Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE- Four students from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville won the video studio or live performance segment category in the National Broadcasting Society National Undergraduate Student Electronic Media Competition. This is the third time in a row that UWP has won.

"It's extremely difficult to win the grand prize because there's only one in each category. To do it three times in a row is unprecedented for our program. It speaks well to the quality of our students and the quality of our program," said Robert Snyder, associate professor of broadcast production.

Valerie Ackerman, a senior majoring in communication technologies with an emphasis in broadcasting from Cassville; Jeremy Hach, a senior majoring in communication technologies with an emphasis in broadcasting and a minor in business administration from Middleton; Jennifer Scarpaci, now an alumna in communication technologies with a minor in public relations from Arlington; and Mitch Pritchard, a former UWP student from La Crossse, produced the winning video, "30-CC Presents: The Willie Harris Singers." Videos were judged on use of the camera, lighting, audio, artistic use of medium and overall quality.

The group produced the segment containing a music video with an interview for the show 30-CC on UWP-TV. The 30 minute show reaches over one million people each week.

"30-CC is sort of like old school M-TV. We play music you won't hear anywhere else. We don't play mainstream songs, but we play everything from gospel to soul to rock," said Hach.

The video was filmed at the Cup of Joy coffee house in Green Bay. Hach said that viewers don't always realize how much work goes into making a video. Before the camera is even turned on, video producers spend hours deciding where to shoot, creating story boards and ideas for shots, writing the script, choosing and setting up the background and setting up the desired lighting. The footage is then shot using at least three different cameras to capture the band from different angles. After the footage is shot, editors combine the footage and add things like transitions, special effects and graphics.

Hach said classes like Post Production, Audio and Visual Systems and Audio Production gave the group the skills they needed to produce their award winning video. The hands-on skills and experience the group gained from classes and the 30-CC video also helped the students get jobs in the broadcasting field.

Hach currently works for John Roach Projects Inc. in Madison, as a director and producer. The company produces commercials for large companies. He applied there as an intern and was hired because of his experience. For one of his classes, Hach was required to make a résumé reel of his work. He said if he hadn't had the resume reel and hands-on experience from UWP, he may not have gotten the internship, which led to his current job.

"UWP is good at pumping out producers and directors because of the hands-on experience they give students," said Hach.

Ackerman's career goal is to be a news anchor. The on air experience she received at UWP-TV helped her get an internship at NBC-15 in Madison.

Any student can work at UWP-TV as a volunteer or for class credit. No experience is necessary. UWP-TV airs every Thursday at 6 p.m. and Friday at 7 p.m. on channel five in Platteville.

Anyone wanting more information about UWP-TV or the award may contact Snyder at (608) 342-1630 or snyderro@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Robert Snyder, associate professor, broadcast production, (608) 342-1630, snyderro@uwplatt.edu Written by: Krystle Kurdi, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, kurdik@uwplatt.edu