Started as a regional publication, School Video News has grown in popularity and content since its inception in 2007.  Originally a four page newsletter featuring product recommendations and a single case study, SVN includes articles on all aspects of K-12 video production:  lighting and audio, set construction tips, increasing production values, case studies, projects and profiles of other schools.  In addition to technical articles by industry professionals, there are product reviews, student projects, event coverage, and industry/academic news as it relates to TV/Video production.

"Over time, we have seen many teachers who with little or no TV production experience or training suddenly being put in the role of creating not just a curriculum, but in some cases an entire production facility,” says John Churchman, publisher of School Video News.  “One of our primary goals is to help teachers expose, train and nurture an on-going technical competence and understanding in those students that demonstrate an aptitude and interest in TV production as a possible career after graduation.”

School Video News is published monthly. Subscriptions are free.

Amanda Lynn Porter, Associate Editor

Amanda Lynn Porter has been involved in many aspects of video/film production. Starting a video production class at her middle school in eighth grade, Amanda has always enjoyed every aspect of videography. After producing many in-school productions, including a daily newscast, Amanda branched out and began directing and producing commercials and short films for law firms, intermediate school districts, and various associations throughout Michigan.

Most recently, Amanda worked for Michael Moore on his latest documentary: Capitalism: A Love Story. You can read her column, Amanda's Book Nook each month in School Video News.

Lauren Ashley Burckhard, Special Events Producer

Lauren Burckhard started as an Intern with SVN doing research, creating promos, and coordinating the SVN Broadcast Center at various venues.

As a Radio-Television-Film major, Lauren enjoyed every aspect of production including writing, editing and directing. Currently, she is developing her on-camera skills with broadcast media while enjoying her responsibilities as producer of our live news events. She recently graduated with a degree in Communications from the University of Texas, Austin.

Lee Mendez, Graphic Designer

Lee Mendez got his introduction to television and video working on Austin (TX) High School's K-AHS daily news show.  He now produces visual effects for local Austin filmakers, and is interested in all aspects of the production process. When he is not creating graphics for SVN-TV and his other clients, Lee wins video contests around Austin.

He is attending the University of Texas at Austin as a RTF major. His goal is to start his own production company.

Barry Starlin Britt

Barry Starlin Britt is the executive producer and co-founder of Soundzabound Royalty Free Music.  After being hired to head up the content and Professional development divisions at Soundzabound, Barry began educating the K-12 educators on various technologies and compliance in 1998. 

As an ASCAP member with 20 years of experience in music and digital copyright, Barry also studied professional music at Berklee College of Music in Boston and classical music at Clayton State College in Atlanta.  By trade, Barry is a songwriter, producer and instrumentalist who has gone on to ventures in film, video, broadcast, podcasting and web 2.0 applications for education.  Barry lives in Atlanta, GA with his wife and daughters.

Christina Hamlett

Former actress/director Christina Hamlett is an award winning author, professional script consultant, and ghostwriter. Her credits to date include 26 books including Scriptwriting for Teens, 128 plays for young actors, and 5 optioned feature films.

As part of her ongoing commitment to supply great lesson plans for today’s classrooms, Christina always enjoys getting feedback on how the material is used and what kind of new content you would like to see in future columns. She is also happy to answer any questions related to specific problems students may be struggling with. You can email Ms. Hamlett at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or through her website at http://www.authorhamlett.com.

Phillip L. Harris

Phillip L. Harris taught Television Production for 34 years in Northern Virginia, before retiring in June ‘06.  As a consultant, he helps to design curricula and build production facilities throughout the country. In 2006, his high school textbook Television Production was published by Goodheart-Willcox, Co., Inc.

Phil is passionate about sharing his successful curriculum and facility design tips with fellow TV broadcasting instructors and, to that end, is a session presenter and contest judge at many conferences (SIPA, JEA, STN, ITEA, VENE, FETC and ACTE, TSA, SkillsUSA to name a few).  Phil works closely with the Radio and Television News Director’s Foundation where he manages the RTNDF Tips and Tricks column.  He can be reached in Northern Virginia at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Dr. Fred Ginsburg

Fred Ginsburg C.A.S. Ph.D. MBKS is a Production Sound Mixer with over two decades of experience on feature films, episodic television, national commercials, corporate, and government. He is the author of over 100 articles as well as the textbook, "Guide to the Nagra and Production Sound Recording". Fred is a member of the Cinema Audio Society and the BKSTS (International Moving Image Society); along with being active in the University Film & Video Association. Fred is president of the Equipment Emporium Inc., a leading supplier of sound recording equipment and video editing equipment (VideoEditSystems.com). Dr. Ginsburg also teaches at the California State University Northridge; and is available for seminars/workshops.

Jeff Rowe

Jeff Rowe has been a journalist since 1975, reporting and producing news for television, radio, newspapers, magazines and online publications.  He's been a broadcast writer for the Associated Press, a staff writer for The Wall Street Journal, and broadcast editor for The Orange County Register.  Rowe is a former Air Force officer and graduate of the University of Hawaii.  He teaches broadcast news writing at California State University Fullerton. 

Jeff is the author of Broadcast News Writing for Professionals, Marion Street Press.

Dr. Michael Schoonmaker

Michael Schoonmaker is chairman of the Television Radio Film Department at the Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University.  He began his production career at MTV, then moved to NBC's Olympic Unit coverage of the 1988 Games.  He has spent more than fourteen years working with K-12 students and teachers.

He is the author of Cameras in the Classroom, Rowman Littlefield publishers.

Kenny Valenzuela

Kenny Valenzuela, Director of New Business Development and Technical Support, has an MBA in Marketing from Tulane University and a BA in Radio-TV Film Production from San Jose State University. He was a freelance video producer and editor prior to joining Prompter People.

Dr. Ron Wittaker

Dr. Ron Whittaker has authored several books and more than 100 articles in film, radio and television. He has served as a writer, photographer and section editor for major broadcasting magazines.

His professional background includes full-time work as newspaper and magazine columnist and photographer, a TV producer-director of hundreds of hours of TV programming, a TV newscaster, a radio announcer, and a professor of broadcasting at two universities. Dr Whittaker is the creator of the CyberCollege TV Production Course.