Brimming with students setting their cameras, running teleprompters, and testing microphones, the WDSC TV15 building on the Daytona Campus has been abuzz on Thursday nights, as students of the college’s television broadcasting program are preparing to run their own live television show, Culture Compass.
Photo by Brian Silbermann
Culture Compass highlights different cultures that can be found across Central Florida. Episodes include features on body art culture, literary culture, Hispanic culture, gaming culture, fishing culture, skate culture, music culture, surfing culture, and Black culture.
Photo by Samantha Sibayan
For most students enrolled in classes that are a part of the television broadcasting program, this is their first time working on or producing a live television show.
“I’m feeling great [about working on my first live television show],” said Cameron Nicks, a student in the Fundamentals of Broadcast Production class. “I get the jitters sometimes, but I’m ready to get through it.”
In Fundamentals of Broadcast Production, a first-semester class, students, like Nicks, learn the basics of television production, from camera movement and operation to industry terminology.
Photo by Samantha Sibayan
However, production of Culture Compass is not limited to students in the Fundamentals of Broadcast Production class. Students in this class work together with students in the Team Media Production class, a level III course where students participate in group projects and get the opportunity to become an editor, videographer, associate producer, and assistant director for their own episodes.
“[Producing and directing my own episode] opened my eyes to what I am able to accomplish,” said Isabella Walker, a current student of the Team Media Production class.
Previously, Walker helped to develop the concept and logistics of Culture Compass in the Producing for Television class, where students pitched different television show ideas and took a vote on which of the options should be produced.
“From becoming a little idea one day while lying in bed, to winning the vote, to now airing live to 13 million people in nine counties, it’s a great feeling [like] no other,” said Walker.
Photo by Samantha Sibayan
The show is hosted by Alexandra Bochis, a second-year student of the program.
“I absolutely love hosting Culture Compass,” said Bochis, who has been acting and performing since she was a child.” It’s such a blast to come in every Thursday and get to work with my talented classmates on a show that we’re all really proud of.”
Screenshot by Samantha Sibayan
Culture Compass airs on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. through December 12, 2024.