In the high stakes world of live TV and broadcasting, mistakes aren’t an option.
That kind of environment can be discouraging with little-to-no experience, but CMU-TV provides students with space to make mistakes and hone those skills before moving into that professional setting. Whether on screen or behind the camera, CMU-TV has opportunities for students to get hands-on experience with industry standard tech in a space that prioritizes growth and inclusivity.
General manager of CMU-TV Wylee Mitchell said she strives to create an environment with low stakes, and encourages fun and collaboration. She’s a senior in mass communications and started at CMU-TV as a volunteer her freshman year.
“I really just hope to see the growth of CMU-TV to continue and to see people not only coming to learn but I really have worked hard on creating an environment that everybody feels welcome and wants to be here,” said Mitchell.
While the equipment may seem intimidating, the student staff know all the ins and outs and are committed to helping new volunteers learn. Breana Sinclair, a content producer for CMU-TV, said that the team spends time learning every position.
“If a volunteer wants to learn something, we are more than happy to teach them. And we encourage people to kind of branch out of their comfort zones to learn all the different roles that CMU-TV provides,” said Sinclair. She switches from being on screen to directing seamlessly, just like her colleague.
Nearly every staff member had a volunteer beside them during the production of the “The Update.” This series was created by Sinclair, who hosted it with volunteer Kylie Hoffman. Hoffman joined CMU-TV because she wants to pursue a career as a news anchor.
Laporshia Freeney, another volunteer, works with Grace Metcalf to help direct “The Update.” She’s a senior in mass communications and eventually wants to own a media management company for athletes. CMU-TV gives her the opportunity to learn how to navigate this space so she can best represent her future clientele.
“Going into something where I’ll be looking over contracts and like, helping out my clients, I want to know and be able to give them the best idea of, like, marketing that’d be best for them,” said Freeney.
Freeney said she’d love the chance to script and host a Wendy Williams style interview show. Her schedule hasn’t allowed her to be involved until this semester and she’s looking to make the most of it.
Junior mass communication student Isaac Klein is brainstorming a new segment called “Who’s That Mav?” He said it’s going to be an interview meets sketch comedy segment that incorporates different aspects of life on campus each time.
“This is what you do, but who are you? You are more than what you do,” said Klein about the new show. He wants to highlight people from different communities on campus.
Towards the end of the semester, CMU-TV is looking to host a film showcase on campus. Not to be confused with the film and animation department’s short film festival, CMU-TV’s showcase hopes to highlight the interdisciplinary aspects of media.
“It’s mainly to garner interest in mass communications,” said Klein. “Sometimes when people think of mass communications, they only think of journalism and there’s this whole other aspect to it.”
With two of their staff graduating in May, CMU-TV is looking for volunteers to fill their shoes. Students can show up to the weekly Monday meetings at 4 p.m. in the production studio on the first floor of Escalante to get a peek at what broadcast production involves.
