‘Zoom Into Action’––

Public TV Cameras Turn Their Focus To Newtown Kids

By Tanjua Damon

So-called reality TV shows seem to specialize in public humiliation these days, but the kids of Newtown last week gave a public television film crew a dose of reality that was positively uplifting.

 Producer Maura Kelly, cameraman Barry Strogin, audio technician Claudio Musajo, and program organizer Michael Columbo came with camera, microphones, and lighting February 28 to film Newtown students for a segment of the public television program Zoom Into Action that is expected to air at the end of April or early May. The show appears Monday through Friday at 3:30 pm on Channel 13.

One of Nadia Papalia’s eighth grade English classes was selected to answer a question, which will be cut into a segment of a minute or less for the show. One student asked the question then other selected students answered the question. Some students also said hello and goodbye on camera.

The question students had to answer was, “If you could go back in history what would you change?”

Although students were a bit nervous around the camera, they came up with some interesting answers ranging from changing nothing to changing September 11 to changing medieval times.

“It was kind of weird,” Darcy Fiscella said. “It was a feeling I’m not used to, but it was fun.”

The students learned quickly that if their words were not clear or they laughed another take had to be done because, as Ms Kelly explained to the students, it is important for people watching to be able to understand what is being said.

“I thought it was fun. It was really hard not to laugh,” Erica Vacaro said. “It was nerve-wracking being under pressure. I thought it was interesting to hear what everyone had to say. It is interesting to think about.”

Jeff Davis thought the question was a bit broad and challenging to answer.

“I thought it could have been better,” Jeff said. “Maybe a little more specific. But it was pretty fun.”

The filming crew also spent time with Newtown Youth Services’ Kids Care / Middle School Youth Advisory Board who were working on a project for children being treated for cancer. The portion of the program shows students what they can do in their communities to help others out.

About 20 intermediate and middle school students gathered in an art room at the middle school to decorate hats with paint and beads to give to children at Tommy Fund at Yale-New Haven Hospital and the Westchester Medical Center. The students painted flowers, abstract designs, sports logos, and friendly sayings on the hats.

“I think it’s very good were helping and it will really brighten their day,” Sammy Villa said. “It’s teaching a lot of people even if we’re different we shouldn’t treat them any different.”

Dan Burns enjoys being able to help the local community as well as other communities.

“We meet together to come up with things we can help our community with,” Dan said. “We put a smile on kids face. It’s a good thing to have.”

The students used red ribbon to attach a tag to the hats they created that stated where the hat come from and who made it for them. The students made more than 30 hats.

Zoom Into Action provides students an outlet to share what they do in their communities and come up with ideas that other children are doing in their communities.

“I certainly think what you are doing is important. We want to show other kids what you are doing,” Ms Kelly said. “Thank you for doing charity work.”

The crew helped the students feel at ease and allowed the students to work freely as if there was not any equipment focusing in on their every move.

“I like working with kids. It’s a lot of fun,” Mr Columbo said. “It helps keep me young. You get a lot of satisfaction in doing something for kids. It’s really a pleasure to be part of it.”