From the Teacher's Desk

April 27, 2012

by Samuel Morris

It's Been A While

The fact that this is the first blog in several months should be indicative of how busy things have been at Wolf TV. Several really cool things have occured and I'll try to bring everyone up to speed. First, we again attended the STN Convention, this time in Dallas, Texas. We spent time with 1,900 other tv production programs and again brought home new focus and enthusiasm. The students spent time with CNN reporter Martin Savidge, where they got new insights to professional broadcast journalism and met the STN Student of the Year and gained inspiration to "up their game" when it comes to pursuing their careers now rather than after college. During the convention, Wolf TV performed our first ever live shot. We did a report from Dallas which aired live on our morning newscast back in Orlando. No other OCPS school has attempted this, and we pulled it off without a hitch. Everyone agrees that this is our shining moment of the year.

Not to mention we also received an Honorable Mention from the Suncoast Chapter of NATAS for our monthly program "Wolf TV Presents". This was a huge advancement for us, as these are the folks who vote on Emmy Awards for the Florida broadcasters. It felt so rewarding to make some headway in an arena of such caliber.

The level two students also shined bright this year. This is the first school year in which TV2 students entered competition, and they upheld Wolf TV glory with 8 wins in the Orange County Student Media Festival. We travel to the awards ceremony on May 8 to find out where we placed and to celebrate our efforts.

TV3 and 4 level students are about to hold the 2012 Sammy Awards. This event is set aside for the advanced students to recognize the efforts of their own team with awards for various positions and to reflect on the past year with a potluck supper and fun.

I am extremely proud of all of these students. Their determination and professionlism advanced the quality and commitment of Wolf TV in ways that mere encouragement from me could never do. It will be a sad day to say goodbye to some of our seniors, whose leadership has set the bar for their coming replacements very high. To end a school year with no regrets, no disappointments, and no set backs is the ultimate reward for any program.

This summer we'll make plans for the 2012-13 season, build a new set, and develop our new programs. Then we'll put our talents, drive, and heart in not only being a leader in student produced television, but uphold our dedication to being Your Timber Creek Connection.

Have a great summer!

Momo.

December 2, 2011

by Samuel Morris

Last Month of the Year, and the Gifts are Great!

December is sometimes the busiest month for families, and the family at Wolf TV is no exception! First, the big announcement that everyone has been waiting for! Wolf TV has two shows that have been picked up by izonorlando.com! For those who may not know, izonorlando is the area's ONLY full time streaming television network. Quality programming from independent producers is all you'll find here. And now, you can also watch your favorite programs from Wolf TV! Look Both Wayz, our political and issue oriented talk show, debuts December 5th at 3 p.m. Repeats are always available. This show is hosted by the championship Timber Creek Debate team, and they guarantee you'll hear both sides of every issue they tackle.

Remember Wolf Country? Well, the show has been re-tooled and is now called Wolf TV Presents. Still loaded with stories from the Avalon and Waterford areas, along with features like Kitchen Fresh and Showcase, you'll see more of your neighborhood and have some fun along the way.

While we miss being on public television, we have worked hard to continue to bring you the shows many of you have enjoyed and looked forward to. We hope you'll join us online for what will be a great season of programs. You can get to the shows from the links on mywolftv.com or go directly to izonorlando.com and search for Wolf TV. Either way, you'll get to the right place and follow us on Facebook for every update on new shows.

Here's hoping Santa brings you that pony,

Momo.

November 13, 2011

by Samuel Morris

A Thankful November

This is the month when we in this country pause take time and be thankful for all the good in our lives. I'm doing the same thing at Wolf TV. Recognizing the things and people that are making this school year and broadcast season a successful one. Our product is improving, our program offerings are getting ready to expand, and we are getting ready to take on challenges that we have never tried before.

None of this would be happening if it were not for the dedicated and professional students who staff Wolf TV. While some of things we had hoped would happen didn't, other things we did not expect are going to happen and I am thrilled by the possibilities that will bring us. I know that is a little vague, but we're waiting just a little longer to make some big announcements.

I'm also thankful for the people who support us - our viewers, Facebook followers, underwriters, faculty and staff of Timber Creek High School. These folks help keep Wolf TV growing and being a greeat training ground for future broadcasters.

What are you thankful for this year? Drop us a line and let us know. Send us a message on Facebook. And keep checking in, because we have some news coming that I think you will find very exciting.

Momo.

September 27, 2011

by Samuel Morris

October, Here We Come!

Things are so hot at Your Timber Creek Connection, that I'm surprised there isn't smoke coming from the studio! Never before has The Morning Report been so lean and top notch so early in the season. The crew that has inherited this show is really putting things in order, and showing the rest of the world how it's done! I wish everyone could see what a great newscast this group of students can do everyday - and LIVE to boot!

The TV2 students have never before put out so much product. We are rarely short for a commercial or promo that isn't fresh and well made. These kids are like a factory! ( A direct quote from their Creative Services Director!)

The new crop of TV 1 students are showing a genuine interest in learning the craft the proper and professional way. Their attentiveness can only make me guess at how lucky we will be to have them as advanced students in the years to come.

Stay tuned for upcoming announcement regarding air times and locations for Wolf TV Presents and Look Both Wayz. Both shows are in production rught now, and the coming season looks like our best ever.

Momo.

September 8, 2011

by Samuel Morris

Two Down!

September is here, and Wolf TV has two of the four regularly produced shows up and running! The Morning Report returned to campus with an energy and enthusiasm like we've never had before on opening day, due to the diligence and professional ism of the new staff. Student managers are doing a great job making sure that Timber Creek receives the finest possible news program to start their day. I can't thank these students enough for their dedication to Wolf TV and to their viewers.

TCHS Update also returned, with a new producer and an entirely new crew. While minor bugs get worked out as people settle into their new roles, the Update promises to deliver weekly news for the campus in a manner never seen before. I wholeheartedly am excited to see this production, along with the crew that produces it, grow into professional digital media communicators by year's end.

Be sure to stay tuned to mywolftv.com so you don't miss the announcement of the return of Look Both Ways and Wolf TV Presents. Both shows go into production very soon, and I'll let you know when and where to catch the season premieres.

Momo.

August 16, 2011

by Samuel Morris

Here We Go!

As I write this blog, Wolf TV staffers are firing up the studio, writing new scripts, and making plans for an ambitious season of student produced programming. We are very excited about some new shows for the web, changes to our current line up, and the addition to the staff of those students who worked hard learning their basics in TV 1.

This season will be even greater with your support! Contact us after watching our shows, like us on Facebook, or subscribe to our shows on iTunes when they become available. For those on the TCHS campus, order your Wolf TV mug and you can say you "got your mug on Wolf TV".

Keep visiting this site and checking this blog for the latest in program news from Wolf TV, and ber a part of Your Timber Creek Connection!

Momo.

July 14, 2011

by Samuel Morris

Summertime!

The cameras are powered down, the lights are dark, and the newsroom is silent. Such is Wolf TV in the summer. But for all the quiet, there is much going on behind the scenes. We are working on returning to the central Florida airwaves and that involves re-tooling Wolf Country and freshening up the look of Look Both Wayz. Preparations are underway to bring you new podcasts (which will be available on iTunes) which will include the popular Kitchen Fresh, and a new celebrity news show (that has yet to find a name).

Wolf TV also is looking forward to new challenges - pushing our broadcasting capabilities to the limit - and putting our best effort into competitions.

When August draws near, the staff will be doing extra training hours to bring you the best in student produced programming. We hope you will join us with your support. It is only with the involvement with our audience that we can truly be "Your Timber Creek Connection".

See you soon,

Momo.

April 10, 2011

by Samuel Morris

An Uncertain Future

For those in the central Florida area, you are probably aware that WMFE, our broadcast benefactor, will cease television operations this summer. This is a sad day for for the Orlando community - losing our PBS television station. WMFE will continue to broadcast on radio, but circumstances have forced the station to make difficult decision. For those of us at Wolf TV, it means losing the broadcast outlet that our students have benefitted from for over a year. We have been fortunate that our students can enter college level programs with the experience of having produced broadcast programs which is something that most schools can only dream of.

We are now in the exploratory phase of finding a new broadcast partner. It may mean finding a home on a government access channel or partnering with some other entity. The Timber Creek administration is determined to help us find that partner, so we can contiue to give our students the experience for their resumes and our viewers the product we have had the honor of providing.

Watch this blog for updates as well as the main page of mywolftv.com along with our Facebook page. As soon as we know where we'll be, we'll be sure to let you know where to find us. We will continue to be Your Timber Creek Connection.

March 19, 2011

by Samuel Morris

Almost There

It's incredible that it has been nearly three months since I have updated this blog. Coincidentally, that shows you how fast this school year is flying by. Students will soon receive their marks for the third quarter, seniors will think of nothing but graduation, and the remainder of the crew will be thinking about what Wolf TV can achieve next year.

Getting excited about next year is a worthy past time. Aside from the Wolf TV attitude that "good enough" is never "good enough", we have reasons to be excited. This year we added a new broadcast program, "Look Both Wayz", to our line up and we never once missed a deadline getting the shows delivered and aired. We brought back our podcast to mywolftv.com; did our first ever interview via Skype with our affiliate in Mount Holly New Jersey; and with the help of a grant began recording and producing video in high definition. These are great accomplishments for the year, and the entire crew has worked hard to make these things happen. These things now become the bar that we will measure ourselves by, and the bar that is to be surpassed.

What will impel us is our recent experience at the STN convention. Spending our four days with other affiliates in breakout sessions and head to head competition showed our crew what was possible, how to do it, and why we should be proud of ourselves. The Wolf TV staff returned with many ideas and goals from the convention that they want to implement as soon as possible. I can't think of a reason to stop them. The worst case scenario is that you, the viewer, get higher quality programs and we, the staff of Wolf TV, get an experience that makes all the students truly broadcast and journalism professionals.

Keep up with Wolf TV. Write us, tell us what you think - what's your favorite show or episode? How could we serve you better? Be connected with your Timber Creek connection, Wolf TV.

December 31, 2010

by Samuel Morris

A New Year

Here we are, going into 2011. So much has changed for Wolf TV in 2010 that it seems very different from when I took over the program in 2008. All of the changes, upgrades, and recognitions are due entirely to the students of Wolf TV. If they did not care, none of it would have happened.

Now a new year dawns and I wonder at how Wolf TV will again change before the end of the academic year. We have plans, goals, and dreams and as usual I will rely on the hard work of the crew (students) to make them all happen. While some may change their minds about a career in this field, others will get hungrier for it. That hunger to excel, and to build their future careers now will propel us to new heights.

Resolutions? Sure. We will do better reporting. We will make our newscast more engaging. We will work smarter to meet deadlines. We will become more visible in the community. One thing is certain, we will be very tired come June.

November 15, 2010

by Samuel Morris

In the Thick of It

I'm excited to say that we got the new show, "Look Both Wayz" off to a good start. The show debuted on November 14th with two episodes back to back. While there is still some tweaking to do, I think we provided central Florida with some thought provoking discussion from a teen perspective. It will be exciting to watch this show and hopefully the audience grow.

The rest of Wolf TV is in the thick of what we do. We had a week in which we held what was to be a major fundraiser, completed entries for national competition, and worked on the December episode of Wolf Country. To say that teacher and students were at wit's end would be a slight understatement. All of these things had very strict deadlines and of course, that's when things can go wrong. And some things did, and some things came out fine. I'm very proud of the crews who put together this programming, because they kept at their assignments even when they wanted to walk away form it all. Now they know how I can feel sometimes.

Special kudos go out to the TV 2 students, who stepped up their game in producing some news packages for Wolf Country. They raised their quality level and will end up with the lion's share of the content in the next episode.

While it would be nice to say that the busy time is over, we know that another competition and another fundraiser are right around the corner. We still need to raise significant funds for the 2011 STN Convention trip, so if you would like to help us, please let me know through the contact link on mywolftv.com.

Please enjoy our programs and keep watching Wolf TV. We're just getting started.

October 3, 2010

by Samuel Morris

The First of the Firsts

The new season has begun at Wolf TV, and the excitement is not diminishing. October marks the return of Wolf Country to broadcast, seen in Orlando on WMFE Encore. It also marks the start of our new podcast, TCHS Update, seen exclusively on mywolftv.com. These are the first steps to what willl be a big year for us. Look Both Wayz, our issue and political debate program, goes into production in late October for a November premiere. I'm incredibly proud of the student staff of Wolf TV for getting these things done, as most of them have been "thrown into the fire" to meet deadlines.

We began with some major equipment failures which stopped all production for about three weeks, but the crews learned how to make do with what was available and to prioritize their work. We have implemented some new gear to keep us in business as we await the arrival of new equipment from a grant. We also welcomed a new underwriter to the Wolf TV family, Royal Bank of Canada. If you are one of their customers, be sure to tell them thanks for supporting us!

The podcast and the return of Wolf Country are just our first steps in the journey we are taking for the 2010 -11 school year. Be sure to stay with us for every new step as we strive to bring you quality student produced programming from Wolf TV, Your Timber Creek Connection.

August 27, 2010

by Samuel Morris

A New Season

While many educators are talking about the start of a new school year, at Wolf TV we think of it as a new season of broadcasting. We have to, we have become a working tv station. We are ready to build on the success of the previous year and grow the audience we serve and increase the skills we do that with.

Exciting things will happen this season. Two new programs will premiere in the fall - Look Both Wayz is a political and issue discussion program featuring the TCHS Debate team. They're good, and they'll show you why they are nationally ranked. Showcase will look at the local and indie music scene complete with videos and concert information. We may even have some national acts stop by the studio for a chat. In addition to new shows, we are tweaking our morning news for the campus. Viewers will still get their rundowns of club meetings and campus events, but will also get real news that affects the teen lifestyle. We will also hopefully have our first national live report from other STN affiliates.

In March, Wolf TV will be the host school for the 2011 national convention of the Student Television Network. We are extremely excited to represent OCPS in this national forum of student producers and reporters.

Stay tuned to Wolf TV to see these great developments, and remember, Wolf TV is Your Timber Creek Connection!

June 2, 2010

by Samuel Morris

A Word of Thanks

As another school year winds down, I think about how far Wolf TV has come since I first took over the program in 2008. Many changes have been made, from technical to procedural, and every one of them took some getting used to. At first, there was great resistance to my methods from the students. But after being encouraged to do better, and receiving praise for their efforts from sources outside the campus, they decided that maybe Mr. Morris wasn't all that wrong. This year there was still some adjustment going on, but mostly the student staff was looking to the future, trying to out perform the classes of the previous year. Their hard work paid off, and they caught the attention of the local PBS affiliate. Now we produce our monthly show not for our website, but for central Florida broadcast viewers. This is a huge change and leap forward for Wolf TV. It is abigger leap forward for the students, particularly for those who are planning careers in this industry. Their careers have begun now, because they have real viewers NOW.

None of the success of this year would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the Wolf TV staff. They are the ones who put in the extra time, extra effort, and extra care into their work. It was sometimes exciting, often frustrating, and usually challenging, but everyone of the students kept at it until they could deliver the best show possible. To these students I extend my heartfelt thanks and admiration. They have taught me as much as I have taught them, and they have inspired the next generation of Wolf TV producers and reporters.

Stay tuned, as we have even bigger plans for the 2010-11 school year. With less time and money at our disposal, I imagine this thankyou note will be much longer next year.

May 3, 2010

by Samuel Morris

Competition Season

We've reached the time when we have finished all our competitions for the year. Four national events and two local contests have once again shown us how far we dare to dream and reminded us of how far we have to go. Students have been able to measure themselves against other schools from around the nation and in Orange County. Some results were disappointing, others uplifting. At no time was any effort wasted, as not a single entry can go by without a student learning something. That something may be technical like how to make sure audio levels are consistant and clear, or it may be personal, such as learning to reconcile ones self to admitting that they could have tried harder or listened to instruction more. As I said, no effort on an entry is wasted.

I have been often asked why I push the students to compete. Most of the reason is what you have already read in this blog, but it goes a little further. Imagine a sports team that practices every day. Hard practice, like what would be put into a professional team with a coach that expects professional results. That team may become very good at their sport, but the effort is wasted if they never play a game. It won't be long before the player's interest in the team and in doing well wanes into apathy. The same is true for tv students who do not have the chance to have their work viewed and critiqued by industry insiders. Having positive support from outside the campus helps to improve the quality of the productions here at TCHS, but more importantly, it sows the seeds of professional behavior that we all want our students to demonstrate when they become adults.

Competition results also inspire the next generation of Wolf TV broadcasters. They want to not only be as good as those who went before them, but to do better than what the previous classes did. My advice to any program is that if you are not sending your work to contests, is to do so as soon as you can. Your students will learn more about doing a top notch job on their work from one judge's review sheet than you can present in a week of lectures. It is a great source of motivation for students, and ultimately pride for your program.

April 5, 2010

by Samuel Morris

Looking Ahead

It's the time of year when senior students are looking to their college careers and underclassmen are looking to next year. For Wolf TV, this means getting the next crew of dedicated students trained and ready to take over. Wolf TV has come a long way since I first arrived at Timber Creek, and still has a long way to go to be the program that we would like to see. We have been talking in class about the responsibility of being Wolf TV and serving the campus. Teamwork is paramount to having a sucessful station, just like it is paramount to having a wininng sports team. With all the students working together, I'm sure we can take Timber Creek to the top of the student broadcasting world and can meet any challenge that comes before us.

March 10, 2010

by Samuel Morris

A New Era

March marks the breginning of a new era for Wolf TV - one in which our programs are available to all of central Florida on broadcast television. WMFE, PBS in Orlando, has entered into a aprtnership with us to provide content for the new digital channels it offers. Our monthly newsmagazine, Wolf Country, is the first program to appear on WMFE Encore.

This means a lot for us. First, it shows that the students are producing a quality product, one which someone in the community has felt should be shared with many. Second, for those students who will be making media their chosen field, their begins now. Not after college, now. This will give them a great advantage when applying for positions later on.

All of this is possible only because of the dedication of the students. They have worked consistantly to create quality and that is sometimes hard to do. I am very proud of these students and the way they have made the show come first.

Wolf Country premeires on WMFE Encore on March 11th at 8 p.m. on broadcast channel 24-3. Brighthouse subscribers cna find the show on channel 1126, and Comcast viewers should turn to channel 203. Repeat showings will be Friday 3/19 at 10 p.m. and Saturday 3/27 at 7p.m.

March 10, 2010

by Samuel Morris

Why student media instruction is important

It is no secret that today's youth are much more the product of mass media than even my own "boomer" generation. Simply from the almost limitless range of media choices (tv, internet, cell phone, etc), today's kids are bombarded by images and influences that we never could have imagined in our youth. Navigating the deep waters of today's media requires an appreciation for what the media is, does, and intends. Not having that appreciation tends to make viewers the sheep and not the sheppard. That is why today's effective teachers of media present not only the technical knowledge to produce a media product, but wrap that knowledge in a blanket of media ethics and law. The result, hopefully, is students that can accept today's media for what it is, entertainment and commerce, and not a guide for living their lives.

At Wolf TV, here at Timber Creek, beginning media students are taught two things first - the First Amendment and copyright law. They are to understand that they have specific rights to express themselves, and specific responsibilities in how they do it. They will learn to produce media in a legal and ethical manner, and to take responsibility for their actions. These are skills that are vital to not only those students who will pursue careers in media, but for those who hope to hold any career in which they will be responsible for the product or service they represent.