A Peek into the BHHS Digital Narratives and Productions Class

Even before the bell rings, an electric hum fills the BHS-TV studio. It’s fourth hour, the beginning of Digital Narratives and Production class, and students are already in motion. In one corner, a pair of students mumble softly, practicing their scripts. Two others disappear behind a door to change into on-air clothes. The rest are noisily chatting while turning knobs and dials in the control room. All at once, the hustle and bustle gives way to silence as someone declares, “Quiet on set!”

“Can I get a mic check?” “…Good.” “Standby…” “Standby.” “Final set…” “Final set.” “Roll deck…” “Rolling.” “Slate up…slate down.” “5… 4… 3… 2… 1…” “Hello, Bloomfield Hills High School…”

The “On-Air” box lights up red. Two student anchors sit at a news desk in front of a green screen, reading from a teleprompter. Professional cameras zoom in and out, operated by classmates. In the control booth, the director says, “Cut!” The floor director relays the command on set, and the recording stops. This frenzied yet controlled process repeats until the entire broadcast is captured smoothly. The fast paced energy follows the crew into the editing studio, where students arrange and refine production material in real time using Premiere Pro software. 

BHHS video announcements air every other day for students and staff at the beginning of first hour (A days). Prior to shooting today’s footage, students developed original story ideas, researched news items, assigned roles, conducted interviews, and wrote and edited scripts, all while following a timeline and organization plan. This complex process is achieved under the guidance of Danielle Tier, Communications and English Teacher, and Vickie Chandler, Digital Media Manager. 

Mrs. Tier emphasizes that a team effort is crucial to the production’s success. The seven students enrolled in the class learn and execute several roles throughout each 90-minute class. For example, today, grade 12 student Alex Abel interviews a theater student for the Student Spotlight segment, becomes the camera operator and floor director for the news, then scouts talent for the popular feature, “dance-battle competition,” which he hosts and films alongside fellow grade 12 student, Brooke Sanders. Sanders has also been a director, scriptwriter, and editor during today’s class. 

“Last year I saw the morning announcements and I thought, wow, I want to do that,” Abel says. It seemed like fun. I didn't think it would be this much work, honestly, but it is therapeutic to do all the recording and editing, and then the very next day, see your face up there.” 

“We would love to have more students take the class,” says Tier. “It would be less chaotic, we could have more special [content], and be able to highlight more information, and it would be more fun.” Students can enroll in the class at any time, however, the Introduction to Broadcasting class is encouraged as a first step.

The BHHS community can view this year’s past announcements and subscribe to watch future broadcasts at BHHS Announcements.