Television class teaches students job skills

Senior Matt Hosner (above) stands next to a telepromter. He is one of the student directors working on the North Branch News television program. Photos by Jacob Hunsanger NORTH BRANCH — Students at North Branch High School everyday are tuning into the school’s own television channel to watch the North Branch News broadcast.

For many students, the school’s student-run television show is simply a means to hear the daily announcements. But for the select group of students in Pat Forster’s television class, the North Branch News is an exciting program teaching independence, confidence and real world job skills.

There are 24 students in the course, all of them upperclassmen with the exception of freshman Cade Baker who was recruited for his film making skills. In the class, students write, film, edit and produce the 15- minute daily North Branch News, along with filming and editing school events, performances and athletic games.

Senior Whitney Strich operates the camera while senior Stuart Fielder and freshman Cade Baker practice their daily newscast in Pat Forster’s televison and film class. Forster, who has taught the class since 2000, is no stranger to the world of television and film production. Before starting his teaching career in North Branch, he worked as a sports television producer in Grand Rapids.

Apart from filming, editing and showing the students also film sports games and school events, an aspect of the course that Forster is continually trying to grow and expand. “That’s their homework,” said Forester of the students filming school functions and editing it.

The film students also work with elementary school teachers Stacy Nowak and Sara Krugeielki to produce an elementary edition of the North Branch News during the week, which is new to the program this year.

“We’re really getting into a nice comfort zone,” said Forester about the class, which is always looking for ways to branch out and improve.

The North Branch television class has 11 computers used for editing, seven cameras used for field work and three studio cameras. The students in the class all have to be mature and responsible students, since they are trusted with thousands of dollars worth of equipment each week while filming and editing events.

“They get a lot of real work experience,” Forester said of his students.

“Everything is all real his favorite aspects of the world here, especially the course. “It’s a lot of fun. If editing program.” Forester you’re enjoying what you’re has the students use the doing, it’s pretty fun.” same editing software Forster hopes the fact that programs the television course is more that most professional independent and fun will television help the students learn more studios use as while doing it. Aside from well. Graduates the commitment each of his who pursue a students makes to the class, career in film or the teacher added that he is television will more than grateful for the already know the support he receives from the inner workings of school district. “It’s just the editing software, incredible, the commitment thanks to the district gives to this,” the class, which said Forester. should give them For some of the students an advantage at North Branch High when trying to School, the North Branch get a job. News is just another segment “Running the of their day when they camera, making hear the school announcements. our own commercials For the students in and that kind Forster’s class, however, it is of stuff,” is what a fast-paced, skill-oriented senior Dillion way to earn a grade and

Kukkoli said are learn a trade.