Photos and Writing by Andrew Tabit
Every semester students at Washington State University's Murrow College of Communication create four unique shows to be broadcast on the universities Cable-8 network. These student produced shows range from sketches, news shows, dramas or scripted comedies. Each show only produces 6 episodes, typically just 14 to 20 minutes long, however each of these episodes takes hours of time and teams of as many as 20 actors, directors, producers and crew members to shoot and edit each episode.
The Cable-8 Show Petrichor, has already produced 5 episodes and has made a name for itself taking its time to get every shot, every edit and every line just the way they needed. Using a variety of tools, the Petrichor team goes to each shoot focused and with hours of work already done ahead of time to ensure they get every shot they need and everything looks as cinematic and moving as possible. The photo’s below document how much work goes into the different phases of production of a student produced show.
Jacob Granneman, director of the Cable 8 show Petricore reviewing a shot on his camera. He scouts each location before filming and reviews each take he gets assuring he got what he needed.
Crew member Nathan Senff waiting between shots on location for the first shoot of the semester holding a boom mic, Nathan was just one of many crew members on hand at that shoot and every Petrichor shoot.
Director Granneman working with his cast while associate producers and crew members wait in the background. Even after writing the episode and scouting locations, nothing can be shot until each actor knows exactly what is expected of them in each scene.
Once the scene is set and actors have their direction shooting can actually begin on any particular scene.
While a tripod shooting about level with the actors is enough for many shots, complex scenes require a number of different angles inluding some that require getting on the ground with your gear.
Another shot of the same scene happening. Many of these shots only capture one or two particular actions, and will only be featured for a fraction of a second, but as a Director, Granneman knows what it will take to create a compelling looking scene.
Even after having every angle he knows he needs, Granneman and his crew experiment with close ups and "hypersound" shots to create more interesting scenes. These shots are incredibly tight on a specific action and will feature amplified audio of the action takign place to diversify the shots in any given scene.
After a long day of shooting it takes the whole team to tear down and transport a productions worth of gear back from location every time.
Some scenes require specific lighting and and enviornments like this night shoot in which the cast stands on a sky bridge over stadium way only lit by panels placed just off camera.
Finally after production comes the process of editing hours worth of footage into a single 14 to 20 minute episode. Here Jacob and his team seek the help of Cable 8 president Jake Siriani and V.P. Ari Wyatt. Editing can take hours to finish a single scene and editors often work long into the night to finish projects before deadlines.
