Campus TV studio earns high marks

By Julia Boyle
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Peering through the large window from the hallway, passersby can see giant cameras, an audio board, head phones, and several television screens— intimidating equipment to some.

But not to people who live at Cedar Crest.

The campus TV studio is completely resident-run, says Community TV Coordinator Andrew Pruner. “They do it all—the cameras, the audio board, the graphics, and technical directing,” he says.

And though most TV Studio Club members—there are more than 20—came to Cedar Crest with little experience, Pruner says he and his co-coordinator Jay Buettner teach them everything they need to know.

Back to her roots
One club member, Doris Sinofsky, says having a TV studio at Cedar Crest has allowed her to fulfill a longtime dream. A journalism major in college, Sinofsky changed paths after graduating and became a teacher. When she moved to Cedar Crest more than two years ago, she took advantage of the opportunity to return to her roots.

“I’m finally doing the things I meant to do in the first place,” she says. Sinofsky operates the camera, the clock, and digitally edits her work. To date, she has produced a documentary of Cedar Crest’s trip to the botanical gardens and one about war veterans who live at the community.

Informal atmosphere
One of the characteristics of the studio that draws people to participate is the atmosphere. Sinofsky says it’s very informal, which is exactly what Pruner and Buettner wanted from day one.

“We have a light, fun, relaxing atmosphere, which is a different style from most TV studios,” Pruner says. “We are here for them, so it’s their agenda, not ours.”

Instructional classes too
In addition to teaching one-on-one, Pruner and Buettner offer television production classes every Thursday and Friday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. They teach a new topic each week or film a show for the campus station—Channel 6.