Nailing the News - Mineola Style

            Their “news studio” is a four by four section in front of a green screen at the back of one of the high school’s tech rooms (which actually used to be the TV studio back in the day).  Jenn is affixing her iPad to the holder on the stand and adjusting it so that the camera view gets nothing but “green” in its sight. (Ms. Greene, one of our awesome Tech teachers, is at her computer QUIETLY working as we invade their space but laughing at the funny spots and giving us technical support when we need it.)  Bella is adjusting her chair height so that it’s just right for the shot (and making a last hair check before filming).  I click the switch for the ON AIR sign and it’s a go for this week’s edition of Mustang Media, Mineola High School’s news broadcast.  Jennifer Berkowitz and Isabella Polanco are poised and in the zone to record and produce our three minute TOP FIVE newscast to be aired on Friday during homeroom.  Using the green screen technology, our audience sees Jenn and Bella reporting from behind a news desk in a news room.

            Since September we have been recording these news broadcasts using the app Touch Cast and uploading them to You Tube for airing.  On Monday, we meet with Dr. Smith, our principal, and brainstorm the top stories of the week.  There’s a feature, three top MHS or other news stories, and the Question of the Week segment.  For the Question of the Week, we come up with a question related to current events, entertainment, school issues, social media – something about which we think high school kids think and care.  Then we go around the school a record a number of student responses.

            Next, we do research, interviews, and write and revise the copy for the news, rehearse during lunch on Wednesday, sometimes shooting segments “on location”, and film the segment on Thursday afternoon.  Jenn and Bella then edit the video, finalize it, and publish it to You Tube (sometimes on the bus on the way home) and we send the link to all staff, and homeroom teachers show it during homeroom.  It’s just amazing what a couple of kids, an iPad, imagination, and hard work can produce. Click here to see the latest broadcast.