Braves Television shoots for high goals, creativity

Last year, their videos included a cafeteria karaoke version of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" as well as various promotional spots. Braves Television also took on the project of a student-body photo.

These students are lead by Social Media Specialist Annie Noll, who initially started this group to increase visitors to OU's Facebook page.

Noll thinks BTV is effective because the students' videos are honest and fun.

"Their videos aren't saying ‘come to Ottawa because we have a great academic program and lots of awesome sports,'" she said. "They just portray the student community here, which is a huge selling point in itself among potential students - they want to know what their college is like. Alumni also like seeing the students happy and having fun."

Senior Laura Reed joined BTV this year because she liked what the group had done in the past.

"I saw how much fun last year's BTV members had," she said. "When I saw the opportunity to join, I couldn't pass it up."

Junior Matt Pritchett joined last year because he thought it would be a good opportunity to show a different side of Ottawa.

"I think that BTV helps spread the word about OU and helps show that this school can have some fun," he said. "This year, I'm working on a video that showcases the different groups, organizations, clubs and sports teams that we offer on campus."

Since the group started, Noll said the response has been very positive.

"I think everyone understands that we are doing the videos for the betterment of Ottawa," she said. But Noll also thinks it's important to get the student body involved with BTV projects and videos.

"I advise Braves TV when we are coming up with video ideas that we want to do things that are large in scope but realistic," Noll said.

This is something Pritchett also hopes to see this year.

"I want to see BTV work on something that the whole school wants to participate in," he said. "It will show the true potential of the fun we can have here."On Nov. 13, the members of BTV will be getting students involved at the OU football game against Friends University.

"We are going to simulate Facebook at this game," Noll said. "The idea is we will give everyone "like" buttons to hold up and certain students will be given additional Facebook-type signage to hold up at certain points during the game."

This is a project Reed is working on for the group and hopes students will have fun with it.

"I think that students will like the humor behind it," she said. "It's a good opportunity for the student body to bond."

The group also has other video plans that include a snap shot montage, a documentation of student pranks and BTV members dancing with OU student groups.