It Only Takes One Person to Make a Difference!

This is one of the hardest entries that I have had to respond to in awhile. I am supposed to deconstruct one of the presentations that I have seen thus far. The truth is besides mine, I have only seen three others and they were ALL fantastic! If I had to chose one though I would like to deconstruct Shayna Marti’s Documentary just because it was so different. Shayna did a documentary on a faith based community volunteer project called “His Hands Ministry.” Members of area churches get together and volunteer in the summer to help people up-date and maintain their homes because they are just not able to do it themselves.
Shayna worked hard all summer to shoot this project while it was going on and her work paid off. She had fantastic footage and even took pictures to put in her documentary that really helped add that special component to her documentary. She told the story of what happened everyday from beginning to end days 1 thru 5. Her story was so compelling that it made me want to be active in the community and get out in volunteer. I come from a town and family where we are used to having everything done for us…I don’t have to worry about yard work, or painting the house. We have people that do that for us…but we pay them and this is volunteer. After watching this documentary I felt like a spoiled brat and I felt like I just wanted to get out and make a difference in the world.
If I could think of one thing that needed work it may be the story telling. It was written really well, but the way Shayna talked over the shots it just seemed like she was in a hurry. This isn’t her fault but rather a habit. We are all used to reading our newscasts for the radio and we only get two minutes to tell the story. For this though should could have as much time as she needed to tell the story…so it might have been a little more effective if should we have just slowed down and read more like she was telling a story not reporting.
Shayna did a fantastic job! It seemed like this was a project that she was really passionate about and it showed. Everytime I watch one of her documentaries it just makes me feel like I am superwomen and can accomplish anything! Great Job!

One Step Closer!

I never thought I would be standing in front of my peers, faculty, and my family giving my Capstone presentation as a Broadcast Communications major. I came to Westminster with the intent of becoming a dentist…which meant that I would be a biology major. The short version of the story is that I was not interested in Bio, I couldn’t understand what I was reading or why I was dissecting animals when all I wanted to do was work on teeth? When it became time to switch majors and try something new and exciting it was hard for me to think of things that I had an interest, but then the light bulb turned on…I love sports!

I wasn’t very interested in going into the field of sports management or sports medicine…that would only mean more bio and math classes. By Mom was actually the one who suggested going into broadcast communications. Should told me that speaking in front of people and being an overall “people person” this could definitely be something that I was good at. The rest is history!

Monday I did present my senior capstone project which was my resume tape. Since my internship I have become very interested in Video Journalism and of course even more intrigued by anchoring! So I decided that my project was going to be to put together a sports package for Titan-Town sports every other week, and to meet with my mentor Bill on what makes a good resume tape, and then present his advice and my resume tape as my capstone presentation.

It seemed to go over well. I had my family, friends, and professors watch my tape and then they were able to give me feed back. All of my hard work seemed to pay off considering the past few weeks that I have been putting this resume tape together everything that could go wrong has, but that’s behind me! The reason is because I felt like I did a great job and so did everyone else who came to support me (which meant a lot to me!) I even had two special guests. Bill Castrovince and Joe Allusio (another sports anchor at the station I interned at)! They were such a hit! Everyone got to talk to them and they are such down to earth guys….I even got my picture take with them which is the one I posted so make sure you check it out! Since I was the first one to go in my class I can now just sit back and relax! I feel like I have a big weight lifted off of my shoulders now that I am finished with my project I also feel that my project was a great accomplishment! I am now one step closer to stepping out into the “real world!”

Let the Games Begin!

Our Capstone assignment this week is to choose a job we would like to apply for and then create a cover letter in response to the job.

I REPEAT this is just a class assignment!

Sports Reporter / Anchor
Job Description
Make your mark in Broadcasting. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the nation, programming 58 stations located in 36 geographically diverse markets, with 33 of those in the top 47 markets in the United States. Our success is the result of extraordinary employees and an exemplary management team who believes in a vision and is dedicated to making Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc a communications powerhouse. We are advancing the world of Broadcasting and we want YOU to join our winning team! If you love sports... this is the job you have been waiting for! WKEFABC 22 AND WRGT FOX 45 in Dayton, Ohio has an immediate opening for a full-time Sports Reporter/Weekend Anchor. WKEF/WRGT maintains a strong commitment to sports... covering everything from high school to the pros. We need a proven utility player... someone who has the ability to report, shoot, edit, produce, and anchor. We have DVC Pro cameras and AVID editors. You may be trained to operate a live microwave van. We're looking for creativity and energy. Flexibility is also important... expect frequent schedule changes to accommodate coverage needs. No phone calls please.

( Sample Cover Letter)

Dear Mr.Casey:
I am writing in reply to the Sports Reporter/Anchor Position. I am perfect for this position because I am very dedicated, creative, and like challenges. I am knowledgeable in most sports, and have a passion for telling people what is going on in the world of sports. I have played high school and collegiate tennis so that is one sport I am extremely bright in.
For the past year I have been the sports anchor for our college cable television show Titan Town Sports. I have been taking the Video Journalist approach where I have shot packages, edited them, and then anchored them during the segment. During the segment I not only focus on local sports, but surrounding professional sports as well like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins, Cleveland Browns, Cavaliers, and Indians. I am also the executive producer of the show where I create the rundown and make sure everything runs smoothly. The one thing I like about producing is that I get to demonstrate my creativeness by thinking outside of the box. I have done this by doing packages on The Special Olympics Bocce Program in Lawrence County and how New Castle Thunder Owner Anthony Razzano was severely burned in a garage fire, but has overcame that slim chance or survival and has started two organizations.
Thank you for your time. Although I may not know every detail about every sport, I am willing to learn. I hope you give me that opportunity and will consider me for this job. I promise you won’t regret your decision.
Sincerely,