Student-Run Podcast & Multi-Camera Broadcast Production Studio
Omar Rodriguez
ID-4013
School Name:Immokalee Technical College
Grant Request Grade:Adult Ed
Grant Request Subject:STEM
Additional Details
a) What is the overall purpose of your project?
To modernize the Digital Media/Multimedia Design program's existing podcast studio and transform it into a
student-operated, four-person, multi-camera broadcast production environment. The classroom already
has a functional podcast setup, but the current video system relies on dated, small, basic webcams with
limited framing and no meaningful camera movement. The proposed upgrade will allow students to
produce professional podcasts, interviews, live discussions, promotional content, and other digital media
using workflows that more closely resemble modern podcast, broadcast, and live-streaming productions.
Students will learn the complete production process, including microphone placement, audio mixing, PTZ
camera operation, shot composition, live directing and camera switching, recording, editing, and publishing
finished content.
b) What need(s) does it address?
The program's existing podcast studio has been valuable for introducing students to podcast production,
but its current webcam-based video equipment limits the visual-production skills that can be taught. The
fixed, basic webcams provide mostly static angles and do not give students meaningful experience with
professional camera operation, movement, shot selection, or live multi-camera directing.
The proposed PTZ camera system is a major upgrade. PTZ cameras allow students to remotely pan, tilt,
and zoom, creating multiple professional compositions without physically repositioning cameras during a
production. Using a dedicated joystick controller, students will be able to program and recall positions for
individual speakers, two-person shots, and wider compositions. This will make live camera switching more
dynamic and give students experience making real-time directing decisions instead of relying on static
webcam angles.
Digital media production is increasingly used by businesses, schools, nonprofits, content creators, sports
organizations, and marketing agencies for podcasts, live streams, interviews, and multi-camera video.
Students need experience in a production environment where multiple cameras and audio sources must be
managed simultaneously.
The project also makes efficient use of resources already owned by the program. The classroom already
has two microphones and the necessary production cables, so grant funds will only be used for the
additional equipment needed to expand and modernize the existing system.
c) Learning goals and outcomes
• Set up and operate a professional four-person podcast recording environment.
• Demonstrate proper microphone placement, gain staging, monitoring, and multitrack audio recording.
• Operate PTZ cameras using a physical joystick controller and programmed camera presets.
• Apply shot composition, camera movement, and camera-selection principles during multi-camera
productions.
• Perform production roles including host, producer, PTZ camera operator, audio engineer, technical
director, and editor.
• Edit and package recorded productions using industry-standard post-production software.
• Produce completed podcasts, interviews, and multi-camera productions for professional portfolios.
a) How will students actively participate?
Students will work in rotating production teams to plan, record, direct, and edit podcasts and interview productions. A typical four-person production will include hosts or interview participants on camera while additional students operate the PTZ camera controller, monitor and mix audio through the RØDECaster Pro II, direct camera shots, and manage recording.
Students will create PTZ presets for individual speakers, two-person compositions, and wide shots, then recall those positions during live productions. They will make real-time decisions about which camera angle best supports the conversation. After recording, students will edit the audio and video, add graphics, color correct, mix dialogue, and prepare the finished program for distribution or inclusion in their portfolios.
b) How will this project meet the needs of students and the classroom?
Rather than replacing the existing podcast studio, this project will modernize and expand its capabilities.
The current studio provides students with the basic ability to record podcasts, but the dated webcams limit
what can be taught about professional camera movement and multi-camera production.
Adding professional PTZ cameras and a physical controller will allow the same space to function as both a
podcast studio and a hands-on multi-camera broadcast environment. Students can move beyond simply
recording a conversation and begin making real-time production decisions: selecting the appropriate
camera, following a speaker, changing framing, recalling preset shots, and switching between camera
angles as a discussion takes place.
The studio can support podcasts, student and instructor interviews, business and industry interviews, advisory board interviews, campus news, promotional videos, career spotlights, live discussions, and portfolio projects. It can also serve other iTECH programs by allowing Digital Media students to produce professional interviews and promotional content for instructors, students, industry partners, and employers
across campus.
a) What specific improvements do you expect for students?
The upgraded studio will provide students with experience in several areas of digital media production
within a single project. Instead of learning camera operation, audio, and editing only as separate skills,
students will see how those skills work together in a professional production environment.
Students will gain practical experience in audio engineering, cinematography, PTZ operation, live directing,
interviewing, producing, lighting, editing, motion graphics, and content creation. These skills are applicable
to careers in video production, social media marketing, podcast production, corporate communications,
broadcasting, live streaming, event production, and freelance content creation.
b) How will you know the project was successful?
Success will be measured through completed student productions and demonstrated technical proficiency.
Participating students will be expected to successfully perform multiple production roles and contribute to at
least one completed multi-camera podcast, interview, or broadcast production.
c) What evidence will demonstrate impact?
Evidence will include completed podcast episodes, recorded interviews, multi-camera productions, student
production plans, technical competency assessments, instructor observations, and completed portfolio
pieces.
Funding will be used to upgrade the Digital Media program's existing podcast studio from a basic webcam-
based system into a modern four-person, multi-camera production environment.
The program already owns podcast equipment, including two microphones and the necessary production
cabling. Rather than duplicating these resources, grant funding will focus on the areas that provide the
greatest instructional improvement.
The largest limitation of the current studio is its dated, small, fixed webcams. The addition of two
professional PTZ cameras and a dedicated joystick controller will significantly expand the studio's
capabilities. Students will be able to remotely pan, tilt, and zoom cameras; create multiple compositions
from a single camera position; save and recall camera presets; follow speakers; and make live camera-
selection and switching decisions during productions.
The RØDECaster Pro II will provide the central audio production system for the four-person studio.
Because the classroom already owns two microphones, only two additional microphones are needed to
complete the four-person setup.
By leveraging existing microphones, cables, computers, furniture, and other available production
resources, the project concentrates funding on durable equipment that provides the greatest instructional
improvement.
