FINAL

I have learned the most in news media practicum then I have in any other class this year. Going in, I had no experience with anything broadcast related. I had never even been in a studio. I have always wanted to be a sports broadcaster like Erin Andrews, but without all the “scandals”. I felt very intimidated knowing I was probably the least experienced in the class. I was instantly drawn to the sports show for obvious reason, and was surprised when John said they had never had so much help in the history of the show. Going to the meetings is a good way to find out what sports are going on for that week, which ones need to be shot, who is working at those shoots, and also how many people they need there. I have been able to help out with one of the volleyball games. At that game, I was asked to start off by taking notes. I had to document if someone made a good shot, if someone blocked the shot, and if someone aced a shot. Not only did I have to pay close attention to the game’s shots, but I also had to know who made that shot, whether it was our team or the others, and also what time on the tap it happened at. Filming allowed me to be in charge of what the highlights from the second half would be. I was able to control what shots were recorded, and hopefully not miss anything. I also learned when to take a group shot, when to zoom in and out, when to take a shot of the coaches, and when to take a shot of the scoreboard. While I was doing all of this I had to yell out the time so the note taker could write it down, and write what I took a shot of. I never taped a soccer game. In the winter I taped basketball, which was more exciting than volleyball to tape since it is faster paced and entertaining. Taking notes was more difficult for basketball though since it is so fast paced. I like taping more than taking notes. It makes me feel important. For the actual show tapings, I was able to learn how to use the teleprompter, learn about switching cameras to add affect during an interview, how many takes it takes to get the show exactly how they want it, and also I learned how to be in front of a camera. I have also become more familiar with the editing and cutting that needs to be done to the video to make it into a package. I am very pleased with everything I have learned in news media so far. I still have no intentions of changing my major, and I am looking forward to seeing what new things I will learn next year in news media and the other classes like news reporting and mass media I will be taking. I have learned to start my hours earlier, and to also get more involved from the start.