Cat's Eye continues to work hard despite poor viewership

--- behind the camera, Benson and Frazier is making Cat's Eye great again

For last three years, LN’s student-run television program Cat’s Eye has experienced major up and downs. From unannounced leave of its advisor to hiatus last fall, the program has returned to normalcy this year. And behind every announcement made and sports match shot, two men are running the show: Andrew Benson and Tyrone Frazier III.

“I’ve been always interested with high-tech stuff,” said Benson, a three-year veteran producer that has been through two different advisors. “When I first came here, my older brother was a big part of Cat’s Eye, and I want to uphold tradition Cat’s Eye has been known for.”

Frazier’s story was slightly different. Also a senior, he’s only been on the crew for two years after transferring from Perry Meridian. But like Benson, his childhood greatly influenced his choice. “I first picked up camera when I was two years old. Ever since, I’ve grew with video.” Taking up role as director, he is the guy in charge of everything. In addition, he is also “senior sports correspondent”, putting together match highlights from all LN sports team.

For them, the biggest challenge to run the program is keeping the crews’ creativity alive and well. “Making sure they get work done, but still having creative mindset,” Benson said. Notably, Cat’s Eye began to produce short, entertaining videos to accompany their announcements.

For Frazier, it is the skits that made Cat’s Eye better. “Last year, we didn’t have much control,” he said. “But we now had a little bit of freedom to do funny, interesting things. So that’s what I think made it a lot better.”

Tyler Goudreau, Cat’s Eye faculty advisor, agreed. “Every episode we put out is a step forward from the previous. So far, we’re getting there.”

The pair think that public reaction is now more positive. “I think the content has been a lot better, so people are actually watching the shows,” Benson said. For example, Cat’s Eye interviewed Olympics hurdles bronze medalist and LN grad Ashley Spencer several months ago, one of the major stories they run this year.

But Cat’s Eye still has a long road to go. One of the major obstacle now is its viewership. “We hit about 35 to 50 viewers per episode, which is technically less than total teachers that should turn in to the show,” Goudreau said.

Social studies teacher Corey McGarrell is one of the few teachers that routinely turned in the show every morning. “I think it is a good way to keep connected to all the different areas in the school.” As for the quality? “The anchors are doing nice job reading the news and announcements in a professional way.”

But still, Goudreau have positive words for the pair. “I think they are the first students we had in the long time, that stepped into the studio and taking things on themselves without complete handholding from me,” he said.

Graduating this year, they recounted their times of working together. Frazier said that he always liked the class. “It’s one of the class that you can come for 90 minutes and don’t have to sit and worry about logical thinking.” Benson somewhat agreed: for him, the people behind the cameras are the most special. “It’s a great group of people. Everyone can come together and have fun and make videos with cool ideas.”

And with each other, too. “Tyrone is a great guy,” Benson said. “Without Tyrone, I don’t think Cat’s Eye would be where it is at right now.”

“I think Benson is cool,” Frazier said. “When I get stressed out, because I’m a perfectionist, he calmed everybody down. We have the balance. That’s how we try to get it into the next level.”

An edited version of this story appeared in the 16 December 2016 edition of LN North Star, the student newspaper of Lawrence North High School, Indianapolis.