One of My Favorite BCTV Programs, and Why I Still Believe in Community Media
During my years as Director of Cable and Community Relations for Bloomfield Township, I had the opportunity to create a lot of programs. Some won awards, some helped residents better understand their local government, and others brought people together.
But one of my favorites was a summer sports broadcasting camp we created for high school students. It wasn't just about producing television. It was about creating opportunities.
Seven students, ages 14 to 18, spent two weeks learning from our professional BCTV staff before helping produce a real sports broadcast, the sixth annual Keith Bernacki Memorial Cup, featuring Birmingham Seaholm and Brother Rice.
And we put them to work!
They learned to operate cameras, run instant replay, direct a production, and call a game. Ryan Woolley, a public address announcer for the Detroit Tigers, taught play-by-play and sideline reporting, while our production staff shared their expertise behind the scenes.
What I loved most was watching their confidence grow. They discovered new interests, made friends, and learned to work as a team. One student told us what made this different from other camps was the trust the adults placed in them. They weren't treated like little kids. They were treated like members of the crew.
That's exactly what I had hoped for.
Community Media Is About More Than Television
I've always believed community television stations should be gathering places where residents can learn, create, collaborate, and tell their own stories.
We have professional equipment, production facilities, and talented people who know how to use them. Why wouldn't we share those resources with the community?
Whether it's teaching a teenager to operate a camera, helping a nonprofit produce a podcast, or showing a resident how to create better videos with an iPhone, these are opportunities community media can provide.
Unfortunately, the summer sports broadcasting camp didn't continue after I left Bloomfield Township. I would have loved to see it grow, with students returning as volunteers or mentoring the next group.
It's one of the reasons I remain passionate about the future of community media. Technology has changed, but the opportunities to connect, educate, and empower residents are greater than ever.
I hope you'll take the time to watch this video. You'll meet seven impressive young people and some terrific media professionals who loved sharing what they know.
Sometimes the most important thing we produce isn't what's on the screen. It's what happens behind the camera.
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