Thursday, March 3, 2011

We Run This Show: Rika Banerji '11 and Mara Mote '11

Some of you may be wondering who is truly running the show at D3TV...and to solve that problem, we present another weekly spotlight! Check back every week to see student profiles of the very people who are bringing you D3TV programming.

Up first are Rika Banerji and Mara Mote, two seniors who have been at D3TV practically since they set foot on campus. Both of these D3TV superstars came to DePauw without any television experience and learned the basics of TV through the station. Each of them has served as the Director of Finance, and Rika is currently holding that position on the Board of Directors. Both of them love "Glee" and D3TV's very own "The Source," but they are nostalgic for a past D3TV favorite: DRL, or DePauw Request Live. Mara was even in a video for the show! Since both of them loved DRL so much, they're hoping some creative DePauw students will take over the show concept and create some new music videos for the campus to enjoy (hint hint, DePauw students!).

Mara came to DePauw knowing that she wanted to someday be involved in the TV industry, so she jumped right in to any opportunities she could find at D3TV, even spending two semesters as General Manager of the station. In addition to working at D3TV, Mara hosts a radio show on WGRE every Wednesday from 1-2 pm. Mara's future plans include moving to California and working in the television industry. For students who are hoping to also work in the television industry, Mara suggests getting involved with D3TV in any way possible. Mara took TV Production with D3TV's Director of TV Operations, Larry Abed, and found it to be extremely helpful when it came to learning the ropes of the station. For students who are just curious to see what the station is all about, Mara suggests stopping in to try their hand at everything the station has to offer. "It is definitely worthwhile to spend quality time at the TV station," she said. "Your job is not complete until you've learned every piece of equipment in there and have at least had one all-nighter in the editing bays. The real world is going to require you to be versatile, so the more you know, the better your chance."  

Unlike Mara, Rika did not know she wanted to be involved at the television station when she arrived at DePauw. With some encouragement from her RA, former General Manager Danielle Jaegers '10, Rika took on the position of Assistant Director of Promotions and Outreach and has never looked back! Rika has held a variety of positions at the station and learned how to use the equipment so she could help out with any show on the air. Rika also proves that D3TV is not just for Media Fellows and Communications majors; she is a psychology major and enjoys the creative outlet that the station can offer to any DePauw student. The station's equipment may be intimidating, but Rika advises DePauw students with any interest in television or the media to come in the station and give TV a try. "If you are interested in TV, have ideas for new shows, want to do something with the station, do not hesitate to walk into our office and talk with someone who is already involved," she said. "D3TV is DePauw's television station, therefore, it is your television station, and you have the right to come use your facilities whenever you want and show your creative genius."

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