By Liam F

Camp gets hot. Like, real hot. You’re in in the sun all day, and even though swim helps, you’ll still be pretty hot soon after getting out of the lake or pool. Additionally, technology is not allowed. With the exception of maybe a Fitbit, you can’t even bring out a phone.

However, one elective solves these problems.

This elective is Liberty Lake Television, also known as LLTV. Basically, in this elective, you make videos for the Liberty Lake Day Camp YouTube channel. In an air conditioned room.

A variety of videos are made during LLTV. Sometimes, simple sketches are made, like one where Dora the Explorer and Boots go around camp trying to find the last slushie machine. Other times, round-up videos for the week are made, which included spirit events, (made-up) weather, interviews, and more. Other things are also made.  

Whether you’re on camera or not, there are many jobs to do. Some will hold the camera for an interview, sketch, or report. Others will walk around recording camp activities. Some record sound and/or make sure it’s working.

After all this recording and other jobs, it’s time for the final product. The LLTV specialist, Alex, will back up all the clips from the week (and hope there’s no technical difficulties, or the clips might have to be re-recorded), and edit the video together in Adobe Premiere Pro. Once it’s all finished with animations, sound effects, music, chroma key, and more, it will be uploaded and possibly premiered on the Liberty Lake YouTube channel (which can be accessed in the Quick Links or here) where it can be watched by everyone forever. One of the best parts is that in most cases, your  name will be in the credits!

Now that you know the LLTV process, let’s talk getting creative. What exactly happens in these videos?

In the weekly news videos, there is a format which is often flexible while still giving all the information. It starts off with an intro explaining spirit events. It then transitions into a highly inaccurate weather forecast (raining boom microphones, anyone?). It usually has some type of interview (that isn’t necessarily with a human) and one other random things before the outro plays and the credits roll.

Otherwise, the videos don’t have much of a format if at all. There’s a video called “The Lake Boys” where a couple boys go around shooting people with a water gun. There’s a fair amount of podcasts which typically have 3 topics. There’s also a bunch of other videos. With this type, you can really get creative.

After all this, what do you think about LLTV? Maybe this could be a new passion for you. Why don’t you try it? Put it high up on your Top 15. Now, get brainstorming some fun ideas for it!