As for my home school of Ladue, I will miss it. But, I am excited and ready for the next chapter in my journalism career... and life.
I really had no Idea what I wanted to do for my final video. Broadcast has been such an influential part of my life and knowing that It's coming to an end makes leaving bitter sweet. Concerning this month's video, I chose to do a commentary. I had not done once since sophomore year and I was fed up with my school's obsession with name brand things, especially name brand universities. I will be attending the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University next year and I couldn't be more excited! However, the first reaction I get from many non-journalists are, "Why not Mizzou?" or "Isn't ASU a big party school?" The answer is, I don't have to explain my choice in straying from the norm. I will be academic and I will be happier in the Cronkite school than I could ever be at the University of Missouri.
As for my home school of Ladue, I will miss it. But, I am excited and ready for the next chapter in my journalism career... and life.
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My last video was about the science behind thunderstorms. It focused in on the difference of light and speed and how it effects lightning and thunder. I created it for HEC-TV. I knew this was my last video for them seeing that I'm graduating in May, so I wanted to make it a strong video. During the last HEC-TV shoot, about forty Reed Elementary students came to the high school to observe. The broadcast dept. here had stayed in contact with their teacher and got the idea to work with the children for a few of the videos. I filmed the video in the computer lab of their elementary school with a portable green screen and light kit. The fourth graders were not only adorable, but they were so professional and enthusiastic. One of them reminded me of myself in a way. She wanted to be perfect and got very serious on camera. That is something I have had to overcome as well. It comforts me knowing that there is a great group of youngsters that will arrive here in the broadcast program in the next few years. I heard great stories of second semester senior year. I was told that the work load would be better and that it would feel like sliding into home plate. IT IS THE OPPOSITE. I have been non-stop since January creating new commercials, acting in the school's musical, and juggling school on top of it all. My insanity actually led me to the perfect challenge, a mobile journalism piece! Many people have covered the blood drive before, however this was the first time a package was created for it using only an iPad. While filming, I really had to pay attention to my hand movements because everything I did translated directly on the video.
As a requirement for graduation, this semester I took U.S. Government and politics. How does this pertain to my most recent video you may ask? Well, for the end of that course each student was tasked with the assignment to perform some sort of social advocacy for a cause close to them. I have been so tired with the kind of journalism that has been publicized in recent years that I knew I had to address the issue. What other way do I know how to make a change but with a video?
I created a PSA. The only reason why I call it that is to categorize it. This video is more of a commentary mixed with a public service announcement. I selected this action because I believe the only way to influence what goes over the air is to do it from the inside out. Posting the video online is the fastest way I can make a change. I filmed the footage on Sunday and had it edited by Tuesday. The application of my skills in this video was not the hard part, what challenged me was integrating a broad and abstract idea for change to a singular and symbolic event. I chose two siblings/ friends, whatever your imagination desires, to represent the easy divide an extreme left or right stance can do to the individual as well as our society as a whole. I had the image of the two fighting with their colors from the beginning of this process and I am very happy I was able to logistically make it come to life. As for my broadcast final, we were given these prompts to use in any form:
The month of November has been a whirlwind! I went to Washington D.C. for a national journalism convention and have made quite a few videos, but more on the convention and the awards we returned with later. For now, I am currently putting together a special Ladue View and trying my hand at my very first VLOG (Video Blog).
The video I put up today was shot late October when many Advanced Anatomy students from my school went to Mercy Hospital to talk with professionals in all areas of the allied health fields. The students got hands on experience, from giving IVs to performing surgery via the Davinci Machine (in which I found out I was quite good at!). I actually took the class last year and was extremely intrigued by medicine. If I didn't love journalism as much as I do, I would seriously consider being a doctor or nurse practitioner. Last year, I was unable to go to Mercy because I was in Boston. So this year I went as the press. I decided to take some various footage and then create a lighthearted video on what my class and I experienced. This was fun for me and a good break from my usual style. I feel very lucky to be living ten miles south of such a historical Saint Louis event. Don't get me wrong, the murder and protests in Ferguson are terrible. Beyond the mourning of a community member and irresponsible actions taken by a small group of people there, it is the constant camera, recorder, and reporter there to get the next big story that has truly harmed the community. I believe in telling a story and informing the public, but I had enough with the demonization of not only Ferguson, but of Saint Louis as a whole. I respect my hometown and do see a need for change in certain social areas, but that does not mean everyone in this community is a racist or violent.
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AuthorLillian Donahue Archives
April 2015
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