Presidential Debates

As part of my recent broadcasting classes, I have had discussions with students about the Presidential debates. We are not discussing them from a political viewpoint, but rather from a journalistic and TV production one.

Students are asked to take note of how many cameras are used, set design, lighting, moderator performance, and on-screen text and graphics.

Students so far are not very interested in the myriad of on-screen gadgets (graphics) being used. They are split on whether they like the podium set up or the town hall set up. They don't think very highly of the moderators.

Students are very interested in the amount of time the candidates are using, specifically when they go over the allotted time. They want the moderator to be strict in enforcing the time limit. 

I want students to understand the importance of THE FACTS. They shouldn't be swayed by the commentators or moderator or the "post game" coverage. If confused about something, I want them to do research from a broad scope of sources, and come up with an informed, educated opinion.

More to come on the final debate and election coverage.........

RIP Manny

One of my students passed away today. Emmanuel "Manny" Stewart had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Manny made my decision to go into the teaching field worth everything. Manny could light up a room. His infectious smile and laugh made everyone around him happy. He loved music, talking about the weather, working on video projects with his boys Mario, Jake, Mike, and Will, and spending lunch time down in the TV control room.
Manny never let his disability interfere with his love of life. When you called his name for attendance he would quickly respond, "here", he was always willing to learn, he was always polite. When he would come down to my area during lunch, he would pull his wheelchair up to a computer and very politely ask me to lift his head so he could sit up. Never a complaint, never disrespectful, always ready to learn.
I am very, very sad tonight.
My deepest sympathy to his family.
RIP Manny, like a streaking meteorite, you shined brightly, but left us all too soon.

The man......

A student of mine could use your prayers tonight. This student is quite ill, but battling like always.
I entered the teaching profession to work with a student like this. Always a smile, always polite, always inquisitive, and always ready to learn.
So when you go to sleep tonight, be thankful for the little things in life. Give your loved ones an extra hug, give the dog an extra treat, and please say a prayer for my student.

Something funny happened on the way.............

Yesterday during my last period I was sitting in my classroom with about half the class. I was discussing school rules with a student, and the discussion turned into a mock trial where I was the prosecutor and she was the defendant. I was trying to make a point about playing by the rules.

The other students' ears perked up and all of a sudden the discussion turned to my long career as a director for the cable network "Court TV". For the next 20 minutes or so, I talked about all the famous trials I had been involved with. Students were mesmerized by this "speech". Questions ranged from how we handled the trials from a technical standpoint to gory details about the crimes. 

You never know when a teaching opportunity pops up. I found it to be one of my most rewarding classes to date. The blending of technical TV talk with real life drama  hopefully will open students minds to the career possibilities that lie before them

Schools In For Summer..........

Day 1 at MHS. Great to see my students.
Lots of great plans for this year.

A Summer Reflection

On this hot, humid and stormy summer day I would like to take a look back at the past school year. My second full year as a teacher has come and gone. It went by so fast that it seems like yesterday students were sitting in the stands rooting on the football team.

Many students who welcomed me on my first day two years ago, graduated in June. They were juniors back then, I remember the helpful advice they gave to the "green" teacher. Now they are moving on and it makes me realize how quickly time goes by. I wish them all much success.

Teaching is very challenging. There are days when students are engaged and in the groove. On other days, not so much. The challenge becomes how do I create the perfect lesson, the perfect environment for learning? I want students to be creative, innovative, and motivated. My passion for this subject matter is well known. After-all, I spent 30 years in the broadcasting business, so being passionate about TV comes easy for me. My first year, I would get frustrated when students didn't have the same enthusiasm for the material as I do. I thought I was doing something wrong. How can these students not LOVE this stuff like I do? I have now adjusted, realizing that some students may like the class but they don't LOVE it, and I'm getting better with that.

One misconception today is that all of these kids are technical geniuses. They may be great on the phone, they may be able to text like a pro, but I have learned that for some of them, that's the extent of their proficiency. My challenge is to show them that there are other ways to express themselves besides Facebook and Twitter. They can use the tools in my class and in the high school to create stories, make some money, and perhaps one day start a career.

The 2012/13 school year is right around the corner. I am expecting big things from all of my students. I hope they are as excited as me. And to the graduates of the class of 2012, I wish you happiness, health and a world filled with love and adventure.

Mr. Butler

RTDNA and Hofstra University study on TV News

http://www.rtnda.org/

Sorry for the long absence from this blog. In September I will have lots of new stories and ideas.

In the mean time, I came across this poll on the RTDNA site. Look for the posts on TV News. Some of the findings were very surprising, but the one really positive thing is the re-emergence of TV News and how it now also deals with online news.

Which ever side you lean.....

Politics aside.....What a great field trip my students and I experienced yesterday. We went to NYC to visit Fox Business Channel, Fox New Channel, Fox.Com, and Fox Radio.
Students were treated to a wonderful tour of the facility, guest speakers; including Anchors Bill Hemmer and Kimberly Guilfoyle, and a delicious lunch.
Our hosts Andrew Hoffman, of Fox Business Channel, and Suzanne Scott from Fox News Channel, made us all feel as if we were part of the "team".
Students were given "real life" information and career advice.
I would like to thank chaperones Mr. Steve Woodruff, Morristown High School Chief Engineer, and Mr. Larry Colasurdo. Thanks also to Jim, our bus driver.

Whatever your political affiliation, this was America at it's finest. High School students getting a glimpse of a real, professional, work environment. Being told first hand, if you work hard, and are passionate about your career, good things will happen.

This is exactly what I am feeling.......

I always felt the same way as the author of this article. If you "can do", you work in the private sector and if you "can't do", then you teach.

Nothing is further from the truth. I have worked harder the past year and a half than in most of my TV career.

As far as importance it is not even close. Directing a TV show is for entertainment and little else. Teaching affects lives, it impacts lives, it makes a difference.

Now don't get me wrong, I loved working in TV. I met many famous people, made decent money, and worked with some of the best people. But nobody lives or dies by what goes on television. TV executives are self absorbed, ruthless, disloyal, ratings crazed individuals. They believe that what they are doing is the most important thing in the world. If ratings are down, they think if they make male anchors go on air without ties that will improve ratings. If they change the set, or graphics, all of a sudden ratings will go up.

I care about my students. I want them to learn. I want them to learn TV production, but also life lessons.

Teaching is doing, I'm so happy I'm doing it!

Why the Giants mean so much to me.......

I have been a New York Football Giants fan since I was maybe 5 or 6 years old. My dad, was a Giants fan, my brother is a Giants fan, and my daughter is a Giants fan.

I remember going to a game at the old Yankee stadium with my dear friend Gary Allen. We must have been 13 or 14. His uncle Lenny (a lifelong fan) gave us the tickets. Anyway we took a train into NYC, got on a subway, and arrived at the stadium. It wasn't named for a bank or telecommunications company, heck it wasn't even named for the Giants. This was the mecca of all sports stadiums, this was Yankee stadium. I don't remember the score, but I believe the Giants got blown out by the Washington Redskins. It didn't really matter, we were at the game, and it was amazing.

The Giants were really lousy during my childhood, but that didn't matter much because I bled blue. I yelled at Allie Sherman, I yelled at Fran Tarkenton, I yelled at Homer Jones, I yelled at Pete Gogolak, I yelled at them all. But I still rooted, and I still do.

I won a contest on the Sonny Fox show. Who remembers Sonny Fox? Well you can Google him. Anyway, I won two tickets to see the Giants practice at Yankee Stadium. My mother, who wasn't driving at the time, took me to the stadium by train and subway. It was great sitting so close to the field. I also won an autographed football! Out of all the kids, I won this great ball which I still possess today.

You can see why my allegiance to this team is so strong. a lifetime full of memories, some great seasons and some horrible ones. I didn't begin rooting for this team because I was a front runner. If that would have been the case I would have been a Packers, Raiders, or Dolphins fan. No, I rooted for this team because they were in my blood, and that's why I bleed Giants Blue.

No matter what happens tomorrow, I will still love this team. With a win comes euphoria, a loss devastation. But one thing is certain, there is always next season, and the season after that, and after that, and..........

How lucky MHS students really are

OK,

Now that you have watched or created every Cinnamon Challenge appearing on YouTube it is time for you to create something important.
Do you realize how lucky you are to have a school full of the latest technology? Still cameras, graphic arts centers, Mac computers, a first rate Broadcast Center, etc., etc.
You have the ability to CREATE something special, something IMPORTANT.
You can spread your message faster than at any time in the World's history.
Forget viral, you can create REVOLUTIONARY! With a great idea or message, you can really make a difference. You can inspire, gain wealth, help people, and maybe create the next Twitter or Facebook.
Our school affords more opportunities than many colleges and universities. I know this for a fact because I hear it from graduates who have visited me this year.
So next time you want to make a silly video to put up on YouTube, pause a moment and think of what else you could create!

Mr. B

When money is an object......

My students are buzzing about this product. Some already have it, some are getting it soon, and some can only hope. I know that I am thinking about it (I hope my wife doesn't read this).
The GoPro HD Hero 2, it's not $20,000, but for $299 you'll have as much fun.

When money is no object....

When money is no object, and you are into making films, Canon has just made something for you. $20,000 is all it takes.
Read this and dream!

Been a long time since I rock and rolled, (and posted).

With the passing of my mother, the holiday's, and general winter blues, I have been MIA from my blog. With the new year, new resolutions, and new expectations, I plan on getting back into the blogging groove.


Our school radio station, WJSV, holds it's annual marathon on Friday, January 13 from 9pm until Saturday, January 14, 10am. The students are excited, I'm excited, and we hope our listeners are excited.


Our TV show, Colonial Corner, will air show number seven this Thursday, 1/12 and show number eight on Friday, 1/20. The show has been great all year and we look to improve as we continue the school year.


My broadcasting 1 and 2 classes are working on a really cool project (if I may say so myself). They are creating "video time capsules". Students can tell their own story, any way they choose. Serious, comical, inspirational, or any way they can come up with. I have told them that the most important aspect of this project should be the "IDEA", not the production. What is it that they would like to see if they looked at this video, 20 years from now. I can't wait to see the results.


Students are really taking ownership of projects and lessons. Today, a freshman was beginning her "time capsule" project and she excitedly called me over and said, "Mr. Butler, Maxine is showing me how to edit my project". Maxine is a junior and a very skilled editor. I paused a moment and then thought how great it was to have one student teaching another. An upperclassman, teaching a freshman.


Have a great weekend!