UA Students Produce TV Show about the Arts in Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Original programming conceptualized by faculty and students in The University of Alabama’s telecommunication and film department, staff members at WVUA-TV and Creative Campus will premiere on WVUA-TV later this month.

“Alabama Art Seen” is a 30-minute show that focuses on the various expressions of art and artists from across the state of Alabama. The show is produced by students in TCF 451, an advanced television production/documentary class taught by Nick Corrao, an instructor in UA’s telecommunication and film department.

“Over the course of the semester, we cover all aspects of producing broadcast-ready television shows, and the students do everything from researching the ideas to shooting and editing,” said Corrao, who serves as executive producer for the project. “My aim for the course is to create a real-world production company atmosphere, where the students are up against a production schedule and have to be creative and diligent to get their segments finished. So far, I’ve been thrilled with their ability to step up to the plate and produce some really great work.”

When Corrao was hired, such a project was specifically part of his job description. Former WVUA manager Roy Clem had approached leaders in UA’s Creative Campus  with the idea of student-produced programming. Dr. Hank Lazer, executive director of Creative Campus, said he’s pleased to have been a part of the creation of the show.

“Creative Campus acted as a sort of midwife in the process, coordinating initial meetings, brainstorming and meeting with Nick’s first group of students to offer suggestions about artists to film and to listen to their pitches,” Lazer said. “President Bonner, then provost and executive vice president, was also a strong supporter of this project, which is yet another example of the amazing opportunities for students to do original work at UA – work that will be seen on a commercial TV station and that will most definitely enhance the students’ career opportunities.”

Bonner said she is “delighted” that WVUA will be premiering the show “focusing on the richness of the arts in Alabama. What makes the show all the more special is that the content of each episode has been filmed, edited and produced by our students.  I am proud to support this endeavor.  It is one more instance of the great work being done by our students, and it is another example of the extraordinary opportunities we provide at UA for the best and brightest.”

Dr. Rachel Raimist, head of the digital media production track in the TCF department and assistant director of Creative Campus, said the opportunity being provided for students is tremendous.

“The station gets quality programming and the students gain material for their reels and resumes,” Raimist said. “How many of their peers nationally can say their class assignments have been broadcast on a commercial television station? This is big for our students!”

The first three episodes of “Alabama Art Seen” will air on WVUA in Tuscaloosa and WUOA in Birmingham at 7 p.m. on Feb. 13, 20 and 27. Musicians and visual artists from Marion, Mobile, Birmingham, Hamilton, Tuscaloosa, Brundidge and Bessemer will be featured in the first three episodes, and additional episodes are tentatively scheduled to air in March.

The telecommunication and film department and WVUA are housed in the College of Communication and Information Sciences.