Expect the Unexpected...

This semester has challenged me a lot: physically, mentally, emotionally...and I've learned so much about myself. That was the major goal in our Senior Capstone class: not only did we work hard, we discovered more about who we are and what we want to do with our lives in the future. As a class, we explored the broadcast business, capstone projects, and even the Amazing Race TV show application.

I liked how our class was themed around this being our own personal, "Amazing Race." Our professor, Mr. Weaver, had each student in the class pair up with someone inside the class or outside the class and go through the application process. Each partner had to fill out a paper application that included a number of personal questions. But in the end, it made me realize more about who I am as a person and as a professional. In addition, I learned more about how my partner Dave and I complement each other well.

Dave and I also had to make a video as part of our application. While many people in our class went for the exaggerated, funny approach...I decided to do something different. Maybe it would even make us stand out to the judges of the show...I used an honest approach. Dave and I both spoke from the heart about our relationship and why we would make a great team for the Amazing Race show. I had a great time putting together the video, and I think that maybe we have a shot.

Granted at first, I wasn't too keen about being on the show, but after thinking it through from all I've gone through this semester, I'm pretty sure I can handle anything...and I think Dave and I would give the show a chance if we were chosen.

But that was just one element to our senior class...it was about personal discovery, but I think even more importantly, it was about discovering who we are as a class too. As seniors, we will be the leaders in the department next year...all the underclassmen are looking up to us as role models to guide them in this broadcasting world. We have big shoes to fill...which brings me to my next reflection about this semester...

As the semester went on, we debated and talked about our senior capstone projects for months, and now most of us have found something we will enjoy doing, but that will also benefit the department and teach the younger generation. For me, I decided to stick with two things I love doing: reporting and producing.

I will be developing a series of non-dated feature stories surrounding the history of Lawrence and Mercer Counties for our TV show, the County Line. I will network with the Lawrence/Mercer County Historical Societies as well as people in the business to create the best stories possible and at the end of the semester as part of my senior presentation, I will produce a final show that features all the stories collectively. I may even develop some radio and online features from the stories I do, so my project becomes more multimedia.

I'm excited about this project, and I think it will naturally flow from my internship at Newschannel 5 this summer, as I'm making this internship part of my capstone class experience. During this internship, I hope to learn more about reporter storytelling and producing shows. This knowledge is just what I need to work on my project next semester. And looking ahead, I will be constantly networking in the business while I'm at Newschannel 5 as well.

So what underlying idea can I take away from my Senior Capstone class this semester? I think I've come to realize that in this business, you need to EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED. Just like filling out the Amazing Race application or making the video that went with it, you need to be prepared for anything, because so much can change in a second! I don't expect my internship to be predictable or easy. I expect to be challenged so I can grow as a person and as a broadcaster.

Plus, as an end to this class, our class will be pairing up with our partners to take on our own "Amazing Race" throughout the town of New Wilmington...and who knows what's in store for that...

Producing...It's Not as Easy as It Looks!

I love producing...I've definitely learned that from all the broadcasting classes I've taken at Westminster College and more importantly all the experience I've gained working in a broadcast atmosphere at school and outside of school. I love using my creativity and talents to develop shows that are organized, interesting, and intriguing. Producing involves taking a bunch of little stories or segments and fitting them together...making the whole show flow together by adding transitions and including all kinds of elements to the show. But it's more than that...producing means you're in charge, you run the show, you figure out how everything fits together...plus what content the show will have in the first place.

When I first came to college, I thought my ultimate goal was to be a television reporter for a local TV news station. And I still would love to do that...but at the same time, producing is another area I'm interested in for a job. Perhaps...one of main reasons I became interested in producing is because one of my professors, Mr. Weaver, kept telling my classmates and I, in a number of classes that there are more producing jobs out there than anything else in the broadcasting business. I want to be prepared for that atmosphere after I graduate when I'm searching for a job.

This past week I helped another broadcast student in TV practicum, Nate Dodd, produce the County Line, the college's weekly TV news magazine show. It consists of news and feature stories from around Lawrence and Mercer Counties. I was super excited to pass along my knowledge of producing and help out Nate. We got together the night before the show to figure out a basic rundown of the show...and it wasn't too difficult. Most of the stories we had provided for a natural flow throughout the show. Nate and I also picked out readers to do, plugged in the times on the rundown sheet, sent graphics to our art director, watched and kept track of the packages, helped the anchors write scripts, and just made sure everything ran smoothly.

Besides one package not being finished until the last second, the show went pretty well overall...and really, last minute stories helped both Nate and I feel the pressure that many producers feel every day in the real broadcast TV news world. TV news stations want to be on top of everything and bring their viewers the latest breaking news. Also, we made sure to honor our group of seniors that are graduating this year...I'm going to miss them! I've learned so much from all of them; it's thanks to them that I've learned so much about producing, reporting, directing, anchoring, and so much more! Good luck seniors!! And in one year, I will be at the same place in my life...maybe looking for a job in TV or radio producing...