LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — Before the cameras roll, before the green screen is lit and long before Griffin News hits screens across campus, the real work begins in a classroom full of ideas, collaboration and chaos.
The production cycle at Griffin News, the advanced film class of Los Alamitos High School, runs on a bi-weekly schedule, but the pace feels anything but routine. Each cycle kicks off with a brainstorming session where students pitch segment ideas, ranging from campus announcements to ridiculous skits. Some ideas are tied to upcoming school events like choir shows, club fundraisers and spirit days, while others are just designed to entertain.
“We spend the first five to 10 minutes going over what segments are going to be in the episode, who is working on those segments and what stage each segment is in,” Jaden Bober, a senior in Griffin News, said.
Once the classroom whiteboard is filled with pitches, students split into smaller groups where they flesh out their selected ideas. Each group takes full ownership of their segment, assigning roles like director, scriptwriter, actors, editor and camera operator.
Preparation is one of the team’s most important values. Adam Ampudia learned the hard way that even a great script can fall apart without the right actor, or vice versa.
“There have been times when I had no clue of the direction of the segment when I had actors on standby and no clue where to get actors with a perfect script written. So, always being prepared is my favorite tradition. It saves stress!” Ampudia said.
Outside of student ideas, the class also responds to direct requests. Mr. Brown, the Griffin News teacher, collects announcements and promotions from teachers and school organizations, which are folded into the show alongside “filler content,” which consists of segments made purely from student creativity.
Filming days are often unpredictable. Some groups record on campus between classes; others take off-site field trips to bring their segments to life. Ampudia shared that one of his favorite filming memories involved creating a cowboy-themed segment at a ranch and hiking down to tide pools for the final scene, a laborious production that paid off.
Every Griffin News member has experienced many memorable moments while filming. For Bober, one of the most unforgettable came during the making of the 2024 spring break episode.
“We were watching the rough draft episode as a class the day before it aired, and the ‘Avatar’ skit came on. It was the first time anyone not a part of the group had seen it. By the end of it, we were dying (of laughter) for, like, 10 minutes. That was one of the only times in my two years that the class laughed like that at a segment,” Bober said.
Despite the fast-paced deadlines, there is a special kind of happiness that comes from the endless production pressure. For Griffin News members, it isn’t just about finishing episodes but the bonding and laughter that comes with each day of filming.
“My favorite memories are our Thursday nights before each episode airs. Even though it’s stressful getting in last-minute edits, I love bonding with the class. It’s so fun getting food and just talking,” Griffin News senior Isabella Kira said.
But Griffin News is more than just making silly broadcast skits; it’s a professional learning experience, too. Many students walk into the class at the beginning of the school year with minimal production experience and leave with a well-rounded toolkit. Ampudia remembers being intimidated by editing software at first.
“A skill that I learned that surprised me was being able to use (Adobe) Premiere Pro. After one project, I became an amateur at it and eventually developed my knowledge to the point where it became commonplace in my everyday workflow,” Ampudia said.
Griffin News also builds confidence; Kira, who joined as a shy freshman, has grown into a leader in the class. Ampudia also shared that the class helped him become a stronger communicator and contributor.
Behind every episode of Griffin News is a day filled with ideas, planning, setbacks, successes and most of all, teamwork. Whether it’s a skit filmed on horseback or a PSA about hallway etiquette, each film segment represents hours of effort from students learning how to tell stories, share information and make each other laugh. When the final product airs, it’s more than just a broadcast; it’s a celebration of what students create.
Applications to join Griffin News next year are due this Friday, May 16; see Mr. Brown in room 415 with questions. For those interested in learning introductory film skills, any student may sign up for Introduction to Film and TV, which is a great first step toward joining Griffin News or Focus Studios, the advanced film class for documentary. Students can also become involved in the film department through the student short film, which is currently in progress, by filling out this interest form to act as an extra.
