Students in COMM 406: Electronic News Gathering and Editing are challenged to cut their livestreaming chops by covering Behrend events.
When television news stations began going “live” decades ago, it required a large broadcasting truck, satellites, and miles of cables and cords. Today, anyone can broadcast events with a livestream that requires nothing more than an internet connection and a camera.
To build viewership, however, there’s another essential ingredient: know-how. That’s why students in COMM 406: Electronic News Gathering and Editing are challenged to cut their livestreaming chops by covering Behrend events.
The class streamed nearly a dozen athletic games this past spring, including men’s and women’s basketball and men’s volleyball. Students rotated through the technical broadcast positions.
“We had two commentators; one did play-by-play and the other did color commentary,” said Tom Deau, lecturer in communication, who introduced the live element in his COMM class this spring. “There was also a director calling and switching the camera shots, three camera operators shooting from three different angles, and a fourth camera that was set on the scoreboard.”
“It’s a win-win,” said Deau. “Athletics fans, alumni, and parents can watch games and other events from near or far, and students in the class get experience perfecting their live camera and broadcasting skills.”
The initial plan was to cover three games, but students enjoyed it so much that Deau added as many other games as they could fit into the schedule, and he looked for other multi-camera event opportunities on campus.
“We recorded two Smith Creative Writers Reading Series events in Metzgar Center, a Ukrainian guest speaker event in Federal House, and a fashion show in McGarvey Commons,” he said. “Each event was student-run and recorded by students using multiple cameras and a video switcher.”
Students reported that they enjoyed having the opportunity to use newly developed skills.
“Live broadcasting allowed us to apply what we learned in class,” said junior Jordan Morschhauser. “I hope to work in athletics after college, and this experience helped me understand the many people involved and how much work goes into streaming a single sporting event.”
View their work at Comm 406 videos.