Communication Students Visit WVVA-TV

Students from Bluefield University’s Communications Department recently toured WVVA-TV and watched the production of a newscast.

The students toured the newsroom and interacted with different members of the WVVA news team, including Bluefield University alumna Kassidy Brown, who is now the social media manager for WVVA. During the tour, the students asked the news team questions about their job and how it impacts the news.

The students also learned how the production team manages green screen, camera controls, and other aspects of producing the news. In addition, they got to talk to the WVVA marketing team to learn how the TV station markets itself and how they get people to buy advertising to fund the production of the news.

“I have never thought about going the news route,” said freshman Communication student Parker Cottrell. “I have watched the news my whole life and never realized how much actually went into one show. There are a lot of deadlines they have to meet, and everyone has to be on the same schedule so the stories and shows can run smoothly. This was a very fun experience.”

The students got to watch the noon newscast live on the set to see what all goes on during the live shooting of the news. After the show, the students got to do their own weather report and learn about potential internships with WVVA

“This was overall a great experience, and I learned a lot,” said senior Communication major Jaxon Bast. “Although I may not see myself in a news setting, it did give me extra knowledge of how my major can be applied elsewhere.”