Posted by Jason Geller on Tue, Jan 24, 2012 @ 01:18 PM
“Our Group or Family” 4/12 Nights!
Nathan Matsoukas discusses his classmates / team members, and how close they all become through their studies at the Ohio Center for Broadcasting - Colorado Campus.
Posted by Lindsay Hoey on Wed, Dec 21, 2011 @ 09:52 AM
By Bill Natale
Executive Director, Chicago Campus
Illinois Center for Broadcasting
bnatale@beonair.com
Broadcasting is often thought of as a fun, glamorous and fast-paced industry. As an almost 40 year veteran I know that broadcasting truly does encompass all of these things, but it is also much more. Broadcasters record history as it happens, shape ideas and catalogue events. The broadcast industry has given me some of the most rewarding experiences in my life, and it has taught me something new every day of my career.
I developed a passion for broadcasting at a young age after I laid eyes on a professional camera for the first time. It was at that moment when I knew exactly where I belonged: in the world of broadcasting.
The year before I attended St. Patrick High School in Chicago, the school received a switcher, audio console, lighting equipment, a film/slide chain and two cameras from WGN-TV as a way to connect the three buildings within our campus.
The staff cleared out a storage space above the stage in the athletic building. An alumnus along with a couple of his WGN colleagues donated their time and skill to wire up a TV studio and a closed circuit system for our school. Everything was in place by the time I became a freshman.
As a founding member of the St. Pat’s TV Club, I learned how to use this equipment. I was fascinated by the electronics and the protocol required for producing a program and worked hard with our crew of 7 to broadcast from the school studio. This was the start of my broadcasting career.
Before long, the TV Club was broadcasting sold out basketball games. During my four years at St. Pat’s, the team went on to high school regional playoffs and even competed one year at the state championship level, giving us great fan support eager to view our broadcasts. For me, being a camera operator covering a live sporting event was exhilarating. I realized then that I had to be a broadcaster.
Now as a camera operator, a member of the National Association of Broadcast Employees, Technicians and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Directors Guild of America, and as the Executive Director of a broadcasting college, I have had a career that has been exciting, challenging and lucrative. I have had a chance to travel on assignments throughout the U.S. and also to cities in Europe, Asia and Africa on someone else’s dime while being paid for my services as a camera operator, TV producer or director. I’ve also had the fun and fortune to work NBA play-off games, the NBC Michael Jordan golf tournament, NHL and IHL hockey and MLB games.
In thirty-eight years in the business, I have never once regretted getting up and going to work. Isn’t that the kind of career you ultimately want?
If you’re interested in seeing the fun and exciting places broadcasting can take you, it’s important to learn more about the industry, gain an education and get some internship experience. Many educational and experiential programs take only a year to complete, so with a little hard work and a lot of passion, you can be on your way to a successful career in no time!
Posted by Lindsay Hoey on Mon, Nov 28, 2011 @ 01:06 PM
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By Tish Hevel
Executive Director; Regional Operations Manager
Ohio Center for Broadcasting - Columbus Campus
thevel@beonair.com
There’s no doubt that working in broadcasting has its perks. We meet all kinds of people, some of them famous. We have access to places and situations most folks never see or do. And often history is made right before our eyes.
But the bonus we get this Holiday season may top them all, because we’re working our power to unite people in a super meaningful way.
Our OCB campuses are inviting military family and friends to come and record what we’re calling a Digital Care Package - a personalized video greeting to service members stationed away from home this season. Folks can come in to our studios, get a little styling from some hair and make-up experts, then go in front of the camera to share the love. We’ll produce the message with a special holiday flair and post it on the sender’s Facebook wall or email it to them to share themselves.
We in broadcasting have seen the power that video has…to entertain, inform, show what really happened, and document important events. But, if you ask me, our skills and resources are never put to better use than when we literally connect people. It truly is all that matters.
For more information on how to participate in OCB’s Digital Care Package recordings, go to http://www.blog.beonair.com/celebrate-the-holidays-by-sending-a-digital-care-package and contact the campus closest to you for details.
Posted by Lindsay Hoey on Tue, Nov 22, 2011 @ 04:13 PM
By Andrew Kizito
International Student, Ohio Center for Broadcasting Colorado Campus
Hometown: Uganda
My name is Andrew Kizito. I was born and raised in Uganda East Africa. I moved to the U.S a couple of years ago and last year I moved to Colorado in search of a good place to pursue my dreams…I found Colorado to be that place.
First of all because of its beautiful mountains and people who are so friendly. Plus, Denver is a beautiful city small enough to drive through in an hour and the cost of living is fair enough compared to the east coast where I lived before.
I have met and made good relationships in Denver that are so helpful in "my pursuit of happiness". I am currently attending a broadcasting school in Lakewood (Ohio Center for Broadcasting – Colorado Campus) and I cannot wait to take these professional skills back to my homeland when I graduate next year.
Stay tuned for my next blog on my experiences in Colorado, and in the next few weeks I will be doing a video blog of what happens in my new found community!!!
Posted by Lindsay Hoey on Fri, Nov 18, 2011 @ 11:53 AM
By Gary James
National Career Services Director
Ohio Center for Broadcasting - Cleveland Campus
GJames@BeOnAir.com
This year’s 9th Annual Ohio Center for Broadcasting Job Fair was a hit with graduates and employers alike. The fair Featured 27 exhibitors, including 9 that participated in a Virtual Reality setting via Skype. This is the second year we had stations participate via Skype, and we doubled the number of stations that interviewed graduates using this technology. These employers represented over 125 employment units and stations, from California to Maine! David Beech, News Director at KOLO TV in Reno said after the fair, “This was awesome! I met several people that I am looking forward to talking with further.”
We began hosting the Job Fair in 2003 in response to employers' growing need to meet FCC regulations, and have watched the fair grow tremendously every year since. We now hold at least two fairs every year at our different campuses. This year, we had over 100 graduates attend the fair, where they spent a couple of hours networking and learning about new career opportunities.
A production house owner in Ohio told me after the fair, “I think I found 2-3 new employees.” This is great news for the OCB family!
We also hold the Job Fair as a way for graduates to build their professional network. Often, people will attend an event like this and walk away feeling like it was not successful because they didn’t come away with an offer. However, I remind every grad that just by attending a job fair, they are taking an important step in starting the process.
Here are some tips we give our grads:
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Job seekers need to be persistent and focused in the search. I had several employers say the current climate is “a Buyer’s Market,” meaning they can hire anyone they want, and what they want is someone with good follow-through.
- The 90 days after the fair are very important in your job search. Not only do you need to follow up with the people you met, but you also need to pursue any additional opportunities.
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Show potential employers that you are organized, attentive to detail and, most importantly, that you have a positive attitude.
Often you hear job seekers complain about how slow the job search is during the holidays. Because of this, many job seekers will cease looking for a job around Thanksgiving and will not return to the search until after the New Year. Since so many take this approach, if you stay focused on the search throughout the holidays you will increase your odds of starting a new career in the New Year. Over the past 10 years I have found December and January to be a great time for grads to get hired, so stay committed!
Posted by Lindsay Hoey on Tue, Nov 15, 2011 @ 07:52 PM
By Stephanie Pacheco-McRae
International Sales & Marketing Manager
OhioCenterfor Broadcasting - Colorado Campus
smcrae@beonair.com
Colorado is home to a new international training program! The Ohio Center for Broadcasting (OCB) has launched their international radio and TV program at their Colorado Campus. Students from all over the world can now get multi-media training in the United States. Not sure what classes to take? At OCB you don’t have to decide – it’s all included in our 11 ½ month program! You’ll learn both aspects of being on air and behind the scenes for both radio and tv (and everything in between).
Don’t get weighed down with theory and books, come and get experience. OCB’s courses eliminate traditional classroom style lectures and give students the chance to “play” on the equipment. OCB students can enjoy the indoor playground which includes two TV studios, access to three internet radio stations, 15 audio studios and two editing bays, all without leaving campus. Take a peak inside our world.
In addition to fun on campus, students can also intern with professional sports teams and at nationally recognized stations. Hear what some of our grads have to say about their internship experience. Don’t just learn broadcasting skills – apply them!
Your year will fly by and be a mixture of learning both in the classroom and in the community. Our class schedule allows for a flexible schedule for students to get trained, intern and experience life in the US, especially beautiful and sunny Colorado.
Don’t forget to pack your parka, swimsuit, hiking boots, sneakers, and dancing shoes. Colorado is one of the few states in the country (and world) to have all four seasons (Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall). The campus is located within one hour of the mountains, minutes from Downtown Denver and steps for diverse shopping, dining and entertainment venues. Get a better look at Colorado by viewing this video or clicking play in the box below. Don’t just experience broadcasting, experience Colorado!
One of the most asked questions is, “what type of visa should I apply for?” Students accepted into OCB’s program will receive an I20 which will then allow the student to apply for an M-1 visa. For more information on an M-1 visa, click here. Let OCB help you be in the USA!
If you’re ready to pack your bags and be on air and in the USA, call us at +1 (303) 233-4484 or email smcrae@BeOnAir.com. Still want more information? Go to www.BeOnAir.com/USA.
Posted by Lindsay Hoey on Wed, Nov 09, 2011 @ 09:22 AM
Illinois Center for Broadcasting Chicago Campus student Jessica Guido internviews Mayor Rahm Emanuel about his current educational initiatives.
By Bill Natale
Executive Director - Chicago Campus
natale.b@beonair.com
The Illinois Center for Broadcasting (ICB), Chicago Campus was honored on Monday, November 7, 2011 with the visit of Mayor Rahm Emmanuel.
On January 16, 2011, Mayor Michael B. Hancock will grace our Denver campus with his presence.
Mayors in major cities such as Denver and Chicago get thousands of requests each year from corporations, organizations and schools (elementary, secondary and post-secondary institutions) for a visit from the CEO of the city.
So why are these visits so significant?
Like the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval that marketers vie to acquire for their product, a Mayoral visit provides credibility that is not easy to come by.
In the case of the Chicago Campus, it took several petitions, some requests made in person at public events (literally approaching the Mayor as he entered or left a venue) and some made in writing to get his Honor to consider a request to visit our institution. Once we had the Mayor’s attention, his press attaché and scheduling teams requested materials (print and, in our case, video) regarding the purpose and mission of ICB. In the materials we sent, it didn’t hurt that esteemed Congressman Danny Davis, Secretary of State Jesse White and State Senator Kirk Dillard provided remarks of praise for the curriculum and program of the Ohio/Illinois Centers for Broadcasting.
Once gaining a “green light” for consideration of an actual visit, we still had to undergo an inspection of the campus by the advance team for security, press exposure and other considerations.
Initially, the Mayor was scheduled to appear as a commencement speaker for our October 26 graduation ceremony for our January Days Classes of Chicago and Lombard campuses. Unfortunately, the Mayor had to cancel that appearance at the last minute, which is not unusual when dealing with such high a high profile public official. We were elated when the Mayor’s team called immediately after that cancellation to see if a visit could be rescheduled.
And so on the afternoon of Monday, November 7, ICB was pleased to have Mayor Rahm Emanuel greet our students in the audio studios at La Salle; ask them about their projects; address a class about the importance of staying in school and learn about the marketable skills that we teach at the college. To the Mayor’s credit, he apologized publicly during his time with us for not making the visit on October 26th.
It is truly an honor and a “seal of approval” that both the Chicago and Denver campuses had their Mayors, within a span of only a few months, take time from their incredibly busy schedules to see why we are the place where broadcasting careers begin.
Posted by David Huffman on Wed, Oct 26, 2011 @ 09:01 PM
Bob the Producer Berry joined WEBN-FM to produce comedy bits in 1988. Before that, he was production director at WKRC-AM for nearly 10 years, where he did on-air bits with his boyhood idol, afternoon DJ Rich King, as King’s omnipresent producer, Fred Geschnottennon. Strange but true: The 1967 LaSalle HS grad was encouraged by teachers there to study chemistry at UC!
Goofy Bob did all kinds of things for WEBN-FM, including having Dawn Patrol cohort Eddie Fingers broadcast a play-by-play of Bob’s vasectomy. Bob, the good West Side Catholic boy, interviewed little old ladies on Good Friday climbing the Immaculata Church steps in Mount Adams and asked them: “Mind if I pray through?”
In preparation for his visit to our Ohio Center for Broadcasting Cincinnati campus, we sent Bob a few questions. Interview below.
OCB: When or how did you decide radio was the career for you?
Bob: I was at U.C. as a chemistry major (kept me out of Vietnam) and I wanted to
do something a lil different. I'd always been told I was funny (by my friends, in school) so I thought a career in radio would be a good choice.
OCB: When exactly did you become "Bob the Producer"?
I became Bob the Producer" when I started at ebn 12/26/88. I was hired to b a 'behind-the-scenes' producer--to write bits for Robin & Eddie, to book guests. Eddie dubbed me Bob the Producer-there was a 'greg the producer' before me who wasn't there long.
OCB: What is your most favorite memory of your time with the Morning Show?
Hard to pick one. I guess when Carly Simon was in the studio, I was bein silly & she invited me to join her at Bogart's. I did & I was actually on stage with her singin "You're so Vain".
OCB: What is the one piece of advice you would give to any student as they work their way through "the program".
Don't want to dampen anyone's enthusiasm, but stay with it. Breakin into radio's not easy
(cuz of voice-trackin). It's changed a lot. Be well versed in digital & nothing is beneath you to get in the door.
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Posted by David Huffman on Fri, Oct 14, 2011 @ 04:40 AM
By Jodi Franks
franks.j@beonair.com
Once you’ve signed the paperwork to become a student with the Ohio Center for Broadcasting, you have made the decision to become a Broadcasting Professional. Everything you do from that moment forward shapes who and what you will become in this industry. Simply sitting in a studio, or turning on a camera does not make you a good broadcaster. Five years ago, hours of daily show prep would set you apart from the competition, but what does it take now?
As a young broadcaster, you have the challenge of learning how to master multi-media. Even working for a radio station, you need to be able to shoot, edit, and upload video. In addition to website updates, there’s content generation, Facebook, Twitter, and Podcasting, just to name a few.
Our industry has gone through tremendous change during our time in a bad economy. Television and Radio Sales, while still a very lucrative field, has the challenge of trying to come up with innovative ways to grab coveted advertising dollars from businesses who are working with half or less of what their advertising budget may have been 5-10 years ago. What that means for “talent” is more commercials, more music and “less” you. You now have the challenge of finding a way to be topical, informative, and connected with your audience in as little as 30-60 seconds at a time.
What kind of talent you will be will be determined by the extra things you do to connect to your listeners/viewers, and the advertisers who target that audience.
- Do you have a Facebook Fan page?
- How active is your Twitter account?
- How many times a week do you blog?
Those are just 3 things that are at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to social engagement. While there are still those out there who believe that Social Media is an impersonal way to connect, a hassle, or just too much trouble to understand. I maintain they are missing out on an excellent opportunity to connect with people on a much deeper level. In the end, Social Media is as much about raising up others around you than it is about promoting yourself.
Yesterday I came across this great article from Radio Ink Magazine that I hope you can take the time to check out. It may seem ominous in the first couple of paragraphs, but pretty inspirational at the end: Here’s What’s going to Happen to Radio.
Lastly, I wanted to share another article from Radio Ink from last February. I’m interested to see how you feel about both articles. Both are excellent, thought provoking pieces about the evolution of our industry: RADIO EXEC SAYS "SUCKERS INVEST IN PANDORA"
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Posted by David Huffman on Wed, Oct 12, 2011 @ 04:58 AM
By Tanesha Manuel
November Days Graduate
Illinois Center for Broadcasting
I recently edited a trailer for a feature film starring Harry Lennix (Five Heartbeats, Ray, The Matrix) entitled “Mr. Sophistication,” written & directed by Danny Green (Coach Carter, Star Trek, Flight of Phoenix). The way this project came to my attention was through a referral made by Bill Natale, Executive Director for the Illinois Center for Broadcasting, Chicago Campus. Bill and Harry are friends, so when Mr. Lennix asked if ICB Chicago could recommend a grad to edit the trailer, I was selected. The rest is history.
I must say that I was prepared for this opportunity. A number of weeks prior to the request by Hollywood, our class had a group project entitled “Community Spotlight.” I had to present an entertainment segment that featured a movie review. The movie trailers I chose were too long for the segment. I recut the trailers of several summer blockbusters from 3 minutes into 30 seconds.
During the time I spent on my class project, I learned how to capture the essence of a story and engage viewers within seconds. Fast forward a few weeks later, after my graduation and I’m offered an incredible opportunity, to do a trailer for a renowned actor and a widely acclaimed director. I was determined to make the most of this chance of fate and professional career opportunity.
As to the trailer, Harry Lennix did not give me any guidelines or instruction whatsoever other than the directive, “I need a two minute trailer.” Upon completion of my assignment, Harry and Danny had nothing short of praise and admiration for how I encapsulated the story of the movie with the use of a few clips. They were very pleased and I’m grateful to have been a part of it.
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Interested in learning more about careers you can pursue with training from the Illinois Center for Broadcasting?