I spent 6 hours in court on Friday, and it was awesome! I got there just in time to hear the last bit of testimony from the defendant and few other witnesses. I basically sat in there and look A LOT of notes about everything they said. I was so glad that they actually went into closing arguments on Friday and ended up charging her (Guilty on capital murder and attempted capital murder). I found out that I actually really enjoy court reporting, it's really interesting. I'm very happy that Stephanie trusted me with this case and I hope I get to do more of this! I won't be back interning at the station until after Christmas break *sad face* but I'm certainly looking forward to it!
You can read my story here: http://www.kwtx.com/news/headlines/Woman_Accused_Of_Killing_Husband_Tells_Jurors_She_Didnt_Do_It_134918663.html.
Anything and everything I come across while I'm interning, along with a few of my own interests.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Friday, December 2, 2011
First big solo story
I'm going out on my first big solo story today for the station. Stephanie, our Executive Producer, is sending me to the courthouse today to report, yes alone, on a capital murder case that's in it's 5th day. So it's a pretty huge deal that Stephanie trusts me enough to send me out on this on my own. I'm heading down there at 1pm and have no clue what time I'll get back. That all depends on how many more witnesses the defense calls and how long the jury stays out, which could be a while. Also excited with this, they're thinking that today is the day the defendant will take the stand. INTENSE. This will be a massive deal if that happens while I'm there. So pressure's on! But I've got this. I'm gone to court once with Josh, and I've been taking notes where ever I go, so I'm prepared. I'll update when I get back, here goes nothing!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Ronald McDonald House Temple, TX
One of my favorite parts of my internship. Getting to go to awesome and inspirational stories like this. Rusty, Donald and I went out to the Ronald McDonald house in Temple to film the lighting of the lights on the outside of the house. Some of the kids and the parents were there along with Santa and Ronald. It was awesome to see all of the kids excited and happy. Ronald led the crowd in saying "3, 2, 1...ba da da da daaah, we're lovin' it!" And then the lights came on. Talk about having an awesome job. I love it.
Interning: What's it all about?
I started interning at KWTX-News 10 in Waco back in September. It's been 3 months so far, and I'm loving it. I've already learned more at the station then I have in my 3 months at college. I'm a news intern, so I basically do anything and everything that people need help with at the newsroom. This can include: pulling archive video, editing video, writing scripts, looking for stories, calling people, filming, running the floor cameras, going out into the field and on occasion, producing. Although I've only producing about a total of 3 minutes (two news breaks and one special), I'm getting a feel for it and I know it's what I want to do.
Majority of the time, I'll go out into the field with one of our nightside reporters Josh and one of our videographers Nate. Going out with them is always a learning experience and I their by far my favorites to go with. Emily, who hosts our Moms Everyday @4 show is a wonderful person and always has things for me to do. I help her with anything she needs and then help run cameras for her show.
I honestly have Nate to thank for teaching me everything I know about the camera, both in studio and out. Once he learned I was interested in becoming a videographer, he really took me under his wing and showed me everything within a matter of 2 weeks. Thanks to him, I know how to run the floor cameras, the field camera and edit with Quantel. He's already let me film a few stories and continues to give me tips all the time. I guess I can say he's like my mentor.
Donald, one of our other videographers, is awesome also. I just went out with him for the first time yesterday afternoon and I liked going out with him too. Yesterday afternoon was a hectic one, to say the least. One of our live trucks broke down and the other was being used, so we had to take the Mogo and pray it worked. We got there 25 minutes until showtime, that's just about enough time to set it up (on top of the car roof), get a signal, set up the camera and lights inside and run the cables. This would have been great, except for the fact there were trees....everywhere. To make a longstory short, we couldn't get a signal so we had to be scrapped from the 5 o'clock and get ready for the live truck to show up for the 6. In the end, the 6 o'clock went really well and we were happy with it. Even though it was a stressful time and we were in a time crunch, Donald took the time to answer any questions I had and showed me new things. At the end of the night, on the way back, Donald said I had good potential and he could tell I wanted to really learn and get out there in the field. Considering I'm only a freshman AND an intern, this is a huge complement and I'm really honored.
I look forward to going to work every Tuesday and Thursday and love learning new stuff. I've learned so much already in my 3 short months there and I'm looking forward to what next semester brings. I suppose if I had a tip for someone considering an internship it'd be this; do it. You'll learn so much more out in the real world than you will in a classroom. Start early, like I am, because it will set you on the straight path for your future. Donald's already talking about getting me an internship at Fox in Dallas over the summer and senior year I'll be interning in New York. Be confident, I may only be a freshman, but I know what I'm doing, what I want and where I'm going. Also, ask questions. That's what you're there for, to learn so get the most out of it while you're there. Finally, find a few people who know what their doing and who care about you succeeding, and you have your mentor(s). Emily, Nate and Donald will forever be #1 in my book.
What's next for me? I'm going to go work on my Sociology final, which is a video. Ironic, right?
Film on,
Michaela.
Majority of the time, I'll go out into the field with one of our nightside reporters Josh and one of our videographers Nate. Going out with them is always a learning experience and I their by far my favorites to go with. Emily, who hosts our Moms Everyday @4 show is a wonderful person and always has things for me to do. I help her with anything she needs and then help run cameras for her show.
I honestly have Nate to thank for teaching me everything I know about the camera, both in studio and out. Once he learned I was interested in becoming a videographer, he really took me under his wing and showed me everything within a matter of 2 weeks. Thanks to him, I know how to run the floor cameras, the field camera and edit with Quantel. He's already let me film a few stories and continues to give me tips all the time. I guess I can say he's like my mentor.
Donald, one of our other videographers, is awesome also. I just went out with him for the first time yesterday afternoon and I liked going out with him too. Yesterday afternoon was a hectic one, to say the least. One of our live trucks broke down and the other was being used, so we had to take the Mogo and pray it worked. We got there 25 minutes until showtime, that's just about enough time to set it up (on top of the car roof), get a signal, set up the camera and lights inside and run the cables. This would have been great, except for the fact there were trees....everywhere. To make a longstory short, we couldn't get a signal so we had to be scrapped from the 5 o'clock and get ready for the live truck to show up for the 6. In the end, the 6 o'clock went really well and we were happy with it. Even though it was a stressful time and we were in a time crunch, Donald took the time to answer any questions I had and showed me new things. At the end of the night, on the way back, Donald said I had good potential and he could tell I wanted to really learn and get out there in the field. Considering I'm only a freshman AND an intern, this is a huge complement and I'm really honored.
I look forward to going to work every Tuesday and Thursday and love learning new stuff. I've learned so much already in my 3 short months there and I'm looking forward to what next semester brings. I suppose if I had a tip for someone considering an internship it'd be this; do it. You'll learn so much more out in the real world than you will in a classroom. Start early, like I am, because it will set you on the straight path for your future. Donald's already talking about getting me an internship at Fox in Dallas over the summer and senior year I'll be interning in New York. Be confident, I may only be a freshman, but I know what I'm doing, what I want and where I'm going. Also, ask questions. That's what you're there for, to learn so get the most out of it while you're there. Finally, find a few people who know what their doing and who care about you succeeding, and you have your mentor(s). Emily, Nate and Donald will forever be #1 in my book.
What's next for me? I'm going to go work on my Sociology final, which is a video. Ironic, right?
Film on,
Michaela.
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