Lights, Camera, InFocus
Miami Dade College students looking to gain valuable on-air TV experience have an outlet: MDC InFocus.
The show was launched in 2007 by the College’s Office of Communications to give student journalists a chance to report stories from all eight campuses. It also gives viewers an inside look into what is happening across the College.
Participants do not need experience or a degree in media. Staff help student reporters learn how to perform in front of the camera. In the process, students gain valuable skills in front-of-the-camera including the proper use of language and tone of voice, facial expressions, and body movement.
“What I love about producing MDC in Focus is the stories: we get to meet some truly incredible individuals with inspiring stories, students like Milton Young, a blind photographer, or Rosa Salgado, who just graduated from the Wolfson Campus alongside two of her grandchildren,” said Nastassia Alvarez, the TV writer and producer for the show. “We interview professors and staff members who truly care about their students and the mission of MDC, and who are dedicated to making a difference in the classroom, through events, or out in the local community. Even better, we get to share these stories with everyone. These are stories that deserve a voice, and we get to be that voice with MDC InFocus.”
Four to six episodes are created each school year. MDC InFocus targets news pertaining to academic programs, campus events and student profiles. The episodes are 30 to 40 minutes long.
“I think MDC InFocus is awesome,” said Karla Nuñez, a former student anchor for the show. “I thought it was going to be hard but I ended up enjoying my time at Miami Dade College and definitely learned a lot.”
Nuñez transferred to the University of Miami in the fall of 2015. She is pursuing a double major in journalism and economics and plans to work as a news anchor for CNBC or Bloomberg Business.
“It’s hands on training for the career path that I want to pursue,” Nuñez said about her experience at MDC InFocus.
The show can be seen on AT&T U-Verse channel 99, and COMCAST channel, 78. To view MDC InFocus shows online, go to the program’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/MDCInFocus.
Students interested in joining the MDC InFocus, can contact Nastassia Alvarez at (305) 237- 3920 or through email nalayeto@mdc.edu for more information.
