After months of blood, sweat and tears…we are all now Masters of journalism. Congratulations to the American University, School of Communications class of 2010. I dedicate this to you all.
Below is my in-lieu of thesis project entitled “With Liberty & Justice for All.” The piece takes a look at the impact of same-sex marriage being legalized in DC.
Watch. Learn. Enjoy
Tight Security in the nation’s capital is nothing new. But with very important visitors in town, some neighborhoods will be impossible to navigate. Arrien Davison has more.
Posted in Spring 2010
As President Obama scrambled for last-minute healthcare reform, there was another issue calling for his attention in the Capitol’s front yard. Arrien Davison has the story.
Posted in Spring 2010
We are living in the digital era, but there are still 86 million Americans living without internet access. A federal agency is making plans to spread the connection-Arrien Davison has more.
What I learned from this experience: Making graphics isn’t a scary as I expected. But it is good to start with the basics…baby steps
Posted in Spring 2010
Doing your taxes doesn’t have to be stressful. A financial assistance program in Northern Virginia is helping out in a major way. Arrien Davison has more.
What I learned from this assignment: there is no such thing as too much footage. Not having enough footage (b-roll in television lingo) can make editing video a much more difficult task. Keep the camera rolling, even when you think something is not visually interesting- think of an angle to make it work.
Posted in Spring 2010
A new study suggests that if you spend your lunch break napping you may learn and perform better in the afternoon. Arrien Davison has more…
The particular challenge of this assignment was to do day of production and meet a very strict deadline. Come with a story idea, collect the equipment, go out to get footage & interviews, write script, voice & edit final piece….all by 1:30 in the afternoon. This mission was successfully completed, but it was of course a “teachable moment.”
What I learned from the experience: Do as much planning as possible the night before. Have multiple story ideas for the day in case one or more fall through. Always bring the extension cord for the microphone to keep the cable out of the shot. And decrease head room with interview subjects..Practice Makes Perfect !
Posted in Spring 2010
Washingtonians were stripping grocery shelves bare in preparation for Snowmaggedon. But what about people who couldn’t make it out to the store for food? Arrien Davison has more.
This weeks challenge was to create my very first news package. Film footage and collect interviews using a professional camera, voice story on Adobe Audition and edit and put together all the pieces with Final Cut Pro.
What I learned from this experience: the tripod is our friend, always remember cut away shots and to separate audio channels while in the field.
It feels great to have a finished piece under my belt. One down, lots more to go.
Posted in Spring 2010
