Broadcasting+and+Closed+Circuit

**Broadcasting and Closed Circuit** Closed circuit viewing is in-school television viewing from the distribution system in the media center. Each school should be able to broadcast at least two channels. For example, a school may be able to show programs on Channels 3, 4, 6 and 9. For repair, additional channels, or general help, submit requests in SAP.

Daily or weekly morning TV news broadcasts are an exciting way for students to learn broadcast technology and presentation. To be effective, all classrooms should be equipped with local cable access televisions. Except at the high school level, Fulton County media specialists are usually in charge of these productions, and the programs vary in format and technology.

To begin a basic broadcast program, you need a designated space, preferably securable, at least one tripod-mounted digital video camera, and a modulator connected to your in-house cable system. You will want a microphone system (fixed, hand held, lavalier, ceiling mounted, or a combo) and a soundboard to adjust volume and turn microphones on or off as needed. You can also add a computer hookup to show PowerPoints, videos, still shots, or internet items as part of the broadcast. In addition, a switcher enables you to provide transitions to smoothly switch between camera shots or between live camera and computer images. Extra items include a titler, which enables you to add typed labels to on-screen images or pictures, and a teleprompter which is a program used on a computer monitor to scroll the script as the anchors are speaking. John Wooters at AV North Maintenance and Ron Cochran/South County are invaluable assets for setting up and troubleshooting broadcast studios. Chocolate is a welcome reward!

Students can apply for broadcasting positions or the MS can rotate jobs through the various classrooms. It could also be run as a club. Typically, 1-2 anchors (the on-air talent), 1-2 camera persons, and 1-2 “directors” or “producers” who man the switcher and soundboard, etc., will be needed. Some schools also have weather persons and/or hosts to interview on-air guests. You need a basic script to which you can make daily changes to reflect the cafeteria menu, weather, birthdays, announcements, joke of the day, word of the week, etc.

Ideas:
 * Ask the art teacher to photograph student art work and place on cd; showcase a piece of art each day during the moment of silence
 * Let younger grades lead the Pledge of Allegiance on camera – a few different students from a classroom each day of the week.
 * Think about the backdrop behind your anchors; consider green screen, paint the wall blue or drape a medium blue fabric to enhance all skin tones

At some schools, especially Middle and High, media specialists are in charge of scrolling daily announcements on TV and/or a TV message board.