Canadore’s Television Studio was a bustle of activity last weekend as Television Broadcasting students produced a live telecast that was aired nationally and raised over $36,000 for those in need during the holidays.

During the Lions/CTV Children’s Christmas Telethon on December 4, Canadore Broadcasting - Television and Video Production students got to run the show and work every aspect of the production, from lighting to video, to doing on-air interviews. This type of practical, real-world experience is all part of the training at Canadore.

Canadore is known for offering a hands-on learning experience through its programs and facilities. Students in the Television Broadcasting program get to work in a fully functioning television studio on real live productions like the telethon.

“The television studio is one of the most dynamic, interactive classrooms students will ever experience and it is run completely by the students. The professors ensure the skills students are taught are as close to the actual production process as possible. There are many transferrable skills that students develop in addition to their hands-on operational skills,” said Professor Mary Anne Holinshead.

“When graduates walk into a real-life television studio, they fully understand the environment they are in and how they are expected to perform because they have been doing it all along.”

The 2,700 sq. ft. studio is filled with industry standard production equipment including high definition cameras, a 50-light lighting grid and a 12-foot jib arm. It is one of the largest studios north of Barrie.

Studio sets have been donated, and are in full use from The Sports Network (TSN), the Food Network and the Kids in the Hall production, Death Comes to Town.

“The studio production course is the best part of the program because it gives you hands-on experience and it gives you a clear idea of how a television production actually works,” said first year student Tim Mchale.

The students have the unique experience of working in every aspect of studio production in an authentic, fast-paced setting that gives them an edge on the competition.

“It is the most crazy, stressful, hectic learning environment I’ve ever been involved in, and I love it,” said student Jesse Crosby.

A variety of productions are shot within the studio including entertainment shows, newscasts and short drama productions; the students get to experience a production from start to finish.

“We learn how to use all of the equipment. The teachers are great and are there to help you out if needed. We’re always doing live productions,” said student Jordan Ladisa.

Down the hall is the Radio Broadcast studio where the student-operated college radio station, the Panther, is created. Radio students broadcast locally, and across the world, through the online station www.thepanther.ca. Students learn on industry standard computerized broadcast systems and obtain over 200 hours of on-air experience. State-of-the-art equipment such as Scott Studios programming software is used to train the students to work with the high end equipment that they will be working with in the field.

The Broadcasting programs are part of the School of Communication Arts at Canadore. The programs work in a collaborative environment where they share resources and skill sets for a variety of projects. There are also many partnerships with local media, and our students have had placements with high profile media outlets across the continent including National Geographic, TSN, Discovery Channel, Rogers Media Inc. and the Weather Network.