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Studio A is a student-produced, multi-camera television series, originating from, appropriately, WSIU-TVís Studio A. While the programming produced will be aired on WSIU (and that is not to be downplayed,) the primary purpose is to give the SIU student community the hands-on opportunity to work on multi-camera productions. The studentsí production roles range from producers, directors, and writers to camerapersons, audio engineers, and lighting designers to set designers, graphic artists and editors.

In this spring í08 semester, Studio A will ramp up by primarily producing musical concert programs, titled Studio A ìIn Concert. ìIn Concertî is designed, initially, to showcase local groups and/or performersófrom the SIU Community, the Carbondale area, and the Southern Illinois region. From Bluegrass to Reggae, Studio A In Concert presents of all music genres. Eventually, we will branch outóor step upóto feature nationally known bands and performers.

Also this spring, Studio A will produce a sketch comedy show. Reminiscent of SNL, MadTV, SCTV and Laugh-in, this showóyet to be namedówill include skits, sketches, stand-up, graphics, animation and a musical guest in a half-hour show. This will probably fall under the Studio A Playhouse title.

But Playhouse will mean much more in the coming years. We are contemplating producing a sitcom, or a soap opera, in addition to the musical and sketch comedy shows. We may introduce short dramatic work, written by Theatre students or students in the Writing program at COLA. We are actively pursuing cross-departmental alliancesóin acting, writing, set design, sound and music. While we will always be rooted in the RT department and at MCMA, we can tap the talent across the entire university to create the best program we can.

Upperclass students will mentor the younger, less-experienced students. Those upperclassmenóas well as faculty and staffówill hold seminars and training sessions. A Production Team will decide on projects and oversee their progress from idea to production to distribution.

Finally, one mandate for this new incarnation of Studio A is to create a diverse atmosphere behind the camera, as well as in front of it. Through active recruitment, we hope to make Studio A look like the campus we live and work on.

Studio A "In Concert", photos by MCMA photojournalism student Ashley Reign Andersen