The University’s broadcasting department began producing EagleBreak, a weekly news program focused on John Brown University on Oct. 3.
“I am so proud of how our team of student producers, reporters, anchors and crew worked together to put together our very first EagleBreak program,” said Kara Gould, EagleBreak’s faculty advisor.
When Gould and her husband Darren first came to the University, they wanted to start a news program but did not feel that it was possible at the time. Students then were also much more interested in doing a live broadcast of Golden Eagle basketball games.
Eventually the Goulds felt there was a group of broadcasting students with enough experience to put together a weekly news program.
The program is set up like a regular newscast, with portions of pre-produced packages and stories read on-air with graphics.
“The great thing about EagleBreak is that it’s no one’s first production show,” said Gould.
Gould also said the wide variety of skill sets from students producing the show brings a higher level of quality.
“It was tough to make everything do what we needed sometimes, but everyone is really excited about what we’re going to be able to do,” said senior Hayley Henderson, the senior producer of EagleBreak.
Students create the entire show, from graphics to camera work to show production. The only material not created by students comes from a CNN database, which they can use for any national or international stories.
During their first broadcast, EagleBreak did a reader story on the new iPhone, which incorporated clips and information from CNN while an EagleBreak anchor presented the piece.
Their first broadcast also included a special feature story for Homecoming week using material from the University archives.
“We really want to include fun features of different kinds,” said Hendren.
Gould said part of this might include short films and other projects from students who are not part of the EagleBreak class.
“We really want it to be a showcase for students,” said Gould.
Hendren said, “The Goulds have been working really hard to get broadcasting going again and getting students excited.”
Hendren has experience with similar news-based programming from a summer internship. For her, running EagleBreak is similar to running a regular news program.
The show is also being shot in high definition, which adds another element of professionalism to the final product.
Cuts of EagleBreak have been put on YouTube in three-to-four minute clips. These clips are not in HD. The full HD program plays on the televisions outside of the Communications Department.