On the fast track

Video magazine course gives students experience both in front and behind the scenes

Jason Parsons, left, and Angel Zhang get set to anchor a telecast of "Fast Track."

By Laura Dobslaw
Journalism senior

"Roll tape in five, four, three, two, one; cue talent."

That talent is enrolled in a new class at Purdue that offers students the chance to gain experience in producing a video news magazine.

Communication 497V-W: Video Journalism requires the students to film, produce, direct and anchor a new 30-minute show every week.

The show, "Fast Track," includes local and national news coverage, sports and entertainment stories, as well as the local and national weather forecast. "Fast Track" airs on Insight Communications' Channel 5, Thursday nights at 7:30.

Instructor Patricia Rochon, a clinical assistant professor, said the class is different from other production classes because it is cross-disciplinary.

"The subject matter for this class is unique because we are working with the nursing department about health information, we provide entertainment and we cover some news," said Rochon.

The students work to cover local stories that are relevant to the university, while national stories are received through a feed from CNN.

Junior Amber Scott mans a camera during a taping

This class is the first to use the CNN feed since Purdue started receiving it. Rochon said she hopes to eventually use the feed so students can do a local slant on a national or international story. At this time, the feed is used to provide sports and national headlines and "The Hollywood Minute" segment for the show.

Because the students are producing most of the pieces for the show, they are responsible for coming up with a new piece every week.

"The class was created as a place to showcase the work that students are doing," said Rochon. "It forces students to raise their standards for their projects because the show is broadcast to a wide audience.”

Sara Gandy, a senior in telecommunication who wants a career in TV news, said she took the class for the hands-on experience.

Cole Duddleson works the control panel

Gandy said the class has given her a better understanding of the components involved in a news magazine.

"I've learned that producing news, whether a magazine or live, is extremely stressful and requires far more planning than I thought," she said.

Communication 497V-W gives many different students the opportunity to work together as a group to produce one show for the public.

"My favorite part of the class is definitely the group dynamic," said Gandy. "This is a type of class that not many Purdue students get to experience.

"It's different than just studying together for an exam. You are putting out a product for the community."