‘Lights cameras action’ – Westborough kids-style

By Bonnie Adams, Government Editor

Grace Desmond (left) and Callie West (right) learn how to use a television camera as part of the Westborough TV kids’ summer workshop. (Photo/Bonnie Adams)

Westborough – It’s a given that kids today are much more tech-savvy than their parents were at their age (or even are now, in some cases). A group of Westborough kids got to take their media skills and add to them in a professional environment– at the Westborough TV, Inc. studios – this summer.

Two separate workshops were offered; an introduction class for kids in grades four to six and an intermediate class for kids in grades seven and eight. Students learned some of the intricacies of what it takes to produce a magazine-style show such as pitching story ideas, creating story boards and interview techniques. Under the guidance of the station’s staff and interns, they also learned how to use cameras and then use final cut pro software to create their shows.

Donna Kelly, the station’s executive director, said the workshops were collaboration between station and the Westborough Recreation Department.

“It had been held in past years but then sort of fallen away,” she said. “This is our fourth year holding the workshops at this studio – I feel like we are hitting our stride now. It’s been a really nice partnership with the Rec. Department. They always do a great job with all their programs.”

“These kids are amazing,” she said of the young participants. “It’s crazy what they know already. But they are highly motivated and really focused on managing their message to the world.”

During the week-long session, each of the kids was scheduled to produce a four-minute segment, she said, and then learn how to “throw it over” to the next student. The shows were then edited.

The intermediate class also produced a show, “Seniors on the Move,” hosted by Karen McKenzie, an educator who presents many programs at the Willows at Westborough.

For the young producers, the chance to work in a real studio was instructional but also fun, they said.

Sana Soomro, 10, said her father had suggested that she take the class.

“He thought it would be interesting for me to learn this stuff,” Sana said. “I am glad that I did, because it has been really fun. I love this class.”

Isabella Angelini, 10, noted that she was taking the class on the advice of her brother, who had taken it in a previous year.

“I like to make up stories and then be in front of the camera,” she added.

Reuben Kaufman, 10, said that he preferred being in the control room rather than being on-air talent.

“But it can be funny if you are on camera,” he said.

Westborough TV also works with local high school students throughout the year who are interested in learning more about television production. For more information, contact Kelly at dkelly@westboroughtv.org or 508-898-3203. To find out when the kids’ programs or other Westborough TV productions will be aired, go to http://westboroughtv.org.

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Posted by Community Advocate Staff on Aug 17 2012. Filed under Byline Stories, Stories With Good Photos, Westborough. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry