QUICK VISIT TO THE OPEN HOUSE TOUR

I didn't spend a lot of time at either Channel 15 or the Princess today, but everyone was either busy preparing for, or conducting actual tours.  So, I just made a couple of photos and got out of the way.

Matt Waters was busy making things shipshape when I arrived.  He really seems to take pride in studio and enjoys showing off the equipment his students utilize during classes.

If you have been keeping up with the student's field trips, their productions and behind the scenes photos on Facebook, or YouTube, you know what a great time they are having, and, they are learning!  You can catch the Backroads Episodes on Channel 15, or by clicking on the YouTube links below:

Scenic Backroads, Episode 1, Segment 1 - http://youtu.be/XMXd7UG8xA4

Scenic Backroads, Episode 1, Segment 2 - http://youtu.be/wefNt9q6xTc

Scenic Backroads, Episode 1, Segment 3 - http://youtu.be/xmaUifIG7iY

Scenic Backroads, Episode 1, Segment 4 - http://youtu.be/N0qOhCMS_7k

Scenic Backroads, Episode 1, Segment 5 - http://youtu.be/gy3MNyNqfPc

Next door, at the Princess Theatre, there were a couple of notable additions.  The new speakers have been hung from the ceiling on each side of the stage, and another row of lights have also been hung.

On stage was a temporary "blow up" screen, which worked fine, for small audiences like today's tours.  

Of course this screen is not the permanent screen, but it will serve small gatherings until a new screen is put in place.

Visitors were treated to a slideshow of local and restoration photos.  Megan was again proudly showing off her Princess, and she never seems to find it hard to find volunteers.

I, of course, played around with the camera, and made this HDR rendition.  It's not true color, but I like the painted feel of the processed photos.

Down front, Jimbo Duncan answers questions for a tour group, while Mr. Lewis Spivey (local historian) relaxes and watches the slideshow.  

If you still didn't make it to the Princess, rest assured that there will be lots of opportunities coming up in the near future.  Our Princess is in good hands and will be around for us to enjoy for years to come.

THIS SEMESTER'S ROANE STATE STUDENTS ARE LEARNING THE ARTS AT CHANNEL 15

Matt Waters, the Channel 15 Manager and Roane State Mass Communications Lecturer, makes this guest post to show his Roane State students editing their stories for a new local Channel 15 TV program called Scenic Backroads. 

The students developed the idea, title and topics for the program, which takes a look at fun, unique or interesting people and places in the area. The first episode, which is almost finished, includes; a trip to a local mule farm, an overview of the disc golf course at Roane County Park, a look inside the newly-renovated courtroom at the old Roane County Courthouse, a tour through Fort Southwest Point, and a visit to Live & Let Live Drugstore.

Students divided into teams to cover each topic, and each team was responsible for using video cameras and microphones to get interviews and other footage. 

Three students who completed a video editing course last semester are taking the lead on editing the video into news packages, and two students are preparing to do on-camera hosting for this episode.

Students will take turns reporting, running cameras, handling audio, and hosting for future episodes so that everyone can participate as equally as possible. Future topics include Harriman’s noon whistle, a visit to Rugby, antiquing, and the local music scene.

We’re planning at least two more episodes of Scenic Backroads this semester. These future episodes will include, topics like Harriman’s noon whistle, a visit to Rugby, antiquing, and the local music scene.

Part of the original “dream” is being fulfilled through these classes offered by Roane State Community College. The “Princess Performing Arts, Education and Conference Center” is already doing its part...your part is to support the efforts to provide an arts education for our area children.

FINISHING TOUCHES BEING MADE

I hadn't visited the Channel 15 studio in some time, so today, being a beautiful day, I stopped by to see what Matt was up to.  The whole studio floor had been replaced with new shiny tile!  The place really looked clean and spotless.

Matt has rearranged the place too!  There is a large conference table near the front door where he and his students gather for class.  The workstations are against the wall on both sides of the studio, and he tells me new chairs are coming any day.

Matt promised to send us photos of the new furnishings, plus of the new "set screen" that has been built, and will be painted.  This addition will give the students something to hang articles on for their in-house productions. 

The place seems so open now, and I remembered Muse and Gary saying that one day people will be able to walk down the street, look in, and see the studio in operation.  You can do that today!  There are around 20 students taking classes there now, and more to come.

You may also see these same students while out driving around area.  They go out and shoot raw "footage" and then come back to the studio to do their editing.  Matt also promised to send us some photos of the students on location, and he says he's already posting some on the Channel 15 Facebook page.  Check it out!

I updated this post to include a couple of shots Matt posted on Facebook, showing part of his class during a recent shoot.  Looks like lots of fun!

This is the most important part of the dream folks...our children having a place to learn the arts!  Do all you can to encourage and support them!

Up at the Princess, I found James and Adam working hard to finish up the marquee.  James told me that there will be yellow neon on the red badge; front and center of the marquee.  This should add another be splash of color for us to enjoy!

She's looking good folks...everything is painted and cleaned up inside.  I think all that remains is getting the new curtain and sound system up!  It's just another milestone that I've (we all have) been waiting anxiously on since the beginning.

Oh yeah, one last thing.  I found out today...the raggedy old awning hanging out in front of the Channel 15 studio will also be replaced soon.  That had been bothering me for some time!

We're getting very close to the opening folks!

MATT WATERS NAMED MANAGER OF CHANNEL 15

The Princess Restoration Project has been blessed again, Mr. Matt Waters has been hired by Roane State to manage Roane State and the City of Harriman’s Channel 15 TV station! Matt is currently working through the transition with Bill Radice at the station.

 

Mr. Radice plans to resume his retirement, and we certainly owe him a great debt of gratitude for his time and effort over the past year. Without Bill, the station would just now be getting underway. However, Bill’s expertise has given us a state-of-the-art station that has been broadcasting since December 3, 2010.

 

Matt, who will also be teaching at Roane State, was hired as the Channel 15 Manager/Mass Communications Lecturer just this past week. He brings loads of education and experience to the position, and will bring fresh new ideas to the station’s purpose for and position in the community.

 

He asks for the community’s input for the direction of the station. Send your questions about, and comments/suggestions for Channel 15 directly to Matt at watersmh@roanestate.edu or call 354-3000 ext. 4429.

 

See Roane State’s OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE HERE.

 

Matt started his communications career in newspaper, then moved into radio production and ultimately TV production. He graduated from UT in 1999 (bachelor's degree in broadcasting) and 2000 (master's degree in communication).

 

Matt currently owns 865 Video Productions, which specializes in video transfers.

 

He is the executive board secretary for AnimalWorks, a low-cost spay/neuter organization based in Alcoa.

 

Matt and his wife Katie Jones Waters, live in Knoxville with their daughter Stella (age 2) and Trixie Lulu, the loving family dog!

Mr. Waters’ experience also comes from these past involvements:

1998-2000 - studio production and master control at WBXX-TV, now called CW20 - Knoxville
2000-2001 - promotion producer at WWAY News Channel 3 - Wilmington, NC
2001-2004 - promotion producer and webmaster at WVLT Volunteer TV - Knoxville
2004-2008 - production and promotion manager at WMAK-TV - Knoxville
2008-2011 - commercial producer at Comcast Spotlight - Knoxville