Every Friday, students at Lenape High School tune into Lenape Live, the show crafted not just for them, but by them. Most students are familiar with the hosts, the on-air jokes, the creative segments, and the announcements that bring the school events to life. However, what goes on behind the camera– the preparation, teamwork, and skills– is something that many don’t realize plays a crucial role in producing each broadcast. 

The Heart of the Broadcast: The Crew

Behind every episode, a team of students handles everything from writing and editing scripts to working with cameras and audio equipment. Students manage various roles, such as director, teleprompter operator, floor manager, camera operator, audio technician, and more! From organizing segments to managing last-minute technical fixes, Lenape Live is a team effort where every detail counts. 

From Idea to On-Air: Planning the Episodes

The journey to the Friday episode starts much earlier in the week, sometimes even the week before! Each produced segment goes through an extensive planning phase where ideas are pitched, and scripts are drafted. Students work with experienced team members to get feedback and outline content to ensure that it’s as engaging as possible  for the audience. 

Lights, Camera, Action! 

Once the script is set, the crew jumps into action to film the segments, conduct interviews, or record footage and audio around the school. The editors are responsible for transforming the raw clips and footage into the finished segments. Typically, editing is done by the person creating the final segment. This part of the process involves editing software, sound mixing, and special effects that turn the once-ideas into the creative segments  produced on the show every week. The students who handle these tasks always gain valuable skills through video editing and digital storytelling, working alongside awesome teachers such as Mr. Ebbeson, who coaches them through technical challenges and helps them bring their creative ideas to life. 

Showtime! Live on Fridays

Every Friday morning, it all comes down to everything coming together. Members of Lenape Digital Media gather early Friday morning to set up and prepare for the live production airing at 7:30. Cues are rehearsed, and scripts are reviewed. The studio’s control room in ND-27 becomes the heart of the action, where students work on sound checks, setting up cameras and teleprompters, lighting, and prepping graphics and segments to ensure that everything runs smoothly. During the live broadcast, every team member makes sure to perform their role in real-time, from adjusting cameras to directing the entire production with countdowns and segment notices. 

Broadcasting Excellence 

Producing Lenape Live is a labor of love that doesn’t go unnoticed. Lenape Live has earned several awards through the Lenape District Television (otherwise known as LDTV) network, and the students who demonstrate exceptional dedication and creativity are often honored. Whether running the soundboard, editing footage, or acting as the on-air talent hosts, the team members of Lenape Live learn skills they carry with them beyond high school. 

Our Purpose

Producing Lenape Live is much more than an extracurricular for students or an excuse to be late to your first class on Friday morning. It’s a chance to develop real and useful skills in broadcasting, teamwork, and leadership. Many students join the team because they’re passionate about media and storytelling, and Lenape Live gives them the opportunity and platform to explore and expand that passion. In Lenape Live, the goal is more than simply keeping students informed, it’s about fostering a sense of community, school spirit, and connection among students. Each episode seeks to highlight the diverse interests, talents, and stories of students across the campus from sporting events to club activities to special announcements and creative segments. Sharing these stories celebrates what makes Lenape unique, and the team behind Lenape Live works to make everyone feel  a part of something bigger. 

With each new episode of Lenape Live, students at Lenape not only get an inside look at the week’s news but also see the efforts of their peers working behind the scenes in a collaborative effort that  extends well beyond typical school announcements. Lenape Live is the perfect opportunity to bring together creativity, technical skills, and teamwork to connect students at Lenape. 

Writer’s Insight

Being a part of Lenape Live is the best part of my Friday mornings. It’s one of the most exciting and enriching experiences I’ve had as a sophomore at Lenape. I’ve always been interested in media and storytelling, but there’s something about being behind the camera or working to help prepare everything just before the live production starts. It’s inspiring to see how each part of the broadcast comes together. Every Friday, we aren’t just filming a show- we’re connecting with our audience and peers, capturing stories, and creating something many people look forward to. Lenape Live is a space where everyone’s creativity shines. We work together to solve problems on the spot and celebrate when the episode goes live without a hitch. It’s a fun and engaging experience that constantly teaches us new skills, not just in broadcasting and media production but also in teamwork and leadership. 

Get Involved

If you’re curious about what it’s like to be part of a real production, want to share stories that make Lenape unique, or even just want to learn how a live broadcast works, Lenape Live is the perfect place to start. Make sure to stop by ND-25 to see how you can be involved in our show- we’re always looking for new voices and ideas to bring our broadcast to life!