A Look on the ‘Inside’: UCO Student Gains Valuable Experience Working Behind the Camera on ‘Inside the Issues’

Through partnerships with local businesses and companies, UCO students can gain hands-on, resume-building experience in the form of part-time jobs and internships. UCO student Kyle Tangco recently honed his skills working behind the camera on the show “Inside the Issues,” a political interview show where hosts Jim Dunlap and Pat Hall engage Oklahoma leaders in conversations regarding current state issues.

“Inside the Issues” is produced through a partnership between Cox Communications and UCO. The 30-minute show is filmed in the UCentral News studio and provides UCO students the opportunity to work on set and gain hands-on experience. The show is broadcast to the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metropolitan areas.

Tangco knew that this opportunity offered a chance to broaden his TV production skills, further his education and gain paid work experience.

Tangco first developed a passion for the field while taking a sports broadcasting class as a student at Deer Creek High School in Edmond. Now, he wants to make a career in television broadcasting. Tangco did some research and decided to become a Broncho and major in professional media.

“There were many reasons why I chose to come to UCO. For one, I admire the investment that my mass communication professors make to help every student achieve their personal goals. From broadcasting to print media, every faculty member acts as a mentor. The college also has a great student-led newscast, UCentral News, which is playing a major role in shaping my professional career,” Tangco said.

Tangco instantly knew he wanted to become involved with UCentral News. He started out volunteering and eventually got the opportunity to serve in a leadership position. Before the university closed its physical campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tangco worked as a director, which put him in charge of leading camera operators and technical directors, as well as working with producers on deciding how to present content for live broadcasts. This hand-on experience is what led Tangco to secure a job on “Inside the Issues.”

While working for “Inside the Issues” and before the campus physically closed, Tangco worked on every recording session, serving as a camera operator and, at times, acting as the floor director.

“On the first show, I was welcomed by every member of the team, including hosts Pat Hall and Jim Dunlap. Both Pat and Jim have a level of enthusiasm that was contagious and you can tell because every member of the team from the control room to the studio would bring the same level of passion when it came time to run through the show. They were two of the nicest and most influential people that I’ve met and it has been an honor to work with them,” Tangco said.

Tangco was in awe of every guest that was invited to the show including Oklahoma Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat; Oklahoma Speaker of the House of Representatives Charles McCall; and, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt. He remembers his favorite guest being Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell. “He talked about Oklahoma’s new branding and tourism campaign. I never realized how much revenue Oklahoma received solely through tourism, even learning how big agritourism was in our state. To also hear about the partnerships that the state plans to make in order to improve tourism makes me excited for the future of Oklahoma’s infrastructure,” Tangco said.

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the show had to cease filming on Central’s campus and is now being done virtually. Both Hall and Dunlap have continued filming the show from their homes.

Tangco is sad to see his time working on the show end for the semester, but is looking forward to the future of the partnership. It was an experience he is glad he said yes to and is ready to work with the “Inside the Issues” team again.

Sarah Ward

At the Office of University Communications at the University of Central Oklahoma, we bleed bronze and blue — Pantone 116 and 282, to be exact. The University Communications staff of professionals promotes Central to the community through news releases, media relations, advertising, branding and marketing initiatives, publications and electronic media — and, of course, using the university's official colors (that's the Pantone 116 and 282). We believe the University of Central Oklahoma is a thriving, opportunity-rich institution located in one of the best metropolitan areas in the country with innovative students, faculty and staff who make a difference in our world. It is our pleasure to share the Central story with you.