About

History of the James McKee Media Group

Origins and Early Development (2018-2021)

In 2018, Mr. Maltbie attended a media arts training hosted by the Sacramento Educational Cable Consortium, where he discovered grant funding opportunities for schools interested in setting up their own media studios. Motivated by this, he promptly applied for the grant and discussed the idea with Principal Freeman to establish a media program at McKee. Mr. Dapelo, who overheard about the new media initiative, quickly volunteered to assist, drawing on his college experience in media to support the project. 

Initially, the media studio's equipment was set up in the computer lab, with green screens used to add backgrounds to filming during the editing process. Students took on the creative roles of writing scripts and producing their own videos, while Mr. Dapelo and Mr. Maltbie handled the broadcast format and show editing. This setup proved effective, especially during the pandemic and school closures, as students continued to create their videos independently. Teachers adapted by formatting the broadcasts remotely, with Zoom playing a crucial role in the media production process during this period. 

Expansion and Growth (2021-2024)

In 2021, McKee secured funding that enabled them to expand their facilities. With the addition of a new classroom, they were able to establish a dedicated space for the media studio. This expansion led to the creation of the McKee Media Studio on Ben Lane.

The new equipment included a TriCaster, a versatile tool that revolutionized their media capabilities. The TriCaster allowed them to edit broadcasts live and stream them directly to YouTube, significantly enhancing their ability to produce and share content in real-time. This upgrade marked a significant advancement in their media production and broadcasting capabilities.

Over the years, the media group at McKee has grown to include several new initiatives. Bear Business, SEVA, and now Yearbook have all become integral parts of the media group, broadening its scope and impact.

Transition and Continued Impact (2024-Present)

In 2024, Mr. Maltbie retired, and Mr. Dapelo took over the reins, stepping in to lead the media group into the upcoming school year. This transition marked a new chapter for the media department as it continued to evolve and expand its offerings.

The leadership has also expanded with three new teachers helping out with the program.  Mrs Barstad is