Now, don't get any ideas. I'm working five days a week, 40 hours or more. It's not all fun and games. Unless you're like me and consider TV News thrilling and exciting. I'm not joking. One day on the job and I'm hooked. I'm interning at the NBC Affiliate, WMBF News, for two and plus months, waking up at 2 a.m. three days a week, 3-11:30 p.m. on Thursdays, and then having a more normal schedule, coming in at 9:15 a.m. on Fridays.
Granted waking up at 2 a.m. pretty much sums up a weird sleep schedule, but I'm telling you, it's so worth it. These people are talented, knowledgeable, helpful and overall, just amazing! Jennifer Grove is showing me the ropes as a morning live reporter along with her well-skilled photographer, Drew, who will be switching to the normal shift, sadly. Luckily, another great photographer will take his place. That's Ian! He's wonderful, hard working, and from Jersey! We have lots of laughs!
Jenny is beyond wonderful. She's bright, a total natural at this gig and completely inspiring. She can come up with a catchy phrase or word in a matter of seconds. Her presence on air is totally mind-blowing. I hope I can learn from her and have my own great presence.
I've been able to record a few look live shots. So I'm getting some experience learning to improve my writing and on-air experience. Jenny had some great tips and critiques for me, too. She says once you know what you want to say, if you're recording, let go and put your script/notebook down and let it flow. It was amazing how much more natural I felt once I did that.
I think Mizzou's J-School has certainly given me a leg up on broadcasting. I'm one of the more experienced interns they've had; I have a general idea of how to work with everything and everyone. It's so interesting just watching people's interpretation of how they cover the news, coming from so many different journalism schools. I'm so thankful that Missouri has taught me so much in such little time.
Brandon Herring is my dayside reporter bud on Fridays. I go out with him and I get to ask questions during our interviews and shoot much of the video. He really lets me just go to town for my hands-on internship! He makes me laugh so hard. He's a great reporter and knows how to take things lightly even when times get rough.
Brandon actually had to edit a package in less than an hour in the live truck. I was amazed by his talent and vigor to get the job done. That's another thing I look forward to learning: how to handle pressure first-hand. When he writes his intros and look lives and tags, he lets me give my input, essentially giving me the opportunity to improve my writing skills.
On Thursdays, I'm working with production. Drew and Brian are teaching me how to run audio and graphics. I've had the chance to punch a few buttons and knobs, to help run the show. This is something I've been meaning to learn at KOMU, but hadn't had the chance. I'm so grateful that WMBF is offering so much in just 2.5 months! Drew is currently training to be a director. So he's teaching me a little about that, too. I think it's really vital to know how production works and maybe even know how to run a bit of it. You should know, as a reporter, how they help you and how you can help them. It's all a team effort!
It's been three weeks since I began. I cannot believe the amount I've learned in that short time. I look forward to the rest of the internship. I cannot stress enough how important it is to step outside of your comfort zone, outside of your journalism school/TV station, and take a look at how other newsrooms are covering the news. You'd be amazed what you can learn from other people, especially ones that are in the position you will be a year from now. I have a much better feeling about becoming a broadcast journalist. I definitely have the passion for this tough business.
