Broadcast Studio Opens

By Faith Ajayi

Mayor, students, and members of the community cut the ribbon in front of the newly renovated Broadcast Studio.

Mayor Adrian Fenty and Chancellor Michelle Rhee were here for the cutting of the ribbon for the new broadcast studio at McKinley. District School's television (DSTV.) and McKinley's Broadcast Department will both work in the studio. The studio will be a training facility for television students. It was officially opened on February 6 and it will be available to all District of Columbia students. It will give them an opportunity to show their work and talents. The broadcast studio belongs to the city as far as programming is concerned. The city controls the different shows that can be produced. However, the overall goal is for McKinley students to be able to take classes in the studio.

Riah Williams, TV student, conducted the first interview that took place in the studio. She interviewed Mayor Adrian Fenty about the District of Columbia school system. The interview will be televised on DSTV. Shawntia Sams, a fellow TV student, interviewed Chancellor Rhee, the DSTV station manager, and Ward 5 council member, Harry Thomas.

"It's going to be awesome next year," said Williams. "Maybe the school announcements will be able to come on the television."

Broadcast students are enthusiastic about the new studio

"The studio will give students in the broadcast academy a chance to learn how to use professional equipment correctly, and help them go further on," said Sams.

The instructors are looking forward to new learning opportunities for the students.

"Once a schedule has been developed for the students to take classes at the studio, it will bring the realism that is needed to understand the fast-paced environment of broadcast television," said Mrs. Moore, a broadcast teacher.

"We hope to have a couple of classes in there before the end of the school year. By next year it should be absolutely completed and totally in use," said Mr. Colston, another broadcast teacher. "The new studio will provide students with the opportunity of in-studio productions and also the opportunity to tape live shows."

The studio is well-equipped. It has a flat-screen television, editing suites, cameras, lightening, audio equipment, a function-control room, an open space for television set, and other vital equipment.

"It will show the students what to expect in an industry and give them hands-on training in a real environment. Without it, you can't do broadcast," said Mr. Butts, the head of the Broadcast department.

By Anna Kinsman |  February 15, 2008; 10:02 AM ET News
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