Students design, engage in video production and broadcasting retreat

More than two dozen Red Hook High School students engaged a video production and broadcasting retreat late last month at The Spark of Hudson, a nonprofit community learning hub and multi-use center in Hudson.

The event wasn't just attended by students; it was designed and taught by them.

The Sept. 30 retreat brought together students from Red Hook's Video Production class and the Red Hook Broadcasting Club (RHBC) for a day of hands-on learning in a real-world creative environment.

The idea started at the end of the last school year during discussions about how to better connect the RHBC and production class, while also addressing the challenge of training new members and improving club workflow. RHBC produces the school's daily morning broadcast, a task that takes about two hours of work each day between planning, filming and editing. One objective of the retreat was the build capacity by empowering more students to take on roles.

Visual and Media Arts teacher Kristin Larson, the club co-advisor, reached out to community organizations about hosting a student-designed retreat focused on skill-sharing and collaboration. The Spark of Hudson welcomed the idea and offered its event and collaboration space free of charge.

Five student instructors planned and ran the retreat. Over several weeks, the team studied what their peers needed and looked for ways to improve the club's workflow. They designed the curriculum, created their own teaching materials, and met repeatedly, including on Teams calls outside of school hours.

“Seeing these students take ownership, teach their peers and lead with confidence left me incredibly proud,” Larson said. “It was an inspiring and energizing way to kick off the school year. They saw what our program needed and built it themselves.”

RHBC President Shepherd Cohen served as head facilitator. He led the opening, transitions and closing, and taught two content creation workshops in which students brainstormed new segment ideas in groups and planned how to bring them to life.

Vice President Alisha Magun, with the help of Reggie McLaughlin, taught the editing workshop. Their preparation gave participants the hands-on skills to edit the daily show, which is helping develop a new generation of editors at the high school.

Wilder Greenberg led the anchoring workshop, with support from Allie Weber. They coached students on writing dynamic scripts and on the speaking and listening skills that make a confident on-air presence. Their energy and attention to detail helped participants leave ready to bring professionalism and fun to the morning broadcast. 

Students left the Spark of Hudson able to edit the show, write stronger scripts, and speak with more confidence on camera. They also brought back a list of content ideas and concrete plans to make them happen.

RHBC thanks the Spark of Hudson for its generosity in hosting the retreat.

Co-advisors Steve Hutman and Larson were amazed by the incredible work of the instructors and participants.

“It’s difficult to put into words just how amazing and transformative this field trip was,” Larson said.