New club “What’s Up Wootton ” is trying to bring an inside look to the school through filming, editing, producing and directing multimedia about school events and clubs. Founded by junior Branden Estrada, What’s Up Wootton’s goal is to “become a show that people can watch daily and get info from,” Estrada said.
What’s Up Wootton is sponsored by staff member Kenny Jacobs, who seeks to promote activities at school and wants What’s Up Wootton to be another avenue of getting information out. As far as day-to-day functions, Jacobs will only be involved in making sure that the content is appropriate and the club is covering as many school related events as possible.
Jacobs said that there used to be a club similar to What’s Up Wootton called the TV-Film Club.The TV Film Club also reported on events in the school and community, but stopped a few years ago. The school also used to have a program similar to What’s Up Wootton called “In Focus,” which was a similar concept to What’s Up Wootton but was more studio focused. Jacobs has high hopes for the club. “I don’t want to be doing the same old same old,” Jacobs said.
Club meetings will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in the TV Production Room (102) connected to the media center during advisory. Tuesdays will be the days of the mandatory, more important meetings, which all club members should try to attend. According to Estrada, during the interest meeting on Oct. 10, meetings on Thursdays will be optional and are intended to provide members with help or advice, but they are not required. The club will start discussing production of content at its first official meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 17.
What’s Up Wootton and its members have big goals. Estrada is seeking to create a club where people can come and express their interests and passion in filmmaking, editing, producing and other related activities. On a larger level, Estrada wants this club to bring unity to the school by making relevant and engaging content. “I’ve been looking for a club just like this, and I’ll get that now,” Estrada said.
What’s Up Wootton also provides some opportunities. Junior Brianna Zani is interested in having a leadership role in this new club, as well as being able to meet and connect with new people. “I look forward to managing functions of this club,” Zani said.
The school currently has a TV Production program, run by teacher Julian Lazarus and Jacobs. The school’s current TV Production program makes videos focused only on the school and the community. The program makes use of studio equipment, the majority of which is outdated; the cameras used are the school’s old security cameras. Topics covered will include school news, but also more broad topics, like clubs and current events, as well as student and staff interviews.
