BC CAPSTONE PRESENTATION SCHEDULE

Here’s the line up for the Broadcast Communications Capstone Presentations scheduled for Tuesday, April 25, 2006, in the Mekelvey Campus Center Mueller Theater:

Round 1: 5:30- 7:10

1. Alana Schuring
2. Amanda Hauger
3. Heather Storm
4. Luke Garrett
5. Amy Sasfai

7:10-7:30: Refreshment Break

Round 2: 7:30-9:10

1. Shannon McClain
2. Jolene Slattery
3. Justin Egley
4. Brian Campbell
5. Jason Mackey

Capstone students will now draft guest lists, issue invitations and prepare for their senior presentations. They will showcase their work and highlight their efforts as liberal arts students studying and working in a highly competitive, professional field.

The Best TV Storytellers-- NPPA Winners

TV Storytelling You Should Study
The Poynter Institute is showcasing the NPPA’s “Best of Television Photojournalism 2006.”

You can watch the winning entries and read the judges’ comments. It’s also a great opportunity for BC students to watch and study the BEST of the BEST in the country. I particularly enjoyed the “Smells Like Baseball” package from WFAA in Dallas which took top SPORTS honors. There's power in sound to take you there and help you imagine the smells-- one sense incites the memories connect with another.

I also noted the stand up that was used as an interesting transition device. I can see some news directors and producers rolling their eyes because this is a longer format story, but I bet the people in the audience who watched this REMEMBERED it.

Those stations that denounce or avoid this type of storytelling fail to see the power and intimacy of this package. It will translate better on the web than all that crap that passes for breaking stories in those high story count newscasts. THIS is the type of storytelling that engages the audience. When it’s done well with the audio and video connection it’s worth doing.

I also note that at a time when VJs are on the rise, many of the NPPA winners focus on TEAM storytelling. This may say something about the importance and value of the reporter and photographer dynamic. When the audio, video and writing come together it’s unforgettable.

BC Weblog Guidlines

Are You Ready to Blog?
I've sent out an invitation to third-year students in Broadcast Communications to start weblogs now instead of waiting for the capstone class. I recommend keeping these weblogs professional. While I offer a set of guidelines for blogging during the first day of class, I thought it appropriate to post the information now.

Use these guidelines to keep on target with the BC Capstone Weblog mission of self-reflection, goal making, assessment and growth as working media professionals.

BC Weblog Guidelines

Keep It Professional-Put time and effort into what you write.

• Never post a first draft. Edit what you write.
• Put effort into the content.
• Write enough to communicate meaning with the reader, but avoid overkill.
• Demonstrate your knowledge and experience as a professional by correctly using the terminology of media.
• Connect your entries to topical events and issues in media.
• Offer your own style and voice and be consistent with it.
• Be genuine.
• Offer Links.
• The more links you offer the better the chances are your blog could turn up in a Google search.
• Link back to your sources (this offers transparency, attribution and validity to the points you want to make).

Going Public- Remember the World is Watching

• Never reveal personal, private information.
• Never blog about your personal life.
• Limit contact information to a web-based e-mail account.
• Never write about proprietary or privileged information (never disclose company secrets or information shared with you in confidence). Off the record means off he record.
• If blogging about internship or job-related experiences, inform your employer about your weblog.
• Invite the employer to read your blog and offer feedback.
• Ask about restrictions or limits on what you can and cannot blog about.
• Ask if the company has any specific weblog guidelines you must follow.

Be Positive- Showcase Your Ability to Think Critically and Creatively

• Be clear when expressing opinion or comments.
• When engaged in criticism, remain constructive.
• Recognize opposing positions.
• Support your points with evidence and attribution (include links).
• Never engage in personal attacks.
• Update entries on a regular basis.
• Develop a routine so regular readers can expect timely updates.
• Entertain and inform your readers
• INCLUDE PICTURES: Offer interesting and appropriate images and context.
• Write engaging headlines.

Be Prepared- Avoid Legal Entanglements

• Be truthful & ethical.
• Understand the impact of what you write.
• Remember libel applies to weblogs.
• Remember false light applies to weblogs.
• Remember invasion of privacy applies to weblogs.

Meet Rich Klindworth

Learning Moments & Reflection Opportunities with Rich Klindworth...Tales from the Job Search & So Much More

This week WJAC-TV's Rich Klindworth offered feedback as well as words of wisdom to our Broadcast Journalism and Capstone students. Rich visited the BC 312 and BC 602 classes and spent lunch with them. He looked at some of their stories and visited the newsroom. He also shared his tales of his joys and challenges during from his journey into television news.

One notable account he shared was a description of his first apartment while he worked at KTEN in Texas. His humble apartment featured limited furnishings including a lone inflatable chair and no microwave. He pointed out many people struggle to make ends meet when breaking into broadcast news.

He fielded questions about the Sonni Abattas of the world (pretty young women who are handed dream first jobs at top market stations with no formal communications or journalism degree, training or experience). Rich explains that Sonni Abbatta is the exception to the rule. Almost everyone begins at a small market station, often as a one-man band.

The pay raises and promotions come from moving up to bigger stations in the larger DMAs. Again, we're talking about a very limited supply of jobs with hundreds of people wanting to break into the business or eager to move up the ladder.

Rich's stories about his first job on the Texas-Oklahoma border linked directly back to a few of Dr. David Barners "Checklist for Success" in broadcast communications including the item that new college grads should prepare to start out with low pay. He also connected to the checklist item about getting out your suitcase as you go where the job offer takes you.

However, Rich's drive and determination for a career in broadcast news also links back to Dr. B's assertion that success in this business requires a passion and a love for it as well as a willingness to sacrifice as you make a career in this industry your number one priority.

I really appreciate Rich coming all the way from Johnstown to visit and I hope wish him continued success at WJAC and beyond.