Chris Vlahos blog 6

STORIES
This week I got cleared to begin working and contributing to the KOMU news. After the initial excitement wore off I started to reflect on what I learned from my first four packages. I looked through my score sheets and thought about the importance of scripting a package.
Whether that means using the proper run time for sound bites, or correct CG titles I made more mistakes than I wanted too. Rather then get disappointed I realized that I would much rather make those mistakes in lab than at the station. My last package I focused on writing in the active voice and providing facts, which seemed to help my score and the value of the package and VOB.
To my displeasure the focus on my interviews was still soft, and I still can’t seem to perfect the art of framing my subject. When I’m out shooting the focus looks fine, but sometimes I notice the framing. This week I interviewed a woman that had a tendency to move back and forth. When we started the interview the framing was fine, but the bite I used came from the middle of the interview when she had strayed to the center of the frame. Two other things bothered me about my last package on the True/False Film Festival. First I lost eight points because the package came in at 1:22. I read it over multiple times because there is no reason it should be too long or short, but I still missed the time. Then I had a fact error, which was careless on my part. If I had made this fact error in a package at a real job, it may have cost me my job.
JOURNALISM REFLECTION
I watched a story on CNN, and was so amazed by the anchors behavior; I went and watched it again online. The story was about singer Chris Brown assaulting his girlfriend Rihanna, which caught my attention when it first happened in early February. Details of the assault continue to leak out from LAPD about what happened between the two famous singers causing a firestorm on the national media circuit. CNN’s coverage begins with Ashleigh Banfield, the anchor of “In Session.” Banfield discusses the ramifications of what Rihanna said to police, but once she finishes, CNN anchor Rick Sanchez doesn’t comment on what she said or transition to the other reporter. Instead, Sanchez tells the cameraman to “Get a Shot of the Twitter Board”.
I undersatnd Mr. Sanchez’s intentions, his producer may have told him to say it. However, I felt his response was unnecessary and robotic. Every time I watch CNN and see Rick Sanchez he promotes CNN’s interactivity and tries to draw people to the website, but he could have just asked Ms. Banfield a follow up question rather than using a viewer’s response. It seems like every major news organization tries to promote citizen journalism and interactivity, but this plug for CNN’s website takes away from the story in my opinion. This is an infotainment story, and after watching the clip multiple times I feel like the anchor thought he was the news. He waved the indictment around on the air, took his glasses off and swung them around. Later in the clip he continues to move his arms around in an obnoxious manner, drawing attention to himself.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/03/05/chris.brown.charged/index.html#cnnSTCVideo