Hornet Report is Causing a Buzz at Holmdel High School

“Lights…camera…action!”

For students in the TV Production classes and the Television Production Society at Holmdel High School, those words roll easily off the tongue. Under the guidance of their teacher, David Kaiserman, the enthusiastic students are learning every facet of television production, from scriptwriting and camerawork to lighting, sound, and editing skills. More than just a study of how it’s done, the program allows students the chance to actually do it themselves, as evidenced by a recent visit to the school’s impressive television production studio. There, a busy crew of young technicians and on-air talent gathered for a general pre-production meeting and rehearsal shoot. 

Intensity mixed with exuberance as the students hurried about their tasks, clearly comfortable with the high-tech equipment that includes computers, sound boards, microphones, cameras, spotlights, teleprompters, editing equipment, character generators, and more. When they’re not working in the studio, the students are also well-versed in going on location shoots, having covered a number of school and community events and traveling with a well-stocked “location bag” filled with audio wires, windscreens, earpieces, extension cords, flashlights, duct tape, miscellaneous camera lenses, and other items that would prove useful in any type of unexpected television production emergency.

Currently, the high school’s program of studies includes two levels of TV Production classes, with hopes of incorporating a third course into next year’s curriculum, which would possibly allow students the opportunity to go on live location shoots. The popular program is in demand as students, who usually start off without any production skills and quickly gain a mastery and a passion for them, seek to continue working in the studio and expanding their abilities even after they’ve finished the class. Plans are also in the works for links to the district website and the ability to screen their projects with an LCD projector in the Holmdel High School Commons. In addition, the school boasts an active membership in the extracurricular Television Production Society, so at any time, there may be a mix in the studio of up to 20 students who either are, or have been, in the class and/or the society. Together, they work under Mr. Kaiserman’s careful eye but laidback approach, as he shares their happy enthusiasm and easy rapport while allowing them to learn through hands-on experience. 

A Holmdel native, a filmmaker, and the former Holmdel Township Film Commissioner, Mr. Kaiserman brings a his own wealth of experience to his new position at Holmdel High School, where he has stepped in to fill the spot left empty by Mr. Benedict’s retirement last year. Shaking his head and smiling in disbelief at the way in which he has come full circle at the school, he also pointed out the expensive camera equipment that is used in the studio, remembering how, years ago, he arranged for the three cameras, valued at $65,000, to be donated to the school by Comcast. “They were considered state-of-the-art then, and they’re still excellent cameras,” he explained. “I never expected that someday I’d be teaching here and working with them.” By the time this story goes to press, the studio will also include three new, upgraded teleprompters to go with the five editing stations, 14 microphones, and other equipment.

On the day of the visit to the studio, the students were rehearsing for their weekly taping of “The Hornet Report,” which airs each Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. on cable channel 97 in Holmdel and features segments about the various sports teams and student athletes. Working alongside the crew were Assistant Principal Mr. Richard Katz, who manned one of the cameras, and Athletic Director Mr. Randy Westrol, who filled in for girls’ basketball coach Bob Ward as a guest interviewee on camera. Mr. Kaiserman and the students have been extremely grateful for the enormous support that the school administrators have shown for their efforts.

Although it’s important to note that the “cast of characters” who are in the studio at any time constantly changes throughout each day, those who were present at the afternoon’s rehearsal represented the range of abilities that are necessary to pull together a quality production. They included:

Jennifer Pomarico, who operates the character generator to create graphics, names, transition effects, and credits; Monica Marciszewski, an on-air anchor who presents reports and interviews guests; Tom Longo, who works on editing and audio to make changes, add graphics, and help mix video; Joe Ponisi, who works on production as well as appearing as an anchor and assists with everything from setting up guests to scriptwriting to editing content; Joe Pomarico, an editor and technical director who somehow edits segments that run too long so that they appear seamless and “live,” Michaela Paris, whose screenwriting and research skills can take a script and bring life to show; and Jack Trimble, president of the TV Society, who works on teleprompters, writing scripts, and “making sure things go smoothly every week;” Michael Stanziale, floor manager and assistant director, in charge of setting up shots, microphones, and getting things ready on the set; and Sal Trento, the director and “head honcho” of the creative side, who makes sure everyone is doing their jobs.

Be sure to tune in to cable channel 97 on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. to watch the latest episode of The Hornet Report, and mark your calendars now for the date of the annual Holmdel High School Film Festival, scheduled for April 24 at 7:00 p.m., where everyone can see some of the Television Production students’ latest cinematic masterpieces.