Pinewood’s Audio/Video Productions class is a visual arts elective offered to grades 10-12 that teaches students the skills for filming and editing videos. Teacher of the course Rob Bergenstock encourages students to create their own video projects based on their interests. 

   “I like to keep it open for the students to throw out their ideas, but then also [incorporate] whatever needs of the community arise,” Bergenstock said. 

   For example, last year, the class created a basketball promotional video to highlight the junior high boys basketball team. 

   Before coming to Pinewood in 2020, Bergenstock was a video engineer in live event production and later worked in technical theater. He not only wants students taking the class to gain practical experience in filming and editing, but also to develop proficiency through practice. 

   “[There is a] big emphasis on the experience of actually…[making videos] again and again,” Bergenstock said. “I want to guide the creative process and just let [students] get up and start going through the planning, the execution, and the polishing.”

   Sophomore Sean Sirhan, a student currently taking Audio/Video Productions, joined the class due to his interest in filming.

   ”I love photography, and video is just the next step after that. I want to learn how to shoot videos and use a video camera,” Sirhan said. 

   He is especially interested in sports videography.

   “I would love to go to a sports game and make a highlight reel,” Sirhan said.

   Senior Sophia Ellis joined the class to learn technical skills that are relevant to a career in theater, which she believes can be useful in other professional contexts as well.

   “I think that this is a useful class for anyone who is thinking about going into any industry related to technology…and will give you the foundational skills [for] whatever career you have,” Ellis said. 

   Students are currently learning about camera composition and framing, how to film using tripods, and various editing techniques using Adobe Premiere Pro. Later in the class, Bergenstock will teach more advanced techniques including special effects and audio editing. In the future, Bergenstock would like to see expanded opportunities for students to engage outside of class time. 

   “I would love this course to not just be a course that lives in our block schedule, where we carve out an hour and a half…to meet, but …a club,…[where] students could borrow this equipment or use it anytime they want,” Bergenstock said.