Package # 3: FAMU QB Battle

The last package, the one I’ve been waiting for – the feature. I’ve been anticipating the feature because I know I’m going to do something with sports. Plus, we got the opportunity to pitch ideas for this package.

I pitched professor Jones four sports stories in this area, he decided to give me the story on FAMU’s quarterback battle. Cool! I have a nice rapport with FAMU’s athletic department , being a former intern, and I can use some football footage from Vaughn Wilson, FAMU’s Sport Information Director.

Not to mention, I’m pretty cool with Damien Fleming, one of the quarterbacks competing. BUT, in no way, shape or form does that conflict with my job to remain unbiased. Not trying to compare myself to one of the best journalist of my era, but it’s kind of like Stephen A. Smith and Kobe Bryant, the have a personal relationship, but at the end of the day Stephen A. has a job to do, and he does it very well.

Anyway, so, I got one SOT an b-roll know I need to do another interview and my standup. After Head Coach Earl Holmes kept me waiting for an hour he finally allows me to come into his office to do the interview. Then, I go outside to onto the field for my standup, after about 10 takes I can finally breath easy, because as I stated in my first post simple editing like this comes easy.

Don’t just take my word for it, check it out:  

Package 2: Home Construction in Tallahassee Up or Down?

My second package assignment is on “Home construction in Tallahassee up or down?” At first this topic seemed east, until I tried calling the Florida Home Builders Association for three straight days and didn’t get an answer.

Mind you, this is before my group, group “A” got their cameras. Because when we get our cameras we only have three days to shoot TWO PACAKGES!

So, prior to the distribution of the cameras, I’m trying to get my interviewees lined up. But, luckily, I’m a very persistent person. I keep calling and calling, and I call and different times too.

Finally! On my way to class, I get a hold of Paul Thompson, FHBA’s executive officer, and I setup an interview for Tuesday, group “A’s” first day with the camera.

We do the interview, very nice guy, but I still do not have a laymen or a lot of good B-ROLL! So, I ask him if he knows of any constructions sites or new neighborhoods where I could get footage and interviews, and he tells me that there’s a couple down Thomasville road.

So, I go down there that same day and it’s a gold mine for b-roll and SOTs. I went to a random newly constructed home and the owner was Art Myers of WCTV. I have to admit it was a little nerve wrecking interviewing someone, who could tell if your doing it right, wrong etc. But, it worked out and he was a great SOT. So, I get some more b-roll and went home after the interview.

But, when I got home, I realized my shot was cutting Mr. Myers head off! So I edited the parts of the package I could, and went to another newly constructed neighborhood the next day. I surely was about to go back to Mr. Myers’ house and say “hey can I get another interview because I’m a bad journalist? “

So I canvased the new neighborhood for a SOT and got one immediately. After that interview I was finished with package two.

Check it out:  

Package # 1: Senate Bill 1714 Impact on Craft Breweries

This assignment was the second time I’d be producing a package, but the first time it is for professor Jones and the first time the topic was not related to sports.

So, even though I’m very confident in myself and my abilities, I’m also nervous, for two reasons: It’s not sports and because of all the Jones stories I hear: “You’re going to fail your first package.” “No one grades as hard as he does.” “He expects you to know what you’re doing,” etc.

So, when I found out that my assignment is “SB 1714 Impact on Craft Breweries,” I’m thinking all sh*t who am I going to interview, and how am I going to do this. So, after speaking with professor Jones and doing some research I was able to identify two people I wanted to interview – The owner of Proof Brewing Co. and Senator Bill Montford.

I wanted Proof for the obvious reasons and Senator Montford because he voted for the bill. After a week of constantly contacting both parties, I was given the “run-around.”  But, a couple days later Senator Montford’s secretary was able to schedule a date that I could do the interview. Proof, however; is still being difficult. So I started looking for back-ups, but no luck.

One day on a surprise pop-up at proof’s new store, I caught the right person at the right time and after promising that this was not for publication, he was willing to do the interview. And  honestly the rest was history, I’m not shy or afraid to get good b-roll or do my stand-up in public places and I’m proficient on Final Cut Pro X so editing wasn’t a problem at all. I would have my video on this blog, but I can’t.

This process was stressful for the simple fact that people who you want to interview may not want to, or they may just “flake out” on you and leave you hanging. Can’t wait to see what story I get next.