You Want Me to Do What?

Classes aren’t usually something that I struggle with…. Of course they are challenging but not something I struggle with. Until I had to take a theatre class as part of my broadcasting major requirement. I’ve always been interested in theatre and have been in a few plays, but I have always been a little shy. Maybe even a little embarrassed and scared that I am going to do or say something that is going to make me like stupid. Not feeling confident in my abilities and most importantly myself is sometimes hard for me, but the feeling of getting up in acting in front of someone just made me feel uneasy. I know I have mentioned this class before but it was voice and diction.
When I walked into my first day of class I didn’t know what to expect. I am a very curious person so I did my research. I asked around to older broadcasting majors about what the class was going to be like. I kept getting the same response " That class is quite the class." So what would you think if someone said this to you? I just kept thinking to myself, "okay so is that a good thing or a bad thing." After my first day of class I knew exactly what kind of class this was…. a bad one! Just when he was going over the syllabus I heard three words that I dread hearing…. in front of. We would have to do a monologue in front of the class, do exercises in front of the class, AND practice all of this stuff in front of the class I knew from that point that I wanted to just curl up in a ball somewhere and forget that I ever heard any of this. I know why would I ever be scared of doing anything in front of people? I am on the radio and host a television show, but just think for a moment…. I am never really in front of people. On the radio, you stand in a studio by yourself most of the time and talk to people and relay information. In television, of course you have to read in front of people, but they are all part of the crew and are broadcasting majors. So they are either people I know, or have to go through the same things I have to. This class though was an Intellectual Perspective class, which to sum up for you means that anyone could take it.
One of the scariest things I ever did in that class was recite my monologue. I had to get up in front of everyone and recite something from memory…. oh yeah…and become that character. This was the hardest thing for me, but guess what, I did a great job. I didn’t miss any of my lines and Dr. Mackenzie even mentioned how great of a job I did! Although this was done towards the end of the semester it helped me feel very confident in myself. I knew that if I conquered this I could conquer anything! Now I like to act, scary huh! I never would’ve guessed in a million years that I would ever say that! This class helped me realize that I am unstoppable…I can do anything I put my mind to!

Politics, News, Sports?

I have always been interested in politics. It’s not like I know anything about Politics or even like to discuss them, but at the same time I am fascinated by the topics. When people talk about politics in conversation, I really admire them because they know a lot about something I really don’t. I guess this is the fascinating part. If I were traveling back to Westminster ten years from now Bill Sadler is definitely the person I would like to see how his life has been going. He’s a very well rounded person so I could see him doing anything, but going in to politics I could definitely see him, who knows maybe even be the mayor.
While at Westminster Bill has been involved in several broadcasting areas, meaning I have seen him do a little bit of this and a little bit of that. I have seen him on camera, anchoring our cable television show The County Line, directing, and behind the camera shooting. He’s very gifted and has been blessed with so much talent that I could see him even doing something behind the scenes or anchoring the news. He is one person in our class that I feel is determined to be a success. One trait about Bill that makes me curious is he has a direction he wants to go in, which I believe is anchoring, but it will be interesting to see what path he takes. Is it anchoring sports, news, a political show, or is he the mayor of a town. I guess that is a good reason for me to keep in contact with him after graduation, or just be curious everyday after until I meet up with him again. No matter which path he takes I know he will do fantastic! I just want to wish him the best of luck…it’s a tough business but he will standout no matter where he goes in it!

I Think He Really Does Know Everything!

I have to admit this is one of my favorite entries, yet! The one upcoming Westminster Broadcasting Major who I know and admire is Andrew Borts. I have been in many classes and practicums with Andy because although he is a year younger than I am because I came into the major late so I was with first year students during my first year as a Broadcast major. Long Story..I know! Anyway the first time we met we were in a high school football remote. He came walking down bragging about how he worked at a big radio station, and in high school he did a lot of work with cameras and other related equipment. I am not going to lie I was pretty intimidated! He is pretty big into radio, and although he does a little bit of television, its obvious radio is his passion.
Andy is not only great at what he does; he’s a great friend too! Although he intimidated me at first, last fall we had a shift together anchoring the news and he showed me the ropes. I had never been on the radio before and I know it didn’t sound very pretty at first, but Andy never once made me feel like I was terrible even if I was. Whether you need help writing, editing, shooting, or just have a question in general Andy is always eager to help! He has such a bright future ahead of him! He is someone who I look up to, and am not afraid to admit it.
One of my other fondest memories was when Andy spent 2 hours helping me fix an audio problem that I had tried fixing on one of my packages. I tried day after day, hour after hour, and could not figure out the problem. Instead of letting me take a zero Andy helped me until the problem was resolved! When he makes it big in radio one day, or even maybe television I know that he will do a fantastic job! He knows so much, yet doesn’t let it swell his head! When in comes time for him to apply for jobs, any station would be crazy not to hire him!

Sports 101!

I know that I didn’t have to choose a Broadcast Major for this prompt, but I had to. The Westminster graduate that I know and admire is DJ Yokely. DJ was a transfer student who was a broadcast communications major. He was the host of our "Coach’s Corner Segment" in which he would interview the Head Football Coach at Westminster and a player. I really admire him for doing that show. I know what it is like to host sports show, but mine deals with every sport, and gives me the opportunity to do feature packages. His show focused on football. He had to do tons of highlights, play-by-play, and set up an interview segment for both the coach and player. He did an exceptional job!

DJ was also in my sports broadcasting class that was taught by Bob Hannon! DJ was an intern for the same station and before the merger was working there part-time. One of the greatest memories I have is when DJ and I were teamed up for a feature package for our class. He wanted me to do a stand up and pitch the story as if I was hosting sports show live. It was the first time I was ever in front of the camera in college and let me tell you I was so NERVOUS! He guided me along, and made sure that I was comfortable and that was something that I always remember when I step in front of the camera. Funny story is that he is back at the station doing some "VJ"work! No matter where I go, or what I do, I will always remember that first opportunity he gave me to stand up in front of the camera! I have loved it ever since! He could have done that stand up or pitched that story himself since he had so much experience, but he gave me that chance! I am forever thankful!

Student By Day, VJ & Anchor By Night!

Well I know that you would never guess in a million years what my capstone presentation would be about, right? Actually, I bet you would guess it…. Sports! My presentation is on Monday November 10th, 2008 at 7 PM. I debated on where I should do my presentation, but I found the perfect spot. I am going to present in the field house conference room.

Have you ever wondered if sports anchors shoot their own packages? As the anchor for our cable show Titan-Town Sports I can answer that question for you, I do! Its called being a video journalist or "VJ." Stations can hire fewer people to do more work and save money in the long run. I know that I have talked about this in previous blogs because the station that I interned at was doing this. I know that it was a lot of hard work, but everyone there seemed to get everything accomplished and didn’t have to worry about it being a crazy news room because of all of the people. I am going to show examples of how I went out every other week and not only shot my video for my packages, but I put them together and anchored them as well. The packages range from 1:30 to 2 minutes. If you aren’t a football fan no need to worry as I have worked very hard to do a variety of feature stories. Focusing on other sports such as high school soccer and the Special Olympics. No matter what your interest is, everyone can relate. I have taken all of these packages, as well as the episodes that I anchored Titan-Town Sports to my mentor Bill Castrovince for feedback. Bill is from WYTV33 the station that I interned at, and is a great story teller and video journalist. His input helped me to work hard to improve everyday not only on my editing and shooting skills, but my anchoring delivery, too!