ETC Partners with Copper Basin Learning Center: Technology Internship Project

            ETC-TV studio professionals are working with three Copper Basin High School students in an industry/school partnership project. Once a week, students receive one-on-one training using high end equipment in a real TV production studio - not an opportunity many rural students get to experience. Students, Melissa Kitchen, Anthony Hayes, and Autumn Hyde spend the evening doing real work, alongside mentors while learning the “ropes” of TV production. What began as an educational internship has evolved into an on-the-job internship with hourly wages for the evening’s work. These students are currently working ETC3’s live music show ‘The Davis Brother’s Band‘, airing Monday nights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
            Technology teacher and CBLC Multimedia Club advisor, Steve Tompkins, and ETC’s Director Danny Hensley were initiators of the project as a spin-off from the recent decision by ETC to air the Copper Basin Television (CBTV) weekly school news broadcast. This in-school weekly news program provides drama students and the Multimedia Club an opportunity to sharpen their skills while creating video productions. CBTV is a weekly news program written, shot and edited by the students under the direction of Dr. Joe Monticello (drama class) and the technical direction of Mr. Tompkins (multimedia club). The multimedia club is also producing an ETC-TV serial called ‘Tree House Friends’ under the direction of Dr. Kathleen Thompson and has accepted a request to produce two DVD videos of current and upcoming Blue Ridge Community Theater plays, one of which, ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ is currently showing at the theater.
           In addition to all of the support ETC3 brings to our community, they also host tours at their studio. Recently the CBHS Drama class and Visual Communications class, Drama Club and Multimedia Club were treated to ETC3’s studio tour. The anchors of CBTV, Anthony Garruto and Elizabeth Hornsby were interviewed live on ETC3 by Hannah Baker - North Georgia Now News Director just prior to the first airing of CBTV Weekly News. The tour was a huge success and the students re-energized towards their video projects back at school.
The technology internship project is a first class educational opportunity that may open many doors for these students! The Copper Basin High School and Learning Center is very proud to be a part in this industry/school partnership for our students. ETC has taken a huge step in helping students learn how to give back to the community through mentorship training.

Pictures:

#1 Autumn and Melissa

#2 Anthony and Elizabeth Interview

#3 Group Photo