WOLV Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any experience?
No. Here at WOLV, we encourage everyone and anyone to join and participate in our student organization. If you have previous experience in television production or media-related business, then you are certainly encouraged to bring your talents to WOLV. But no prior involvement in television is needed. At WOLV, we have a dedicated and well-trained staff willing to teach our members about all facets of television production. We accept all types of people with any amount of training.
What is the time commitment?The time commitment at WOLV is completely variable and subject to each particular members needs and interests. Whether a member works on one show or six shows, WOLV encourages its members to find what availability they have and then work with us accordingly. With show tapings most nights of the week, there are multiple opportunities to see how television is produced on an almost nightly basis. In addition, General and Departmental Mass Meetings, social events, and station-wide training sessions also generate many of the chances that WOLV Members have to learn, participate and network within the student Organization. Once a prospective member learns about all of the opportunities, it is up to them to continue to participate and stay actively involved here at WOLV.
How can I become a member of WOLV?This one is easy; just email us! Shoot a quick email to wolv@umich.edu, or anyone affiliated with WOLV. They will be sure to send you a speedy reply and get you involved ASAP. We ALWAYS welcome new members, and are more than willing to help get you on-board. If you would like to become a member, please email us today!
Where is WOLV located?WOLV TV is located on the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, with our studio set atop the 9th Floor's East Side of the South Quad Residence Hall on 600 E. Madison. Our studio, control room (located in the IRC), and offices (located on the West Side) are all housed in South Quad, making the dorm feel like a second-home for many of our members.
Can I start my own show?Absolutely! With the advent of our popular, "WOLV Pitch Night," there is regularly a chance for any individual to start their own show. Usually held in the first month of each semester, Pitch Night is a great chance to get your student-produced content on WOLV. There is a specific pilot approval process, including pitching the show to the Executive Board, which generally answers most of the questions that a prospective producer might have about making their TV dream a reality. If you have an idea that can't wait for the next "WOLV Pitch Night," then simply e-mail wolv@umich.edu with your thoughts and ideas. There is a lot of flexibility for getting a new show started, but it all hinges on the commitment of the show's producer to see the final product put together.
Can I work in more than one department?Definitely. We encourage our members to get involved in any and every department with which they have interest. The amount of time you spend working at WOLV is entirely up to you, so feel free to divide your time between as many departments as necessary.
How soon can I be on-air?This question does not have a specific answer. If you come to a show consistently and have a strong desire to be on-air, it should not take long for you to gain an opportunity. Some shows are always looking for on-air talent, while others have a set cast. However, as long as you are willing to put in quality time, the producers at WOLV are willing to give you a shot! Most people who begin working at WOLV find that they have an opportunity for on-air experience within the first month of working here, but sole discretion is up to each individual producer.
Who watches WOLV?Everyone! Well, maybe not everyone, but with so many chances to see WOLV student programming, it is almost surprising that everyone doesn't! WOLV TV airs original, student-produced content 24 hours a day, seven days a week on channel 70 in all University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, residence halls. In addition, WOLV programming can be seen on the Michigan Channel, COMCAST Cable, channel 22, four nights per week, Tuesday through Friday, at 12am. With an hour of programming going out on the Michigan Channel, there are still plenty of chances to catch all of your favorite WOLV News and Sports programs outside of the residence halls. Stay tuned to www.wolv.org for programming changes and updates.
Can WOLV help me get an internship?It sure can! Many WOLV members have used their experiences and networking skills here to attain internships both in the summer and during the academic year. Although not primarily an internship placement organization, the skills that our members receive at WOLV help them to understand what it takes to be successful in the television industry.
What type of shows are on WOLV?From news to sports and back to entertainment, everything on WOLV is worth watching. WOLV News puts together a dynamic pair of shows that covers all things of relevance to the college community. The LIVE news program NewsFeed covers all the latest campus and national stories and remains Ann Arbor's only source for local broadcast news. The other show in the News Department, Inside Michigan, is an in-depth investigative journalism show that probes the hot-topic issues effecting campus. In the Sports Department, WOLV has a complete lineup of five shows. Starting with staple, WOLV SportsNite, a show dedicated to all things related to Michigan athletics. From there the focus remains on Michigan sports, but it gets even more specific as Varsity Blue (the Michigan Football Show), Overtime (the Michigan Hockey Show) and Wolverine Alley-Oop (the Michigan Basketball Show) focus on the specific sports that make the University of Michigan such an athletically competitive school. Closing out the sports department is You Say Maize, I Say Blue, the sports dialogue show that leaves no topic (campus or national) left un-argued. Lastly, in the WOLV Entertainment Department, WOLV presents two shows that really epitomize entertainment. Entertainment Buzz, or E-Buzz, is the place to get caught up on all things celebrity and popular. As a counter, Michigan Amp is the best source on campus to find the next hot band as Amp takes you inside the Ann Arbor music scene with interviews and performances of local artists. For more information on any of these WOLV programs, make sure to peruse the show descriptions on this website. For more specific information, e-mail the producers listed on the contact WOLV tab.
What type of equipment does WOLV use?WOLV uses an entirely digital array of equipment. From our dual Macintosh G5, Final Cut Studio equipped Editing Stations to our Canon XL1 Digital DV camcorders; WOLV has truly embraced the digital age. We have a mobile production setup which helps us to cover live events, we have a fully functional control room complete with DV and DVD playback, green screen chroma-key technology and much, much more. With new strategies being implemented in purchasing for the next couple of years, WOLV hopes to rejuvenate its equipment stock at the onset of each academic year.
Can I receive academic credit for working with WOLV?At this point, no. We continue to work with University departments to provide more educational opportunities affiliated with WOLV TV. If you are interested in working with WOLV for credit, we encourage you to speak with an advisor, department head, or professor to try to get the ball rolling. If it is possible, WOLV will make it happen!
How long has WOLV been around?WOLV TV started in during the 1994-1995 academic year, when a couple of students were shocked to learn that the prestigious University of Michigan did not have a student television station. Led by Danny Schwab (President), Scott Doyne (Vice-President), and Jeff Holzhausen (Sports Director), WOLV's main aim was to get the project off the ground. Because WOLV did not have a studio, the main focus of production was airing Michigan Ice Hockey games. Since the first year, WOLV has made many advances, including a fully-operational studio, industry-quality equipment, and, of course, the continuation of our production of Michigan Hockey games.
How can I advertise on WOLV?If you are interested in advertising on WOLV TV, please check out the "UNDERWRITE" section of our website. There you will find all of the necessary information and contact names to begin advertising on WOLV. For any additional questions, feel free to email wolv@umich.edu.
What does WOLV do outside of the studio?In addition to our strong line-up of in-studio shows, we work hard to bring live events to the Ann Arbor community. In addition to broadcasting live hockey games, our sports department is in the process of adding women's basketball, wrestling, softball, and other varsity sports to our live coverage repertoire. Our news department is constantly looking for breaking news stories and major news events for coverage on our news programs. Like any TV station, if news is happening, we are going to do our best to cover everything! We also have live coverage of special events, including the MSA Presidential Debates, the Athletic Department's "Mock Rock" and much more.