Behind The Scenes of What’s Up Wildcats

Have you ever watched What’s Up Wildcats in your fifth bell and couldn’t help but wonder how it is done? How do they record? How do they know what to say? 

 What’s Up Wildcats takes place in the TV Production Room (135) every morning. If you ever visit room 135, you’ll see two cameras that capture all necessary angles. The camera also has a screen below it that reflects the script that must be read. These scripts are typically typed up the day before and controlled by a student in Mr. Morris’ office. In his office, there is a switchboard that includes a button to switch between cameras, a button to switch from the intro to the news, and a button that fades to black. There is also a soundboard nearby that controls the volume of the mics and outro music. In the main room, there is a row of computers where students in the TV Production crew create and edit the intros for What’s Up Wildcats–they also make the senior video for the senior banquet.  

 A couple of the anchors were interviewed by The Paw Print and were asked how it is being involved in TV Production. One of the most known anchors, Kayla Morris replied by telling us, “I have been in TV Production for all 4 years of high school and have had a multitude of incredible experiences both in front of and behind the camera. As an anchor, I get to share with my peer’s information that matters every morning in a way that is fun and engaging, as well as improve my public speaking skills daily.” Kayla also mentioned, “Behind the camera, I have had unparalleled opportunities in which to showcase the talents of my classmates in academics, arts, and athletics through both photo and video.” Kayla is also overly excited to showcase the senior video that she and the rest of the TV Production have putting a great deal of effort into.  

One of the camera men, Ryan Morris, described his experience by saying, “Being in TV Production is great, most of the class period we work on making the senior video, then we do the news in the last 10 minutes. I always work the camera, and it is fun, I have to set the frame of the two of them, then zoom in on the right anchor, then go back to both at the end, and it is very easy.” Andrew Hogeback also mentioned, “Recording openings were fun to see what the people say from the different clubs and sports.” These two provided helpful insights letting people know the roles of those who aren’t visible on camera.

What’s Up Wildcats was initially named “Wildcat Wake-Up.” This was a way to spread news to students in a creative way that would keep their attention, rather than just reading the PA. Mr. Morris also claimed, “This also gave the TV Production students experience in doing live broadcasts.” What’s Up Wildcats wasn’t always on YouTube; they used to live broadcast it on the TVs in teacher’s classrooms during 1st bell. They eventually started uploading to YouTube on the William Henry Harrison High School YouTube Channel. The room for the TV production room wasn’t always where it’s at today; it used to be in room 122, which is now Mrs. Hotopp’s room. 

Overall, What’s Up Wildcats is more than just a news broadcast. It is a good hands-on-learning experience for students involved in the TV Production class that lets them develop valuable skills and can contribute to the community of their own school in creative ways, from anchors like Kayla Morris and Chase Turner who provide the information for their peers about school, to the ones behind the camera who are just as valuable, like Ryan Morris and Henry Walker who bring the broadcast to life. Whether in front of the camera or behind the camera this unique experience helps the students learn valuable skills while all still educating their classmates on what’s going on around William Henry Harrison High School.