I’m sure at some point you have seen the monthly Channel 4 broadcast during HIVE. Channel 4 has a long history at Woodford County High School, having been around for decades. At one point, it was called “Video Yearbook.” Channel 4 is a video production created by Media 3 and 4 students every month. 

Since a monthly Channel 4 is a long-held tradition here at WCHS, it has had lots of changes over time. What started as a fun way to film students during school and provide entertainment has still kept a part of that, but has also gained lots of professionalism over the years. Students study different media techniques used by professionals, aiming to teach students key skills like lighting, camera angles, editing techniques, interview skills, and cinematography overall. 

Contrary to what some believe, Channel 4 is not just talking a camera, filming, and editing. It takes much pre-planning with brainstorming, pitch decks, planning documents, and sending emails. Through working for Channel 4, students not only learn media skills, but lessons they can carry into life such as attention to detail by making sure you are getting things like good angles, lighting, and sound, responsibility by making sure you are taking proper care of equipment and the work you execute, and time management by making sure you are hitting deadlines for rough drafts and final drafts.

The purpose of the monthly Channel 4 is to cover WCHS events and happenings as well as events going on in the community. The media’s mission statement is simple: to investigate, include, inform, and entertain. These four principles are what drive Channel 4 to produce the best possible broadcast each month. There has to be a balance between these four statements in the segments, which is why there are some that are more formal with sit down interviews and finding a story, thus covering the investigative principle. Some segments such as sport recaps or school events tend to be inclusive and informative pieces, while some segments that are silly skits, purely for entertainment. 

Channel 4 is a great way to keep up with the happenings of WCHS! Be sure to tune in for broadcasts every month when it airs live during Hive, or it is available on the WCHS Channel 4 YouTube channel!