Media Students’ Show Hits the Air

Ahide Quintro says it takes her a few minutes before she warms up to the camera.

The 18-year-old reports news and introduces videos on “Musica Latina,” a Spanish-language music video show produced at Jones Intercable by Barrio Productions as part of a city program.

The half-hour program will air Tuesdays beginning today at 5 p.m. on Jones Intercable Channel 6. It will feature live performances, news reports and music videos. The 14 crew members involved in the project are between 16 and 22 years old.

“While Congress puts the blame on the media for corrupting the minds of young people and attempts to plead with Hollywood to produce better programming, [they] . . . are producing their own quality television shows,” said Luis Guereca, coordinator for Barrio Productions.

The city’s Resident Initiatives Program, run by Arturo Casillas, targets people living in public housing. Barrio Productions provides youth with a media apprenticeship project that includes instruction on video, film and other aspects of media work.

“The show was basically a way of doing MTV in Spanish, and we wanted to tap into local bands,” said Guereca. “This is the only program locally that spotlights bands in Spanish.”

The group began producing Musica Latina last year, often taping in a makeshift studio at the Resident Initiatives building on Colonia Road after regular business hours, said Guereca.

“The participants were responsible for putting together every part of the show’s presentation, including the script, camera operation, lighting, directing and hosting,” he said.

“The hardest part is getting all the music videos, because you have to talk to all the video companies,” said 17-year-old Adriana Ruiz, another of the show’s veejays, who said she hopes to make a career of video production.

“You have to have discipline, too,” added Hector Torres, 18, a producer and reporter for the show. “You have to be able to talk to other people, the record companies and the stars.”