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Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism University of Southern California
Your Health

H1N1 Free Vacine

Hundreds of people lined up for free H1N1 flu shots.

REPORTER BLOG

On Monday I covered the H1N1 free vaccination at the City of Industry Expo Center.  Just this weekend President Obama declared the H1N1 flu a national emergency, which caused many people to come to the free vaccine expo to be safe from the flu.  My angle, which initially was unclear for me at the morning meeting, came together once I arrived to the Expo Center.  My angle, long lines, hundreds of people, and the possibility of shortage.  This was the only place offering the H1N1 flu shots in LA County. Although there would be more opportunities in the week ahead for people to get their free flu shots, this was the only one for Monday.

From there it seemed easy.  Get some b-roll of people getting vaccinated, talk to people waiting in line, get a few interviews with the LA County Doctor, and staff. BUT of course, nothing ever works the way you want it to, and I never forget about my best friend, Murphy’s Law.

I was not allowed into the Expo Center and could not get b-roll of the interior. B-roll: people waiting in lines. Boy, did I try to be creative.

The Doctor would only speak to me for literally 2 minutes because every news station in LA and their mother’s were trying to snag my interview.  I was just the STUDENT from USC.

With that said, I worked with what I had, AND my battery dying. Unfortunately, I was not able to switch batteries because I was given a Cannon battery pack for a Sony camera.
Just when I was about to leave…amazingly and fortunately enough, a police officer had a camera in his car and allowed me to use it and tape my stand up and tease. Don’t ask me why, but I think this time it worked to my advantage that I was from USC and a student.

When I got to the studio the only thing on my mind was air, air, air... to make air that is. I was at the top of the show.

 I learned that I always need to work with what I have. Things do not always go according to planned.

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