In the March issue of School Video News, we showed you two lipdub videos by neighboring high schools in Shoreline, Washington in an informal, friendly competition. Both of these videos "hit the YouTube charts" with record numbers. Last month we visited Shorecrest HS and this month we conclude our series with a profile on
Shorewood High School, and the "how it was made" video. Click on the screen at right to play.

SVN: Tell us about your background and how you decided to start teaching TV/Video production?

MB: Ever since I was in the 6th grade and produced a Godzilla home movie for a project about Japan, it was all I ever wanted to do.  Since then I’ve graduated in Video Production and Media Relations at Central Washington University and have worked all the same jobs that Trent has worked.  We both worked in the Television Department and Emerald Downs as editors/producers for their Replay and Magazine Shows. We both also worked at Loudeye Technologies as Video Encoder Specialists, and have worked various jobs for the Mariner’s Television Department. I got into teaching on the recommendation of Trent, for the position that was opening up at Shorewood High School.  I had never thought about teaching before but am so grateful for Trent’s suggestion and guidance into the world of teaching.  I love it!  I can’t imagine having any more fun in any other job.

SVN: How did you obtain initial funding for your program? How do you fund the class now?

MB: We get money from the CTE and General Fund

SVN: Did you have equipment available? 

MB: Yes. Cameras, computers, and editing software.

SVN: How many kids are in the TV/Video Production classes?  How is it broken down?  Is it a multi-year program?

MB: Classes are semesterly and there areapproimately 70 students enrolled in the program.  We offer Video 1, 2, and 3 classes.

SVN: Can you tell us a little more about the sessions:  How long are the classes? How many students? What types of projects?

MB: We meet for each class for 250 minutes a week.  The Video 1 and 2 classes focus on different levels of pre-production, production, and post production.  Our projects range from Short Films, Music Videos, Silent Films, Documentary/Mockumentary, and PSA/Advertisements.  We use iMovie for beginning editors and Final Cut Studio for the advanced class.  Our Video 3 class is a Live Video Production class that focuses on filming Live Performing Arts Events, Sporting Events, and Live Bands on our ‘Audio/Visible Show for Local Channel 26.  You can see our show at www.audiovisible.tv

SVN: How many kids to do the morning news broadcast?  Do you also do a weekly broadcast? Special events coverage?

MB: We have a weekly broadcast.  The # of students involved depends on the week.

SVN: What jobs do the kids do?  Do the kids rotate through on-air talent and crew positions or are they “hired” for a specific task?

MB: The Leadership Students are the anchors and my students are the crew.

SVN: Do students audition for on-air positions?

MB: No

SVN: Do they write the content? 

MB: Sometimes.

SVN: How long does the show run? 

MB: 10-15 minutes.

SVN: Do you submit programming to independent contest such as those sponsored by StudicaSkills and SchoolTube TV?

MB: Sometimes.

SVN: Can your broadcast be viewed outside the school? District-wide?  Local cable access?  On your school/district web-site?

MB: On Local Public Access Shoreline TV Channel 26.  Also at www.audiovisible.tv

SVN: Do you have an equipment list you can share with our readers?
MB: Canon GL-1, Canon GL-2, Canon XL-2 cameras are used in our student productions.  G5 iMacs, Final Cut Studio