Coping with a life-threatening illness is a tremendous challenge for anyone, but its particularly difficult for younger people. While most kids are enjoying the typical trappings of childhood, these young people are faced with the life-changing realities of doctors and specialists, poking and testing, and extended hospital stays. Its a difficult situation even under the best of circumstances, but many medical professionals are looking for ways to improve the experience.
Dean and Nadia with TOA
Cook Childrens Health Care System in Texas is one of a handful of exceptionally progressive organizations working to change the way young people are cared for. Catering exclusively to children from newborn to age 18, Cook Childrens has ranked consistently among the top health care facilities in the US, as well as one of the best places to work in the nation.
They have a very forward thinking philosophy here at Cook Childrens, explains Shawn Griffith, Cook Childrens Broadcast Studio Producer. The promise is that every childs life is sacred, and we will do whatever it takes to improve the health of every child.
Part of that philosophy is to promote an environment that helps to promote normalcy and reduce the stress of the hospital routine. Griffith is part of the staff running the hospitals Child Life Zone, a 2400-square-foot facility that is open to patients and their families. As he explains, the CLZ is a self-declared no owie zone.
A patient whos going through a stressful round of chemo treatment can come down to the Child Life Zone in their gown and PJs, and even though they may be pushing an IV pole, they can walk in here and be a kid again. They can play pool, video games, read books, meet their friends, get a plate of nachos - basically, they can do things that are part of normal life. It gives them a respite from this overwhelming experience theyre going through, and through that process they begin to heal, and more rapidly.
The Child Life Zone is also home to a state-of-the-art multi-track recording studio and TV broadcast facility with multiple cameras and full HD ingest and playout capabilities. As Griffith observes, the facility is key to the healing process.
The kids participate in every aspect of the stations operation, and thats exceptionally empowering for them. We create all the content ourselves, and we tailor it to the kids. We have game shows, talk shows, cooking shows, science shows, music shows, even a morning news and talk show.
The studio is outfitted with Panasonic pedestal cameras and several remote cams, as well as a Mac Pro for ingest and another for playout. Both Macs are outfitted with ToolsOnAirs Broadcast Suite, a virtual TV Station in a Box that has dramatically changed the stations workflow and production capabilities.
Using ToolsOnAirs just:in, the CLZ crew can easily involve every patient in the creative process, The kids can decide to do a show on pretty much anything that interests them, and we help them put it together, Griffith explains. They can host it here in the studio, or we can even bring our cameras into their room and enable them to become part of the action.
Griffith points to the story of one patient who, he says, is fairly typical. We had one girl, confined to isolation, who was teaching herself origami while she was here. When I first went in to talk to her about it, the room was dark, the drapes were pulled, she was under the covers, just sitting there feeling gloomy. We took gear to her room, and had her host a show on origami right from her bed, and she just opened up. A couple of the nurses said to her, hey, I saw you on TV, youre a rock star! It changed everything for her. When I go and visit her now, her drapes are open, shes dressing in flowery PJs, and shes always excited to show me her next project. Its a total 180-degree turnaround.
Griffith cites the stability of ToolsOnAirs MacOS-based solution as an equally important factor for CLZ. Weve attempted this kind of programming with other products, and the reliability simply wasnt there. Theres nothing worse than going into a childs room, getting set up, and then having to make them wait or cancel it because weve got technical difficulty.
ToolsOnAirs just:play is used to create the playlists that keep the station running 24/7. The workflow is so easy, the kids can come in here and in a few minutes theyve learned how to put together a playlist, says Griffith. They sit down with me and we talk about what shows they liked, and they pick their favorite episodes. We have station IDs weve created with famous athletes, actors, and local celebrities, and they drag those into the timeline as well. I get them started on it, walk away for five minutes, and when I get back theyve put together a full days playlist. They see the results, and they can say, hey, I did that! That makes a world of difference.
The live graphics capabilities of just:play are another aspect of the program that help to create a unique atmosphere for the kids, some of whom are in quarantine for weeks at a time. During a live show, weve got kids watching up in their rooms who will call down to us and ask to give a shout out to a buddy in another room, or to their nurse, or someone else on staff. In about 30 seconds, I can put up a lower third with that shout out, and its a great way for the kids to feel like theyre not so isolated.
Aside from versatility and a faster, more efficient workflow, Griffith says the ToolsOnAir system has enabled CLZ-TV to maintain a higher level of production value. The ease of use and production quality were able to achieve is beyond anything weve been able to reach before now.
As Griffith observes, the CLZ-TV facility has a far deeper impact on these young patients than simply passing the time. We know that a child at play heals faster than a child who doesnt. For most of these ki
Most recent headlines
04/08/2024
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, is excited to announce Santiago Solanas as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO)....
03/06/2024
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, a...
03/05/2024
An innovative learning tool to help media and civil society better understand ho...
03/05/2024
PARK CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 21: (L-R) Actors K stutis Cic nas and Greta Grinevi i t , Director Marija Kavtaradze and Producer Marija Razgute attend the 2023 Sunda...
03/05/2024
If you aren't familiar with Danny Ocean's music, it's only a matter ...
03/05/2024
Spotify has an unwavering commitment to supporting emerging artists across all genres, to helping them launch and thrive in their careers, and to connecting the...
03/05/2024
Como uno de los sonidos de mayor expansi n en el mundo, la M sica Mexicana va m ...
03/05/2024
As one of the fastest-growing sounds worldwide, M sica Mexicana is more than jus...
03/05/2024
NEW YORK FuboTV reported that it lost 110,000 subs in Q1 2024 but it exceeded its guidance for the quarter with double digit year-over-year increases across key...
03/05/2024
Only 3 Weeks Left To Enter The Creative Industries Most Award
Brie Clayton May 3, 2024
0 Comments
Creativepool is giving a last call to the creative i...
03/05/2024
WePlay Studios Transforms the Future of Live Event Storytelling with AJA Gear
Brie Clayton May 3, 2024
0 Comments
By 2032, the esports market is expec...
03/05/2024
WASHINGTON Shannon Bream, Fox News Sunday anchor and chief legal correspondent, sat for a keynote chat at The Business of TV News, with Tom Umstead, senior co...
03/05/2024
WASHINGTON Asked how important is local news, Martha Raddatz, who has covered foreign conflicts for decades and moderated presidential debates for ABC News, s...
03/05/2024
Sony Pictures and Apollo Global Management have made a $26 billion cash offer fo...
03/05/2024
CBS announced its 2024-2025 primetime schedule, which features the new dramas NCIS: Origins, Matlock and Watson, and new comedies Poppa's House and Georgie ...
03/05/2024
Sports-focused streaming service Fubo said it reduced its red ink in the first quarter, despite losing 110,000 subscribers since the end of the year....
03/05/2024
Walmart is reportedly about to release a new 4K streaming box/smart speaker hybrid device for Google TV that could retail for as low as $50, according to a repo...
03/05/2024
Enhancements to its Delivery Workspace solution provide increased content delivery robustness and security
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: May 3, 2024
Enha...
03/05/2024
According to reports, if the bid is successful, Sony would be the significant majority shareholder of the new private company
By Jenny Priestley
Published: M...
03/05/2024
Located in Manchesters Spinningfields district, the course aims to equip students with the skills, knowledge and industry insight for a career in the creative s...
03/05/2024
Lightbridge has created a new Cine Reflect Lighting System kit, dedicated to enabling artistic lighting with consideration of today's productivity practical...
03/05/2024
Broadcast media systems integrator BeckTV and Lawo worked together on a large-scale AES67 build of radio control rooms at KPBS, San Diego's NPR and PBS memb...
03/05/2024
Raleigh, NC, April 12, 2024 SmallHD announces PageOS 6, a powerful software update free for owners of SmallHD monitors, featuring increased functionality, exp...
03/05/2024
SmallHD announces the Quantum 32 a new 31.5 OLED monitor designed to provide reference HDR/SDR images for post-production final color grading, as well as cri...
03/05/2024
By 2032, the esports market is expected to grow to $9.29 billion, bolstered by a global player count and fan following that both continue to climb. The 2023 Lea...
03/05/2024
Amagi, the global leader in cloud-based SaaS technology for broadcast and connected TV (CTV), today announced that the 11th edition of the Amagi Global FAST Rep...
03/05/2024
Riedel Communications today announced that Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) is relying on a media and intercom network based on Riedel technology for the renewal of...
03/05/2024
Broadpeak , a leading provider of content delivery network (CDN) and video streaming solutions for content providers and pay-TV operators worldwide, announced t...
03/05/2024
Media technology innovator Limecraft will exhibit the latest updates to its online platform on stand G79 at the 15-16 May 2024 Media Production & Technology Sho...
03/05/2024
Audio interface specialist Prism Sound is partnering with console manufacturer Solid State Logic, professional monitor manufacturer PMC and acoustic panel and d...
03/05/2024
Intinor, Sweden's leading developer of products and solutions for high-quality video over the internet, is set to join forces with its UK partner Zest Techn...
03/05/2024
NAKIVO Inc., a fast-growing software company dedicated to protecting physical, virtual, cloud, and SaaS environments, announced its Q1 2024 financial results to...
03/05/2024
Hiltron Communications announces an addition to its range of satellite communication products and systems: a field-upgradable motorisation kit specifically desi...
03/05/2024
Visit LiveU at Stand D30
With this year an exceptional one for major sporting events alongside multiple, key elections, the power and flexibility of LiveU'...
03/05/2024
Agile Content, the leader in the development of technology and solutions for the provision of television services over the Internet, announces Koldo Unanue as i...
03/05/2024
Eight co-signers representing streaming services, pay TV operators and public interest groups have sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging their Committee...
03/05/2024
BOSTON Brightcove has announced that it has implemented Amazon Q Business, a new generative AI assistant on Amazon Web Services (AWS)....
03/05/2024
NEW YORK CBS has declared that it will finish the 2023-24 season as Americas Most-Watched Network in primetime for the 16th consecutive season....
03/05/2024
A new survey indicates that U.S. businesses and consumers had an overall positive attitude towards their technology spending plans in the first quarter of 2024,...
03/05/2024
Sony and Apollo Global Management have sent an offer letter to Paramount Global's board of directors making an $26 billion all cash offer for Paramount Glob...
03/05/2024
EMG / Gravity Media has appointed Charlie Cubbon chief operating officer (COO) and Jamie Hindhaugh regional CEO for the U.K., U.S., Australia and the Middle Eas...
03/05/2024
Final 2024 Season Games to Air Saturdays on WRAL at 10:30am in May, Championship on June 1
Taping for the final episodes of the 2024 season of WRAL-TV's Br...
03/05/2024
Estrella MediaCo said it is expanding its connected TV portfolio by launching three new channels with Curiosity that will first appear on Samsung TV Plus....
03/05/2024
Nielsen said that actors' union SAG-AFTRA has selected Nielsen as its third-party provider of streaming content measurement....
03/05/2024
Cineverse said it has released a public beta version of cineSearch, its artificial intelligence-based system designed to help users find content to watch....
03/05/2024
Court TV said that its series Accomplice to Murder with Vinnie Politan is returning for a second season beginning May 5....
03/05/2024
Paramount Advertising said it is working with Mastercard and research and analytics company EDO to measure the impact of advertising campaigns and improve their...
03/05/2024
WASHINGTON The panel The Growth of Local Programming happened at The Busines...
03/05/2024
Katz Media Group said that Craig Broitman will become president of the company, succeeding Leo MacCourtney, who announced that he is retiring effective July 1....
Coping with a life-threatening illness is a tremendous challenge for anyone, but its particularly difficult for younger people. While most kids are enjoying the typical trappings of childhood, these young people are faced with the life-changing realities of doctors and specialists, poking and testing, and extended hospital stays. Its a difficult situation even under the best of circumstances, but many medical professionals are looking for ways to improve the experience. 
