MTSU Production Department to Film ‘Bonnaroo’

By Kyle Miller

Raider Shakedown Reporter        

    

            MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee State University Production Department will conduct a video shoot of the “Bonnaroo Music Festival” in June 2015 that will involve students and instructors from the university.

"Bonnaroo" logo

            The Production Department reported that Production and Recording Industry students and professors will head to Manchester, Tenn., for the four-day concert festival from June 11^th to 14th. With this rare opportunity, department faculty hopes that students will gain the experience they need to enter the world of multi-cam production.

            The relationship with “Bonnaroo” began two years ago when MTSU College of Communication Dean Ken Paulson wanted ties with the concert festival. EMC professor Robert D. Gordon and RIM professor Michael Fleming garnered an agreement to film the Sonic stage at this year’s concert. Both professors understand the importance of students being a part of such a production.

            “Students will get a better appreciation for festivals,” said Gordon. “Many are done all the time. It’s as close to the real world without being paid for it.”

Robert D. Gordon

            For many students, this will be the first large-scale shoot that they have been a part of. The department’s leaders understand the challenge that can come from working with inexperienced people, but the students are eager to rise to the occasion.

            “It’s unlike anything you can do in a class,” said Stephanie Donithan, a sophomore at MTSU.

            Donithan, 20, is not a newcomer when it comes to off-campus productions with the school. She has been a part of many other shoots, including a telethon at the Ronald McDonald House in Nashville in April 2014 and 2015. The “Bonnaroo” shoot, however, will be very different.

            “This is a totally new experience for me,” she said. “But any experience is good experience.”

            Gordon reported that students will be handling every aspect of the production process. They will be working cameras, directing, assistant directing, and even doing some behind-the-scenes filming. Students are taught how to perform these tasks in class so they should be able to handle the shoot very well.

            “I’m excited about it,” said Gordon. “We’re trying to make it as realistic as possible.”

            The Production Department at MTSU is known for the special opportunities it gives its students. The experience it gives is very hands-on, which allows students a chance to see what working in the production field is really like. Professors work very close with their students to ensure that they know the rights and wrongs of multi-cam production.

            “It’s pretty incredible what the school does for its students,” Donithan said. “The teachers really help by letting us know about productions and internships.”

            If you would like to know more about the Production and Recording Industry departments, visit their websites at www.mtsu.edu/emc/ and www.mtsu.edu/recording-industry/.

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