When I signed up for J198, I was expecting to learn about multimedia aspects of journalism, simply because that’s what I had read in the course description. After receiving an e-mail over the summer about creating my own blog, twitter and YouTube accounts, I realized I was going to be learning A LOT of multimedia tools. I was skeptical about learning these new things. I had never really thought of myself as someone who “tweets” or “blogs,” and I didn’t quite see how they had anything to do with journalism. I had already taken a videography class, and therefore I was a little familiar with editing videos – something I definitely enjoy.
Through the course of this class, I developed so many different skills that I now realize are the most important aspects of journalism. This course made me realize that utilizing tools like google maps, blogs, twitter and interactive videos is so important in this industry. For this semester, I have to say this class was by far my most interesting! I wasn’t expecting to be traveling into Bethlehem and interacting with all the different people that I did. Although I was skeptical at times, it turned out to be an overall great experience. Talking to random people in the community helped me to become more confident and outgoing with my interviewing skills. I also learned things about Bethlehem that I never knew before, and probably would never have bothered to learn otherwise. I spent hours in North Bethlehem talking to a man at the Sun Inn, which is supposedly haunted. I spoke with a waitress at Sal’s pizza and learned that the restaurant was one of the most friendly and family oriented places around Bethlehem. I interviewed dozens of business owners and learned about how grueling and intense it is to prepare for the Christmas season in Bethlehem. I am incredibly grateful that this class pushed me out of my comfort zone. I feel like every student at Lehigh should be forced to do the same! As a hands-on learner, I need to do things and experience things to truly learn about them. This class undoubtedly supplied me with experience and hands-on learning with multimedia tools.
One of the aspects of the class I was most surprised with was how interested in my blog and twitter I became. I never thought I would do these things, however I am so happy that I have them now. At the beginning of the semester, I found it difficult to write a blog 3 times a week, and tweet several times a day. By the middle of the semester, though, I actually got really into it. Since we were allowed to make our blogs about things we were actually interested in, it was easy to be passionate about it. My blog was a movie review and I actually found myself leaving a movie theater after seeing Saw 3D, saying “I can’t wait to write in my blog about how bad that movie was.” After I said that, I was so surprised with myself. But as it turns out, I actually like sharing my opinion and having people listen and respond. Seeing the stats, and seeing that people actually read what I wrote was empowering! When people responded to me on twitter and re-tweeted my thoughts, it made me feel the same way. It felt good to connect with the community and share my thoughts things with people that I didn’t even know.
I am not only going to use my twitter, blog, and knowledge of videos and websites to my advantage in the professional world – where it is totally necessary to know about all of these things – but also in my personal life. This class never felt like something that was boring or tedious, it was fun, but I also learned so much. Taking this class was definitely a great decision, and I'm actually sad that it's over!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Evaluation
An evaluation of J198...where do I even begin?
Our very first lab assignment was basic work with our camera and working with video files. All that was assigned was to produce two video files that would be uploaded to our YouTube accounts when we were finished.
An incredibly simple assignment, but way back when this assignment made me nervous. I had no idea how to even begin such an assignment, let alone how to upload and produce videos to YouTube. Technology was never my friend before this class.
After one awkward interview with Imani, I made it through the first lab. And with each lab, my skills progressed. By the end of the semester I could not only produce videos, but I could dress my videos up and edit them in such a way that they told a story, something I never thought I'd be able to accomplish.
The video I am most proud of is the video Jackie and I produced about the Sun Inn. That was the very first video that we produced that truly told a story. We spent a lot of time editing nearly 2 hours worth of interview footage, but our work paid off when the Brown and White featured this story on the multimedia section of their website. The coolest part of this story was how it evolved by itself. Jackie and I had little direction about where we wanted to take our story when we first decided to cover the Sun Inn, but it became one of the most interesting topics we covered.
Another thing Jeremy's class has provided me with is an addiction to social media. Twitter, a website I had little understanding of before J198, has become a site that I see great potential in. I think if more people understood the relevance and capabilities Twitter has they would be more apt to use it. I will be a Twitter user for a long time thanks to J198.
Another social media aspect that I've fallen in love with: my blog. My blog has become my little baby. I get such a thrill when a friend of mine texts me indicating that they love my latest post. I think my proudest blog moment came over Thanksgiving Break. My older sister ran into a friend at a bar who was wearing OPI Burlesque shades on her nails. Her friend had read my post and gone out to have her nails done in the shades I discussed. My post was her inspiration- wow. I cannot wait to continue working on my blog and ultimately take it to the next level.
Outside of video editing and social media proficiency, Jeremy's class has taught me something that I doubt he even realizes. Jeremy's class has confirmed for me that I am studying something I love. None of the "assignments" ever felt like work. Instead, they felt like an opportunity; an opportunity to immerse myself in the local community and feel like a journalist. I found out that I love being on camera and would be thrilled to incorporate that into my future, though Samantha Maes may give me a good run for my money.
There were many Wednesdays where I left class eager to email my family links to the YouTube videos I had produced. Pride and joy in work is something that can't be taught but Jeremy's class made that possible for me.
http://www.insidechristmascity.info/ <--This is the site that I created with Jackie as our final project. I am incredibly proud of this and excited to share it as well.
Our very first lab assignment was basic work with our camera and working with video files. All that was assigned was to produce two video files that would be uploaded to our YouTube accounts when we were finished.
An incredibly simple assignment, but way back when this assignment made me nervous. I had no idea how to even begin such an assignment, let alone how to upload and produce videos to YouTube. Technology was never my friend before this class.
After one awkward interview with Imani, I made it through the first lab. And with each lab, my skills progressed. By the end of the semester I could not only produce videos, but I could dress my videos up and edit them in such a way that they told a story, something I never thought I'd be able to accomplish.
The video I am most proud of is the video Jackie and I produced about the Sun Inn. That was the very first video that we produced that truly told a story. We spent a lot of time editing nearly 2 hours worth of interview footage, but our work paid off when the Brown and White featured this story on the multimedia section of their website. The coolest part of this story was how it evolved by itself. Jackie and I had little direction about where we wanted to take our story when we first decided to cover the Sun Inn, but it became one of the most interesting topics we covered.
Another thing Jeremy's class has provided me with is an addiction to social media. Twitter, a website I had little understanding of before J198, has become a site that I see great potential in. I think if more people understood the relevance and capabilities Twitter has they would be more apt to use it. I will be a Twitter user for a long time thanks to J198.
Another social media aspect that I've fallen in love with: my blog. My blog has become my little baby. I get such a thrill when a friend of mine texts me indicating that they love my latest post. I think my proudest blog moment came over Thanksgiving Break. My older sister ran into a friend at a bar who was wearing OPI Burlesque shades on her nails. Her friend had read my post and gone out to have her nails done in the shades I discussed. My post was her inspiration- wow. I cannot wait to continue working on my blog and ultimately take it to the next level.
Outside of video editing and social media proficiency, Jeremy's class has taught me something that I doubt he even realizes. Jeremy's class has confirmed for me that I am studying something I love. None of the "assignments" ever felt like work. Instead, they felt like an opportunity; an opportunity to immerse myself in the local community and feel like a journalist. I found out that I love being on camera and would be thrilled to incorporate that into my future, though Samantha Maes may give me a good run for my money.
There were many Wednesdays where I left class eager to email my family links to the YouTube videos I had produced. Pride and joy in work is something that can't be taught but Jeremy's class made that possible for me.
http://www.insidechristmascity.info/ <--This is the site that I created with Jackie as our final project. I am incredibly proud of this and excited to share it as well.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Podcast: All-Time Favorite Movies
Alyssa Gutjahr and Angelica Halat talk about their favorite movies, actors, actresses and more!(Spoiler alert: They talk about the endings at some points!)
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Practicing podcasts
I learned how to podcast in J198 today. At first I had some trouble because I was attempting to download a wma file as opposed to a mp3 file. Unfortunately this podcast isn't that interesting as it's just a bunch of background noise in class. In the future I look forward to making a podcast that is much more interesting. In fact, our assignment for next week is to do a podcast that is at least 5-10 minutes. Jackie and I will be working together on that and we'll see how the finished product comes out.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Flag Football Championships
We learned how to incorporate audio into a picture slideshow today in J198. I didn't have much audio so it was a challenge for me to tell the whole story with a small sum of pictures, but overall I enjoyed this project. I tried to incorporate the most interesting pictures that still told the story well.
Anne Bracaglia and Carina Meleca were my interview subjects. They provided me with some great input concerning their feelings about the game.
College Against Cancer Pink Week table
Colleges Against Cancer sold shirts, cupcakes, cookies and pretzels to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
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