Beyond Our Control, the weekly satirical revue for television is now scheduled for its fifth anniversary season premier Saturday, January 29 at 5:30 PM EST on WNDU-TV Channel 16 in South Bend, Indiana. WJA-TV, the high school student television production company which creates the program is now in the final stages of production as the group prepares to open its eleventh season of telecasting on WNDU-TV.
Twenty-four students of six area high schools and three advisers from the staff of WNDU-TV, the University of Notre Dame's NBC affiliate in South Bend, have joined under the auspices of Junior Achievement to produce the program. "JA," a 2-year-old national business education and training organization, permits the group to function as a complete model corporation, selling stock to raise operating capital, creating an original program concept, leasing studio facilities and ait-time from WNDU-TV, and then engaging in the production of the 13-week series of programs. The project is financed solely through the sale of commercial advertising within the show to area businesses.
Wm. Thomas Hamilton, Executive Vice President and General Manager of WNDU-TV, and now a member of the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement of South Bend, inaugurated the project in 1960. The program, one of the first of its kind in the United States, was devised to attract talented young people to broadcasting careers by offering practical experience in television production, sales and business administration. Since its inception, more than 250 area teenagers have participated in the unique educational project.
Since 1968, WJA-TV has presented Beyond Our Control, modestly claimed to be one of local television's most ambitious weekly program. As the title suggests, the show is television-oriented, exploiting the medium to reflect humorously upon all aspects of American culture--including television itself. Experimental film, on-location actuality-style reports, parodies of television programs and commercials, frequent musical interludes and a diverse assortment of other features--all characterized by a generally irreverent tone--are presented each week in what the producers (somewhat optimistically) describe as a fast-paced and humorous framework. The weekly "Rock of Ages" reprise of vintage popular music will return this season, as will frequent interruptions for commercials--real and otherwise.
With the exception of a few technical responsibilities, the production of the complex weekly program is almost entirely in the hands of the high school sophomore, juniors and seniors who comprise, the membership of the company. Students work with advisers in writing each week's original script and in the preparation of 16mm film segments. At Saturday morning videotaping sessions, the students operate the television cameras, do the audio engineering and operate videotape recorders. Naturally, acting and announcing chores are completely in the hands of the students.
Kim Guidi, a Senior at Mishawaka High School, is the program's Production Manager this season, assisted by Kathy Kimbriel, a sophomore at John Adams High School. Jim Skwarcan, a Senior at Riley High School ,is the President of WJA-TV this year. Advisers from the staff of WNDU-TV will again be Joe Dundon and Dave Williams. New to the program this year is Mark Heller, a member of the WNDU-TV staff who will direct the program. Beyond Our Control is probably the longest running Junior Achievement television operation in the nation, having been repeatedly singled out to win national acclaim for its outstanding educational properties.
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Six area high schools are represented in the membership of WJA-TV this season:
From Jackson High School - Art Directors Tom Keays and Kevin O'Brien, Secretary Dave Bashover, Treasurer Marty Katz, Robin Hill, Joe Kocy, Mary Kocy, Geoffrey Roth and Carl Thompson.
From Riley High School- President Jim Skwarcan and Phil Banks.
From Mishawaka High School - Production Manager Kim Guidi, Penny Cole, Toni Bilancio and Janet Johnson.
From John Adams High School - Assistant Production Manager Kathy Kimbriel, Assistant to the Director Art Binhack, Jan Morse and Kevin Wright.
From St. Joseph's High School - Mark McQueen, Diane Werts and Rick Xaver.
From LaSalle High School - Sales Manager Bob Morton and Property Manager Julie Ratkiewicz.
