HCTV’s ‘The Herman Show’ provides real-world experience, platform for HHS students

by Yeji Kim, Hudson High School

Hudson High School video production teacher Mike Ondash was looking for ways to involve students in real-world, hands-on experiences. At the same time, Superintendent Phil Herman wanted a platform to showcase HHS students and their talents.

Enter “The Herman Show.”

“The Herman Show,” which utilizes HCTV’s video production studio at the high school, features students and engages Ondash’s Advanced Digital Video Productions class in making the show come to life.

In an email interview, Herman said the goal of “The Herman Show” is to “show enthusiasm for what our students are learning in school by participating in that learning with them.” The show combines three components that Herman believes are important: interacting with students, sharing school district updates and introducing the students and staff that make up “an incredible school district.”

“Part of educating the whole child is recognizing that as people, each of us has a broad range of interests, passions, talents, skills and abilities,” the superintendent said.

“The Herman Show” began in April 2018. To make it to air involved coordinating with Ondash’s students to determine the format and theme of the show, opportunities for guests and how to film and edit. Two episodes were aired during the spring, and another four were aired during the 2018-2019 school year.

The final edited show is typically 20-30 minutes, but hours go into each episode, before and after filming. Before, Advanced Digital Video Production students have to contact guests, prepare questions, set the studio and plan segments. Afterwards, students edit the show, add graphics and text. Arrangements are made for the show to be aired on HCTV and posted online. Along with Ondash, HCTV Program Manager Barb VanBlarcum and Operations Manager Dan Gerbacht play a huge role in making the show a success.

Herman said inviting guests is a shared task.

“The students and I bring ideas for student guests we may want to feature, and we discuss how to provide variety, what our viewers may find interesting, availability of the students, and where in the schedule it may make sense to feature particular guests,” he said.

Guests to date have included Andrew McDonald, a nationally ranked curler; Amy Grecol and Isabella Campi, actors in a movie; Natalie Brown, a horseback rider; Max Dooley, a dancer on the Cavs Minis team; Roger Liu, a nationally ranked table tennis player; and Jack McCormick, a drone expert.

Herman also uses the platform to provide updates on major district initiatives, such as the Master Facility Plan, safety developments, upcoming school events or advancements in student technology.

HCTV schedules can be found at hudson.oh.us/103/Hudson-Community-TV, and past “The Herman Show” episodes are available for viewing at vimeo.com/hudsoncommunitytv/albums.

Featured image photo caption: Hudson City School District Superintendent Phil Herman interviews Andrew McDonald, a nationally ranked curler, for student-produced “The Herman Show.” Photo by Mike Ondash