FOCUS Productions

FOCUS is an award-winning, semester-long project where CCOM students take a deep dive into one topic and share it across the College's student media platforms and Hawk+.

Students and faculty pose for a group photo after production finishes.

What is FOCUS?

Each semester, CCOM students choose a single topic and examine it from every angle across multiple platforms. Past FOCUS projects have covered how AI is changing our world, election coverage, mental health, immigration, food, fashion, and more.

Every FOCUS project centers on a standalone broadcast that airs on Hawk+, giving students the chance to build a long-form program from the ground up. FOCUS has earned numerous national awards for the quality and depth of its storytelling, and it's one of the clearest examples of what CCOM students can produce when CCOM's student media organizations work together.

Coverage Across Every Platform

FOCUS isn't limited to a single broadcast. Each student media outlet (Montclair Advertising Club, Montclair News Lab, The Montclarion, Red Hawk Sports Network, and WMSC 90.3 FM), build their own coverage of the semester's topic, in whatever format fits that platform.

Stream All Episodes

Hawk+
Logo of University's streaming platform, Hawk+. Hawk is in all caps in red font and next to it is a colorful plus sign with a line that extends from the top and circles around to the bottom of the h.

Student Opportunities

FOCUS runs like a real newsroom and production team, and there's a role for you no matter what part of media making interests you most.

Student speaking to professor for FOCUS production in our newsroom.

Anchoring

Student holding microphone with a Montclair New Lab's logo on mic flag in pink blazer.

Reporting

Student interviewing subject with camera viewfinder in focus.

Producing

Two students in newsroom sitting by a long white table discussing video footage.

Video Editing

Crew members conversing during production.

Crew and Set

Graphic of FOCUS: Our AI Journeys promotion with a call to action to download the Hawk+ app and scan QR code.

Social Media

We're on Social Media

Faculty Supervisor

1/

Get Involved

If you're interested in joining a FOCUS production, you can fill out this FOCUS Interest Form.