You are on your couch by yourself, at a bar with your friends, or at dinner with your family and you are watching one of Florida State University’s (FSU) famous basketball games. The score is close and it’s the last few seconds. All of a sudden, our team rushes to the end of the court and the cameras zoom in. 3… 2… 1— FSU goes for the three-pointer and you get a perfectly clear shot of them making the ball into the net! You find yourself jumping up and down for joy wherever you may be.
This is just one example of what Seminole Productions creates for viewers. I got the opportunity to speak with team member Emma Felton about everything you need to know about Seminole Productions.
Her Campus (HC): What is Seminole Productions?
Emma Felton (EF): Seminole Productions is a department within Florida State whose current focuses include live sports broadcasting, sports venue entertainment and special event production. It is mostly made up of student volunteers who get a chance to learn the behind-the-scenes of producing live sports broadcasts from industry professionals.
As for the history of Seminole Productions, it was established in 1987 as a video production company designed to give students a chance to gain professional experience working on televised sports productions. It was one of the first programs of its kind and has inspired the formation of other programs like it at other universities. Besides live broadcasts, Seminole Productions has also produced various award-winning TV shows such as Seminole Uprising.
HC: How did you discover Seminole Productions?
EF: I vaguely heard about Seminole Productions during my junior year through a friend in my same major. They accept new volunteers at the beginning of each semester, so as soon as the spring semester came I made sure to join.
HC: What is your position and what is your favorite part about this position?
EF: One of my favorite things about Seminole Productions is that we don’t typically stay in the same positions. Some positions I usually work in include camera operator, video shading and instant replay. I like all of them for different reasons, but my favorite is being a camera operator. When I first started at Seminole Productions, I got scheduled a lot to assist, then later operate, the courtside game camera for basketball. This has always been my favorite sport; now I get to be one of the closest people to the game in the stadium. I’ve gotten really comfortable with that specific camera.
HC: What are some of the advantages of being in media production?
EF: A big advantage to being in media production is that it is a very current and growing field. As technology advances and social media becomes more prevalent, many companies are recognizing the need for professional video production to showcase their brand. Another advantage of pursuing a career in media production is that it’s exciting and fun. There are a lot of repetitive jobs out there, but most jobs in media production give you frequent opportunities to work on new projects and meet new people.
HC: Do you find yourself working more in groups or solo?
EF: I would say it’s a good mix of both. On set days, where we set up all the equipment ahead of time for important broadcasts, we work in groups the entire time. On typical game days, whether or not I work alone depends on my position. If I’m operating a camera, I always have an assistant to handle the cables, but if I’m in a control room position, I typically work on my own equipment. It is a group effort so even if I am working alone, there are always people to help with any set-up or equipment issues no matter what position I’m in.
HC: What advice would you give someone who wants to join?
EF: I would say go for it and don’t be nervous. It can seem overwhelming at first because everything moves at such a quick pace, but don’t be afraid to ask questions when you are confused about something. Everyone there truly wants to help you learn. Also, this is cliche but, you really do get out of it what you put into it. If you want to be on the schedule frequently, you must be willing to give a lot of time.
HC: What would you say are potential future opportunities for someone involved in Seminole Productions?
EF: Seminole Productions gives you a great base of knowledge to pursue numerous different careers in journalism or media production. One potential opportunity is to get hired by Seminole Productions either while still a student or after graduation. While volunteering, students have the opportunity to try out to be in-game hosts or ACCN sideline reporters. Those who get one or both of those roles are often hired as on-air talent for news outlets or sports networks after graduation. Some other potential future opportunities are producing and directing.
A great thing about Seminole Productions is that it teaches a lot of transferable skills. Even if you don’t want to go into sports broadcasting necessarily, you can still use the skills you learn in other careers.
HC: What is the coolest experience you have had thus far?
EF: Last semester, ESPN offered a tour of an ACCN TV truck to all Florida State production students and staff. This was a really cool experience for me because I was able to meet and talk to people who are in careers similar to what I’m working toward. I was also really happy to see several women in high positions. As a woman, it is a little nerve-wracking to pursue a career in sports, but it made me feel so much better to meet women not much older than me who have been extremely successful in the field.
Wherever you may be watching your next game, remember that all of this is possible thanks to the amazing team at Seminole Productions and members like Emma Felton. Check out their social media for behind-the-scenes content and updates.
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