At the June 22, 2009, meeting, BPC members heard from some young video journalists whose program already has been a big success. Batchelor Middle School adviser Jeff Rudkin and three of his students explained what B-TV is all about and showed clips of award-winning work.

Rudkin talked about the program’s humble beginnings 14 years ago as an after-school program and its evolution to a credit course of about 300 students today. He estimates that more than 1,000 students have been through the program, which has won over 250 honors in the U.S. and internationally.

Students learn to brainstorm project ideas, develop a strategy, write, use equipment, edit and other production skills as they complete their documentaries.

Over the years, the students have created a film and a companion book about the 60th anniversary of the liberation at Auschwitz; a documentary about Max Schmeling; a documentary about the discovery of a shipwreck believed to have been Captain Kidd’s; and a film about bullying. Rudkin said students also engage in some lighter projects, such as the annual Halloween movie.

Published by bloomingtonpressclub

A nonprofit group in Bloomington, Ind., with members from many areas of media. We sponsor scholarships for high school and college students