Campus Talk: Season 1 - Episode 5

Synopsis

In this special behind-the-scenes episode of Campus Talk, David Thompson explores Comm Center 16, the production facility responsible for creating the university’s television programming.

David first interviews Frank Kutch, producer and director of Comm Center 16. Frank explains how the cable-access channel produces educational and community-oriented programs, including Campus Talk, Pocono Perspective, Pulse of the Poconos, Onstage with Holli VanHook, Alumni and Friends, and ESU News.

A graduate of East Stroudsburg University’s Media Communications program, Frank discusses the experience he gained through freelance work with NBC and ESPN, an internship at WNEP, and his earlier involvement with Comm Center 16. He emphasizes the importance of internships and practical production experience for students hoping to enter the competitive television industry.

Frank also describes several projects being produced for the university and surrounding community, including a demonstration of a voice-activated wheelchair, an instructional video for the Monroe County prison, and a program showing how the Pocono Record newspaper is produced. He discusses the center’s expanding electronic news-gathering equipment and his hopes that ESU News will become a permanent student organization. Before concluding, Frank praises David for developing Campus Talk and encouraging greater student participation in campus television.

David then speaks with Paula Bartko, a graduating senior and Comm Center 16 work-study student majoring in media studies and media communications. Paula explains that her responsibilities include operating cameras, directing programs, and editing many of the center’s productions. She traces her interest in television back to a high-school electronic communications class and several years working for a local cable company.

Paula discusses how her university classes and work at Comm Center 16 gave her extensive experience with directing, audio, lighting, editing, and live television. She recalls editing a two-part program featuring The Simpsons director David Silverman and working on live broadcasts for Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Pocono Medical Center auction.

She encourages other students to volunteer at the center, explaining that even those who are not work-study employees can receive valuable hands-on training. Paula hopes to pursue a career in television post-production, editing, or computer animation after graduation.