Week of January 19, 2014

Tuesday: January 21, 2014

Wasn't I just in Broadcast Journalism and eager to get my Mock Spot Story Assignment? I remember going off campus for an hour and a half, being the only group to get really amazing sound bites from an adjacent school Vice Principal for our Mock Spot.

Anyway, it's time for the next group of students to take the stage. Today was the big day for them- as they took a dive into getting a story within one class period. Taking direction from a Sun-Sentinel article that Dr. Petrich assigned, each person went out and got two sound bites to use in their story. They were to come into class with a lead and story outline set up so they would just edit and record later in the afternoon.

It seemed like not many students actually did work at home, since only a few students volunteered to present their leads and story ideas. This isn't such a good sign at the start of the semester, but I might be speaking too soon.

Once students came back from getting interviews around campus, I sat down with Kimberly and helped edit her piece. Editing here was more re-wording sentences and making sure each phrase was pleasing to the ear. As a class, we edited Nick's story and I contributed to those edits as well.

Alyssa was the first student ready to get into the studio to record and put her story together, so I accompanied her. I aided in setting up the mic, adjusting levels, and being the engineer/ear in this operation. I showed her how to do multitrack and put her sound bites in, after she edited her voice track and bites separately. She was the first student done with this assignment, and I think hers turned out to be fantastic. She took direction well the entire time, and was even taking notes on my instructions. I found that to be really great because editing can get tricky if you don't know what to press or highlight during the process.

The Facebook page was updated as well with a shot of the story the students were working off of for this assignment. I remember mine being school/education based. This is a really good and current story selection.

Thursday: January 23, 2014

WORKSHOP

In today's workshop, we focused on creating a billboard for the show. I took a ton of notes in case I were to construct the billboard, and they definitely came in use. I can see that finding bites from the two-ways will take a while, but those are most important snippets one will hear. They decide if a listener will be interested in the program or not. Co-Host materials are to be pasted into multitrack next, after adding the found two-way bites. The list goes on with how to construct a billboard, but I found it really fascinating. It's a real craft, and I appreciate it more now that I know what kind of work goes into it. 

I updated the Facebook page with the new logo, thanks to Markella! She and I were conversing last week about what the logo should be after bringing it up on Thursday's class meeting. I love the owl fingers. They're just so unique to FAU. 

As well as a new logo, South Florida Journal gave birth to a Twitter page. Tweet-Tweet! 

I shared the good news on Facebook. Thanks to the Broadcast class for this idea, we now have a page where we plan on adding photos, videos, and other important newsy information as the semester continues. 

Week of January 12, 2014

Tueday: January 14, 2014

I am so pleased to take on the role of Social Media Coordinator for the South Florida Journal. Today, I took the time to show the Broadcast students the Facebook page. The class suggested even more ways my social media team can utilize different media to promote the show. Some suggestions were taking photos or videos of reporters and featuring them on Instagram and/or Facebook. Another great suggestion was the creation of a Twitter page which would showcase breaking news.

After a short break, I led a couple students- Kimberly, Jadarius and Aramei to a recording room to record their own voices as they read my Beat Story from last semester. Reading a script cold is hard, so I showed them how to find words to emphasize with inflections and make it their own. We went through the basics of editing their voice tracks, seeing how much they absorbed from class time. In between the fade-ins and outs, and the adjusting amplitude, I had the students go through some possible practical exam questions to get them prepared.

I can already see how the class could see Jadarius as the next Addison H. of South Florida Journal. His deep voice is really lovely on air. I saw that from this mini recording session.

I also updated the South Florida Journal Facebook page with a picture of Shanea editing her voice tracks while in the recording studio. She seemed really excited to be starting a new-type of hands on class.

Thursday: January 16, 2014

WORKSHOP

Today we got to go into the studio and get our voices back on track. With not having practiced my Broadcast voice since last semester, I felt a little rusty. So, I went into the recording studio with Tina and Addison to listen and record their run-through of the Co-Host script for the first show of the semester. Being able to laugh over the mess-ups, and joke about them later, already shows me that my classmates and I will get even closer this semester. I'm excited for it all.

I also updated the Facebook page with a collage of the first voices we will hear on the first program of the semester. I can hardly wait for my turn as Co-Host!

Week of January 5, 2014

Tuesday: January 7, 2014

Today, I spoke in front of the Broadcast Journalism class. It was completely surreal to be past the point of Broadcast Journalism. Now a proud part of the coveted "A-Team," I explained to the students that they should NOT procrastinate with their stories. Today was more of a hint of what the semester will be like, as I, with the help of other Advanced Broadcast students, outlined each assignment the new students will have to complete this semester.

I also updated the South Florida Journal Facebook page while the students took a lesson from South Florida Journal's creator, Dr. Petrich, on Adobe Audition. This class was a nice little refresher for me too, being that it's been a semester since I've touched the software and the studio software too.

I can already see how this semester might turn out. I can see right from today that the girl in the picture actually below (I believe it's Germaine) will be a front-runner in class. She is not afraid to ask questions and that's something a true journalist should not be afraid of. I sat in the back of the class with Markella and she even agreed with me too.

Previous to this first class meeting, I updated the South Florida Journal Facebook page over Winter Break. I was so excited to start this new task of being a Social Media Coordinator, that I wanted to make sure the Facebook page stayed current.

I was thrilled to have a picture of the whole class together. I am so happy we are all moving on together and get to continue to be this "family" Dr. Petrich talks about!

I definitely wanted to thank our teachers, and wish them good luck in their future endeavors. I am very thankful for their help last semester. Especially Estelle's. She helped me each time I had a spot story and looked over my work. 

I couldn't believe the time was finally here. A new semester, and my final semester at FAU. 

Thursday: January 9, 2013

WORKSHOP

Today was more of a course orientation, and introduction. We discussed our thoughts about mentoring on Tuesday, and those who mentored on Wednesday. Some of us saw the next A-Team that would be  filling our shoes next semester just from one class meeting; while others saw ones who might need some extra help this semester. Today was really about reflecting on the fact that we're starting our final semester, and that it will be a lot of work to mentor and keep up with show production. 

I'm so excited to be updating the Facebook page and be an Assignment Editor, that I can't wait for my first time submitting stories to Sharlene for review. I can hardly wait for the show to begin this semester. Is there a fast-forward button?