Old Rochester Regional High School students are being immersed in the world of media thanks to the continued success of Bulldog TV.

The program, started in 2006, gives students a chance to produce, edit and report on school happenings through the guidance of teachers Deb Stinson and Lee Shionis. A fully functional studio and control room, editing docks and the chance to make a video news magazine are all at the kids’ fingertips.

Bulldog TV comprises TV production and video journalism classes and puts out talk show programs, school news, public service announcements and more on Channel 18, the local cable access educational channel.

Most of the equipment was given to school from ORCTV, the area’s local cable access provider.

“We get a nice range of students,” says Shionis, a former Emerson professor with a strong background in television work. “They’re so tech-savvy and creative, and come up with some really cool stuff.”

Bulldog TV produces quarterly 20-minute feature programs as well. Students 30-second “pitch reels” for stories and the class picks the best ones.

“Deb is the production technician and we co-teach the class,” Shionis says. “It’s the kind of class that needs two of us, because sometimes groups of kids will go shoot on location. And one of his can go with them while another stays with those editing. And sometimes the kids can go off on their own.”

“Lectures” involved working the cameras or switchboards and playing around with Final Cut Pro. The students are hands-on from day one, according to Shionis, and help guide the direction of the class.

“Some students go above and beyond,” she says. “We’ve had kids put the green on the floor with the cameras angled above them to look like they were flying. There’s no lack of creativity.”

Senior Sam Hill was interested in the production and video journalism classes after hearing good things from his friends.

"I like the reporting and film side of the program," Hill says. "Going out and being hands-on is good." Hill says he's had his fair share of "technical difficulties" in the middle of a shoot too, including a brand-new tripod breaking during the production of a music video.

Senior Mikey Durocher and Junior Tim Gonsalves like the editing part of the classes.

"You're in control of making a segment and using equipment and making it look good," Gonsalves says. "You can't do that in other classes."

Durocher, who plans on attending Full University in Florida for film production, agreed.

"It's cool to have everything at your fingertips," he says. "You have a chance to make things exactly how you want them."

Professionals in the media business also show up as guest speakers and work with the kids: Channel 5 Boston investigative reporter Sean Kelly talked with students about being embedded with the Massachusetts National Guard in Afghanistan; Rochester resident and ORR alumnus John Whoriskey—who is a part of the Frank the Bastard production team—spoke in May; plus alumnus and Channel 10 Providence reporter Parker Gavigan has stopped by.

With the addition of a new website and a push to upload more content online, Shionis thinks Bulldog TV just keeps getting better.

“The sky’s the limit,” she says. “It’s a great foundation for kids because they get to see there are so many options and jobs that require these skills. And what’s nice is Deb and I go more into the background with each new project. The kids just take over.”

Visit Bulldog TV online at http://www.bulldogtv.org/.