I can't deny that attending Comm 439 was a great experience, but it wasn't always easy. Getting my feet wet, so to speak, was my biggest challenge. I had high expectations for my video as a self-proclaimed tech guy that I essentially made myself too nervous to even start. I wanted there to be a great story with lots of amazing visuals that would rival any professional video news report. I soon realized, however, that even though I wanted to show off my technological know-how my initial plan wasn't practical.
I wanted to get started filming some of my interviews but the deadline seemed so far away in the beginning that procrastination sounded so much better. I wish there were clearly outlined checkpoints along the way so that I could have made steady progress instead wait until the entire project was due in two weeks. A check list from the get-go would have also helped me visualize what step in the individual story process I should do next. I'm all for the freedom to choose not to follow these guidelines, which is why I would be against having the drafts graded, but for those who are new to journalism it would be nice to have a kind of cheat sheet made by someone with experience.
Another considerable downfall of mine was not having much time in my schedule for meetings with Professor Warner. Having a solid block of classes and work from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along with other events in the evenings nearly everyday made it difficult to find the time to even contact her let alone find a meeting time that worked for both of us. Yet I was glad to have Erica and Geoff, two Knight-Wallace Fellows, working with me on our group video story. Having them on our team made it convenient to ask questions and receive advice. Even with them, I am still having problems with just getting to the editing portion.
I suppose my shortcomings are mostly to blame on my own faults, but I wish I would have had a check list early on. The deadline isn't going to be pushed back so I just have to make the time to finish up my interviews, edit, and submit.
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Stephen,
I appreciate your thoughts on a checklist. I had thought that throughout the course we had discussed the points of a news article, what was necessary, what you should be doing etc. Possibly it wasn't as well outlined as it could have been so I'll take that into consideration as I revise the course.
It can be easy to begin a project feeling that you know how to do something--especially when you feel comfortable with the technology. Then you realize that it's not the technology that matters but your story telling abilities.
I'm looking forward to seeing the final efforts on your individual project. And if you want to talk to me, you can always catch up with me before 10 a.m. You just need to ask.
Good luck. And come see me or email me if you need help or guidance.
Regards,
Professor Warner
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