In taking Shirley Bruno’s place as PATV executive director, Erica Bradley said, she has taken on a big challenge.
“I’m really going to have to figure out how to switch hats,” Bradley said. “14 years behind the camera is a long time, and now to be in administrative role is a new challenge.”
“But I’m up for it,” she said.
Bradley had been PATV’s technical director since joining the station in 2001 — a position that allowed her to direct and edit major projects including the launch of the North Shore News, a biweekly news show, and the Veteran’s Stories series.
Nominated for a New York Emmy award 2013, Bradley said the Veteran’s Stories was her favorite project during her time as technical director.
“Working with all the veterans, you really got to know them personally and you connected to them,” she said. “I really feel connected to that project. We expanded to Korea and we’re currently doing Vietnam.”
While she will continue these programs, Bradley said, she has not yet formed a big plan for the future of the station.
“The TV industry is uncertain going forward,” she said. “So I don’t have a big giant vision. I do want to stay relevant as possible, and stay up to date with all the technologies.”
But, she said, she does have plans to expand the studio’s workshops, to offer local residents the opportunity to learn these new technologies.
“We started doing iPad classes, so that’s where we want to go,” Bradley said. “We taught them how to shoot and edit videos on an iPad. Not many people are using cameras as much; they’re all using mobile devices. “
Bradley said the station has really made her feel at home, and the transition has been easy so far, with Bruno staying on as a consultant for PATV.
“Shirley has given me a lot to work with, and the community I know has been so supportive,” she said. “Just today I walked in and someone sent me bagels, I got text messages and flowers, the community really feels like a family now.”
