Beach TV continues to keep people tuning in

By Katie De Boer
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer

Who are those people who run TV broadcast productions, who line their pockets with gold at the expense of viewers, exploited advertisers and ad agencies? Do they simply rent a few Italian chairs and a desk, put in a couple of cordless phones and alert their brokers to be on the lookout for beachfront property? Not at Cal State Long Beach.

As the oldest media resource on campus, the Daily Forty-Niner celebrates its 55th anniversary, however it is not the only campus-wide media outlet. With a tight budget and only a single recording studio, CSULB's Beach TV and broadcast program has come a long way since the ‘80s during the beginning of the TV show "Dallas," the first MTV airing and "Pac-Man."

Tim Engler, television engineer and media producer, has worked with the broadcast department since the beginning of time. According to Engler, in the late ‘70s, TV and broadcast was a new idea at CSULB. Radio was first broadcast in the Fine Arts Building and even though it acquired TV production and moved to the Language Arts Building, there was still no distinct TV Station.

In the early ‘80s, the broadcast director at the time received a large federal grant for a mobile TV van. This succeeded for a while, but as the TV station developed its reputation and acquired student interest, a need for a studio and edit room grew. While the idea was still new, campus broadcast took its first step and received rooms in the Main Library. It was not until the early ‘80s when Engler helped the TV Radio split while broadcast took its own leap and found a home in the University Telecommunications building. At that time there were no graphics or production studios, no advanced editing technology, and there was not a set path detailing how to run the broadcast program.

Over the past 25 years, Engler, with the help of the editing team, graphic designers, and staff members, has managed and operated the technology in the UTC building for the Broadcast department.

Engler, on the brink of retirement says, "It has been a lot of fun, however, the TV and broadcast technology is still developing." He also said that although the department is a growing student interest, the budget cuts affect the need for technology.

Today, Beach TV production and broadcast is part of the journalism department and has gotten help from Daily Forty-Niner reporters and editors. TV production and broadcast teaches students the basic concepts on how to develop live or taped productions, select the scripts, talents, sets, props, lighting and other production elements. In order for Beach TV to run, students take on roles of camerapersons, writers, directors, producers, and even on-camera talent learning to have a solid understanding of the tools and techniques of the whole process making success of productions—not to mention to further their own careers. Beach TV would not be capable without the help of staff editors, technicians and professors.

Beach TV has cable channels 18 in Long Beach, Signal Hill and channel 28 in Lakewood. The filming is done on campus with original campus shows such as—"Beach View," "College Beat," "Campus Connection," and "CSULB Presents," which make up the first part of the programming. The second part includes satellite programming from Deutsche Welle World News, which is a satellite service from Germany that produces a broad variety of programming including news, documentaries and features related to Europe and Germany. Also included is satellite distance learning, where a professor can teach classes for other colleges lacking courses necessary for certain curriculums from the LA Basin to Chico and all the way to Humboldt.

"Beach View" is hosted by CSULB President, Robert Maxon. During this time he interviews faculty, staff and others associated with the campus.

"College Beat," "Campus Connection" and "CSULB Presents" are directed and hosted by college students. The programs report on college life, community beats and the latest in sports, medicine and agriculture.

CSULB senior Stephanie Ris is a broadcast major that has worked on Beach TV and is part of the November show newscast. On Monday, Nov. 8, Ris, with the help of fellow students, produced "Campus Connection." As past reporter, Ris enjoys knowing the ropes of the broadcast while learning more and more every day.

According to Ris, who is camera shy, "Broadcast and production is good for people who don't want to be in front of the camera too."

TV production degrees offer an advantage in pursuing jobs in broadcasting or TV production. A TV production career can lead to work in the movie industry, advertising, network TV, cable TV, or other work in the ever-expanding world of media and broadcast. Potential jobs for graduates with TV production degrees include assistant producer, video editor, producer, program director and various entry-level broadcast positions such as master control operator, camera operator or floor director.

For more information about Beach TV and to view its programming schedule, visit its Web site at http://cslbtv.amp.csulb.edu/stationinfo.html.