Spartan News Studio
The Spartan News studio consist of three studios. Studio A and B are located in the back room of the Module Lab room and are equiped with lighting, monitors, cameras and a variety of back drops. The Spartan News also has the ability to broadcast anywhere within the middle school building (third studio) by plugging into our building server with the use of CAT5 plug in which transfers throughout our entire school.
We've come along ways from five years ago from broadcasting in the back of a classroom with a camera, cable and a 'dream'. Stop by and visit our studio and the Spartan News Crews as they broadcast daily live from 8:30 - 8:38.
'New' Changes Within The Control Room
Playback Monitor
The Playback Monitor is used to assist in helping the Visual/Sound Director knowing when to switch studios (visual) and recording devices (sound). Below the monitor is the DVD player which is used to display student made video clips that highlight school wide events. The MCC Middle School Spartan News also has the ability to record each program and burn into a DVD. As far as recording each broadcast, the Spartan News is in the process of creating an on-line video site called "MCCTV" that could be viewed on our www.mccschools.com website. More information pending.
Studio Director
Corinne is setting up the camera's for the daily show. She can decide on the angle of camera, location and zoom options for a given studio. Her job then will be to instruct the anchors on the changes of the camera in order for the anchors to make good eye contact during the broadcast.
Slide Show & Operator
Cale is operating the Slide Show of the daily announcements that run prior and after each broadcast. The Slide Show also runs throughout the daily with music for staff, students and visitors can view our daily 'word'.
Sound Computer
Trevor is operating the sound computer which plays background tunes before and after each broadcast.
Monitor and DVD Playback
Monitor used by 'techno' crew to view studio changes. DVD player is used to display various projects or special features Spartan News Crew has been working on. Spartan News also has the ability to capture/record each broadcast with our DVD Burner. This year we are planning on capturing our broadcast on a computer than uploading onto our newest feature called; "Spartan Tube". We'll keep you posted on the the upcoming changes.
Sound Mixer Board
This is our newest piece of equipment, fall of 2008. The audio mixer allows the Spartan News to utilize multiply sources of sound. It controls our camera studio sound, microphone for slide show sound, DVD sound, music from computer and additional camera sounds if we wish. The Spartan News Crew is amazing with this mixer during a broadcast.
Video Mixer (Will be replaced for the 2009-2010 School Year)
The Video Mixer allows our news crew to switch camera's and locations in the studio or throughout the school. This mixer also allows us to broadcast any where throughout the school with the use of the CAT5 network within the building. One of our oldes pieces of equipment which has held the test of time, but is in need of replacement soon.
How do you broadcast your signal throughout the school?
Below you will find a series of pictures illustrating the set up on how we send our signal throughout the school from our Spartan News Studios. The first image (Upper left hand corner) shows the video and audio sound exiting through a CAT5 converter box into a plug on the wall (Network) and travels to our server (#8 thru #11) and from there the feed goes directly to our Channel One box (#2 thru #7 . . . numbered left to right). This set up allows us to broadcast from ANYWHERE throughout the school, by tapping into our network system (CAT5). Don't 'reinvent the wheel', use what resources you already have (CAT5 Network System & Channel One Box).
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at pquinlan@mccschools.org or call me at 231-690-7812. Have fun and turn your students loose!
Phil Quinlan, MCC Middle School Spartan News Advisor