For those who have had the childhood dream of being on TV or or a podcast, this is your chance. Senior Claire Reinthaler recently founded “The Eirene,” a club for students interested in broadcast journalism, podcasting and utilizing broadcasting software.
“For first semester, we’ll try to do two newscasts a quarter and then do more. [We’re] mainly teaching people how to interview, how to edit, put videos on the computer in the Adobe software, how to film and anchor because that’s a whole different thing you don’t get in print journalism,” Reinthaler said.
The Adobe Software teacher, Michael Poller, will sponsor the club by providing high-tech equipment to edit and record.
“I’m into video stuff and she [Reinthaler] seemed like she’s really motivated and dedicated. I like working with students who care about what they’re doing,” Poller said.
While Poller does not have a history with broadcasting specifically, he does have experience with film and production.
“I do have a degree in film, and I worked in LA before moving to North Carolina 10 years ago. I worked in post-production, so after movies had been made, we made the trailers and TV commercials,” Poller said.
Reinthaler has a deep knowledge of broadcasting and is ecstatic to share it with others who are also passionate about it.
“I did broadcast journalism in middle school, and I really learned a lot there like how to anchor, how to edit, how to actually talk to people and do interviews and report stuff. I was the managing editor there my eighth-grade year,” Reinthaler said.
Students new to broadcasting are excited to learn the basics of broadcasting, expand their social skills, and build their confidence.
“I’m really excited to start a broadcast and see the flow of things, get things working. I’m also excited to have fun with Claire and my friends that are in the club. The biggest thing that I like about it [broadcasting] is being able to look at the world without actually having to imagine it,” senior Amber Summers said.
Reinthaler’s purpose for establishing the club was to give students who could not take journalism or newspaper a chance to learn the skills needed to succeed in media-related fields.
“We’re going to get to teach people who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to learn this sort of thing: how to do good journalism, how to do your research, make sure all your facts are accurate and just have some fun playing around with some digital software,” Reinthaler said.
The club has a flexible schedule to accommodate members and give everyone a fair chance to get the broadcasting experience. There will be chances for students to become leaders and hold editor or anchor positions. Meetings will be every Wednesday at 3:45 in room 609.
