Trojan Vision (often abbreviated as TV8) is a student television station at the University of Southern California through the School of Cinematic Arts. Established in 1997 by the Annenberg School for Communication, Trojan Vision now broadcasts 24/7 from the Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts to the University Park Campus on Channel 8.1 and online through their website. Programming is made available to the greater Los Angeles community on local channel LA36. Trojan Vision also operates the Student Film Channel, Channel 8.3, showcasing the work of students of the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
As of Fall 2006, students can use their volunteer work at Trojan Vision to earn credit through the USC School of Cinematic Arts in a course called CTPR-409 Practicum in Television Production.
During the 2012-2013 school year, Trojan Vision celebrated its 15th year on the air with special programming and an official anniversary party.
Trojan Vision has featured a wide variety of shows since its launch in 1997.
Balance - Health and wellness show that brings viewers segments and interviews about nutrition, fitness, and health every week. Airs live every Monday at 11:00am.
CU@USC - A live interview show featuring notable guests from a variety of backgrounds. Broadcasts live at 6:30pm on weeknights.
Delish - Food show that airs live cooking and the best LA restaurants every Monday at 11:30am.
Mind Games - The only game show currently produced for TV8, Mind Games tests contestants in three rounds of trivia to see how well they fare against their best friends.
Platforum - Bringing the debate on all of today's hot topics to USC, Platforum is a round-table debate show broadcasting live at 5:30pm on weeknights.
The Breakdown - One of the few fully scripted shows on Trojan Vision, The Breakdown is a news satire show where satire and silliness meet. New episodes weekly, Fridays at 11:00am.
The SCoop - Airing live at 11:00am on Tuesdays and Thursdays, this entertainment news and talk show covers the latest trends and stories from the biggest movie premieres to interviews with the world’s most fascinating people. From the very best of popular culture, to unlimited access to your favorite celebrities, television shows, and much more, The SCoop has it covered.
The Morning Brew - Trojan Vision's signature morning show, breaking down the issues that impact USC students the most each and every weekday morning at 10:30am. The show features engaging interviews with faculty, students, staff and alumni.
The Water Cooler - Sports talk. Friday afternoons at 2:30 pm.
CON - A scripted drama series about con artists on a college campus.
Since its start, Trojan Vision has featured a wide array of programming. The following list features some of the many shows that have been produced for Trojan Vision. Although none of these shows are still in production, some of them may still continue to air on TV8 in repeats.
Annenberg TV News - A live 30 minute news program broadcast live Monday to Thursday at 6:00pm produced by students of the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
Birnkrant 616 - This sitcom followed the lives of USC students as they deal with life, love, and the bumbling World War II Nazis that live next door.
Campus Basement - New in 2013, Campus Basement is a scripted sketch comedy show that airs every Friday at 11:00 AM.
Common Ground - A multicam sitcom produced by CNTV 484 & CNTV 435 Students.
Common Sense - A game show asking 'common sense' questions to students.
The Daily SCene - An hour-long breakfast show that featured entertainment updates, local Los Angeles culture spotlights, and more, that aired live at 11:00am on weekdays in the Fall semester of 2010.
Doing it for Reel - A film show.
DormGourmet - A cooking show that taught college students how to cook, one person at a time.
Exposed! - Featured the hidden, and not so hidden, talents of USC professors, students, and staff.
God Help Us! - A multicam sitcom produced by CNTV 484 & CNTV 435 Students.
Impact - A newsmagazine program presented by students of the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
In Real Time - A 30 minute documentary show that took an in-depth look at various subjects.
The Kinda Late Show - Airing live on Sunday nights at 10:00pm, this variety show featured sketch comedy, musical guests, interviews, and more.
Life in the Dorms - A mockumentary sitcom about the lives of students living in USC's New-North dorm building.
The Live Show on KXSC Radio - A unique partnership between Trojan Vision and USC’ student-run radio station KXSC Radio, The Live Show was a combination of a live musical performance from local L.A. bands at Tommy’s Place (in the basement of the USC Campus Center) and exclusive interviews in the KXSC Radio station.
Mister McSuper - Only one episode was produced of this sitcom, telling the story of a recently unemployed superhero.
MySelf - This sitcom told the story of a student and his clone.
NewsMakers - Trojan Vision's news satire, NewsMakers featured a mix of in-studio segments and field reports. "It's not the facts, it's the news."
On the Ball - Focused on the Women's Professional Soccer league in the United States.
Showcase - Featured films of past and present made by USC students and analysis from hosts and the films' creators. New episodes air weeknights at 7:00pm.
Sports SCense - Provided viewers with an in-depth look at football and other sports.
Take 5 - A pop culture and entertainment show that took a look at the latest news and movie reviews, covering everything entertainment.
Trojan Chef - This cooking show was an unofficial student version of the popular Iron Chef franchise.
Trojan Huddle - Airing live on Thursday evenings at 8:00pm, Trojan Huddle gave a close-up look at USC Trojans football.
Trojan Timeout - Featured USC's world of sports.
Trojan Triumph - This competition show featured USC's undiscovered talents from the worlds of singing, dancing, and acting.
underGRAD - A situational comedy about undergraduate students.
Visual Frequency - Music television from a student perspective.
Trojan Vision’s primary broadcast studio, Studio B, is located at the Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts. Studio B is equipped with six professional video cameras: four cameras on pedestals, a robotic camera mounted on the ceiling, and a camera mounted in the production control room. The studio has Strand lighting control and teleprompters. The video control room includes a FOR-A HVS-350 multi-format switcher with 20 inputs, 2 PinP, 2 DVE, 4 still stores, 2 multi-display processor. The audio room contains a MIDI keyboard, a sampler, and a Yamaha O2R mixer with integrated effects. These rooms export their signals to TV8 Master Control where they are recorded on video servers, broadcast live in HD on the campus cable TV system and streamed online.
In addition to Studio B, Trojan Vision has access to other stages in the Zemeckis Center. These include a 30x30 insert stage, a 30x40 stage with standing sets, and two 40x50 stages that can be combined, forming a 40x100 sound stage. As of Summer 2012, Trojan Vision has attained exclusive access to Studio C, which is primarily used to film the morning shows.
For field use, Trojan Vision uses Sony XDCAMs and other cameras. It has access to an HD flypack (portable studio) with a FOR-A FA-300 switcher, four Sony HXC-100 broadcast-quality HD cameras and two Omneon video servers.
Trojan Vision operates a single-mode fiberoptic network, enabling it to do live TV broadcasts from many locations on the USC campus, including the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and various theaters and stages at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. The station also broadcasts 24/7 from an 80-inch LCD screen at a Trojan Vision-branded kiosk on campus located adjacent to Tommy Trojan.
Awards and honors
In 2006, Trojan Vision Trojan received a Telly Award for the third year in a row. The award, which honors "outstanding local, regional, and cable television commercials and programs" has been awarded to Trojan Vision 4 times since 2004. Trojan Vision has received several other awards, including being named Spin Magazine's, "Best College Television Station in the Country," and being presented with six Telly's.
Trojan Vision also hosts its own award show each year, honoring top station programming in the areas of Best Nightly Show, Best Weekly Show, Best New Show, and a variety other awards that honor writing, production, and invaluable station crew.
