When You Need a Short Story Who You Going to Call "VO Patrol!"

VO Patrol.

Sounds like something from Ghost Busters, but a "VO Patrol" is when one goes out and and shoots video and gets a couple interviews.  It's a mini story that is read by an anchor and usually lasts between thirty to forty five seconds. 

Well from Saturday until yesterday I was terribly nervous!  This was my first time using the KOMU cameras and reporting as a KOMU reporter.

Whenever I get nervous, I get more confident.  I know that whenever I walk into the station, I must always wear my confidence on my sleve, even when I'm not sure of what I'm doing or when I'm nervous.

My story was about the Columbia Vision Commission.  While I was at the meeting, some of the terminology used was difficult to understand. Going to a meeting where they are mid way through with their process was challenging, but I just had to ask as many questions as possible to make sure I understood just right.

The meeting started at 4:00 and lasted until 6:00 which made me nervous because it would air at the 10:00 and I still had to do some interviews.  Well, at that point my goal was to get back to the station at 7:00.  During the meeting I began to write my script because I had a lot of down time.  This helped a lot.  

Once back at the station, I had to wait for an edit bay, so I hopped on another computer started to write my script in iNews, plugged in my headphones to the camera and started to listen to my interviews. 

I felt good,  I was on time, and all I had to do was upload and edit my video.

The process was not bad at all and was a great way to ease into KOMU.  I made mistakes in my script ( which were caught before time to air) . The use of spell check is a must, as well as supers, and sot times.   I always said , "Oh I'm not going to make mistakes! I've learned from others!"  but it's not until it's time for you to do it that you make some silly ones.  Hey it's a learning process!  I enjoyed it though and feel a little more self confident! 

Reality TV in the newsroom?

Journalism as we know it is changing.  From citizen journalism to new uses of techonology, but when is it too much?  WGLA in Lancaster, PA invited citizens into their morning meetings via the internet.  During their 9:30 to 10:15 meeting to figure out what exactly reporters will be covering that day people could add in their story ideas or discuss it with the news director in a chat room.

http://localtvnews.wordpress.com/2009/02/19/the-morning-meeting-televised-best-reality-show-ever/

While this is a clever idea, I bet there are a lot of people who oppose this.  From attending conventions and listening to tons of conversations, some of the older generation of journalist believe it's only "journalist" that should dictate what goes into the paper or broadcast.  With the definition of "journalist" changing every day why can't citizens be part of the conversation?  With the overlap of technology , citizens have a great deal of control of what goes on in the newsroom. From tradition, some may believe general people are not capable of putting up information that is necessary rather than entertainment.  I find this to be the contrary, people want to know about their politicians, their schools and other areas that impact their lives.  Yes entertainment will always be there, but hey,  sometimes people need to get away from the hard news.  

This trend of inviting people into the boardroom and seeing how the process works might become a new trend.  This "reality tv" set up could increase viewership and people becoming more excited about the media.  People would feel inclined to believe that journalist aren't these people who think they are all holier than thou, but rather a neighbor or friend. 

Tuesday afternoon I took my edit test and I am glad to report I passed! While I was going through my test I had many thoughts that came to mind.  I have to take it upon myself to learn.  There is only so much our professors can spoon feed us, we have to be motivated and interested enough to feed ourselves.  Meaning, going to the station and playing with the equipment before its actually time for us to use it.  We have so much at our fingertips , we need to learn how to use it!  For example, on Avid, there are ways to add in "nat pops" without rearranging the entire sequence. This technology can enhance our stories to the max and make them more interesting and compelling.  

It's very important to make friends with everyone.  This does not mean best friends, but well enough to wave or just say hi.  Everyone at the station is very important.  That being said, it's crucial to treat everyone with the upmost respect.  Always ask questions.  I learned this when I worked at the desk, one has to put their ego aside and not worry about , " oh what are they going to think?"  Usually people are nice enough to help, and even if someone is snappy don't let it get to you because guess what, that's the real world.  

Music and Computer Fingers

Usually when we think of journalism we only think of hard news and some fuzzy pieces.  We  tend to over look other forms of journalism focusing on the arts.  I am taking a music criticism class at the moment and the material I have learned in this class has proven to expand my knowledge.  Some may argue music criticism is not a form of journalism and only reach editorial standards, but for this blog let's assume ( for the sake of argument and debate) that it is part of journalism.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/04/arts/music/04carn.html?_r=1&ref=music

Reading music critics takes more than front on knowledge.  The article will not explain every term mentioned, instead music critics assume their audiences have a basic music background. They assume because it's most likely true.   Like any review, one will encounter a scenery set up and then a synopsis of  the performance.

Reading critics can be quite fun, or quite a bore.  If one is unfamiliar with the topics, the the boring side can be quite tempting.  

Journalism in the arts I feel is going away.  Maybe thats because blogs are taking these up.  I feel our society has gone from cherishing paintings, live music, and dance and traded it for A-List celebrities.  

When I get to the computer and get ready to write, oh my mind goes crazy.  I honestly think I might have ADD ,  I feel my timeliness of getting  my scripts done are a little bit faster, but not a whole lot.  I need to write faster, sharper and clearer!  I think my mind is so foggy that I just can't think straight.  These days I have a hard time just explaining stories to friends.  Now, I think I know what my kryptonite is,  sleep.  I have been lacking in this department and feel I have actually gained insomnia.  My sleeping patterns have been so off that I just need to work on getting in a good cycle once again.