“We need Storytelling. Otherwise, life just goes on and on like the number Pi”
– Academy award winning director, Ang lee
TV and Video Production Concentration
Within the Communication Department at Olivet Nazarene University (ONU), there are many areas to study within the multimedia communication major. These areas are called “concentrations”. The concentrations are where the student can choose to hone in on certain subjects. There are concentrations for film studies, radio and audio, multimedia journalism, theater production and performance, and live event media management. There is also a concentration for TV and video production.
In the TV and video production concentration, there is a focus on the “small screen.” This would be your television shows and YouTube videos. According to the Olivet Nazarene Website, “Olivet students learn the fundamentals of television production — cameras, audio, lighting, studio work, field work, editing —and produce short films, music videos, news programs and other creative projects.”
Why Concentrate on TV and Video Production?
Speaking to a couple of Communication (COMM) majors, they have pointed out a few reasons to concentrate on TV and Video Production.
Hunter Ah Loo, a senior at ONU, mentioned that while he was in high school, he was not sure what he wanted to do in college.
He said, “I kind of liked just taking ideas and transforming them into videos and storytelling.”
Ah Loo grew up making YouTube edits of NFL players and always enjoyed the editing process. He even edited a video of his highlights from high school. Being able to turn that into a career was ideal to him. This is what brought him to concentrating on TV and Video Production.
Reese Dosemagen, another ONU senior, mentioned that she was attracted to the COMM department through an enjoyment of creating. Though Dosemagen started with a concentration in film studies but after not wanting to spend a semester in LA, she chose to switch to the TV and Video Production concentration.
Dosemagen said that the change in concertation “was the best decision [she] could have made, because [she] got to experience all these new experiences that [she] never thought [she] would.”
What Do You Learn?
Knowing that you are going to produce a video or television show can be a little daunting. That is why the concentration allows for many skill-building opportunities.
These many skills are taught throughout the courses in the TV and Video Production concentration. There are classes like Film and Video Production, Documentary Production, Corporate Video Production, and Scriptwriting for Multimedia. All these course help to encompass the many skills needed to produce a clip or video.
They also have so many resources within the department that help all students be able to produce to the best of their abilities. There are editing rooms, filled with computers that have all the softwares that help in the editing process. There is also recording studios, where students can go to film for their many different projects.
Dosemagen explained that the most important skill she learned was editing. She said, “[editing] is something that you’re going to need in every aspect when you are working in the TV/video field.”
Dosemagen went on to say that having the basic editing skills down allows for a person to appear reputable to do anything an employer asks.
Another key skill that is taught in the TV and Video Production concentration is teamwork.
“I’ve also learned a lot of communication skills to talk to people better, understand them better, and just get a better overall connection between me and the other person,” Ah Loo said.
Ah Loo emphasized that working on different projects requires a lot of communication between the different contributors. Though there are no classes that are hyper-focused on working in production groups, each class forces the students to work together to create a final project. This group works builds many different team-building opportunities and allows for growth in the communication of a project.
What are the Opportunities?
The most interesting part of the TV and Video Production concentration is the many experiences that are available to students. Throughout the major, there are two essential opportunities: the practicum and internship.
The multimedia practicum course involves the student proposing a project that is focused on his/her concentration. In this course, Dosemagen was able to create a short, video horror film. Listen below for her experience on creating that video.
According to an article written about Ah Loo, “carrying the torch of the Spark HD Voice of Generation Now podcast, senior Hunter Ah Loo stepped into the role of lead producer for Season 3, taking on the project as his Multimedia Practicum.” Below is a link to a clip of Ah Loo during the podcast.
The Communication Internship has the student under a professional organization. The internship is also in the student’s concentration. For Ah Loo’s internship, he worked under a freelance company called BP Video Production. Ah Loo describes what the company is and his experience with them below.
So Why Not?
There are many other opportunities to learn and grow. There are trips to Chicago, working on TV sets, and so many more. If you have a passion for creating, join the TV and video production concentration today!
