The Streaming Chronicles - Introduction
The world of live streaming has changed in a million ways since I started streaming high school sporting events.
It used to take an entire van load of equipment to get a 2 camera shoot off the ground. We didn’t really know what we were doing; we were just doing it. It was fun and exciting for me and my students. Was it frustrating? Yes. Did I say some words that I probably shouldn’t have along the way? Maybe. Did the students learn something? Absolutely. Well, that’s what I’m here for. I am here to share my experiences with you to help you not make the same mistakes I did as I built our streaming program. In the last 8 years, my students and I have streamed thousands of live events around the state of Georgia and made millions of mistakes.
In 2018, I started a new program at Morgan County High School in Madison, Georgia. This was my first foray into “real” school after spending my first 7 years at a career academy. We did a pretty good job on the year. My students and I streamed over 120 sports events, produced over 120 live newscasts along with a host of other products. We were named the 2019 NFHS Network Best New Program as a result. Here is a link to the recap of our school year.
My hope is that through my mistakes, you can excel. You will learn that sometimes one camera is better than 3. Graphics are best served basic and that students are the best part of the job.
I hope to also introduce you to new equipment to make your life easier and your shows better. I hope that you learn to say shows instead of streams (it’s just a pet peeve but I believe the words we use to determine the attitude we have toward the product). It’s going to be a fun ride and I hope that you can laugh at my expense while getting a ton of ideas.
Next time, it’s all about graduation!
Meet the Author, Tom White
Tom White is the digital media instructor at Morgan County High School in Madison, GA. Currently teaching TV production and animation pathways, Tom's programs have received state and national honors including the 2016 NFHS Network School Broadcast Program Of The Year.
Prior to teaching, Tom was a marketing, promotions, and online content director for a major radio corporation in Atlanta. Tom studied exercise science at High Point University prior to his radio career. Despite his winding career path, his mother still thinks he is special.
