While all eyes are on the athletes during a football game, there are several sets of eyes behind the scenes watching for the best scene or play to film to provide video for both fans in the stands and, now, fans at home or far away.
Five juniors and seniors at Pea Ridge High School, all students of the Pea Ridge Manufacturing and Business Academy, are constantly competing to get the best shot and working hard to provide quality video while learning to improve their skills.
Disney Humphrey, William Littrell, Hannah Pederson, Faith Wilson and Norma Mater are talented camera operaators and also are learning how to add graphics and work the tri-caster, a piece of equipment that helps them select which video from which camera to put on the electronic billboard on the south end of the field.
"It's so much fun -- our little competition," Faith said.
Instructor Mark Laster explained that all during the games, he evaluates the shots and comments on them. Each student is constantly trying to capture the best shot and compete with one another. Laster announces the unofficial winner at the end of the evening.
Littrell, 16, is the son of Angela Littrell. Pedersen, 16, is the daughter of Jim and Leslie Pedersen. Wilson, 16, is the daughter of Cheryl and Kim Wilson. Humphrey, 18, is the daughter of Kathy and Les Humphrey. Mater, 17, is the daughter of Arnoldo and Esperanza Rascon.
"I run the camera," Faith said. "A lot of people don't understand with the video that's going on the board what work it takes to get that there.
"I'd already filmed camera for about a year ... it looks better ... what it actually takes. It takes about 30 minutes to set up all the cameras, all the plugging in the boxes, before production, the tripods, the cords, standing out there and getting ready. It's so much more than just camera work.
"The hardest part of this isn't the game, it's the lead up --especially during homecoming," Laster said, explaining that there are many factions to the Homecoming ceremony before the game they must consider and video -- starting lineups, prayer, national anthem, alma mater, coin toss. "It's a production that has to flow well."
"Inside is so much more difficult," Faith said. "We keep trying to see who can get the best shots."
The students explained that Hannah handles the voice -- the talk -- and controlling how loud the sound is. Disney runs the tricaster. Norma is on a camera. Will designs graphics.
"It's not just a picture on a screen," Faith said.
It takes from 10 to 12 people to make the production run smoothly. There are other students, intermediate students, who run various functions during a game. The intermediate students are not in the PRMBA class, but in an intermediate class of AV at PRHS.
Laster said Hymphrey will run the TV switcher. "This is where the director would sit; we can watch camera 1, 2, 3, 4 and can see what's going on on the outside. He explained that the music, the sounds, the graphics are all elements that the students have put together for a pleasing video for the fans.
"I'm glad it's here," Will said, admitting that he really hadn't considered this line of work, but thoroughly enjoys it and has found his niche. "I really like it. It's something I'm interested in. I like cameras."
Hannah said she plans to study something with AV in college. "I like the audio best," Hannah said, adding that she assisted with the audio at the church she attends in Rogers.
Faith said she wants to go into broadcasting and likes filming. Faith works on Camera 2, on the south end closest to the multi-purpose facility.
"I'm hoping to go into the movie business," Disney said. "I don't care if I'm in front or behind the camera."
"I have a passion for it," Norma said, adding that she will work both on Camera 3 near the score board and with the roaming camera.
"We have a good teacher, a good program," Disney said of Laster and the class.
"We couldn't ask for a better teacher to teach this class," Faith said.
Community on 10/28/2014