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Hidden in the first floor of the C Building is a full studio for learning television production. The studio is equipped with three cameras on pedestals, a blue room, an audio control room, a video control room, and a prop room.

“We do the same thing that they do at UCLA, USC, and Texas Tech, except it costs a whole lot less to go to PCC,” said Carmen Porreca, television operations instructor.    

Students are enthusiastic about the program. “I love it. I’ve wanted to do video production since Junior High…I fell in love with the program. It’s really hands on and the professors really care about their students,” said Jeff Santone, 20, film production.  

 Porreca teaches his students how to operate each piece of equipment. “Students operate every single thing: audio board, television switcher, cameras, video tape, balancing cameras, and lighting,” said Porreca.

While some schools will settle for less expensive equipment, Porreca will not. “I don’t want to buy equipment that isn’t being used by the majority of studios in Hollywood,” he said.

Porreca wants to teach his students with leading edge equipment they will be using when they get a job in the industry. “We have a $170,000 Grass Valley Zodiak Switcher. Nowhere [else] in the world would they even let a student get near this thing and in five weeks of my beginning class, my students are cutting on this,” said Porreca.

Some PCC alumni work in the television and radio industry after taking the courses at PCC. “We have a great industry presence. You can go into any studio and there will be students from PCC,” said Porreca.

Porreca has been working on a post-production certificate for video editing that students can work towards. “There is no school in the area that offers a post production certificate that will certify editors,” he said.

The TVR classes offer hands on experience that students appreciate. “I love all the classes they offer and you gain more hands on experience. The classes help towards certificates, [and] I plan on getting one or two before transferring,” said Justin Naranjo, 19, film and television.

To help his students learn more about the business Porreca brings in a speaker from the industry every first and third Tuesday of the month. These meetings are open to the public and start at noon. Porreca has had producers, cameramen and writers share their knowledge about working in the industry.

Porreca has been teaching at PCC for over 35 years and said he really enjoys his job. He is the only person in the history of the college to get the Risser Award twice and he has also had numerous nominations for the Outstanding Teacher of the Year award.

“It’s an unbelievable program, and it is an amazing place to learn the business,” said Porreca.

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