One of the great parts about being a journalist….

Is stories like this one.

One has no legs. The other is legally blind. The story shows how together the forge a bond of friendship that is unbreakable regardless of any disability. I love this video because this work of journalism doesn’t take pity on the wrestlers. OH NO. Leroy, the wrestler without legs, even says, “Don’t pity me. I will punch you in the face.”

It captures the awe and respect the nation has for these two guys. The music, the pictures, the interviews, the editing…etc., it is all perfect. It is serious and light-hearted. It makes you laugh and for some, it has moments where it makes you cry. But the most important part of this story that I like is that it is real. It doesn’t paint a pity picture like I said, but it just shows these two in their triumphs during their everyday lives.

The best part for me was in the final moments of the story when leroy walked across the stage while Dartanyon helped him cross it. The writing was incredible. I could’ve closed my eyes and listened to that moment and felt the same emotions and pictured that imagery in my head.  Tom Rinaldi, reporter on the story,  does an amazing job telling two separate stories and making them into one. He discusses the friendship the athletes have with one another to really bring the audience in. But the best part of the story is the history of how the two got to where they are.

I loved this story and although it is not recently new, it is one of my favorite pieces ever done by a journalist before.

The time has finally arrived…

I have just done my first couple of shifts at KOMU,

My first shift was pretty cool.

I went to cover Delta Chi’s Philanthropy  benefitting the V-Foundation for Cancer Research outside of Ellis Library on MU’s Campus. I was ready to rock and roll and really the whole process went smoothly. I had some minor setbacks with the camera when I got there as I forgot a few settings, but when I got things figured out, I started rolling. By the way, THANKS TO JENNY MECKLES FOR HER HELP on the camera….

I did have a few problems though. My interview had to be redone after I realized the audio I was picking up was from the internal mic on the camera instead of the lovelier. Also, he tended to shift back and forth several times during the interview and it was hard to keep the framing correctly. I did nudge the camera a little bit during the sot I used on air but I don’t think it was that huge of an ordeal. Also, I had some problems focusing the camera on every shot. I need to remember to focus every shot because it truly makes a difference.

The editing process was a breeze. It truly is my favorite part of the shift because I love editing and putting stories together. I didn’t have any setbacks and I felt like my scripting matched my video pretty well. The only thing that made me mad was the anchor had a pause in my story that caused the VO portion to have a flash frame. All in all I do feel pretty good about it.

VO Patrol Part DOS

My second shift did not go as smoothly as the first day. When I arrived, I was assigned to a story that I personally felt had no news value. I suggested something else, but I ended up going to cover the Cole County Farmers’ Market in Jefferson City. I arrived  and to my dismay the farmers’ market was on its second week instead of it being the grand opening. Also, only 5 venders were set up as more venders sell produce later on in the harvest. I called my producer and she wanted the story so I went with it.

The main issue is the the VO was going to air on the 6 p.m. and the market didn’t start until 4 p.m. I felt rushed. Especially since I arrived at 3:50 and had to be out of there by 4:15. I got one shot at my interview and I totally messed it up.  I did a lot better at focusing my b-roll but my interview was really out of focus. I just didn’t think through and really rushed setting it up.

I got back in plenty of time which was a relief. However, I had a heard time writing the VO to make it not so commercialized for the one farmer’s market. I used the information to hopefully get the point across that farmers’ markets were beginning to sprout back up across Mid-Missouri. Also, the nice lady I interviewed was a real sweetheart and her story was pretty cool that she had been vending at the market for almost two decades now.

All in all the main thing I learned is to take time to set up my interview and my shots. Hopefully, it will come in time.

HERE IS THE VIDEO OF MY FIRST SHIFT (you can see it if you are friends with me on facebook)

Not a whole lot on the journalism front….

Since being cleared, I haven’t had a shift yet at KOMU.  Apparently reporting shifts are in high demand right now…

However, it is really cool to see everyone in class doing really well out there and I hope everyone can keep up the good work.

FURTHERMORE, summer is getting closer and if you don’t know already, I have a really great opportunity to work with JM Associates in Little Rock, AR.

JM Associates forged a partnership with a not so well known sports network in Bristol, Connecticut called ESPN. JM produced the first outdoors show ever on ESPN called the Fishin’ Hole which was the networks longest running series at 27 years.  Since then, JM has done numerous outdoor coverage for STIHL TimberSports, ESPN Great Outdoor Games, Bassmaster Elite Series, and numerous hunting shows.

I found the internship actually through my family. My mom recommended I give them a call because a guy who graduated high school with my older sister has been working there for a couple of years and I figured I would give it a shot.  I pitched him the idea and he talked to his boss and they loved it.

NOW, JM has aspects of journalism and television production which is exactly what I want to do in my career, something that meets in the middle or has aspects of both.  When I went to tour the place and get an idea of what I was going to be doing, I was blown away.  I’m going to be able to edit and even help produce some shows in studio. The boss literally told me, whatever I am capable of doing, he will give me a shot to help out with. I like the challenge and I am definitely looking forward to this opportunity.

Here is a video of the studio.