Features

Senior Vladimir Schiffelbein readies a DSLR camera, to ensure sharp focus of the interviewee.

LSHS students lead Viking TV

Student-created video production class releases monthly videos

Kira Butler (she/her) and Samuel Thurman (he/him) • March 3, 2025

What is VTV?

VTV, also known as Viking TV, is a class at LSHS where students lead the charge in making film content for the school and about the school.

“VTV is a class where, um students get to be creative and communicate with the school via our YouTube channel,” VTV teacher Barry Cogswell said.

Even though VTV happens during Video Production 2, these Video Production students show LSHS what it takes to make a VTV episode every month.

VTV students show dedication when it comes to these episodes. They work in groups to make different skits and videos for the episode, all while keeping up with regular school tasks.

Senior Josiah Asnake adjusts the camera to capture an interview for a future VTV episode. (Kira Butler (she/her))

Student involvement in class

This student-led class allows students to direct, act, record, or write scripts the way they want. Students in this class run the show. When it comes to editing a VTV episode, hosting an episode or deciding what films get chosen and put into the films, the students are doing everything.

“I facilitate as needed, but I really help out students as needed, but really it’s student-driven,” Cogswell said. This student-led environment mimics the way these students might work in the future.

Whether it be in filmmaking or in a regular grocery store, video production students are learning about the responsibility it takes to get work done.

A VTV clapperboard on the table logs scene details to prepare for the next take. (Kira Butler (she/her))

Planning of an episode

The planning that goes into an episode of VTV is more complicated than most may realize.

“VTV regular planning has tons of people with tons of different ideas, and we all have to kind of mold them into a skit to make it work within just one of the skits of VTV,” senior Vladimir Schiffelbein said.

Schiffelbein discussed how many ideas are brainstormed for a single video and then sorted into a few segments for each VTV episode. Planning a single episode is more complicated than most normal class assignments. Writing a script, creating a shot list and getting actors for the film can take over a week.

Junior Ryder Jensen positions the audio recorder and directional microphone, recording a voiceover with crisp audio. (Kira Butler (she/her))

The Production Process

During the video’s production, VTV students can film anywhere they want on campus. Production of the film gives these students the skills to learn what filming in a professional setting is like, such as dealing with the struggles of weather, continuity, and scheduling actors for films.

“Storyboarding, making shot lists and then eventually writing a script — after we do that, we’ll go out and we’ll film a scene,” junior Ryder Jensen said.

Overall, it gives students a place to be creative and have fun creating their own art. Whether it’s the funny bloopers while filming or the close teamwork and time the people spend with each other, students love being a part of the class and love producing these episodes.

Senior Kayla Gransee fine-tunes green-screen footage on the computer for the final VTV segment. (Kira Butler (she/her))

The Editing Process

The editing process of a VTV episode or skit is complex. Editing can be a real hassle, especially for longer episodes. Because of all the effects and cutting added to the film, it can take a student an entire week to finish editing one skit for an episode.

“Blood, sweat, and tears — mostly how I do it. I will take all the footage, I will review all of it, and then I’ll reference the scripts, and I’ll just start dropping clips in the timeline…The biggest part of the editing process for me is just constantly going back and forth,” Jensen said.

“I’ll make the edit. I’ll review the clip, see how it fits in the whole sequence. If I don’t like it, I go back, and I just do that over and over and over again until eventually we reach the final product when I think it’s suitable to turn in,” Jensen explained.

Junior Maeli Mounarath answers questions on film for a VTV segment. (Kira Butler (she/her))

Student Enjoyment

Whether it’s filming, editing or acting, the students all love what they do.

“VTV is a great class, I would say. It is one of the most fun classes that I think I’ve ever had.” Schiffelbein said.

Most of the students in VTV say that they love the energy of the classroom and that everyone has a unique idea and a unique film.

“When I look around the classroom any given day, most people are working and engaging with each other, which are signs to me that they’re enjoying themselves in this class,” Cogswell said.

VTV students enjoy making films to show off to the school community.

Come Join VTV

“If you like filmmaking, acting, or being goofy, that’s the perfect class for you,” Schiffelbein said.

VTV is mostly run by the students, and teacher, Barry Cogswell, is as enthusiastic about it as the kids are. Join VTV, so you don’t miss out on the fun.

Link to the VTV Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@vikingtv-gz2rr/videos