Kaihl's Final Feature Draft

WFNP - The Cutting Edge of the Hudson Valley, is a SUNY New Paltz based radio station run by students on campus. The Edge originated back in 1971 when a group of students worked to create the radio station. The studio is set on the fourth floor of the Student Union Building back in 1973 and still stands there to this day. Things are a little different today than they were back in the 70s. Today, we are facing some of the scariest times in decades.

The Coronavirus Pandemic is like nothing most people have ever seen before. Many are being affected by the virus and it has caused us to transition our everyday lives to be lived confined within the walls of our own homes. Many are being forced to work, learn, teach, and do pretty much everything else at home. Same can be said for The Edge.

Teavon Allen, second year digital media production major, is the production director for The Edge. In his role, he is responsible for all pre-produced audio elements that go on air. What this means is that he is responsible for the creative side and development of public service announcements and various station identification elements that they play on air.

What is your podcast about? “As a production enthusiast, I am also a host of The Culture Report, a show on The Edge which is also podcasted.” said Allen. Simply put Allen’s podcast is about “The Culture.” With each installment of the podcast Allen and his two co-hosts try to discuss an array of topics and issues relating to the Black and Latinx community. The goal of The Culture Report is to produce an entertaining show that still has a sense of substantive value. “We often ask some big questions with respect to race relations and the development of minorities within this country and around the world, usually relating topics to pop culture as well.” Allen stated. On the show they also try to use their platform to spread awareness to up and coming artists and entrepreneurs within the community.

Is the podcast still being produced?

“At the current moment, we, unfortunately, are not still on the air. Due to the sudden disbursement of students from campus, we have not been able to continue to produce the program.” said Allen. Production of The Culture Report has come to a halt since classes and extracurricular activities were shut down on campus. Coronavirus has ruined the rest of the semester for Allen and his co-hosts but Allen still remained hopeful for the future saying this, “...we are working with technical staff at the university to see if we can continue to produce the program remotely over the summer.”

How would producing over the summer work?

“The goal for over the summer is to produce the show remotely. This means being able to have a show with each host being in a different location. We are still working out how we plan on doing this but in a general sense, we are going to use a third party calling system that allows us to all be on a “call” together. Allowing us to have a conversation and record it at the same time.” said Allen. This would allow for Allen and his co-hosts to practice social distancing during the pandemic while still producing The Culture Report. Allen is hopeful that this will occur because he is eager to get back in the studio.

Does the podcast not being produced affect your grade at all?

“The podcast hasn’t had any effect on courses as it is independent from my studies. It counts in the realm of an extracurricular.” said Allen. Fortunately for the hosts of the podcasts there is no effect on their overall grades; but Allen made it known that school work is the main focus at the moment and that is one of the reasons that The Culture Report is on hold for the rest of the semester.

Are any of the stations shows still running/being produced? If so by what means?

“Yes. Because we have full-time university staff members who assist and advise with the station, they were able to receive special access to record special news segments to go on air. Besides that, the station has been running on automation. This means that a computer is in charge of broadcasting music and legally required station identification elements rather than an actual DJ or host being in the studio.” said Allen. WFNP has still been able to air certain messages and music even without much studio access. The automated system allows for things to run smoothly without a DJ in the studio.