BNN Poised for Big Year!

Professor Justin Smith talks to feature writing students

BNN, the Communications Program's Bulldog News Now television production, is getting a boost this school year thanks to an infusion of new equipment.

Communications professor Justin Smith (right) recently briefed Patrick Harwood's feature writing students on the new equipment that will make the new year an exciting one for the three-year-old production.

"We're more high tech, we're ready for the web, we're able to stream," said Smith, who is replacing Alicia Pryor as BNN's executive producer. (Pryor is now teaching at Valdosta State University in Georgia).

vMix menu and some options on the big screen

In the control room, a Mac-based vMix will be running the show (at the hands of Smith and the students he will train). This cutting-edge production software is replacing the previously used Tricaster unit.  vMix is a Windows-based software product designed to control the mixing, switching, and recording of programs, and streaming them online. It is also compatible with Apple Mac computers.

A new digital audio board (pictured left) is also a big improvement, replacing an old analog model, Smith said.

A pair of large new monitors, one for program preview, the other for output (meaning what people would see on the air) have also been added to the control room.

New high-quality camera and tripod

Through the research and leadership of production manager/instructor Kelechi Benet, several new JVC 4K video cameras and lightweight Proline Dolica B100 tripods are now part of the equipment inventory.

These will be used by BNN reporters and by students in other video production and journalism courses.

Smith and Benet, as BNN faculty mentors, are excited about harnessing the new gear's capabilities with the talents and enthusiasm of our communications' students.

"Absolutely, I'm very excited," Smith said. "It's going to be challenging. We really are in a place to push BNN forward."

Benet mentioned how Jada Pinkett Smith uses vMix software to produce her Facebook Watch talk show, "Red Table Talk."  "It allows people to stream professionally without needing an expensive professional studio," he said.

Alexis McDonald helped Smith demonstrate the vMix

BNN will have its first show taping on Thursday, Sept. 19. There is still time for students to get involved. Those interested should talk to Smith or Benet and begin to attend BNN meetings.

"I think BNN is a great chance to get real-life experience and see if you really want to do this," Smith said.

Along with streaming on the Communications Program's Facebook site, BNN will also continue to air on the Orangeburg County School District's television network.

Arabia Green and Kameron-Hammon Green on the BNN set

Last school year, Columbia station WIS-TV donated a set to SC State's Communications Program. Part of the set is seen in this photograph (right). Other parts of its are along another wall.

The studio's green walls and sheets allow for the blending of layers of video and images called chromakey.

Best of luck to the BNN team for what should be an outstanding school year!