Hoover High School is home to one of the most advanced Video Production studios in the country. With high-tech programs and state-of-the-art monitors, students are given the opportunity to work with professional tools to further their skills in the world of film. Recently, select students from the program were granted the opportunity to film an OHSAA football high school championship game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium Dec. 1. Video Productions
teacher Mr. Joshua Branch spoke about this opportunity.

“[These students] have already been in a real world production environment with the Hoover football scoreboard, and now they’re going to be at the next level, which is at Tom Benson Stadium,” he said. “Our students are going to be working in a world class facility, with similar, but different, equipment at a higher level, with more fans in front of them.”

Hoover High School 2004 alumnus and former VP student Mr. Joe Oberster assisted students while they experienced the technical aspects of the sports film industry. He shares about his experience working with high school students in a professional setting.

“Having the Hoover Video Production students on site at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium for the OHSAA state championship game was a very positive experience for everyone involved,” he said. “Members of our crew had the opportunity to share their skills and experience with hungry students eager to learn, and those students had a unique experience for someone in their position.”

Oberster goes on to explain what each student was responsible for during the experience, and a few skills that they learned along the way.

“They were able to gain hands-on experience and instruction in a professional environment by participating as camera operators, scoreboard video playback operators, and even as a technical director for a short time,” he said. “Those that didn’t get the opportunity to use the equipment were free to observe any position of the crew as closely as they wanted. Each student left the stadium, at the very least, having seen their profession of interest more closely than anyone else of their age and experience level.”

Senior Minas Paxos is a current student in Video Productions who was able to experience working at The Hall of Fame.

“I love sports and I’ve been around them my whole entire life and I was given the chance to be a part of the Hoover Football Scoreboard [crew]. This is one of the best opportunities for this program that I’ve been a part of during my time,” he said.

Going along with this, Branch shares why he thinks real-world opportunities like this are important for high school students.

“Here at Hoover Video Productions, we’re all about authentic learning experiences. We want students to connect what we’re doing in the classroom with what they can do outside. These are real paying jobs that exist for them out of high school/college, and we want them to see a path moving forward,” he said.

Oberster shares some final thoughts, as he expresses similar views regarding opportunities, and taking advantage of them early on.

“When it comes to a profession like video production, there is no replacement for real-world experience,” he said. “To properly prepare yourself for the challenges that any job or career will throw your way, you’ve got to get out there and just dive in, for better or worse. The most important lessons I’ve learned in my career came by way of making mistakes, and you have to leave the classroom to have the opportunity to make those mistakes.”