BC 251 Online Mini-Movie Showcase

WATCH & VOTE ONLINE!!!
bc251.blogspot.com

You can watch the individual mini-movie projects created this semester by BC 251 students.
You can access each student's mini-movie through the BC 251 weblog where we also invite you to vote for your favorite. The poll is open through the early part of January to allow visitors time to watch the 20 different mini-movies. It can be a hassle to watch on campus as YouTube files take a while to load up. The campus network automatically puts a YouTube file on the bottom of the list of things to process. If you click to watch a mini-movie, give yourself some time. Perhaps you can make some popcorn and when you come back the YouTube window will tell you "replay" and you can watch without any problem.

Don't forget to vote for your favorite!

When News BREAKS...Can they fix it?

What happens when a van crashes into the studio of a Chicago news station (WLS- ABC O & O) while it's on the air?




Mini-van crashes into Ch. 7 studio
Associated Press
10:29 PM CST, December 23, 2007
Chicago police are investigating a car that crashed into the downtown studio of WLS-TV (ABC-7) during the top of the 10 p.m. news. No injuries were immediately reported. Just after 10 p.m., a loud noise was heard inside the studio and on the air startling weekend anchor Ravi Baichwal. Baichwal reported on the crash throughout the news cast showing footage of a smashed window and broken glass about 15 to 20 feet away from him. He added that the studio suddenly has a cold draft. The car was reported to be a silver minivan. Chicago police spokesman David Banks had no further information.

Hello, HULU

I've discovered "Firefly" on Hulu. I'm really losing interest in DVDs, Netflix and network TV. Hello, Hulu. Instead of trying to track down what episodes exist on DVD, I'm finding "Firefly" episodes on Hulu.

What's Hulu? It's a place on the web for free movies and TV shows from the likes of NBC and FOX (the two have teamed up for this). The beta site went live in October featuring shows from NBC as well as collections of vintage shows-- so now I can show my 10-year old "Lost in Space."

Hulu seems to also be the first to allow you to embed on your blogs, etc. You take shows and clips from Hulu and embedded them on your sites or in emails. Wow! This could really force the networks and studios into a new business model. Move over YouTube as it isn't always about viewer created content, especially when you want explosions and special effects. Those things cost money and Hulu runs on ad revenue.
A Great Show No One Ever Watched: FIREFLY
Schlocky, Classic TV Sci-Fi Irwin Allen-Style: LOST IN SPACE (

Sure it's sci-fi, but it's the best show on television! BATTLESTAR GALACTICA

Great sitcoms are dead...but HULU lets you re-discover ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT

BC 601 Final Exam Period- Metaphors Galore

Pick a metaphor relating to graduation, the job search or just about any major transition in life and you can play it out via Titan Traverse. That's what we did for the BC 601 final exam period. Two and a half hours of creative, physical activity designed to add an experiential, tactile and physical metaphor for the transitions the capstone students now face. I hope everyone walked away from this exam period knowing they are not the first to venture down this path (look another metaphor!) and the journey can take you places you never expected. This experience is the perfect thing for folks to blog about going into the winter break.

See all the pics @flickr.com

Sky's "On the Verge with PSAs"

Sky Yaple graduates this semester and with her being on the verge of completing her degree at Westminster, she took the occasion to formally present her work in a program she calls "On the Verge with PSAs." The project looks at how she created public service announcements for radio, TV and moved them to the web on behalf of her client, the New Castle Public Library.

You can check out the web site she created here...READY GO READ!!!

This is also a time to note that Sky's presentation is a solid example of how to build a capstone presentation. The 10 minute talk was on task, focused, well-rehearsed and showcased the work she created. Well done, Sky.

Field Trip to KDKA

The BC 311 students along with some Titan Radio hitchhikers, Jill Carle, Andy Borts and Pam Marlowe, traveled to NewsRadio KDKA AM in Pittsburgh on Wednesday night for an end of semester field trip. I chose KDKA because of it's rich history in broadcasting, proximity to campus and the fact that BC 311 focuses on radio news. I also know the PD/ND so that helps- thanks, Marshall!
I also want to thank Jim Amato, news editor and our host for the evening. Jim's not only a polished professional, but he's an incredible resource as he has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to broadcast history. Thanks, Jim!

The gang from BC 311- Nicky Piszczor, Shayna Marti, Thomas Miller, David Greig, Doug Kunst, Christina Roseto and Tom Benoit.

All By My Elf

Aidan Mewha (Class of '07) has turned me into an elf. What a odd, yet endearing thing to do for the holiday. Thanks, Aidan. Now what do I get you? I guess I have enough photos of you to return the favor.

You can click here and see my animated elf moves.

It's a really cool do-it-yourself animation presented by OfficeMax. Clever way to promote online!!! I know this kind of online nonsense has floated around on the Internet before, but this just seems to promote some holiday cheer and goodwill when I really needed it. Thanks, Aidan.