By Lauryn Green

As High Point University’s student-run talk show, “Point Blank Entertainment” prepares for the show’s sixth season, there is a lot of work to be done on and off camera.

Many of the show’s viewers are accustomed to only seeing the finished product. However, there are multiple steps and procedures taken behind the scenes in order to produce a successful and enjoyable outcome.

Point Blank Entertainment includes diverse segments, such as Entertainment, Hot Topics, Sports and Fashion. Talents who are selected to anchor for these segments each week must devote time to reviewing and practicing what they plan to cover. Riley Manion, an Entertainment Talent on Point Blank, says the position requires much more than what is shown on camera.

“As the talent, I’m doing research, talking with my co-hosts about what we’re going to be talking about, who’s going to be bringing up what topic, what we’re going to be bringing together for the show,” Manion said.

Talents are also responsible for transporting props and other set features to and from the studio for each week’s production. In addition to studio work, there are different tasks that are performed in the control room by the show’s crew members.

Emmy Beck-Aden, Director for Point Blank Entertainment, embraces all aspects of the production process, as they have helped members produce a creative and authentic show.

“The part that I really enjoy about being a part of the production team is that there are so many different, kind of pieces of a puzzle, I like to describe them as, that you need to make a show come together,” Beck-Aden said. “It’s really cool to build something from scratch.”

Part of making the show come together involves collaboration and cooperation between cast and crew members. During the filming of the show, videographers often multi-task between taking and applying directions from the director and discerning which shots are most adequate.

Casandra Krajisnik, a videographer for Point Blank, agrees that this task requires undivided attention and an understanding of how to properly operate the camera.

“You’re running around, your brain is everywhere,” Krajisnik said. “But, you’re very focused on your instrument.”

While many members of Point Blank Entertainment understand that producing a show requires hard work, preparation and time commitment, they say the overall experience has helped them learn and grow. Members of the show are also caring and supportive of each other throughout the entire process.

“It’s a really cool experience to be able to collaborate with them,” Beck-Aden said. “It’s neat to be able to see people’s talents shine in different ways as we all come together to make the show possible.”

---

To watch Point Blank, check out their YouTube channel and follow them on Instagram @hpupointblank.

Lauryn Green is a a junior at High Point University majoring in Journalism. For contact inquiries, please email lgreen@highpoint.edu.