Media Studies

The Media Studies Department at Northern Highlands is committed to providing students with the skills and knowledge to excel in the dynamic fields of broadcast television, digital filmmaking, sports broadcasting, and video production. Through hands-on courses in storytelling, technical production, and critical analysis, students develop expertise in video editing, cinematography, on-air presentation, and live broadcasting. Our program emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and technical proficiency, preparing students for careers in media while fostering a deep understanding of the impact of media on society. By encouraging students to engage with both the artistic and technical aspects of media production, we aim to inspire the next generation of storytellers, filmmakers, and media professionals.

Media Studies Full Year Courses 

Broadcast Television     Grades 9-12 

The first in a two-part instructional training program that gives students the tools and techniques to develop and produce on-air programming for Northern Highlands TV (NHTV). The program will develop and improve both storytelling skills and technical ability to ultimately curate news-packages. Techniques associated with entertainment and other genres will also be explored. Students will be given step-by-step instructions on how to use field and studio video equipment, ranging from cameras to voiceover techniques, audio capture, and basic video editing. Students will be able to improve their on-camera delivery through lessons that encourage on-air participation and develop presentation through both field and studio activities. In the studio component, students will get hands-on experience with equipment in the live TV studio and design full programs for airing on NHTV and for the morning news show. This is a program that caters to both the technical-minded student who would prefer to work behind the scenes as well as those who wish to have air-time. 

Advanced Broadcast Television   Grades 10-12 

Advanced Broadcast Television is the second in the two part training program that further develops students’ ability to create industry quality, on-air content for Northern Highlands TV. In this second level, students will be responsible for the full development and production of The NHTV Morning Show from writing to the live (or live on tape) studio broadcast. They will be given roles that mirror a working television station and be asked to implement organizational skills to complete tasks related to the development of the NHTV morning program. Using prior learning and professional newsroom mechanics, broadcast team members will learn higher level field news reporting techniques in both the editorial writing, as well as in on-camera and technical realms. Students will also increase their understanding of the technical capabilities and use of advanced TV studio equipment to enhance the quality and depth of creativity in each show that airs on NHTV and to provide career ready experience. Students will be given a chance in this stage to weigh in on what role they wish to perform in the production process, whether it’s an on-air job or a behind the scenes position. 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Broadcast Television and teacher recommendation. 

Digital Film Production     Grades 9-12 

Digital Film Production is a course for students who wish to start the development of skills in the use of video cameras and digital editing software. Students create short films that are designed to entertain, show understanding of the art of filmmaking, and express personal visions and understanding of their world and of people. Techniques include idea forming, storyboarding, scripting, lighting, cinematography, microphone treatment and application, and sound recording. Students will analyze and discuss the techniques used by Hollywood film-makers and apply the techniques to their work in the course. Students will participate in the production of a substantial narrative video piece that will be presented in an appropriate school venue. Additionally, the work produced by students will be broadcast for public viewing in the school, on local public access channels, as well as be submitted to local, national and international film festivals. 

Advanced Digital Film Production   Grades 10-12 

This course continues the development of Digital Film Production and is a course for students who wish to learn and expand their skills in film making and general production. As in the pre-requisite course, students will create films that express personal visions and understanding of their world and of people. A mastery in techniques including brainstorming, storyboarding, scripting, lighting, camera management, microphone treatment and application, and sound recording will all be developed. Students will analyze and discuss the techniques used by Hollywood film-makers and apply the techniques to their work. In addition students will learn about Independent film development including; budgeting, staff management, auditioning, working with actors, feeding and working with crews and pitching a script. It is the goal of this class that the students will participate in the production of a substantial narrative/abstract film which will be presented in a final film showcase for the public on campus. Additionally the work produced by students will be broadcast on NHTV Studios Youtube Channel and submitted to multiple local, national and international film festivals. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Digital Film Production and teacher recommendation. 

Sports and Media Broadcasting   Grades 10-12 

Sports and Media Broadcasting is a full year course which trains students in the art of live sports play by play, color commentary, and sideline reporting. Topics of study include how to research teams, rosters and storylines for games including game day and event preparation. Rules and gameplay for a variety of sports in terms of how they are played and how they should be covered. The course will also detail best practices, standard guidelines for professionalism, electronic journalistic integrity, development of style and sports desk news anchoring technique. As part of the class students will call live games as part of NHTV’s Northern Highlands Game of the Week broadcasts for each season they will learn anchoring skills including writing, reading, video editing and delivery of game highlights and sports news. 

Media Studies Semester Courses 

Film Studies     Grades 9-12 

This semester course has the dual function of offering students an introduction to film studies at Northern Highlands or as an isolated elective choice. This does not function as a prerequisite to Digital Film Production. Students in this course will first learn what it takes to make a film before providing a critical analysis of some of the best films ever made. Students will learn and execute basic screenwriting skills, cinematography, editing, and lighting as well as gain an understanding of who works on films and what their roles are. Following that, students will begin critical analysis of silent movies and trace film techniques through history, leading to contemporary works in each of the main film genres: comedy, science fiction, horror, action, and drama.

Video Editing     Grades 9-12 

Video Editing is a semester course for all those who enjoy post-production video editing. There is no experience needed for this class. It is designed to advance the video editing skills of students who have a range of skill in editing from cell phones to editing studios to none at all. Students will become highly proficient with Adobe Premiere Pro, Audition and After Effects software and with specific techniques used in editing a wide variety of video projects. These range from films to news shows, special school segments such as pep rallies and year end videos, video entertainment and selective audio projects. Students will utilize green screen technology, motion graphics, and other animation to build high level, sophisticated videos. The class is designed to interface well with other media courses like Digital Film, Advanced Film, Broadcast TV, and other on campus visual design courses. As with other media classes, material produced from the class has the potential to be viewed by the school audience and general audiences abroad.