alt.news 26:46

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alt.news

alt.news 26:46 is a student produced magazine-style show that prides itself on being innovative, informative, and above all, entertaining. We push ourselves to utilize the cutting edge of television technology to present stories that you don't find on your typical newscast.

Students do everything from the initial concept to the final air copy of a show, encompassing all facets of television production from shooting and editing to writing and advertising.

The "26:46" in the show's name reflects its general length per program - 26 minutes, 46 seconds. The content for the show includes short form documentaries, live music performances, short films, and anything else that is too obscure for the 5 oíclock news.

This half hour magazine-style television program has won national acclaim by capturing 22 regional and national awards including 4 National Student Emmy awards.

alt.news 26:46 members, alumni, and faculty advisor Jan Thompson pause for a picture after winning their fourth Emmy at the 30th Annual College Television Awards. Producers senior Jay Carey from Carterville and Tommy Lareau from Watseka accepted the Emmy on behalf of the group. The undergrad student group competed against two submissions by UC Berkley graduate students.
Photo by MCMA Photojournalism student Madelyn Kime

alt.news is a great place for anybody who wants to get hand on equipment as early as their first semester freshmen year. alt.news 26:46 currently has 3 Panasonic HVX cameras and is on the way to be shooting almost in entirely HD, becoming almost tapeless. alt.news is in the studios very often and also has easy access to most of WSIU and RT department equipment, like the Camera Jib, The dolly Track, the green screen in Studio B, etc.

The staff is about 10-15 people every year, and anybody can apply to be on staff, the crew meets weekly Tuesdays at 8pm in Studio A. These meetings are for anybody who wants to get involved with alt.news, all majors are welcome.

alt.news has been known to focus on the production side of things, but they try to get the best content imaginable. Lately they have been on the road traveling across the country to gather stories and interesting events you wouldn't see on the normal 5:00 news or River Region. alt.news has recently been to New York, as well as Texas, and Los Angeles to film segments.

alt.news won the National Student Emmy's 2 years in a row under the Magazine Style Show Category and year after year has gone up against professionals in the Regional Mid-America Emmy's in St. Louis. Last year the alt.news crew took home 7 emmy's and received nominations for 14.

alt.news is open to anybody, and they are always looking for more people who are interested, it is a great opportunity to learn the skills needed for production in the real world. alt.news keeps up with technology as it evolves, because it is important for the people who get involved now to know the terms and skills that they will need for the real world.

alt.news has a great network of successful former alt.news alumni in the big cities such as Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago.

If you think you are interested in being a part of alt.news, there are meetings every Tuesday at 8pm in Studio A, in the Communication Building. Everyone is welcome.