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Calvin Video Network flourishes in '03
By Kristin VanderKam
Guest Writer
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Jon Shaw and Chad Terpstra man the cameras.
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Calvin’s very own video network student organization has seen many new and exciting things this academic year. From going “on-air” to working with the CAS department to expand their services and importance on campus, CVN has crossed some important hurdles in the recent past.
Many of us may not know what CVN is or what it does. If you live off-campus their presence may be even less noticeable to you. Living on campus you may only recall CVN by the familiar faces you see as you flip through the few channels you have in the dorms.
However, with recent determination from CVN’s leadership team and its more than twenty participants, the student organization has increased awareness of itself around campus with several new projects. Some of you may wonder, “Who are those people who are taping Airband, Rangeela and other campus events?” They people are your very own CVN student members. They are currently finishing the editing of both the Airband and Rangeela videos as well as re-editing the video they made with producer Philip Lee.
Another major accomplishment for CVN this year is going on-air. Five shows currently run on CVN throughout the week. Many of them involve student participation and discussion for what is on the minds of Calvin students.
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Shaw and Luke Slendebroek block view of blue screen.
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Airing Monday nights is “The Hot Seat.” Males and females question one another about why they do the things they do. “The Hot Seat” is your opportunity to be on TV because it is hosted by student volunteers.
“The Hot Seat is a fun, informative show that gives students the opportunity to be on-air and ask the opposite sex questions they have been dying to know,” explains senior Tiffany Leighton, CVN’s general manager. Either three females or three males will question one member of the opposite sex about their respective gender to try and figure out what in the world is going on in their brain. “CFR 159,” hosted by Brendan Schoone-Jongen, Jon Spee and Ryan Bytwerk is a variety of short comedic film skits.
The third show on-air this year through CVN is “Debate This,” hosted by Steve Zaagman and Becky Stein. “Debate This” focuses on relevant issues—well, sometimes irrelevant issues—which are then debated by each host for two minutes. In other words, if you missed the evening news do not count on “Debate This” to be a substitute but if you catch yourself in the middle of a debate around campus and have no idea what the issue is, tune into “Debate This” on Tuesday nights. More than likely the very same issue will come up, and you will feel confident to put your two cents in next time you find yourself in such a situation.
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Brian Risselada and Pete Oudbier monitor the monitors.
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CVN has tapped into the minds of their target audience by finding out what shows they really like and then creating something similar with more relevance for their Calvin viewers. Need an example? In the new show on CVN, “Crib,” host Richard Thomas will come to your dorm, apartment or off-campus dwelling place and put your pad on display for the Calvin community. So start cleaning and re-decorating because CVN may want your living quarters on the next episode of “Cribs.”
The fifth and final show airing on CVN this year is “Rant and Rave,” hosted by Jon Shaw and Luke Slendebroek. Students discuss what is on their minds and hear what other students have to say about the topic. Filming of this show will soon be taking place in Johnny’s, the Fish House and other locations, so keep your eyes open for your opportunity to be on TV around campus.
Besides the plethora of new shows airing on CVN and their work with campus events, CVN is working hard to bring more opportunities for students to participate in and take advantage of what CVN has to offer. Next years' hopeful leadership team for CVN is already discussing possible credited classes with CVN as hands-on experience.
“As technology develops at an amazing pace, it is important for students to have experience with video equipment and programming before they graduate. With cooperation from the CAS department, CVN hopes to make that possible in the near future,” said Leighton.
Further projects include the production of a short film, of which CVN is currently in the preproduction phase. More information about it will be made available at a later date. CVN is also working hard to bring movies back to its programming. Bringing movies to air on CVN has not been an easy feat.
“We will need the help of the student body to state their desire for the movies to return to CVN. A petition or survey will make its way out to the student body soon,” explains Leighton.
With all the recent events and new programming taking place at CVN, it is no doubt that you will be seeing and hearing more of the student organization. Keep your eyes open for exciting opportunities CVN has to offer to you.
To participate in one of CVN’s on-air shows e-mail cvn@calvin.edu.
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