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Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism University of Southern California
ALUMNI

Jordan Rice Best

Class of 2007, Bachelor's



Survey

What are your duties in your current position?:

News judgment, rundown building, writing, sound bite and graphic selection, timing, time management



Where did you work before, and what jobs did you do?:

WGAL is the only station I've worked for - which is pretty unusual for journalists starting out.  I got my foot in the door as a video editor for several years before moving into my current producing position.  I worked on my own time to practice my writing and show the managers my skill and desire for producing.



What new skills do you think journalists need? :

Strong writing, strong tease writing, time management, being able to work independently 



What were your duties at ATVN? :

Anchor, Reporter, Writer/Shooter/Editor, Producer



How did ATVN prepare you for your career?:

ATVN gave me experience in a variety of newsroom roles and an appreciation for how they work together.  



List any additional major(s) or minor(s) you had at USC. What impact have they had on your career?:

Dance minor - not much impact on my career, but continues to be a hobby!



Describe your typical workday including assignments, workload and deadlines.:

Arrive at midnight (already having browsed news web sites & being informed on what happened during the day).  Assess local content, start building rundown, write as fast as my fingers can type!

3:00 AM: reality check - do whatever it takes to get rundown filled out and show written. 

3:30 AM: work on writing teases, tying up loose ends.

4:00 AM: anchors and technical staff start to arrive and mark up scripts, etc.

4:30 AM: we're on the air!

5:00 AM: breathe a sigh of relief - made it through another show!  Ready to do it all again tomorrow!

5:00-6:00 AM: write Today Show cut-ins, help answer calls in newsroom 



Which software programs do you use at your current job? including newsroom software/editing software/content management system:

ENPS 

AVID for special editing projects

Annenberg TV News: YOUR HEALTH

May 22, 2007

A half-hour health and wellness special for students and their families.

CLASH IN MACARTHUR PARK

May 1, 2007

Jordan Rice reports on the clash between police and demonstrators in MacArthur Park

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

April 27, 2007

Jordan Rice looks at the efforts of supporters to have the killings recognized by countries worldwide including the US.

PET FOOD SCARE

March 20, 2007

The FDA says that 13 cats and one dog have died from eating contaminated pet food

Get Out The Vote

November 7, 2006

ATVN's Jordan Rice has the details on today's elections.

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