Oh! What A Wonderful Week!

I think the best thing that could have happened this week did.

Let’s start with Monday. I went with Adam May, weekday reporter, weekend anchor, on location to the street racing accident in Prince George’s County. I can’t describe how strange it was to see the ground spray painted with markings denoting blood trails and bodies, and to see scattered pieces of cars strewn about the roadside. It was definitely a unique experience.

People kept appearing and leaving. Some wanted to pay their respects, others were curious or concerned neighbors and others, well, just wanted to talk to the media.

I definitely learned just observing Adam. He definitely has a way of easing people into conversation and ultimately onto camera. We were pretty lucky, too. Every type of interview you would want to complete a story we had in the first hour on scene.

Adam was also very honest and upfront with me. Basically, he told me what to expect after I graduate, what my first job would be like, etc. These things I already knew, but he had the experience. He told me flat out what I needed to do and what I should have been doing all along. And, he was willing to help me do my own stand-ups, giving me great advice and pointing out what I need to work on. These stand-ups will be part of my resume tape…as good or as bad as they are. It was my first time on camera, so I guess I can’t be too upset with the final product.


Wednesday was really cool as well. So cool, in fact. Karen, the producer of the 4 o’clock news, asked me to write some stories (Kirstie Alley and Indiana I-94 accident. These are expanded stories, probably from the AP wire. This is just to give you a synopsis of what I wrote). I figured they would be blueprints for some one else to build from. However, they were used! My first stories written for broadcast! Hooray! It’s very exciting.

I think I’m a pretty good writer but it’s much more rewarding when others acknowledge your abilities. I like surprising people.

If it wasn’t for my broadcast journalism class, I would have been lost. I’m always amazed when I pull knowledge from the classroom. That whole education thing is worth it after all.

I still have tons of work to do, but at least I know I have start.

Not Such A Tangled Web

The week of February 11.

I’m not a computer person. I am terrible with technology, but on Wednesday I actually had a lot of fun working in the Web department at WJZ. Shannon and Rebekah were both very helpful and patient with me. And I discovered not all technology is difficult.

Every program they use to post and find stories and videos—Newspath, Iris, newswires—is very user-friendly; I mean very. If I can do it, anyone can. I may be a memebr of the "Millenial generation," but I was never interested in technology or the Internet until much later. I remember my brother being on AIM (before it was called AIM, when it was just instant messanger) and AOL all the time when I was eight, but I was never interested. No wonder he can navigate the Web so well.

Anyway, I was quite excited about this; the ability to post stories and edit video with a few clicks of the mouse. Makes me feel tech savvy. It’s the little things.

I will say, however, staring at a screen all day long definitely hurts my eyes! I don’t know how you do it, Shannon and Rebekah!

Week One!!!

As far as internships go, the first week was fairly typical. The tour of the station, all the ins and outs and alleyways, the people you’ll see on a regular basis, what to touch and what is legally off limits, who you want to talk to…and who you don’t.

The thing about news is, you have to jump in. If the phone rings, answer it; it’s all trial and error at this point. Here’s what I tell myself, “you will screw up, so do it now while it’s still ‘ok’.” But you have to be willing to try. No one wants a lazy intern and I’m here to impress these people so they’ll say nice things about me. Really. I’m being honest here. This is my dream profession. If I develop a bad reputation, I can kiss that dream goodbye.

My coordinator, Pete, is really cool; very helpful and very friendly. He seems invested in giving me a strong learning opportunity, encompassing all the aspects of the trade. This is great. This is exactly what I want to do. I want to learn EVERYTHING. I’ve already dubbed tapes, arranged interviews and answered phones, among other things. Even the directors and producers have been helpful and educating. They don’t have to explain things to me, let me watch what they do behind the scenes, or fill me in on details, but they do.

So far, so good. But, it’s only been one week.

I’m very excited to wake up with a known destination those internship mornings. It may be silly, but I sit in the nucleus of news; where tips are given, stories are born, and history is made. There are only cameras and screens between me and the populace. It really doesn’t get more exciting than that. For a few fleeting moments each week, I’m living my dream.