Ready and Rarin' to go!

This week in broadcasting has been mostly the same old for me. Morning show, news meeting, radio shifts and The County Line. We had a pretty unique show this week. A few minor technical mistakes, a neat interview segment and we timed out really well. It's hard to believe that there's only one more show left this semester. We're looking to fill in some holes for next semester, and also prepare people to take over new positions in the fall. Mr. Weaver and I discussed having me fill in for one of the anchor positions. He was really for it, and I would definitely like the experience. We'll have to see how we can work it out.

The career seach is heating up because I'm getting REALLY hungry about finding a job and took some serious steps this week towards doing so. I sent my resume to Nickelodeon for a writer position for U Pick Live, a sort of TRL for cartoon shows. A job like that would be really fun, and Nick is a part of MTVNetworks, which is where I'd like to end up. I also finally completed and burned my DJ resume CD, which includes a 90sec DJ aircheck and 6 promo spots to show off my production skills. I think I've been channeling Julie this week because I've been printing off job openings and putting them together in a binder so that I can easily compare them. I plan on sending out some stuff next week. I also need to make copies of my headshots to send out with a few applications. There are 2 jobs that I am interested in that ask to have color photos attached. I'm ok with that.

Like I said before, it kinda sucks that BC jobs need to be filled immediately, especially since I really can't start working until May. Unlike others though, I really can't bring myself to drop my responsibilities at Titan Radio and WCN to take on a full or part time job. I have worked really hard for years to prepare myself to get a job in broadcasting, but I have also worked really hard to get the leadership positions I have here at Westminster. I don't want to turn my back on those responsibilities now, especially when the people who appointed me to the positions could be valuable references in the future. Even though I have a MAJOR itch to find a job now, I'm going to enjoy the rest of my college career because, let's face it, I'm going to work for the rest of my life.

I found an article about how blogs are becoming a powerful force for companies to use. One experted is saying that media needs to "adapt or die" when it comes to the use of blogs. I think most people know what a blog is now, and they're really becoming a trend in the industry. Don't all us capstoners feel special now?!

Tryptophan is the bomb!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I had a nice time engorging myself full of food today at the various relative's houses. It's nice to have a break, but I'm bored already.

This week in broadcasitng was super short for me, being only 2 days long, but I actually got a lot done. There was no County Line this week, obviously, but we're looking pretty good for next week. I want to have one more package done this year. I've had the hybrid cars package up on the board like 4 times this year. Mr. Weaver also suggested visiting a Christmas farm to see how they do things this time of year, or finding a family that cuts down a traditional tree every year. We'll see what pops up.

Looking towards my career, I've been getting more serious about getting all of my stuff together. I took about 2 hours and listened to all my DJ airchecks from this summer and this semester. I put together my best clips into about a 3min segment, and also got all of my production and promos together. I want to have Dr. B and Tandi both listen to it before I finalize everything. Next up is getting my TV resume tape together. That should be interesting!

I had several conversations with different people about what I'm going to do once I graduate, and the general answer is I HAVE NO IDEA!!! I'm starting to get a little freaked out. It's hard because broadcasting jobs, for the most part, need to be filled immediately. So, every day I see all these job listings and everything, and I feel like I'm missing out by not applying, but I honestly couldn't take a job right now. I have another full course load next semester and have a night class and dance theater. My friend Maria gave me some good advice. She said to not worry about finding my first job, because my first job isn't going to be what I end up doing for the rest of my career. *phew*

I didn't find an article this week, but I did find something that was kind of interesting. Target has been advertising these Wake Up promotions where you visit Target.com and send your friends, loved ones, or enemies a wake up message from a celebrity or otherwise annoying character. I definitely checked out the website to send some of my ever-so-lucky friends a wakeup message, but the site said they were experiencing a huge amount of bandwith and could not process of the requests. I wonder how many people actually did visit the site and what it will do for Target's Black Friday sales. PS- No one better send me one!

Sleep, glorius sleep!

So, the musical is over, thanks to everyone that came to see it! Dance Team also had their first performance at the Blue & White game! Here's some photos:

Now that I have my evenings back to do what I want, I gotta start rolling on my senior project and everything that needs to be wrapped up for my classes. I'll admit- I've been slacking on some of my class work because of my extracurriculars, but now I have more free time.

This week in broadcasting was very typical. We had The County Line on Thursday, which went pretty well! Things were shaky at the begining of the week because we had little content for the show, but magically everything fell together on Thursday. Everything was finished early so it was smoothe sailing! Good job Mike and Shannon!

On the career path... *tumble weed rolls by* Ya, that about sums it up! Musical and Dance team took over my life, but musical's over and Dance team is self-sustaining so that frees up a lot of time. I'm going to fix my resume next week and hopefully put together my radio resume tape as well. The TV tape will come in the following weeks.

I found an article about how the FCC and ABC are still facing off about the Desperate Housewives promo during Monday Night Football. The network is facing major heat after thousands of complaints came in about one of the characters dropping her towel for a football player. It was a bit much, but the whole premise of that TV show is sexually active housewives and their daily doings. I'm sure the ad and controversy gained them new viewers.

How's the project going?

Senior project has been a subconcious, but on-going process this year. I haven't been thinking about it too much, what with the musical, dance team and dance theater, but I have slowly been adding up all of the parts of it. I have a lot completed, but compiling most of it into resume tapes is going to be the most work. Here's an update:

TV Producer

• I have several useable County Line's to use for a producer's tape. This past week's prerecord was a very successful show and had good flow. The "horse" show also had a good flow.
• I need to find time to review the old tapes and choose my favorite.

TV Reporter/Talent

• I said I wanted at least 2 packages completed to put on a resume tape. As of now I have 3 solid packages completed and want to do at least one more before the semester ends.
• I need to choose the best clips from my packages and include them on a resume tape.

Radio Promotions Creator

• I have 2/3 radio promos finished, one for Digital 88.9 News and one for the Lambda Sigma clothing drive.
• I need to complete one more promo, which will most likely be for The County Line.

Radio Disk Jockey

• I said I was supposed to create an exciting, professional and enthusiastic resume tape of my DJ shifts.
• The aircheck machine has been out of commission for about 3 weeks now, so I don't have much new material to use. It's up and running again (for now) so hopefully I'll get some good stuff in the next week or so.

Things are going well. Now that musical is almost over, I will have all of my evenings back and have a lot more time to dedicate to getting my resume tapes completed.

Kiss Me, Kate

The cast and crew have been working really hard on Theatre Westminster's latest production, Kiss Me, Kate! We're down to the wire on rehearsals, only 2 more until we open on Wednesday night! Everyone's getting pretty worn out, but once the curtain opens on Wednesday night we'll be ready to rock! If you don't have tickets already

Theatre Westminster Presents
Kiss Me, Kate
November 10, 11, 12, 13- 7:30pm
November 14- 2:30pm
Beeghly Theater
To reserve tickets call (724) 946-7241


Here's me and the dancers doing the routine for the number "Too Darn Hot." It's pretty fun! Hopefully I'll see you there! (Thanks to Rich Marmura for the picture!)