PEABODY — Since it was founded in 2011, Peabody Youth TV (PYTV) has taught well over 200 students between the ages of 9 and 14 how to create unique and creative media, introducing them to writing, directing, filming, editing, photography, and more.
Now in its 10th year, that all came to a screeching halt this spring when the pandemic hit. But, like many youth activities in the arts, sports, and recreational worlds that were forced to shut down due to COVID-19, PYTV found a way to salvage its summer programs and offer budding young filmmakers a chance to learn about their craft.
Peabody Access Telecommunications Executive Director Camille Bartlett said the summer program initially was virtual, but PAT soon discovered the program was more successful than it expected.
“We were doing it virtually for a couple of sessions and we actually were pretty successful with it. Other communities were not, so we were itching to get it in-person,” said Bartlett. “We were still nervous about it and were very diligent with strict cleaning procedures, taking temps and working in small groups with everyone wearing masks, but overall it was great.”
The program alternated sessions with one week in between to allow for cleaning. Each session was limited to 10 students only, with Production Coordinator Stephen Valenti and one high school work study student as supervisors/instructors. Sessions are conducted inside and outside at both the Higgins Middle School and PAT’s 8,000-square-foot headquarters off of Foster Street.
“We were very clear that we didn’t want to be indoors all day, so we designed the schedule to be indoors for a limited time and outdoors for the rest of the day,” Bartlett said.
At PAT headquarters, students are spread out over the building’s 4,000-square-foot first floor at various workstations with access to computers, video, editing stations, and audio equipment, and even an outdoor green screen. PAT purchased additional video cameras so that every student has one to himself all week.
The first session was “Movie Makers.” Participants learned how to write scripts, capture great shots with professional equipment, and edit the final product.
After a week off, the next session was held in early August, with the topic being “Newscast,” a program that focused on the ins and outs of news broadcasting. Participants learned how to script and produce their own newscasts, become an on-air personality as an anchorman, reporter or citizen and also learned about the behind-the scenes work done by camera operators, audio technicians or control room operators that goes into a news broadcast.
This week’s session, the final one of the summer, is “Music Video,” a program in which students were able to conceptualize, design, shoot, and edit their own movie videos.
Participants in all three sessions also had the opportunity to work on a variety of other small projects including commercials, top five programs, and game shows.
“They will each create their own version of a music video and are brainstorming every day,” said Valenti. “They all have their own editing stations and tripods, but all of their footage will be combined together and they then will create a personal version. So while they are working individually, it’s like they are doing a group project.
“We’re just glad to be here because we all really wanted to go back in person as we know the students enjoy that. We are hoping that things will only get better from here,
and hoping to be able to offer the next sessions in person, but have to see what that looks like when the time comes.”
Cameron King, 15, has been on work study with PAT for about a year and a half. He said that after going virtual last spring, everyone connected with PYTV was committed to getting back to in-person programming.
“After we had to go virtual in the spring, everyone worked really hard to get this program going,” the rising Essex Tech sophomore said. “Clearly this is working great. The kids have loved it and it’s been great to see them back in the building.”
“So far so good with one more session to go,” said Bartlett. “After that, we regroup to see what our options will be in the fall when school hopefully starts.”
Anne Marie Tobin can be reached at [email protected].
