2 August, 2012
Read the story and watch the video produced by HCAM summer intern Jess Fenn as she reports on the success of the recent YMCA/HCAM camp that shows kids what making a TV show is all about.
The HCAM Studio welcomed in ten campers from the Hopkinton YMCA earlier this month. These middle school-aged kids were there to learn all about how a TV show is made by actually creating one themselves. Over a two-week period, the kids went through all stages of production with HCAM Station Manager Jim Cozzens as their producer and director.
This year Cozzens scripted out the TV show before the campers arrived in order to get the ball rolling. The team got to filming on the third day, but spent the first two planning everything for the 30 minute comedy.
“We needed lists of locations, lists of props that we needed, lists of costumes, and anything else that was required for the show, said Cozzens. " And then the next couple of days we went and built the props that we needed."
This particular episode centers on a kid who wins a contest to host a TV show. With the idea already in place, the campers were in charge of everything else necessary for completion- acting in front of the camera and doing all the behind the scenes work. This included operating booms, cameras, dollies, audio, lighting, and more. Filming it all in the studio had major perks for everyone involved.
“Being a summer camp, it was really hot outside," said Cozzens. "And one of the exciting things about this script was that every scene took place here in the studio, even scenes that were in the host’s home. He wakes up in the morning and goes about his routine before coming into the studio- we set those up here in the studio and taped them here. So I think that we have a really cool environment here, they were surrounded by a lot of professional grade equipment and it really contributed to the whole energetic atmosphere of making a real TV show”.
With help from HCAM staff and camp counselors, the campers got to collaborate on a project that had a place for everyone and required no prior experience. Both the kids and Cozzens were proud of the final product and all that went into its formation, looking back positively on the entire experience.
“I would have to say the most enjoyable aspect of this camp is watching these kids, 12, 13, 14 year olds working together, overcoming the challenges that we have, and at the end of the day being able to see on screen what they’ve done," said Cozzens.
There was no denying the amount of fun had on set, especially when a certain prop ended up turning into a snack.
Although the show needs a few finishing touches before it debuts, watch the video below for an exclusive sneak peek and be sure to check out “The Jon Riley Show” in its entirety when it premieres on HCAM-TV. Review the programming schedule for air times.
