Dec. 16, 2002

VCU students to produce public television series

Share this story

By Cynthia Schmidt

Richmond, Va. – Students from Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Mass Communication have begun production on a new, monthly public affairs program to air on WCVW Richmond PBS (channel 57), one of the Community Idea Stations.  Named VCU InSight, the half hour show will feature the latest on what’s going on at the university as well as profiles of VCU students, faculty and alumni.  The show is scheduled to air the third Monday of every month and repeat the next Sunday.  The first broadcast is set for Monday, Jan. 20, at 7:30 p.m.

A team of student anchors, reporters, producers and production personnel are working from a new set in the school’s existing television studio, using all new digital cameras.  WCVW is assisting with the production, providing technical guidance and access to the station’s resources.  Judy VanSlyke Turk, director of VCU’s School of Mass Communications, said, “VCU InSight will create an opportunity for mass communications students to get invaluable experience while helping to expose the greater Richmond area to some of the terrific things going on at the university.”

“We are always looking for new ways to bring more local programming to our audiences,” said John Felton, vice president for programming and production at WCVE/WCVW. “So this partnership is a perfect fit with our mission to the community.”  

VCU and the Community Idea Stations have collaborated on other programs, including VCU Ram Replay, weekly broadcasts of VCU basketball games, and at the VCU French Film Festival, in which the stations air monthly French films leading up to the annual festival.

Students filled out applications and auditioned for the key roles of producers, anchors and reporters.  Professors Paula Otto, Dr. Clarence Thomas and Deb Wenger oversee the production in conjunction with two existing mass communications courses.  The Community Idea Stations’ Shawn Freude, an award-winning producer for Virginia Currents and other programs, is project coordinator.

The show will also have a strong convergence component with its own Web site, www.vcuinsight.org (under construction), and plans to involve print journalism students in creating multi-media reporting.


About the Community Ideas Stations

The Community Idea Stations are primary providers of local productions, with weekly programs ranging from the award-winning newsmagazine VIRGINIA CURRENTS, to the public affairs series FOR THE RECORD and CAPITOL VIEWS, and other programs and specials such as VIRGINIA HOME GROWN, SCANLINE and THE MUSIC SEEN. Several of the station’s local documentaries and specials have been accepted for national distribution, including EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE; OUR INSPIRATION: THE STORY OF MAGGIE LENA WALKER; THOMAS JEFFERSON: A VIEW FROM THE MOUNTAIN; LAUGHING MATTERS WITH BRETT LEAKE; FOR THE RECORD; GROUND BENEATH OUR FEET and others. Information on the stations is at www.ideastations.org.