Proposing Story Ideas

In my endless quest to get you guys to write well (not "good") I have you write story proposals.  These little gems force you to think about your story ideas from all angles and sell me the idea that you're proposing.  Let's just say, I'm glad I'm not relying on you to convince my supervisors that I need a raise.

Based on what I grade of your story ideas, none of you have the persuasiveness, the objectivity or the thoroughness to do this well, even though I've taught this skill many times in the classroom.  We've looked at examples and I've given you a story idea to write up in front of me and then we all discuss it, as a class.  Let me see if I can teach you how to do this, one more time.

1.  Use full sentences.  Let's start with the basics.  If I walked up to you in the hall one day and looked into your eyes and said, "A federal law making it illegal" would you know what in the world I was talking about?  This is not a full sentence.   Try this instead, "A federal law making it illegal to sell toys with lead in them and includes all terrain vehicles went into effect a week ago."

2.  If you have a strong opinion about the story and can't be objective, save the story for someone else.  As a reporter, you are to keep your opinion out of the story.  Tell me if you think this is un-biased and neutral:  "If you don't have your financial aid forms in by the deadline then they charge a 50-dollar fee.  If you had the money, you wouldn't be applying for financial aid. What about those students who work extremely hard in school and they can't go to college because of the expense?"  I felt like I was on the cusp of an emotional rant that was very personal for this student.  No where in the list of people to interview in this proposal was anyone in a financial aid office.  Biased?  What do you think?

3.  There are two sides to every story.  See above.

4.  Don't base your story idea on a passing thought you had.  Unless you can back it up with facts.  Here's one:  "I was listening to the radio and noticed that since Obama became president that urban radio stations are more politically inclined."  This comment reminds me of the phenomenon that when you buy a Honda, you suddenly notice all Hondas on the road.  This student needed to check on radio station formats and do research to see if formats had actually changed, before the story idea was turned it.  It is possible that her theory is true, but I'm not going to say go ahead to a story proposal that is not based in facts.  You have to convince me that there is merit to what you are saying.

5.  Your story must be pertinent to as many people as possible.   "I want to do a story on a family who had a tree fall on their house and it ruined their night."  Why not do a story on how my sink clogged up and we had to call a plumber, or how our gutters overflowed and rain poured in close to the foundation of my house?  Those things certainly ruined my night!  But it's not a story.  No one was injured or changed permanently.  This didn't have a lasting impact, neighbors weren't affected and after a week or two, there's no story anymore, or any available b-roll.  It's not newsworthy.  I've had a tree fall on my house before and although it was a real pain in the butt for a few days, I didn't see any live trucks parked in my driveway!

6.  Be specific.  There are two examples for this one that I can show.  First one, "this is a video about youth interested in different areas of work."  ???????  What???? I have no idea what you're talking about.  Let's keep reading:  "Some of these kids have already begun to pursue them regardless of their age."  Figured it out yet?  Me neither.  After reading the entire proposal, I think this is about young people finding their careers and beginning working in these fields long before they graduate from high school. Find a way to succinctly say what you're talking about in a way that we all understand.  

Here's another one:  "Every city has its own hidden treasures.  In this story, we would reveal some of our city's own hidden gems that are right under our fingertips."  Are we talking about Geraldo Rivera-go-in-a-cave-to-discover-a-treasure-chest-type of hidden gems or are we talking about places to visit, or things to do, or stores, or attractions that many people don't know about or what?  Give me some examples of what you're talking about.  

Here is a story idea that a couple of people suggested, but neither proposal hit the mark as far as a well-researched, thorough story.  Let me show you how I would do it: 

Bus Radio.  

About one year after the debut of bus radio in Cobb County, it has proven to be beneficial in keeping order on the buses as the kids are more likely to sit quietly and listen, than to start something on the bus. According to the Cobb County Annual Report, (www.cobb.k12.ga.us/annualreport08/operations1.htm) bus drivers have reported significant improvement in discipline and behavior since starting Bus Radio.   Bus radio advocates say that all programming is age-appropriate and socially responsible.  The company says they encourage their sponsors to deliver positive messages and they actively seek partnerships with sports and activity-related companies as well as those that provide healthy food and drink alternatives.

www.busradio.net/press_room.php?pr=20080905_fox_rowdy_students.html.

Alternately, however, concerns about wasted money on GPS systems which bus radio systems come equipped with have some parents and board members concerned in this era of budget cuts and cutbacks.  www.mdjonline.com/content/index/showcontentitem/area/1/section/21/item/124303.html.

I would interview bus drivers. students of all ages, parents, school board member and maybe a phoner from the Bus Radio headquarters.  I would also interview Jay Dillon our PR rep. for the county.  Because the story includes speculation about cost of the built in GPS and our district is in the throes of cutting back, I might also see if I could get an interview with our Superintendent.   I would shoot video on a bus where bus radio was being played.  I might open the story by showing that students were listening (or not listening depending on the case) to Bus Radio and interview students as they are riding the bus to see if they even hear it.  Then, maybe go into the psychology of why music has a calming effect or distracting effect and then close the story by showing a bus leaving the school.  The story would be different depending on the age group that I was doing the story on.  I think that the most impact bus radio would have would be on middle schoolers, because they don't drive yet and rely on the bus and because social status and peer pressure seem to have the biggest impact on their actions.  

See.  It's really not that hard to convince me of your story idea.  You have to be persuasive and un-biased.  You have to write correctly and with good grammar.  You have to show both sides and show me that you've done a little bit of legwork.  You have to back up your story with relevant facts and trusted sources.  This is your homework in BVP.  You have to put a little bit into it.

Now, go find a good story idea and SELL IT TO ME!  But first, respond to this blog by telling me why you are not doing your best on story proposals.  What questions do you have?  What can you do to make yourself do better with this?

We Got Third Place!

Sorry a couple of days have gone by since you’ve heard from us. I was banned from blogging.

Jackie Medley and I are great partners on these trips and apparently, she believes that my sleep at this point in our trip was much more important than posting a blog and pictures. I guess she’s right. Managing 18 students wandering around a hotel is not an easy task. I feel like a border collie….herding cats…in a thunderstorm…at night. You get the picture. At least they all have been focused on the task at hand. I make it sound much worse than it was. Overall, our kids have been very good.

At least, as I sit on this plane flying back to Atlanta, I am convinced that coming back home with the same kids you left with is certainly right up there on my list of field trip successes.

The kids have been excited to show us their finished videos and, barring the technical problems that the conference coordinators had, I’ve been able to see about half of the projects. We can’t wait to show them to you.

One student, Elon Sanders, made friends with another school and at that point, we had a hard time keeping him with us. I found him yesterday morning eating breakfast in the restaurant with them. We had a talk. Making friends, good – wandering off, bad.

We’re exhausted. Friday’s contest day was a whirlwind of activity, just like Thursday. Kids all over the hotel and surrounding areas, cameras and mics in hand with looks of determination on their faces dotted the landscape. Some kids were really excited about how they did with their competition, some not so sure. The best news to come out of the contest days is that we got third place in the Music Soundtrack competition! Congratulations goes to Laura Garcia and Hannah Davis!

Saturday’s closing ceremonies was fast-paced and began with a video compilation of all the schools who sent in video set to high energy music. We saw ourselves. We also were supposed to hear from keynote speaker Bob Woodruff from CBS news, but he got sent oversees on assignment and his wife spoke on his behalf. A journalist herself, she was an amazing speaker. Student emcees presented the awards and we saw snippets of the winning pieces, the format much like the Academy awards, minus the acceptance speeches.

With the awards ceremony over, we decided to check out Universal Studios for the second half of the day. We got a half-day pass to both Universal and its sister park and rode rollercoasters, saw shows, ate sweets and bought souvenirs. Frankly, I’m not sure how they had the energy to do any of this, but we ended up staying past 9pm to watch the parade and the Mardi Gras celebration. We all got beads thrown from the floats as they rode by.

We were the best dressed, most mature group of students at this conference I believe. Jasmine Walton agreed with me when I said it to them out loud. “We ARE a good looking group!” she said with enthusiasm. They have been fun to travel with.

We look forward to seeing you guys Monday morning.

I've had to give in to some demands

I've had to give in to some demands.

Some kids didn't finish shooting last night until 11:45pm, then had to report to the ballroom to edit at 6:45am. Kids in Live Reporting had their contest meeting at 7am, Documentary was at 7:30am and Music Soundtrack was at 7:15am. Countless technical problems due to the editing systems at the conference (not our equipment, thankfully), the stress of competition and a rapid-fire schedule of breakout sessions punctuated the day. "Sleep, Watson", they cry. "We need SLEEP!" I've had to give in a little to the mutiny.

After seeing several kids, who were up at 7am for their contest meeting face down in the bed at 10am, sleeping so soundly that a bomb wouldn't roust them, it becomes evident that perhaps they need a little shut eye. Students - 1, Taskmaster - 0.

I'm so proud of the fact that all day long, our students have competed with the video production cream of the crop across the country. They have taken ideas and tips from the breakout sessions and incorporated them into their contest videos. In the face of equipment malfunction or editing snags, they've remained cool and resourceful. With only a little panic in their voices, they've all been able to make deadline and breathe a sigh of relief when they come back to the hotel room with a project that they are proud of.

It hasn't been all work and not play, however. Once the grip loosened a little, students were able to relax a little and enjoy some down time in the pool.
They didn't get much downtime or rest. Unfortunately, while this teacher was making sure her students were in bed at curfew and in their rooms, other teaches/advisors didn't take that job too seriously. We were up until 2am Sat. morning listening to the loud rooms from the other schools. I guess I'll have more demands for sleep tomorrow morning.

First Full Day!

It's easy to be a chaperone and teacher at a conference where all the students are really into what's going on.  The hotel is nice, the food is good, the speakers and the breakout sessions are really interesting and our kids are so stoked about the competitions!

There are 1250 students, representing 33 states here at the conference.  The opening ceremony was packed with students as far as the eye could see, nearly everyone of them aiming a camera.  There's no "what happens in Orlando, stays in Orlando" here.  EVERYTHING is being video taped, produced, edited and broadcast!  It's a little like being followed around by paparazzi.  

Today and tomorrow are on-site competitions where the students have a limited time to produce, shoot and edit their videos, which they don't even know what they will be until the initial competition meeting.

Anchor John Roberts of CNN was the keynote speaker and gave the students a lot of advice about the journalism field.   The STN Student of the Year said a little something and then it was off to the races.  Luckily, the competitions are staggered so when they are not in the middle of shooting or editing, they are attending workshops.  The rules are strict and the competition is stiff and they are not even allowed to speak to me while they are working, lest they be disqualified.  We have students competing in Public Service Announcement, Music Video, Commercial, Music Soundtrack, Live Reporting, Anchoring, Broadcast News Writing and Documentary.  Tonight the deadline for one of the competitions is at 11:30pm and then reporting time for another competition tomorrow is 7am.  There is no rest for the weary or weak here; just like the broadcast field.  You have to run fast just to keep up with the guy next to you.  It's a very good learning experience.

Our kids have made friends with students from around the country and that has fueled a little bit of personal challenge among competitors.  Darius Marcus is taking part in the Live Reporting competition tomorrow, one of the most challenging of the on-site contests.  Students have to write a news story with a little bit of Associated Press wire copy, present it on camera live to an imaginary "anchor back in the studio" complete with live interview with a newsmaker involved in that story.  That "anchor" asks a question of the anchor who then has to ad lib an answer to that question correctly and then "tosses" it back to the studio.  It's a competition only for the student with nerves of steel.  Darius got into a discussion with another student  who seemed overly confident in his abilities to defeat Darius and everyone else.  It has stoked Darius' competitive nature and he's fired up about going toe to toe with this kid.  If you know Darius, you know he doesn't get to excited about a lot of things...he's one of the most laid back kids I teach.  I can't wait to see what happens! 

Les Rose from CBS news presented several great workshops and Al Tompkins from the Poynter Institute will be here on Saturday.  There are professional journalists all over the place... just hanging out with the kids.  Our students are involved, engaged, working hard and very proud of what they are doing and like I said earlier, it makes a chaperone's job very easy.

Having a big hot tub doesn't hurt either.

First (Loooong) Day!

Okay, so I've done this trip with Eagle TV kids for 5 years now and you'd think I'd be used to it. The exhaustion I'm feeling is beyond words. It's the kind of all-consuming tiredness where you feel dizzy. Bloodshot eyes, headache, can't-form-words kind of tired. Yet, I'm exhilarated. We've had a great day. A few unplanned snags, but we've arrived with the same kids that we left South Cobb with (18 of them) and they are, at this moment, all in their rooms getting ready for curfew check. They are all talking about how excited they are about being here and learning something new, making new friends and, hopefully, bringing home an award or two.

After giving the kids the "don't pack too much stuff, don't lock your suitcase, don't bring liquids through security" speech yesterday, you just know someone is going to not be listening.

We got all the way to the last child at baggage check and all of a sudden I realize that there is a small gathering around her suitcase. Her bag weighed a whopping 60 pounds and we needed to redistribute her stuff into some other carryon to avoid the $25 fee. Simple, right? Not if it's LOCKED!!! Bolt cutters came out from the back and we were on our way. Hurdle number one!

Going through security...another speech, "make sure you have your ID out and keep track of EVERYTHING", says Watson. Ms. Medley is behind Jourdan McIntosh who is handing her boarding pass (with Kenya's name on it) to the security folks, just as Medley says Jourdan's name.

"Who's Jourdan?" asks the security guy who is holding that boarding pass with Kenya's name on it, as he looks up, his eyes narrowing. Uh, oh. Hurdle number two.

A gate change 5 minutes before boarding to another concourse, and an hour wait on the runway (we were # 30 in line to take off) before leaving polished off our morning, but we finally got here.

The hotel is teeming with high school students with every kind of tripod, camera, microphone and television tool you can imagine. We've started shooting video for our Eagle TV story about our trip. Of course, South Cobb students have already made many friends and have checked out the "digs" including a dip in the pool and the hot tub. And, yes Dr. Rivera, I've made the juniors log on to SkillsTutor already tonight!

Tomorrow is opening ceremonies with keynote speaker John Roberts from CNN, briefings for the competitions that begin and countless breakout sessions from 1pm - 6pm. Then a quick break to get ready for the Student Television Dance tomorrow night.

Time for curfew check. Sleep beckons.

We're Trippin'

We are two days away from getting on an airplane and flying to Florida to attend the 6th annual Student Television Network Convention.  It's the only convention of its kind devoted only to high school and middle school broadcasting students.  We've done this for 5 years now. Just to make sure no one is caught off guard, I'm here to tell you that this convention is a lot of hard work, both before we go and while we are there.

The first year we went, I couldn't believe how exhausted I was.  I needed a couple of days after the convention to recover.  It took several full days of packing before we left; labeling, checking, cleaning....the mics, firewire, the cameras, the lenses, tripods, wireless lavs, cables, cleaning cassettes, lens wipes, tapes, batteries for cameras, batteries for mics, etc. At the convention, I was the first one up and the last one to bed.  I hooked up our editing system (yes, we brought our own edit system that first year complete with monitors and vcrs) and missed countless breakout sessions that I wanted to go to because of equipment malfunctions or student meltdowns.

Students worked their tail off every second we were there.  Contests were hard and deadline oriented (no there's not extending deadlines here!) Students aren't allowed to even speak to their teachers during contest day or they face disqualification.   If there's a problem, students have to figure it out on their own.  Meanwhile, there is a lot of competition from students who are really good, so stakes are high!  If students weren't participating in a contest, they were attending a breakout session or they were getting their equipment ready or they were stuffing down a quick bite before opening ceremonies, or they were getting ready to load the buses for the dance, or a tour, etc.  There is NO DOWN TIME. 

Every year it has been the same.  This convention is the best learning experience these students can get in video production.  Stakes are high, time is short and excellence is the rule, not the exception. Your work is up for public scrutiny.  Nothing but the best work will fly here.  Its fierce competition and they love it!

And, as always is the case, students come back to the classroom energized and excited  and more than willing to share their experiences and new knowledge with the ones back home.  There is a different feeling in the air at Eagle TV for weeks afterwards.  I love that.  I love that my students get a real world experience.  I gave them the tools, here is where I sit back and watch them use those tools, hopefully.

I can't wait.  I don't care that we'll spend hours packing, checking, labeling and tirelessly going over rules and expectations.  I don't care that I'll be exhausted for the entire trip.   I don't care that we may not have the latest software or our batteries can't seem to hold a charge for very long.  I don't care that our tripods are old and one leg seems to not want to stay extended.  It doesn't matter because what is being judged here is not the equipment you use but what you do with that equipment.  Your knowledge and artistic expression. Your talent.  Your expertise and your creativity.  South Cobb BVP kids can do THAT.  We got that part down!!

So for those of you going, tell me what you want out of this trip.  What do you want to learn?  Do?  See?  Hear? as it relates to video production or this field.  

For those of you not going, what do you want us to bring back for you?  For Eagle TV? What do you want us to learn and tell you about?  How do you think it will benefit you and Eagle TV? How do you want Eagle TV to change as a result?

Because we're all in this together.  We're a team and what benefits one, benefits others.  We all have an investment in each others' excellence and fine work.  We are all part of something very special.  A special family that are making some pretty special memories whether we're in Austell or Orlando.  

Just let us get a little sleep after the trip before you start asking us questions.

Commitment....or the need to be committed!

I have issues.  Commitment issues.

I am taking 19 students to the Student Television Network Conference in one week.  I drive students to Kangaroo places.  I drive them home from school sometimes and am there for them when they need someone to talk to.  I encourage them to take chances, to cold call someone so they can do a story on the Dialogue in the Dark exhibit or the Atlanta International School. I help students write scripts, I help students with other classes, I praise, I encourage.  I've promised someone from the League of Women Voters that we'll be there on Saturday, our day off, to record what seems to be one of the biggest events that we've ever covered, complete with mics on podiums and multi cameras and numerous individual interviews and I still only have two people who said they'd do it.  Most teachers would run out of their classrooms, flailing their arms as if their hair was on fire before they did this much work in a day, or in a week, or in a semester or a year.

Not me....  I think I need to be committed.  

Sometimes I don't know what keeps me going.  Especially lately.  For the past couple of weeks, I've spent the majority of my time during my advanced class herding kids into edit rooms as if I'm swatting at flying bats.  I'm tired of that.  I need my well refilled because it has run dry.  I need it filled by you showing me your commitment to Eagle TV and to your work.

We started out great!  For the past two deadlines, everyone has met them.  Every story, script and air confirmation form had been turned in on time. Most people have blogged and most people have turned in two story idea assignments.  This last assignment, however, has been a different story.  The only difference in MY mind is the fact that I extended the deadline, which I said I WASN'T going to do.  My BIG mistake.  But the slack started much earlier. 

Two days into the assignment, half my students didn't know what they were going to do their story on and sat around "discussing" it; for TWO DAYS.  A group of students spend half the period over by the windows taking pictures of themselves and then when I try to redirect, the group moves like an ameoba toward the computers where they settle in with feet up on the desk and earplugs in their ears checking out the latest tunes.  The two students who got a chance to do an internship with the Marietta Daily Journal...the MARIETTA DAILY FREAKIN' JOURNAL...just didn't get back in touch with the publisher.  That's it.  Just didn't call when he didn't give them specific days they'd work.  Oh well.  Most students would jump at this chance and would call every day until you worked out a schedule!  Are you kidding me?  And opportunities to really shine and get creative with the senior video segments sit unassigned.  

"Who can tape the tennis match today?"  (cricket sounds)

"okay, who can shoot the career fair and make a quick VO out of it?"  (more crickets)

I gave you 3 packets of great tutorials (requested specifically by one student) to go through while I was absent one day.  Nothing.  New information and skills continue to go unlearned.  (whine)"But it was too hard, Mrs. Watson"  (more whining)  "I didn't understand it."  

Yeah well, YOU HAVE TO READ IT!  Unless you possess some magical ability to acquire knowledge through just passing by it, like you stare and pass by the radishes on a salad bar, then you actually have to put some work into it!  

My editorial meetings consist of 28 melting faces as you stare at me like I'm speaking Russian.  Or....you are conducting your own verbal experiments into who can talk the most and the loudest while Watson and Kayla speak about things that are, I don't know.... IMPORTANT TO THEM!  "I'm sorry, what did you say, Mrs. Watson?"  "huh?"  

You can't get something from nothing.  You have to work for what you get.   It is not handed to you.  It will be a cold, hard slap in the face for you when you figure that out outside of high school.  They don't repeat things in college.

It's getting old. You're wearing me out.  I work way too hard for the crappy handout I'm getting in return.

I need commitment.  From YOU!

There aren't many teachers  that take students to conferences....or go with them while they do stories off campus or look for opportunities like the Emmy's or the Prom party PSA competition and really encourage you to take part in this stuff.  You know why?  Because it's a lot of work, that's why.  I work really hard for you and this program.  I need you to work hard in return.

So, tell me, what have you been slack about and why???  I really want to know.  I also want to see and hear your re-commitment to what you do in here.  Why aren't you taking a perfect opportunity to do an Emmy-award winning package?  Why don't you spend time in the edit rooms learning on your own new techniques in FCP or Live Type or whatever.  Don't tell me it's my fault or tell me what I need to do better, because this is a self-reflective assignment.  I'm giving you the tools but you have to put your hand out and take them, and USE them.  Pledge your commitment here.  Tell me how you're going to shine and excel and what you plan to do to leave your legacy for Eagle TV.  

I'm committed.  Are you?