Real-World Experience in TV/Media Production

PREPARING FOR A FUTURE On Both Sides of the Camera

The nerve center of Salem High School’s TV and Media Production studio is in the corner of the building above the 3 Seasons Café. At any given time, students may be live on air, recording voice-over sound, or cutting music into the latest cinematic production using state-of-the-art, industry-standard equipment.

“The Television and Multimedia Program prepares students for every aspect of the production process,” explains Instructor Chris Hazel. “The equipment and the facility allow students hands-on experience with the same tools they’ll be using in the real world.”
The facility includes an editing lab where more than a dozen powerful iMac workstations are set up for pre-production planning and post-production editing. There are two studios – one where students broadcast news shows and another that allows virtual productions against a green screen background. At one end of the studios, behind a bank of windows, is the control room where students operate the production switcher, lighting console and audio board to record productions in the two studios. There’s even a separate audio booth for sound work.

The curriculum for the TV Media and Production I and II courses has students producing a weekly news program, creating and recording television features, and writing and directing digital cinema projects. “Each student gains experience in writing and planning shows,” says Hazel. “They learn how to work the field and studio cameras, the lights, and learn how to work in the control room, as well as act and direct.” And in post-production work, he adds, the students apply artistic talents through the editing process as well as adding graphics or music to their creations.

Students in the program are now frequent award winners at national, local and regional competitions. They recently brought back two gold medals, one in the Broadcast News and one in TV (Video) Production for the state SkillsUSA competition.

About the Instructor

Chris Hazel is a graduate of Framingham State University, he earned his degree in Communications in 1993. After several years in the television industry, working as a free-lance video producer and public access production coordinator, Chris turned to a career in education. He attended Fitchburg State University and achieved his Masters Degree in Education in 2013. He is the father of three children, twin boys Jack and Luke, in middle school and a daughter Paige in elementary school. When not teaching you can find Chris enjoying time on Lake Winnipesaukee with his friends and family. He enjoys boating on Lake Winnipesaukee.