Thomas Jefferson’s daily television news program gets an upgrade so that students can have a true, industry-standard experience.
Artwork by Ed Gloor
The Spartan Edition has always been one of the jewels in Thomas Jefferson High School’s crown, and now it has become even better with all new high-definition, digital equipment in its production studio.
“The reason we upgraded,” said overseer of the Spartan Edition Grant Laman, “was the fact that the old equipment was out-of-date and not efficient.”
Center for Communication Technology Magnet Director Matt Spampinato concurred with Laman, stating, “Some of the equipment was almost 20 years old, and needed an upgrade. The teleprompters were out of date when TJ got them 18 years ago, think about it now. We always pride ourselves on making do with what we have, and letting creativity and talent lead the show. But sometimes you just need some new tools.”
Laman and Spampinato also visited the CBS Channel 4 news station and toured with TJ Alum Dominic Garcia to see the set up of an industry news station. “We noticed how their layout worked and put the same concept into our new studio,” said Spampinato. The Spartan Edition is also going to a new two-camera system in the studio in the near future.
The period of time during the switch made producing the Spartan Edition difficult. “We still have to make the show everyday for the student body, and the switch to the new equipment has kept us out of the studio,” said Laman. The equipment arrived later in the year, and the transformation wasn’t able to happen prior to the opening of school. This required the staff to install the equipment during second semester, and they couldn’t produce shows until everything was in place. With the studio out of commission for this time, the staff was on location for all news stories.
“When we first started using the new equipment we had some small problems with it that made me want to go back to the old stuff,” said Spartan Edition Producer Daniel Wakefield. The wait was worth it for the staff, however, as the new system promised a better experience for the production crew as well as the entire viewing public. The most impressive detail is that all the equipment is high definition (HD). Wakefield said, “It’s the quality of the cameras that make the show. They are pretty clear cut, and the anchors have an easier time reading their scripts with the new Teleprompters.” The upgrade also includes new editing software called Final Cut Pro X, which is the same software used by major television networks. “The computer (program) runs much fast than the older one, even though the older one was already fast,” said Wakefield. The Spartan Edition will go to a remote production facility as well, where they can shoot in a separate studio and then transfer footage directly to the producers who remain at their computers in room 101. This creates a much more efficient system, and a high quality way to produce the show.
“We want our students to have an industry-standard experience to see what a job in the real world would look like,” said Spampinato. “If our equipment is out-of-date then their training becomes obsolete once they get into the field.”
This upgrade also includes an intercom system between the control room in 101 and the studio next door, which helps the communication and general flow of the production. Garcia usually stops in at least once per week to help with the production and check the progress of these budding broadcast journalists.
Funding for this upgrade came from a source at the Federal Government level. “We wrote a grant through the Carl Perkins Foundation, which comes directly from congressional allocations for Career Technology Education projects. This is a great example of how federal monies really can make their way into the hands of students and result in a meaningful career education experience,” said Spampinato. “I think it’s really cool how a public city school can have this type of technology available for the common kid. It demonstrates that the district has what it takes to provide a meaningful educational experience.”
Spampinato created the Spartan Edition in 1995, and just recently passed the reins over to Laman three years ago. “We’ve been on the air now for 17 years, and I’m proud to say we’ve never missed a show. We started off with a used camcorder and a couple VCRs, so it’s nice to watch the evolution,” Spampinato said. “But really, the show has always been about the students who produce it with creativity, talent, and passion.”
Spampinato added that the show has graduation a long list of young journalists who are now in the profession, including local talents Dominic Garcia (CBS4), Chris Vanderveen (9News) and Dani Kreutter (CBS Grand Junction). “I’m quite proud of all of them!” he says.
With this new upgrade, Spartan Edition staff members are bound to have the best experience for a job in the field of broadcast journalism.
