Lights, Camera, Action...
Students take part in Proctor's Theatre media project
April 2, 2010—Seventh-grader Noah Onorati jumped at an
opportunity for young filmmakers-to-be as soon as it became available to
Duanesburg Middle School students.
Noah has experimented with making videos at home, and was excited to join a
small group from Duanesburg and the Schalmont Central School District for a new
six-week media immersion project at Proctor’s Theatre from Feb. 22 – March 31.
For two days per week after-school, students worked under the guidance of Jon
Burns, who is editor/master control technician for WNYA-4 Albany and a member of
the theatre’s adjunct faculty.
Working as a team, students created a variety show they titled Un-Known Wally
World, in which everyone participated in all aspects of the recording process.
“It was a lot like American Idol, but much more fun to watch,” said Burns.
Students took turns acting, shooting footage with digital video cameras and
operating other necessary equipment, such as lighting and microphones, as well
as using the editing software, Final Cut Pro.
“I was really impressed with how fast the students picked up on everything,”
said Burns. “I showed them lighting one day and when they came back the next
week they remembered everything. They were really just an amazing bunch of kids
who had endless amounts of creative ideas and energy.”
Although Noah had prior experience making videos with his brother, he learned a
lot of new things, such as white balance, which helps the camera display colors
correctly.
“I had a lot of fun,” said Noah. “I’d definitely like to do it again.”
Sixth-grader Xavier McKinley agreed, saying he enjoyed the opportunity to gain
hands-on experience.
According to parent Mary Arndell, her daughter, Chelsea, came home excited every
day.
“She couldn’t wait to tell me about what they did that day,” said Arndell. “It
was a wonderful experience for her.”
Superintendent Christine Crowley is thrilled to be able to offer this innovative
learning experience to middle school students.
“In addition to gaining hands-on experience with digital technologies from a
seasoned veteran, students gained confidence, motivation, professionalism and
team-building skills,” she said.
Middle school students can continue building on the information they learned
when they reach high school by getting involved in the school’s media production
program, which produces the morning news program.
Additionally, Proctor’s Theatre plans to expand the media immersion project in
the future with the goal of creating a daily after-school program for
Schenectady County schools throughout the school year.
“Technology is the wave of the future,” said Proctor’s Education Director
Christine Sheehan. “The more we build programs around it, the better prepared
students will be.”
According to Sheehan, students will learn to produce films of all genres as the
program continues to grow. Eventually students will begin developing programming
for Proctor’s television station—Open Stage Media.
A new group of Duanesburg students will begin participating in the program after
the spring break.
Photo gallery
Learn more about the district's other initiatives with Proctor's Theatre this year:
Students create full-scale theatrical production thanks to
arts-in-education grant
Class of 2010 to graduate from Proctor's Theatre
District awarded $10,000 Arts-in-Education grant
The media project is funded with a grant from the theatre as well as the support of Duanesburg’s PTSO and the Duanesburg Education Foundation. In an effort to further reduce costs, the two school districts are sharing transportation services.