Colorado Mountain College offers hands-on Internet broadcast experience
By Kristin Carlson
In today’s world of real-time Internet broadcasting, stories travel around the globe with the click of a mouse. The inaugural New Media Camp of the Rockies, at Colorado Mountain College’s Spring Valley campus, aims to help youth tap into that world, by teaching them the skills to create meaningful content, produce powerful media segments and broadcast their stories.
“Youth are very interested in topical issues,” said Chris Tribble, camp director. “It’s important that they have a platform and the skills they need to make their voices heard.”
Camp offers comprehensive experience
Colorado Mountain College has teamed up with Tribble’s brainchild, True Media Foundation, to provide students with a 10-day immersion experience using state-of-the-art new media tools, including high definition cameras, a multi-camera tricaster, audio mixers and software such as the Adobe CS5 Production Suite. The integrated web technology camp offers students ages 16-20 a chance to participate in every area of production — in front of the camera, behind the camera and in the production studio.
“The hands-on nature of this camp and access to the talents of working professionals offer students a really unique opportunity,” said Maureen Stepp, an instructional chair at Colorado Mountain College. “They also get to experience college dorm life as well as get a sneak preview of the college’s new media program, which will start offering courses in the fall.”
Students will study and live at the breathtaking Spring Valley campus of Colorado Mountain College above Glenwood Springs, and will also be empowered to take the show on the road in a fully equipped mobile production bus. “Learning how to produce and broadcast content on the spot helps young people connect in their own communities and expands their knowledge for real-world experiences,” Tribble said.
Professional instructors support experiential learning
Tribble, a 30-year veteran of the television industry, has created segments for local businesses, national corporations and major television networks. In 1998, he was selected by CBS to produce feature segments for the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. In 2000 he launched the youth-driven web series, “Be Heard,” to help teens create “media with social value.”
Joining Tribble is a team of accomplished professionals with a passion for sharing their knowledge. Director and producer Michael Robert has worked for broadcast networks, corporations and nonprofits. A multiple Emmy award-winner, he has directed top talent including Betty White and Lionel Richie. Instructor Don Garcia has been a cameraman for Fox News Channel, KUSA, Inside Edition, Extra and MSNBC. Rounding out the instructional team is Bob Griffiths. An independent producer/director/editor in New York, he has worked as director of photography for both NBC and PBS.
Applications due by May 31
Applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 20 and should have a baseline comfort with computers. Visit www.coloradomtn.edu/summermediacamp for details and online registration forms. Deadline for registration is May 31.
The New Media Camp in the Rockies will run June 17-27. Enrollment is limited to 22 students. Fees include dorm lodging, meals, snacks and all transportation. For more information about registration and tuition, contact Stepp at mstepp@coloradomtn.edu.