PCI Channel 1 teaching students the in's and out's of video production

It was just over five years ago when PCI channel 1 posted their first video to YouTube and they haven't looked back since.

The channel is run by Portage Collegiate Institute (PCI) students and requires everything from hosts, video production, graphic design, and computer techs to put it all together. Over the years, the channel has featured everything from live broadcasts, community interviews, monthly newscasts, and fun videos showcasing what is going on at the school. Some of the projects include pieces of required content from the video classes offered at the school but there are also plenty of elements where students are using their own time to make it happen.

The latest video is a newscast designed to showcase some of the things happening at the school and features several people involved with the channel. The monthly show has a new host each time and grade 12 student Cody Plett was happy to step up for April. The soon-to-be graduate has taken the video production course and has also done commentary for things like PCI hockey, football, and the annual Santa Claus parade.

"It's fun. I enjoy getting involved and using some of the skills that I learned in class but also trying out new things as well. I've had a good time being a part of the sports broadcasts."

Graduating student McKenna Sharpe hosted the March newscast and has done almost everything you can do at the channel. The U of M hopeful also took the graphic communication courses at the school and designed the logo now used for the boy's basketball team.

"The course teaches you all the different ways to use programs to make logos. So when the boy's basketball team was in need of one, I went to the drawing board and came up with an idea incorporating the Trojans logo with a basketball. I kept it to the PCI collars for some school spirit and when it got selected, it was great. I'm glad that they found some use for it."

Jackson Plett is the only grade 9 student involved with the channel and he has done everything from camera operation, half-time interviews during the football broadcasts, commentary for both hockey teams as well as interviews for the monthly newscast.

"It's like a family and everyone has been treating me well. I am a little shorter so the camera work can be challenging but it's fun, takes a little getting used to. I really enjoy being in front of the camera, meeting the players and getting involved at the school. Hockey is one of my favorite sports so the play-by-play work is fun."

Shane Sobkowich is the teacher rep for the channel and says now that it has been around for more than 5 years, they have seen a full turn over of students.

"Students in my video courses are a big part of the channel. The class for grades 11 and 12 is geared toward the channel so they play a larger role. It's grown over the years and the production keeps improving. Some students have even continued in the industry. I know many of the students have been visiting the radio station morning shows and all of them are involved in putting things together"

Sobkowich adds the group has even been hired out to do some work for the school board as well as some local community groups.