This show was packed with shoots, and each presented unique challenges that pushed me to improve as a videographer. With my final show coming up, I wanted to take every opportunity to sharpen my skills and learn from past mistakes, such as battling tricky lighting, getting creative b-roll shots, or adapting to unexpected restrictions.
On Friday, March 7th, I helped Brian McQuillen film his package on WVU baseball and their new head coach, Steve Sabins. We got to the field early to film his stand-up and SOT teases, but I realized that might not always be the best approach. Having an empty field behind him didn't add much energy to the shot, and moving forward, it's important to prioritize filming with action or fans in the background.
Lighting was another challenge. The morning sun and stadium shadows made it tough to find the right spot for his stand-up. Eventually, we found an angle that worked, and I made sure both Brian and the baseball he was flipping were sharp and in focus. During the game, we captured over 500 b-roll clips across three cameras, making sure to get tight shots of equipment, players’ movements, and even a base-stealing moment I anticipated and captured perfectly. Despite the challenges, this was one of my favorite packages to shoot.
On March 11th, Andrew Fried and I visited the WVU Health Science Center to learn about the WVU STEM program. One of my initial concerns was that the simulation center was empty, making it tough to get a dynamic b-roll. To fix this, I created movement by recording simple actions like taking out gloves and pumping a blood pressure ball to make the space feel more active.
Coming up with a stand-up took some brainstorming. We staged a shot where he initially appeared as a doctor working with a dummy, then cut to a POV shot from the dummy’s perspective as if Andrew was simulating a medical procedure. This added a fun and engaging visual element, proving that thinking outside the box can make a simple setting more interesting.
After working with Andrew, I helped Terrell Thompson film his package on WVU baseball player Gavin Kelley, who plays both catcher and left field. We captured b-roll from Tuesday’s game, mirroring my strategy from Brian’s shoot by anticipating plays before they happened. The stand-up was supposed to be filmed on the field, but we were denied access. This was a moment where asking for forgiveness instead of permission might have worked in our favor.
We tried filming at Milan Park, but every field was in use. After our WVU News show 3 taping, we finally got the stand-up at Milan before getting kicked out by a softball coach. Despite the running around and hassle, the final shot came out great. I learned from my previous cloning attempt in Playbook that, when filming outside, I need to move quickly to avoid lighting inconsistencies caused by the shifting sun.
On March 25th, Patrick and I gathered additional b-roll for his construction story on shifting lanes for worker safety. I made sure to get creative angles, including close-ups of gloves, tools and equipment to add variety. We also filmed Patrick’s stand-up inside a moving car, cutting to a dashcam view of him merging to visually demonstrate the new law. This made for an engaging way to show viewers exactly what the new law means.
The next day, I helped Dakota Swiger at the Islamic Center during Ramadan. This was an eye-opening experience, as I had to follow strict cultural guidelines. I could not film any women and had to remain stationary during prayer, relying on zooms and pans to create dynamic shots. I focused on capturing details such as hands in prayer, food being served, and depth shots to show the community’s size.
A key takeaway from this shoot was the realization that, in religious and cultural stories, the people care more about the experience they are sharing with you than the news package itself. They were more focused on welcoming us into their traditions than on what we were filming, which made it a more meaningful experience. Also, if I ever cover a religious event again, I won't be eating beforehand. They will insist on feeding you!
In the studio as we recorded the show this week, we had a few really strong takes. I made sure to meet with my team and make sure they had everything from me to help the whole team succeed. I’ve gotten comfortable as a director because I trust and am encouraged by the people around me. After each taping, many people will come up to me and tell me “Great job” or “Great take,” and that little bit of motivation really helps me stay focused and locked in for each recording.
This past show week was full of learning experiences, and I’m excited to take these lessons into my last show. Every challenge has helped me refine my skills, and I’m ready to finish my WVU media career strong.