By, Angelina Persaud, Assistant News Editor
The return of Manhattan College Television (MCTV) post-pandemic brings a revival of campus life and a creative outlet for students interested in media and production.
MCTV is a student-run media production club that creates various shows and segments related to campus life and student activities.
Currently, the network features the Manhattan Minute and Quadcast, which are available to students through YouTube, Instagram and various social media platforms.
Samantha Gaddy, a senior communication major with a concentration in sports media production and minors in Spanish and history, has been a member of the MCTV crew since the fall semester of 2021. She initiated and helped to produce a program called the Manhattan Minute, wherein students can receive campus news in a concise format.
“I brought it to MCTV in the beginning of the fall semester, and we just kind of hit the ground running with it because it was just such a fun and easy idea to work with,” Gaddy said.
She also emphasized the accessibility of the network and how it will help keep students connected with the college community.
“We wanted to make things more social and more convenient for students to get information from the school. So that’s why we came up with the minute, it can be streamlined, straight to them from their phones to just make it easier for everybody,” Gaddy said.
One of the network’s long-running programs, Quadcast, is still being produced and allows for students to express their creative outlet in a media format. It essentially allows students to have a platform where they can discuss topics that are important to them and share it with the MC community.
Chris Plate, a senior with a double major in communication and psychology and a concentration in media production, has been the field and post supervisor since 2021. He explained how beneficial the program has been to the student body and boosting campus life.
“We kind of just go on and on about whatever we want and we try to bring on other clubs. We had Turnstyle on to promote small businesses here on campus, and we try to do that monthly,” Plate said.
Ranging from the pre-production meetings to the physical taping of segments, the MCTV crew has had to adjust their production methods to be in compliance with COVID regulations on campus.
Maeve Kirk, a junior communication major with a concentration in media production and a minor in digital media, serves as the social media manager for the network. She highlighted the setup inside the studio when it comes to filming segments.
“We have to keep wearing the masks in the studio and still practice our social distancing. We have two cameras essentially, that are six feet apart. For the most part, it’s usually only like five to six of us at the most in the studio at a time,” Kirk said.
Although the precautions are in place, the crew still encourages new members to join and offers hands-on training.
Mariana Duque, a senior with a double major in English and communication and a concentration in media production, is the vice president of the club.
She spoke about her experience joining the network in the midst of COVID and the experience she gained in production.
“You don’t have to be a communication major to join the club. We just teach you hands-on experience. And as we do everything collectively, we help each other if we need something” Duque said.
The crew also highlighted their fondest memories and most fulfilling moments of being a part of the network.
Particularly, they all emphasized the close knit relationships they’ve developed among each other and how it’s helped them foster a community within the greater MC community.
“We could say we’re good pals. When you talk to people and when you interact with people, all those memories that you share are great memories. It evolves and you become close with those people after you roll up production” Duque said.
They also highlighted the connections they’ve made across campus due to their various positions in the network, especially when it comes to working with multiple clubs to produce a specific show for the week.
“Especially for me as the social media manager, I’ve been reaching out to clubs here and just engaging with other people. It’s one of my favorite things to do and just getting to know others is probably the best thing about it,” Kirk said.
As for the future of the network, the crew shared that there are a few projects in progress at the moment. They are aiming to diversify and expand the types of programs produced and include a wider range of students in the MC community.
The club has also started planning for a potential podcast in a partnership with the Lasallian Women and Gender Resource Center regarding mental health and personal care.
”We’re just very excited to work with them. A lot of the topics that they’re going to talk about consist of mental health and good habits to have, so it will be really beneficial for everyone so we’re excited to work with them” Plate said.
The network has cemented its role in the community and will continue to produce its programs as a way to further connect the student body.
“I think it was just important to make sure that everyone is connected because as a small school, we are also a small community and it just made sense. Get something together to get everyone engaged” Gaddy said.