For Show 5, I began the week by assisting Joey Bray at the introductory press conference for new basketball head coach Ross Hodge. My primary responsibility was ensuring that the audio setup was handled correctly. I made sure the XLR cable was securely connected to the audio box, which allowed us to pull a clean audio feed from the soundboard. Sound bites often carry the bulk of the storytelling, especially for a story based around a press conference. Having clear, reliable audio from the podium meant Joey wouldn’t have to worry about background noise or inconsistent sound levels during editing. The biggest challenge we faced during this shoot was variety. Press conferences can be visually limited because they typically involve people speaking at a podium with minimal movement. It forced me to think creatively about how to frame shots and look for moments that added visual interest. I captured Coach Hodge shaking hands with President Gordon Gee and mingling with others after the official remarks, which helped add some human elements and variety to the b-roll.
Next, I helped Tyler Carlbon at the engineering building, where students designed a Formula SAE race car. This shoot had way more visual elements for us to shoot. There were students working everywhere, so we were able to get a wide variety of shots. We also had two interviews with a student who is the head of the racing club and a professor who advises the club. Both interviewees were very passionate about the topic and gave us great insight into the club.
With Tanner Mountz, I filmed the Mountaineer Invitational golf tournament at Pete Dye Golf Club. This shoot taught me about adaptability. At first, we were on foot covering the course, but once we got access to a cart, everything became easier and faster. We captured scenic shots of the course, signage, players in action, and other visual details like waterfalls and the coal mine. Since this was a VO and didn’t require interviews or stand-ups, I learned how to tell a story purely through visuals. It was an exercise in efficiency: capturing clean, usable footage that flowed smoothly from start to finish. It also reinforced the importance of planning out your shot list and working with the environment you’re in.
I can’t believe we’ve wrapped up our final show. Looking back, it’s incredible to see how much I’ve grown from our very first production to now. Not just in my technical skills, but in my confidence and ability to work as part of a team. What’s been just as rewarding is watching everyone else grow alongside me. This semester, our entire class really bought in. We supported each other, pushed each other, and created a collaborative environment that showed up in every project we produced, especially in our final show. The last show was a true team effort. The packages were strong, the pacing was smooth, and everything came together just the way we hoped. As the Technical Director, I worked closely with Tyler and Aidan, and the growth in our communication and trust has been one of the highlights of the semester for me. By this point, we knew how to anticipate each other’s moves, back each other up, and solve problems in real-time. That kind of teamwork doesn’t happen overnight, it’s something we built show by show. I’m incredibly grateful for this class and everything it’s taught me, not just about broadcasting, filming, and editing, but about leadership, collaboration, and accountability. It’s been a challenging, exciting, and rewarding journey, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together.