Reflection On This Semester
Since my freshman year, my career goal has always been to become an on-air reporter. I took the production class because I wanted to learn a new skill. Although I am very happy I enrolled in this course, JOUR 403 has not changed my career goal. In fact, it made me more confident that on-air reporting is the perfect position for me in the newsroom. I love concentrating on one story as a reporter. I am also a people person and I enjoy going out and talking to the people who are affected by the story I am covering. Even though producers are also storytellers, I like being the person to tell a story I can call all mine.
Now, this does not mean I do not value the tools and skills I learned during this semester. In fact, learning to be a producer actually helped me grow as a reporter.
Now when I cover a story as a reporter, I will think like a producer. When I report, I will really concentrate on how a story will best be told on television. I realize it is important to think about all the different elements of a story and think about what needs to be further explained to the audience, whether that is through a graphic or a particular SOT. Also, now that I know what needs to be accomplished on a producer’s end, I will be able to work better with my future producers when I get a reporting job out of college.
In addition, JOUR 403 made me a better writer. Improving my writing has always been one of my main goals at ATVN. As a producer, I did not realize how much writing I was actually going to be doing. I thought producing only entailed creating a show and delegating work. But, in fact, whether I am the Lead or Copy Edit producer, I help write and edit most of the rundown. Not only am I seeing my writing get crisper, but I am also getting faster doing it. I used to overanalyze too much when writing an INTRO or VO. Now, it is second nature.
Lastly, producing taught me to be a better multi-tasker. Especially when I am Video producer, I have multiple MJs working on editing or shooting at the same time. It is so important to know what everyone is working on and to get updates on their progress throughout the day. It was hard to stay organized and juggle all of the work the first couple of weeks. But, each week, it is getting a lot easier. Now I know I can manage a lot of stress and work during a day-of-air shift.
It is crazy how fast this semester blew by! But, I am so excited to see how our last two shows turn out! Go Team Tuesday!!
