An entire world of technology surrounds just one person while everyone else stares, completely locked in. Danger in the form of sharp, iron hot objects around every corner. Each person in the room is ready to run and work at a moment’s notice.
This is what Webster students are experiencing while producing Nine PBS’s “Teaching in Room 9.”
Webster students get real-life film and television production experiences as they work on the television program in class.
“Topics in Film, Television and Video Production: Teaching in Room 9” is running for the first time this spring, and will be offered in upcoming semesters. Students learn how to produce and edit while collaborating with Nine PBS crew members during the course. The show students work on in class will later air on the network.
Associate Dean of School of Communications Aaron AuBuchon hopes students can connect what they learn in the classroom to the real-world situation of producing the award-winning kids’ program. He notes that students get to work in teams that resemble the environment they will be in while in the real world.
Webster alum and “Teaching in Room 9” production crew member Vincent Italiano said that working for Nine PBS has been an eye-opening experience. He is currently working with Webster students on the program.
He says that the students treat the project with care and create a fun work environment for everyone involved.
“The initiative they have shown every time I step into the studio has been refreshing,” Italiano said. “They are all eager to lend a hand and learn, all of them working to be better problem solvers.”
Freshman Film major Leila Huskovic said most of her in-class learning came from each class period “bringing its own exciting adventure with different lessons and experiences.” She remembers the surprise of her class when 10 film industry professionals came to talk to them about what they can expect post graduation.
“I never know what next Tuesday will bring,” she said. “I have the opportunity to experience a professional production setting, which is extremely beneficial to my education.”
Huskovic never thought she would be able to experience a project this professional as early as her freshman year.
She also recognizes that the course provides far greater benefits than being credited for working on the show.
In just six weeks, she learned what is expected of her on set and has even formed connections that will help her find jobs later in her career. She now has a better understanding of all of the aspects that go into creating a television show and how much goes on behind the scenes.
“It’s amazing to be in my first year of college and be able to say that I’m working on a show for a well-known company. Even though I am just a freshman and don’t know the ropes as well as others, I am still treated with the same amount of respect and professionalism as the rest of the crew.”
Huskovic was initially worried about working with her peers on the program. She quickly realized that her class is a “big ball of passionate energy.” The course is open to all experience levels, making for an environment that encourages learning and growth.
“Nobody’s dragging their heels,” AuBuchon said. “The energy is so clean in that class. Nobody’s poisoning the air. They’ve congealed, they’ve come together.”
AuBuchon believes that students deserve a set of skills that are transferable instantly after graduation.
He hopes this opportunity does exactly that.
“I want you to do stuff that’s going to be just like the stuff that you’re going to do when you get out of here,” he said. “So whenever you hit the ground there, the ground doesn’t feel any different than it felt here.”
For more information on the course, contact Aaron AuBuchon at aubucaar@webster.edu.
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