PTV brings student broadcasting to life
Newbury Park High School’s Panther TV [PTV] gives students the opportunity to engage their creative side, whether as an anchor, camera operator, editor or scriptwriter. Each position plays an important role in bringing the daily broadcast together. While viewers only see the polished final product, a great deal goes on behind the scenes, including setting up equipment, planning segments, writing scripts and managing timing. PTV helps students learn to collaborate, solve problems and use professional-grade technology and to gain confidence that will benefit them throughout their future careers in media and beyond.
Maddie Pond, junior, is a veteran member of PTV and describes the process of creating the episodes as both challenging and rewarding. “Sometimes it can be super easy, and we get everything done in one take, and it’s great, sometimes it can be one of those days where nothing’s going right, and it can take the entire period,” Pond said. “You have to work with people, and it can get frustrating, but it is really fun.”
Pond, now in her second year on PTV and third in broadcasting, also enjoys the social aspect of the class. “My favorite part about doing PTV would definitely be meeting people and making friends in the class. It’s such a good way to get to know people,” Pond said.
For Brooke Pritchett, sophomore, the appeal comes from creating content that will be viewed by many. “It’s a lot of fun to be making something that I know the whole school will see,” Pritchett said.
While the episodes themselves are short, the preparation is not. Pritchett estimated that news segments of episodes can take anywhere from four weeks to two months to make. “We spend four to eight hours after school filming and editing, depending on deadlines,” Pritchett said.
The students are guided by teacher and PTV advisor Derek Grimes. Grimes, who has been with PTV for 11 years, views the program as an almost entirely student-run production. “My role is to facilitate and to troubleshoot when something is not working,” Grimes said. “They create all the stories, film and edit all the footage, write the script and produce the show.”
Each episode typically takes between 15 and 20 hours of work, and Grimes feels that the students’ skills improve noticeably as the year goes on. Given the time commitment, Grimes also believes the class fosters a sense of community. “These students really do become like family because they experience the same stresses that come with producing a news broadcast,” Grimes said.
Overall, PTV is more than a class in school broadcasting- it is a creative outlet for students to learn real-world skills. Through collaboration, troubleshooting and dedication, students gain experience that extends beyond the classroom. The challenges of producing each week ends up building confidence and a strong sense of community for the staff members. For many, the friendships and memories made are what make PTV truly special. “This class becomes your friends, we’re all hanging out and having a good time,” Pond said.
