Blog

Here we are at the beginning of the semester for WVU News. It’s an exciting time for all of us as it’s something new and unknown. We are all excited to bring you the news as students and possible future journalists. I’m the executive producer of WVU News and I want to show you a closer look at how we prep and film the show. I’m excited for all of you to see our improvements over time from the first shoot to the final one. Let’s get cracking.

One thing to know about me is that I am a shy and anxious person by nature, and I knew if I wanted to work in journalism, I was going to have to learn how to step out of my comfort zone. I wanted the producer position because it would help me do just that. I would be a leader; someone the class could go to if they needed help. Doing WVU News is the perfect opportunity to learn all the steps it takes to be a producer since it is what I want to do after college, and I have already learned so much. 

Our last week of WVU News has officially wrapped up… Please excuse me while I go cry. This week’s special edition script was on mental health in the United States and in West Virginia. Mental health is such an increasing issue… so the fact that I got to write the entire script on something so prominent and important in this day and age meant a lot to me. While the script had an extra package and VO, it only added three more minutes than usual, so it wasn’t much more to write. I ended up stressing out last week for no reason! It also only took me four hours to write the script for this week’s show, mostly because I was doing so much research and double checking the reporters’ facts to make sure they were right. If it hadn’t been a special edition show, I probably would have finished the script within three to three and a half hours.

And that’s a wrap! We filmed our last show. I am overwhelmingly proud of the team, and I am so proud of our newscasts. I am also very proud of myself. I worked so hard for the executive producer position, and I spent every week doing the best I could to create shows that live up to the highly acclaimed, Emmy award winning title. This last newscast I was extremely independent, structuring and casting the show and writing the script entirely on my own. 

And just like that, we are finished with our special edition show! With only one more show to go, it’s hard to believe that the semester is coming to an end. This past newscast was my favorite to produce, and I am so proud of the show we filmed. I found myself taking charge this week, and working directly with Professor Dahlia to make sure that this special edition would be great! I’m so happy I am part of such a hardworking team.

I can’t believe we are done with our third newscast. Time is flying! This show, I found myself taking more authority during taping. I also think my times for the show’s rundown were more accurate. I’m learning so much, and I’m starting to push past the “ask a lot of questions” stage, and move into the stage where I’m practicing and improving on my skills.

Our second newscast is done! I was more confident during the process of making this show, and I am beginning to slide into a routine. The stress is still very much there, but I am loving every second of it. I’m learning that an executive producer does not always have a list of specific jobs. Producing a show means helping out with anything and everything to make it great. 

Our first newscast is finished! I am so proud of everyone, and I am so excited for the rest of the semester. Obviously, the show wasn’t perfect, but we will keep improving! Although it is stressful, I love being the executive producer, and I am learning so much about the career.

We had our first newscast on Wednesday, and I honestly thought it went really well. Not perfect, of course, but it was better than I had expected. We did four takes. You could tell everyone was really nervous the first time around, but by the second take, everyone was much more comfortable and relaxed. It made me proud of our team, and excited to see what’s to come. 

I can’t believe it’s all coming to an end.  My college years flew by in the blink of an eye. It’s a bittersweet feeling. Part of me is ready to go, and part of me is dying to stay. One thing I know for sure is how much I’m going to miss WVU News. It has been an amazing experience and semester with the team. Reflecting back on the beginning of the semester until now, I realize how much I have learned from this class, and Professor Dahlia.