.

To learn more about this innovative, work-ready program, check out an archive of streamed pieces at www.lrsd.tv or contact Ken Plaetinck at kenneth.plaetinck@lrsd.net.
 
Adriano Magnifico is a community correspondent for St. Boniface. You can contact him at anomag60@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter: @AnoMagnifico