For the first time, Pea Ridge Blackhawk games will be carried "livestreaming" and will be available to fans who can't make it to the games, Mark Laster, TV production instructor at Pea Ridge High School and Pea Ridge Manufacturing and Business Academy.
"We'll be able to carry our away games live for the community for the first time. We plan to run the Huntsville game," Laster said, adding that he hopes to be able to livestream games from the state playoffs.
To access livestreaming, go to:
• Click on RTV
• Click on Find my School
"One of our goals," Laster said, "is to also carry basketball games and possibly spring baseball and softball."
Laster said persons interested in watching can go to the school's website -- pearidgehs.weebly.com -- and click on the RTV channel icon. Another sources is http://www.useducationtv.com. After accessing the site, then click "find my school," Laster said.
"You should be able to livestream from phone, iPad or computer."
"It's more or less for people who can't go to the games," Laster said, adding that the attendance of fans in the stands is an important factor encouraging the student athletes. Laster, who was a football coach at PRHS from 2001-2008 and head coach 2007-2008, said his knowledge of the game certainly enhances his ability to know how to film the game and what to say for the dialogue.
"I can relate to the view about what's going on," he said. "The more you know about the game, the easier it is to produce the video.
"I've got some excellent students who do a great job of filming. They understand the nose room, the thirds, the zooming techniques," he said.
"They can follow me on Twitter," Laster said, "at Marklaster@pearidgetv.
There are two classes at PRHS -- fundamental and intermediate -- and then a class at PRMBA for TV production.
"The students operate the cameras during home games," he said.
Laster said one factor that has opened the door for the livestreaming is the cost of the data. Previously, the data plan available was costly and the school still had to pay for months it wasn't used, like in the summer, Laster explained.
"Now, because of Verizon, we have found a government plan with Verizon that allows us to pay a limited amount for limited data and the plan can be suspended for up to six months. So, we are not paying for data we're not using," he said.
"It boils down to a win/win for our students, our school, our community."
"I keep up with the industry and what's going on," Laster said. He recently purchased a drone with the help of PRMBA director Charley Clark. He and Keln Taylor, technology director, designed a way to connect a 'disconnected' iPhone to the drone to video from the drone.
Clark said the school partnered with Channel 40/29 and Walmart TV for the broadcasting classes.
"The broadcasting students and Mr. Laster have done terrific work this year," Clark said. "Their work at the football games and incorporation of the drone has really added to game day atmosphere while also providing teachable moments for our students. We are all pleased with the performance of this pathway."
Laster originally planned to have the drone out Friday night during homecoming but technical difficulties prevented that. He said he is always careful to keep the drone away from immediately above the field for the safety of the athletes, explaining that if there were a failure with the drone, he wouldn't want it falling onto the field.
The class is not just about filming football, but that is consuming right now, Laster admitted.
"They'll get a lot more filming and lab work once football season is over with," Laster said. "We'll be creating multiple safety videos for the school, too."
"It's important to get into PRMBA and get into labs," Laster said of the TV production class. "They need the graphics and other lessons, not just filming."
Community on 10/29/2014