Fueled by an entirely new cast and crew, “ucla: next,� a student-produced television show that gives viewers a new perspective of the Westwood campus, launches the beginning of its second season this December on several Southern California cable stations and other outlets reaching millions nationwide.
Both undergraduates and graduates from all areas of UCLA contribute their experience and creativity to the fast-paced, news-magazine style show, which is intended to serve as a voice for the UCLA community.
The program is produced by a class offered by the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.
The name for the show was inspired by a “UCLA next exit� sign on the San Diego Freeway (405).
The student producers hope to emulate the pluralism and dynamic of the campus and surrounding communities by providing an inside look at exciting news and events. In one of the early episodes, viewers are taken through the Westwood Village Farmer’s Market and into the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, home of the UCLA football team.
“ucla: next� also familiarizes outsiders with known and unknown aspects of university and student life. Viewers can hang out with mascots Joe and Josie Bruin during homecoming week and learn about life as a UCLA cheerleader. Hot, new workout trends like yoga and Pilates are introduced in a health-and-fitness segment done at the John Wooden Center. A science segment will introduce viewers to nanotechnology and other fascinating research developments.
Upcoming shows will look at surviving prostate cancer, the Navy ROTC program, the history of campus architecture and the Academy Awards.
“ucla: next� will continue its feature “Second Look at the Movies� with Robert Rosen, dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. In the segment, Rosen offers critical commentary and invites viewers to reconsider classic films as an entertainment option.
From editor to camera operator, “ucla: next� is created entirely by UCLA students representing an amazing range of talent and diversity. In a collaborative effort to pump out a fresh episode each week, the students learn about all aspects of television show production while working in an entertaining and fast-paced environment.
Thelma Vickroy, a visiting faculty member at the school and award-winning producer and director in documentary and non-fiction television, teaches the class.
“I’ve been in the business for some time and I can’t say I’ve ever seen a show reach the quality that “ucla: next� has in one short year. There’s an abundance of talent here, a real vision and sense of purpose. The students are teaching me what television can be as much as I’m teaching them what it is. It’s a priceless opportunity for all of us and I’m proud to be unleashing a whole new level of professionals into the television community. They will do UCLA proud,� Vickroy said.
Airing weekly on several cable networks and on the Web, “ucla: next� reaches a potential 11 million households nationwide. The show appears nationally on EchoStar Satellite’s DISH Network, channel 9412, on Thursdays at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. and is also rebroadcast throughout the week. Local prime time airings are carried by Cable Channel LA 36 on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and repeat Saturdays at 10 a.m. The show can also be viewed on-demand at www.uctv.tv/.