Kids from across the Lower Mainland grabbed microphones, pointed cameras, stepped in front of green screens and learned what it takes to put together a newscast at a BCIT youth camp in Burnaby last week.
The one-week TV & Video Production camp is part of a series of broadcast and media camps the institute puts on for kids and youth every summer.
Under the guidance of industry professionals, BCIT interns and volunteers from the Burnaby school district’s film and broadcast program at Burnaby North, aspiring broadcasters aged eight to 13 learned a mix of skills behind and in-front of the camera, including camera production, reporting, writing, anchoring and green-screen weather reporting.
“It’s just a different experience. Not everyone has access to broadcasting equipment, so it’s something that’s unique, different, fun, creative,” said Stephanie Yip, the summer camps’ project manager.
Of about 20 participants, nearly half were from Burnaby; the rest came from as far away as Mission.
When asked what they seemed to like best about the camp, instructor Al Coen laughed.
“They love seeing themselves on TV,” he said. “They love that. Whenever we review anything we’ve done, they love that.”
Throughout the week, he said participants work on skills that come together on the last day in a final, edited newscast.
For more information about BCIT’s broadcast and media camps, visit www.bcit.ca/business/camps.
