This week, we filmed and wrapped up our fifth and final show for this semester of Mountaineer Playbook. I have learned a lot from this class about both the news world and what it takes to work in this field, and also working with a team and how to step up in a leadership role. I was scared going into this semester because I knew how demanding and important this class would be, but I’m very glad that I didn’t put it off for another semester.
Going into this semester, I knew I wanted to try to be a producer in this class. I got to try it in class last semester in 380 (the class leading up to this one), but I had no idea how many things I would be responsible for. I was considering passing on trying to be a producer out of fear of my own ability to keep up. Our first show was a shock for me, as the number of hours I put into this class over the week leading up to the show was a lot more than I had imagined it would be. While it was a struggle adjusting to this position, I’m extremely grateful that I trusted myself and sat down to submit that producer audition script, and I’m grateful my professors gave me the chance to take over this role that had huge implications on the success of this semester’s shows.
One thing that I learned from this class over the semester, which applies to a lot more outside of it, is that nothing is ever going to go exactly the way you planned it. Every aspect of these shows that my classmates, professors, and I put countless hours into can change in an instant. Every time I thought I was adjusted, some new wrench was thrown in that needed to be handled. I wouldn’t have been able to make it through this class without my peers cheering me on, and the feeling that I owed them everything I could give in terms of fulfilling my duties as their producer.
I am glad I got to see not only myself grow into this position, but the growth of my classmates as media professionals and reporters. At the beginning of the semester, I was nervous about trying to give my classmates constructive feedback, as I felt it would seem rude. As the semester went on, I started to understand that the things I got to see from writing conferences and doing fix sheets gave me a very different perspective, and from that point, I started to offer to go into the field with reporters more because I wanted to try to see through our professor’s eyes and give them feedback that would make a difference. Not only did I get to watch them improve, but I also got to create memories going to these events with everyone.
On one hand, I’m excited to have made it through the class and give my eyes a much-needed break from staring at Word documents for hours every other weekend, but I’m also going to miss this class and the friends I’ve made from it. Our last show taping was successful and very fun, but it also made me sad that it would be the last time our group came together to create content. While I’m excited to get back to work for news next semester, the team around me made this semester unforgettable, and I think, despite the low points, it was my favorite one yet.