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Objective 1

Objective to learn:

To learn the stages of covering a news event-from the assignment stage to the final edited piece that goes on air.

Activities/resources:

  • Shadow and assist a reporter, from the pitch stage, to collecting information, to filming, and then finally editing

  • Observe multiple styles of reporting by going out onto the field with different reporters

  • Attend the morning pitch meeting

Evaluation/Verification:

  • Include a journal that will demonstrate what I have learned from this experience (beginning, middle, and end)

  • Include  samples of scripts I assisted with or a clip from a piece I helped shoot and that shows how I can effectively contribute to reporting an on-air event in my portfolio. 

  • Include photos of me performing various tasks

Reflection:

This is one of my later attempts at an anchor standup. Nicole Galbraith filmed my standup while we were on a story. A standup is a segment of footage in which the reporter advances the story with a brief bit of information. I learned that practice makes perfect, and the more often you do anchor standups the easier they get. 

This is a supertease I performed while on a story with Mallory Sofastaii. A supertease is a short teaser or introduction to a story. Superteases are aired at the beginning of a broadcast to show viewers what is to come. 

I learned to not over-think what needs to be said during a supertease since it is just a preview of what is to come. 

My final video sample is an anchor standup I performed with Mallory Sofastaii while out on a story with her. As a result of this activity I learned that patience is required to get the shot correct. I also learned to not be so harsh on myself when I screw up the standup and need another few takes to get it right. 

Journal Articles

My first objective was to learn the stages of creating a broadcast piece. In order to do that I had to shadow reporters as they went out into the field to create their stories. I was with them from the morning pitch meeting, to researching the story, conducting the interviews, filming the footage, and then going back to the studio to write the script, edit the piece and then turn everything in before the deadline so that it could go out on air. In working with and shadowing the reporters I learned various styles of putting stories together, different interviewing and filming techniques, and then ways of editing stories.

 

I got more experience in finding contacts and interviewing them. When I first started I was horrible at calling potential people for stories, but by the end of my internship I was able to clearly convey what was needed and leave voicemails that were concise and clear. I got better at stepping out of my comfort-zones, but I still need to work on it. I need to learn to be more persistent. I now know how to use AVID pretty well, I’m sure there are things I could still learn about the editing system, but I understand how it works and how to use it to create SOTS, Voice-overs, and packages.

 

For verification of the work I’ve done I’ve submitted a couple samples of the work I have been doing over the course of the semester. I’ve performed a couple of anchor standups and each time I do one I get a little better which is a comfort to me. Even though I chose not to include samples of the scripts I’ve worked on I am improving on deciding what information is relevant for broadcast news and what is better suited for web stories. In terms of filming I’ve gotten better at deciding what footage is needed for particular stories and I know how to properly set up and use the camera and its equipment. I know there are areas where I could always improve upon, but I believe overall that I have made a lot of positive progress in learning the skills that are necessary to be a good journalist. Continuing to practice using cameras, recording anchor standups, and using AVID iNews will help me keep my skills in shape. 

 

Overall, in order to continue learning reporting techniques in the future, I want to take every opportunity to practice using my skills. I want to continue to work in filming, editing, scripting stories, and producing content. I have been given a variety of opportunities and experiences within this internship to expand my pre-existing knowledge of what it is like to be journalist and I want to take these experiences with me and apply them in future settings. 

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