By Lily Kubek ‘17 | Copy Editor
At the start of this school year, Grosse Pointe South’s TV production class replaced their 10 Dell computers with 10 new Apple Mac desktop computers; transforming the classroom from a stone age of computer software into a quick and efficient editing monster.
“I was very excited to see that we got new Apple computers in the TV classroom because they are much better and higher quality compared to last years computers,” Sam Genna ’16 said.
The TV production class worked with the district’s technology department to receive the computers, TV production teacher Steve Geresy said. It took a full year to decide whether or not the class would receive the new computers.
Aside from the funding given by the technology department of the district, the TV production classroom has also had to contribute to the funding of the computer and also the editing software, Geresy said.
“TV production is contributing money that we have generated from fundraising to the purchase of these computers on a yearly basis,” Geresy said. “That was the agreement that we made to the district before purchasing the computers.”
Before the updated computers and software, they were using Avid Media Composer 5.5, an editing software, due to the inability to support the newest Avid 8 software, he said.
“Avid is now subscription-based so it is not necessary to buy the software, but we do have to pay a yearly fee,” Geresy said. “Where as Final Cut (Apple editing software) is one of the few edit programs still left that is allowed to buy the software.”
When it came to the decision to subscribe to Avid or follow through with the purchase of Apple Computer and Final Cut, purchasing new computers was a better financial decision for future years, Geresy said.
“Mac computers are high quality and are faster than windows when it comes to editing,” Lillian Cusumano ’16 said.
The faster computers have brought major advantages to the classroom, especially in the editing process, Cusumano said. Before, students would have to wait several hours for footage to upload, now students are able to edit as they import.
“The biggest change for us is students being able to come in and immediately start editing their piece,” Geresy said.
Because of the quicker editing process, students are able to attack more projects and specifically work on their editing technique, Geresy said.
“Everything is much more self explanatory with Final Cut Pro,” Graham Geary ’16 said. “It is more appealing to the eye when it comes to importing footage and music.”
Since the update, the computers have been treated extremely well, Geresy said. However, the new desktops are no exception; TV production has Ipads, cameras and studio equipment that are all equally treated with respect from the students.
Apple Mac Desktop Computers are currently the best update to the TV production room and they do not plan on adding anything else, Geresy said. These computers were the biggest purchase and are planned for the full advantage of a better classroom.
“My philosophy when it comes to technology is not to buy technology for technology’s sake or to be flashy,” Geresy said. “It is the best tool to show for the students advantage and how this new technology has come into play effectively.”
