Each week we feature “Meet the Staff Mondays” to help viewers (and even our own staff) learn more about the folks who work behind the scenes, out in the community, at locations around the state, and in front of the cameras here at Idaho Public Television. Today we introduce Director/Videographer/Editor Mya Long.
IdahoPTV’s Carol Beres sat down with Mya to learn more about the triple role she fills. “My main duties are directing and shooting the content for mainly Outdoor Idaho. And then, when it’s time, I edit the show together,” Mya explains. “Lauren [Melink, our Outdoor Idaho producer and host] and I, our positions complement each other well. She does a lot of the ‘pre’ work. So she does the producing. She’s getting everything ready for the shoot…she explains to me her vision, her idea, the story that she has in her head. And then I work with her as closely as possible to bring that to life for the camera.”
Mya is one of our newest employees, but she’s not new to PBS. She grew up in a small town in Wisconsin called Black River Falls, where she had the opportunity to work with PBS in high school. “I was a part of their Student Reporting Labs. I was really fortunate that in a really small community, I still had the opportunity to have my videos broadcast nationally on PBS NewsHour. Through that program, I met a really good mentor who helped me get my student job at the University of Arizona.”
While working for the PBS station there, Mya earned her bachelor’s degree in film and television. Mya got a job with the PBS station in Tucson editing documentaries after graduating. She loved living in Tucson, but she was ready for a new adventure. “I had been an editor for most of my career. And I had always wanted to be much more than that. And I had done a lot on the side, but I was never a full videographer/editor. I wanted to make that jump…Idaho seemed really beautiful, really amazing. I had done some road trips through Idaho…I felt like it was the hidden gem of the West, because, to me, traveling through the West…it really reminded me of Colorado, but not as many people…I was really grateful to have the opportunity.”
Although she’s new to Idaho, Mya already has seen a lot of the state. “In the couple of months I’ve been here, I’ve been able to go up north to Coeur d’Alene, Stanley, Island Park and Rexburg…I really enjoyed Island Park.” It’s the abundance of nature there that catches her eye. “I really like wildlife and mountains, and Island Park seems to have that.”
Mya’s a fan of outdoor recreation in her free time. “I really enjoy climbing. That’s one of the sports I’ve focused on the last five years. I really love kayaking, hiking, camping,” Mya says. “I commute on my bike a lot. I really love to just ride around on my commuter. I go mountain biking.” Besides her career, Mya does side projects and photography. When she wants a snack, she reaches for trail mix, or chocolate-covered almonds. And Mya remembers watching a lot of PBS back in her younger years. “I watched a lot of Arthur. I remember really liking the show and just relating to him.”