This class has really opened my eyes to the effort, organization, and passion that is required to create all types of news stories. At the beginning of the semester, I imagined that this would be an enjoyable class that could help sharpen my video skills as a reporter. Ultimately, it made me well aware of the time management skills as well as the people skills it takes to create an interesting package.
Once we started getting our hands on the cameras, I was a bit overwhelmed. I had used some film equipment before, but nothing quite like these. Luckily, the group projects early on had let me ease into getting comfortable with the equipment, while producing a pretty interesting story. The biggest challenge for me with the cameras, was attempting to get them shot focused and properly lit. It was extremely frustrating trying to do so on the small screen and then going back to the monitor, just to see something was out of focus or too bright. Working through these problems was all a part of the process to become a better story teller. I think with a little more time in the semester, I would have really been able to master the effects and create a better picture.
I love a good story that can really hit the emotions of the audience and no package that we watched this year did it like the ESPN piece about the “Dutch Destroyer” and Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Carson Wentz. This was an ideal story and something that I often thought about when producing the final feature stories for the class. The way that the story kept building up and hit just about every emotion along the way was extremely powerful. One day, I hope to refine my skills to make a piece like that with such a powerful message.
One thing that I really learned to improve in the class is creating a clear, single message in a story. Whether it is written or filmed, each story should contain an obvious overall message that is conveyed. There can be smaller messages on the side, but nothing should overshadow the bigger meaning.
Overall, the class was not all that I expected it to be, in a good way. I really appreciated the opportunity to work with some of the best equipment, work with some great classmates, and learn from an experienced professor. Even though I may not be going into this exact field, I will still use these skills to be a better communicator and better story teller in the future.
Filming the Lion Shrine for project one.