During the past few months, I've had the pleasure of interning with the Winnipeg Jets and hanging around the press box at the MTS Centre.
One important thing I've picked up is press box etiquette. You see, I've been to both Leafs games (You all know how big of a fan I am), but I've never gotten up and cheered...but I will admit I did do a small fist pump.
When you are surrounded by media professionals and players from both teams, it seems inappropriate to celebrate or watch the game as a "fan." However, there have been times when different people have gotten up and cheered, or boo'd, or showed their displeasure for a call...and to be honest, it felt really weird.
You are supposed to look and act professionally there and when I see people yelling and screaming, it comes off wrong.
So if you ever have the chance to watch a Winnipeg Jets game from the press box, have fun. But don't come off as that crazed fan, because it is not the place to act like one.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
Insiders and Sources
Being a sports fan, you hear insiders reference their "sources" all the time...with them being wrong most of the time. And most notably, a big NHL television personality went on the radio about a month back saying Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry wouldn't be re-signing with the team.
Now, he is one of the most respected analysts in the game, but all he said was that "sources" told him it wouldn't happen. Fast-forward to Monday night and news broke that Corey Perry did in fact choose to re-sign with Anaheim. Whoops.
One thing that has always bugged me about sports journalism has been the "sources." With the NHL trade deadline soon approaching, the three major sports networks (TSN, Sportsnet and The Score) will have their top analysts feeding us rumours from these unnamed sources.
It bugs me because in many cases, they will be wrong during the day and it won't affect anything. The NHL trade deadline is the only example where these journalists can get away with being wrong...not that they try to. The goal is to break every trade first. And if that means they get it wrong - and I've seen them get it wrong many times - then so be it.
As an aspiring sports journalist, I can't stand it...but I also understand the importance of being first on days like the trade deadline. It's really hit and miss. Sports journalism is just a different kind of beast.
Now, he is one of the most respected analysts in the game, but all he said was that "sources" told him it wouldn't happen. Fast-forward to Monday night and news broke that Corey Perry did in fact choose to re-sign with Anaheim. Whoops.
One thing that has always bugged me about sports journalism has been the "sources." With the NHL trade deadline soon approaching, the three major sports networks (TSN, Sportsnet and The Score) will have their top analysts feeding us rumours from these unnamed sources.
It bugs me because in many cases, they will be wrong during the day and it won't affect anything. The NHL trade deadline is the only example where these journalists can get away with being wrong...not that they try to. The goal is to break every trade first. And if that means they get it wrong - and I've seen them get it wrong many times - then so be it.
As an aspiring sports journalist, I can't stand it...but I also understand the importance of being first on days like the trade deadline. It's really hit and miss. Sports journalism is just a different kind of beast.
Monday, March 11, 2013
IPPP's.
It seems like it was years ago when I finally got my IPP, I've Seen the Elephant accepted. Well, it's March and in two days I'll be presenting my IPP at the Convention Centre.
It was a great experience to write a book, edit it, lay it out on InDesign and then host a book launch. I couldn't have done it without the help of Duncan McMonagle and Diane Livingston.
While the IPPP's aren't the end of CreComm, it feels like they are. Anyways, I hope y'all can come out to the Convention Centre on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to see the great work CreCommers have done over the past year.
It was a great experience to write a book, edit it, lay it out on InDesign and then host a book launch. I couldn't have done it without the help of Duncan McMonagle and Diane Livingston.
While the IPPP's aren't the end of CreComm, it feels like they are. Anyways, I hope y'all can come out to the Convention Centre on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to see the great work CreCommers have done over the past year.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Have You Seen Candace?
Over the past two years, I've had a chance to learn about Candace Derksen and her disappearance by reading Journey for Justice and Have You Seen Candace?
The story has struck me personally, because I lived near the area where Candace disappeared and it shows that actions like these are not just happening in the core of Winnipeg. Sadly, tragedies like this can happen anywhere.
Although it's hard to choose a book, I felt like I connected more with Wilma's because it was much more personal. It's hard for anyone to get much more personal than writing about their child's death.
I also feel that Mike's book was dry when the focus went on Mark Grant and some of the trial.
Journalists can learn that while it's hard to approach a family that has lost a child, or any other family member in such a terrible way, many people want to get tell their story. So while it may be hard to ask the tough questions, or gather courage to go to their house, or make that phone call, the families of victims usually want to talk to the media and tell them about their family member they lost - and Wilma made that clear when she talked to us last Tuesday.
Wilma's visit was much better this year than last. While I really enjoyed Mike's presence last year, I felt he overshadowed Wilma - and personally - I wanted to hear Wilma's story more than his.
The most enjoyable part of her visit was hearing her talk about her fears when facing the media. Being a former CreComm student, it was interesting to hear her insight into how she dealt with the media when Candace disappeared and when Mark Grant was on trial. It's really true that CreComm can prepare you for almost any life event - and this was no different for her.
It was also interesting to hear about her two other children and how they reacted to Candace's disappearance and to the trial and conviction of Mark Grant.
Looking back, I would have liked to ask a question to Wilma. While I knew she came to talk to the class knowing we read her book, I still felt like it was a really personal topic and hard to ask a question about Candace. I really admire her coming back every year and telling her story to CreComms.
The story has struck me personally, because I lived near the area where Candace disappeared and it shows that actions like these are not just happening in the core of Winnipeg. Sadly, tragedies like this can happen anywhere.
Although it's hard to choose a book, I felt like I connected more with Wilma's because it was much more personal. It's hard for anyone to get much more personal than writing about their child's death.
I also feel that Mike's book was dry when the focus went on Mark Grant and some of the trial.
Journalists can learn that while it's hard to approach a family that has lost a child, or any other family member in such a terrible way, many people want to get tell their story. So while it may be hard to ask the tough questions, or gather courage to go to their house, or make that phone call, the families of victims usually want to talk to the media and tell them about their family member they lost - and Wilma made that clear when she talked to us last Tuesday.
Wilma's visit was much better this year than last. While I really enjoyed Mike's presence last year, I felt he overshadowed Wilma - and personally - I wanted to hear Wilma's story more than his.
The most enjoyable part of her visit was hearing her talk about her fears when facing the media. Being a former CreComm student, it was interesting to hear her insight into how she dealt with the media when Candace disappeared and when Mark Grant was on trial. It's really true that CreComm can prepare you for almost any life event - and this was no different for her.
It was also interesting to hear about her two other children and how they reacted to Candace's disappearance and to the trial and conviction of Mark Grant.
Looking back, I would have liked to ask a question to Wilma. While I knew she came to talk to the class knowing we read her book, I still felt like it was a really personal topic and hard to ask a question about Candace. I really admire her coming back every year and telling her story to CreComms.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Indecision
With CreComm slowly coming to an end, finding a job has been on my mind more than ever. One problem: I don't know what I want to do. Let me rephrase that. I'm not sure which aspect of journalism I want to get into. I've done a lot of print work and I know it better than radio or television, but the job prospects aren't the greatest.
Then you have television which is very hit and miss for me. Some broadcast journalism classes I feel like I get it and everything clicks...then the following week is an absolute disaster. I love anchoring too, but that isn't something that I can make the jump to right out of CreComm. Still very open to a television career.
Finally, we have radio. I love radio. I co-hosted a fantasy sports show with Mr. Mark McAvoy last year and it was honestly one of my favourite things that I did in first year. And with my second work placement being TSN 1290, I hoping to get my foot into the radio side of journalism.
There's a month left of classes and a ton of jobs out there...now it's time to make a big decision and choose what's best for me. I'm starting to feel the pressure.
Then you have television which is very hit and miss for me. Some broadcast journalism classes I feel like I get it and everything clicks...then the following week is an absolute disaster. I love anchoring too, but that isn't something that I can make the jump to right out of CreComm. Still very open to a television career.
Finally, we have radio. I love radio. I co-hosted a fantasy sports show with Mr. Mark McAvoy last year and it was honestly one of my favourite things that I did in first year. And with my second work placement being TSN 1290, I hoping to get my foot into the radio side of journalism.
There's a month left of classes and a ton of jobs out there...now it's time to make a big decision and choose what's best for me. I'm starting to feel the pressure.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Custom Publishing
In journalism class this week, we took a different angle and worked on some custom publishing. I can't say it was one of my favourite assignments of the year. In fact, I'd go further and say I strongly dislike customer publishing.
As an aspiring journalist, there's nothing worse than writing a piece that a company has paid for. And for my assignment, I had to write a "story" on a local business as if they were paying for it.
Now this wasn't no ordinary story. I had to puff up the ego's of the client and make them look like they were the best thing since sliced bread. No interviews and no getting two sides of the story. Nothing. Just make the business look good.
Now I have no problem going out to a restaurant or seeing a show and writing a nice review if I had a good experience. But this is a totally different beast.
Custom publishing has been becoming more and more frequent in journalism in the past few years and frankly I'm not a big fan of it. I did a lot of similar stories in Portage when I was at the Daily Graphic and those stories aren't ones that I'd put in my portfolio.
It's not that it's poor writing - it's just that they feel so fake to me. Going to businesses and getting owners to tell me how great they think their work is isn't something I find particularly compelling as a reader or writer.
As someone who wants to be in this business a long time, I'm hoping that papers find different ways of bringing in revenue and don't solely rely on this method to bring in cash.
These advertorials don't evoke any passion, emotion, or anything that made me fall in love with journalism in the first place.
But that's just my take though.
As an aspiring journalist, there's nothing worse than writing a piece that a company has paid for. And for my assignment, I had to write a "story" on a local business as if they were paying for it.
Now this wasn't no ordinary story. I had to puff up the ego's of the client and make them look like they were the best thing since sliced bread. No interviews and no getting two sides of the story. Nothing. Just make the business look good.
Now I have no problem going out to a restaurant or seeing a show and writing a nice review if I had a good experience. But this is a totally different beast.
Custom publishing has been becoming more and more frequent in journalism in the past few years and frankly I'm not a big fan of it. I did a lot of similar stories in Portage when I was at the Daily Graphic and those stories aren't ones that I'd put in my portfolio.
It's not that it's poor writing - it's just that they feel so fake to me. Going to businesses and getting owners to tell me how great they think their work is isn't something I find particularly compelling as a reader or writer.
As someone who wants to be in this business a long time, I'm hoping that papers find different ways of bringing in revenue and don't solely rely on this method to bring in cash.
These advertorials don't evoke any passion, emotion, or anything that made me fall in love with journalism in the first place.
But that's just my take though.
Monday, February 4, 2013
The diet of a journalist
Journalism life is busy for the most part and getting a having a proper diet is tough.
It's hard to have that balance of healthy food and fast food when getting fast food is so much quicker and convenient.
During my summer internship at the Portage Daily Graphic, I would be on the road close to three hours a day. I didn't have time to make a lunch or even eat a dinner in the evening. Most times, I would be stuck eating Tim's or Subway mid-afternoon with the odd snack. Safe to say that it didn't help my waist line over the summer months.
But it's not always about having to eat bad food. There are days where you don't get to eat until the evening. During most broadcast journalism Thursday's, I don't always get the time to eat. Is it partially my fault? Yes. But with the hectic schedule of a journalist (whether it's print, radio, television, etc), it's not always easy to get the right number of meals in during the day.
And with limited healthy options for snacks and meals out there, it doesn't make it any easier to get the proper nutrition your body needs.
For example, the last month at the Phoenix Sinclair inquiry and Law Courts, I ate Boston Pizza three times and pub food the other. Not to say I didn't enjoy the food, because I did, but it's so easy to get caught up in a bad diet when you're on a deadline.
So after I finish CreComm and get my first true journalism job (fingers crossed), the first goal is to become a much more responsible eater and to save the beers and pizza for the weekends.
It's hard to have that balance of healthy food and fast food when getting fast food is so much quicker and convenient.
During my summer internship at the Portage Daily Graphic, I would be on the road close to three hours a day. I didn't have time to make a lunch or even eat a dinner in the evening. Most times, I would be stuck eating Tim's or Subway mid-afternoon with the odd snack. Safe to say that it didn't help my waist line over the summer months.
But it's not always about having to eat bad food. There are days where you don't get to eat until the evening. During most broadcast journalism Thursday's, I don't always get the time to eat. Is it partially my fault? Yes. But with the hectic schedule of a journalist (whether it's print, radio, television, etc), it's not always easy to get the right number of meals in during the day.
And with limited healthy options for snacks and meals out there, it doesn't make it any easier to get the proper nutrition your body needs.
For example, the last month at the Phoenix Sinclair inquiry and Law Courts, I ate Boston Pizza three times and pub food the other. Not to say I didn't enjoy the food, because I did, but it's so easy to get caught up in a bad diet when you're on a deadline.
So after I finish CreComm and get my first true journalism job (fingers crossed), the first goal is to become a much more responsible eater and to save the beers and pizza for the weekends.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Winnipeg Jets Intern
Myself and eight other classmates are currently Communications Interns with the Winnipeg Jets organization.
My first game was Sunday night and it was an amazing experience. First of all, the game was great. The pace was fast, there was a lot of scoring and the crowd was electric. Pretty much everything you need to have the supreme sports experience happened on Sunday evening.
It's an internship that you could only get from being in the CreComm program and it shows how deeply rooted CreComm is in Winnipeg.
As a journalist, it was also a little interesting interning on the PR side of things. My primary job before and during games is to hand out the lineup sheet to each teams television and radio broadcasts. I also hand out the lineup to every media member in the press box.
After the games, I got to go back to the journalist side of things and do scrums in the Jets lock room and then attend Claude Noel's post-game press conference.
Evander Kane scored the overtime game winner against the Isles, so naturally, everyone wanted to talk to him. As we waited, the media grew and grew and grew. It was one of the larger scrums that I've been apart of.
And finally Kane entered the locker room and it was a free for all to get in position to get their sound clip or video of the Jets star.
Luckily I was able to get a spot right next to Kane and once I got the clip I needed, I left for the Noel presser.
The press conference was pretty standard. I got my quotes and headed back up to the press box to translate everything and send it off.
So that was my first night as a Jets intern. I have six more games to go and I couldn't be more excited to get back inside the MTS Centre.
My next game is Feb 7 when my beloved Toronto Maple Leafs come to town.
My first game was Sunday night and it was an amazing experience. First of all, the game was great. The pace was fast, there was a lot of scoring and the crowd was electric. Pretty much everything you need to have the supreme sports experience happened on Sunday evening.
It's an internship that you could only get from being in the CreComm program and it shows how deeply rooted CreComm is in Winnipeg.
As a journalist, it was also a little interesting interning on the PR side of things. My primary job before and during games is to hand out the lineup sheet to each teams television and radio broadcasts. I also hand out the lineup to every media member in the press box.
After the games, I got to go back to the journalist side of things and do scrums in the Jets lock room and then attend Claude Noel's post-game press conference.
Evander Kane scored the overtime game winner against the Isles, so naturally, everyone wanted to talk to him. As we waited, the media grew and grew and grew. It was one of the larger scrums that I've been apart of.
And finally Kane entered the locker room and it was a free for all to get in position to get their sound clip or video of the Jets star.
Luckily I was able to get a spot right next to Kane and once I got the clip I needed, I left for the Noel presser.
The press conference was pretty standard. I got my quotes and headed back up to the press box to translate everything and send it off.
So that was my first night as a Jets intern. I have six more games to go and I couldn't be more excited to get back inside the MTS Centre.
My next game is Feb 7 when my beloved Toronto Maple Leafs come to town.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Media and Lance Armstrong
Oh look, another Lance Armstrong post. Anyways, as you all know, Lance Armstrong was on Oprah and admitted that he used performance enhancing drugs during his cycling career.
Shocking...well, not really. And boy did the media eat this up. Besides the fact that we already knew Armstrong cheated, all that was left for him to do was come clean.
And when he did, CNN, Twitter and every sports journalist decided they would milk the story for the rest of time.
I love Twitter as much as anyone else, but for a good solid three or four days, my feed was littered with Armstrong posts. And it's not that I didn't read any stories on Armstrong, because there were a lot of great pieces. It was those who don't pay attention to cycling that pushed me over the edge.
You know that person. The one who watches a half hour video and becomes an extra on *fill in the blank* topic (Cough Kony 2012 Cough).
And don't look now, but J.J. Abrams and Paramount are scheduled to make a film on Armstrong and his fall from grace.
Lucky the media picked up another fascinating case of Manti Te'o and his hoax of a "girlfriend."
At least the jokes coming from this story were funny (See the Dallas Stars).
It'll be interesting to see the next turn the Armstrong saga takes. Hopefully I don't have to hear about it ever again, but I'm not too sure that'll happen.
Shocking...well, not really. And boy did the media eat this up. Besides the fact that we already knew Armstrong cheated, all that was left for him to do was come clean.
And when he did, CNN, Twitter and every sports journalist decided they would milk the story for the rest of time.
I love Twitter as much as anyone else, but for a good solid three or four days, my feed was littered with Armstrong posts. And it's not that I didn't read any stories on Armstrong, because there were a lot of great pieces. It was those who don't pay attention to cycling that pushed me over the edge.
You know that person. The one who watches a half hour video and becomes an extra on *fill in the blank* topic (Cough Kony 2012 Cough).
And don't look now, but J.J. Abrams and Paramount are scheduled to make a film on Armstrong and his fall from grace.
Lucky the media picked up another fascinating case of Manti Te'o and his hoax of a "girlfriend."
At least the jokes coming from this story were funny (See the Dallas Stars).
It'll be interesting to see the next turn the Armstrong saga takes. Hopefully I don't have to hear about it ever again, but I'm not too sure that'll happen.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Hockey's back!
It’s sad to think that the NHL’s defining moment this season is the Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr press conference, where they announced that a new CBA had been reached.
But that was the reality of the lockout. After months of bickering to the media, lying to fans and using PR tactics to try to gain an upper hand in negotiations, the two sides finally sat down, and bargained for close to 16 hours.
They walked out of their New York City boardroom in the middle of the morning on a Sunday and gave fans what we’ve been dying to hear for months.
But one question still itches at me and it remains unanswered.
Where was the urgency in the summer?
Unfortunately, fans will never know. The league invited players to sit down and talk about the expiring CBA during last season, but for reasons unknown, nothing ever came to fruition.
But that isn’t the most frustrating part of this lockout. The one thing that really bugged me during the past five months was the inflated egos from both sides.
The #LockoutProblems tweets from many of the players didn’t help their cause. When multi-millionaires are posting pictures of a beachside residence, a hotel view of the Las Vegas Strip, or golfing in Florida, do they expect any pity?
It was insulting and left a bad taste in my mouth. Then you had the #ThePlayers, which was created at the beginning of the lockout to gain support from the fans.
Sorry, there are no good sides during a lockout where millionaires and billionaires are arguing over money.
On the leagues side, Gary Bettman has the attitude that the fans will come back. Will I be back watching hockey? You bet. I wish I was stronger and could boycott the league for the season, but it just isn’t going to happen.
He takes us for granted. Especially in Canadian markets. He knows that every Canadian team will sell out. But what he is gambling on is that southern markets don’t fall off the cliff.
Many organizations were already struggling to stay afloat before this lockout, but with a full season lost, you may see attendance numbers look even worse in places like Phoenix, Tampa Bay, Dallas and other similar markets.
The long-term effect of this dispute has yet to be felt, but I think the league is going to suffer like the MLB did after the work stoppage in the early nineties.
All I know is that I’m tired of seeing the suits, the egos, hearing about revenue, contract lengths and cap issues.
When January 19 rolls around and all 30 teams hit the ice, all will be good in the world again – even if it’s just for those two and a half hours.
But that was the reality of the lockout. After months of bickering to the media, lying to fans and using PR tactics to try to gain an upper hand in negotiations, the two sides finally sat down, and bargained for close to 16 hours.
They walked out of their New York City boardroom in the middle of the morning on a Sunday and gave fans what we’ve been dying to hear for months.
But one question still itches at me and it remains unanswered.
Where was the urgency in the summer?
Unfortunately, fans will never know. The league invited players to sit down and talk about the expiring CBA during last season, but for reasons unknown, nothing ever came to fruition.
But that isn’t the most frustrating part of this lockout. The one thing that really bugged me during the past five months was the inflated egos from both sides.
The #LockoutProblems tweets from many of the players didn’t help their cause. When multi-millionaires are posting pictures of a beachside residence, a hotel view of the Las Vegas Strip, or golfing in Florida, do they expect any pity?
It was insulting and left a bad taste in my mouth. Then you had the #ThePlayers, which was created at the beginning of the lockout to gain support from the fans.
Sorry, there are no good sides during a lockout where millionaires and billionaires are arguing over money.
On the leagues side, Gary Bettman has the attitude that the fans will come back. Will I be back watching hockey? You bet. I wish I was stronger and could boycott the league for the season, but it just isn’t going to happen.
He takes us for granted. Especially in Canadian markets. He knows that every Canadian team will sell out. But what he is gambling on is that southern markets don’t fall off the cliff.
Many organizations were already struggling to stay afloat before this lockout, but with a full season lost, you may see attendance numbers look even worse in places like Phoenix, Tampa Bay, Dallas and other similar markets.
The long-term effect of this dispute has yet to be felt, but I think the league is going to suffer like the MLB did after the work stoppage in the early nineties.
All I know is that I’m tired of seeing the suits, the egos, hearing about revenue, contract lengths and cap issues.
When January 19 rolls around and all 30 teams hit the ice, all will be good in the world again – even if it’s just for those two and a half hours.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Work placement review
Starting in late November, I had the opportunity to intern at the Winnipeg Sun. It was my first work placement that strictly focused on the sports aspect of journalism, and boy did it not disappoint.
First of all, the Sun's newsroom is filled with a great group of people. I worked with Ted Wyman. He assigned me numerous stories everyday and gave me the chance to get a lot of pieces published in the paper.
Even with the lack of NHL news at the time, I still covered a few hockey stories - including a few Winnipeggers making a big mark in the WHL.
My time at the Portage Daily Graphic really helped me during my three weeks at the Sun. In Portage, I would usually write around four stories a day, take my own video/pictures and then upload everything online.
While I did take some pictures and video during my three weeks, the Sun has photographers and people who work on the website, so that was definitely different. Writing two or three stories a day became much easier to do.
Now that I have had some experience on the print side of journalism, I'm looking towards radio and television for my second work placement in April.
First of all, the Sun's newsroom is filled with a great group of people. I worked with Ted Wyman. He assigned me numerous stories everyday and gave me the chance to get a lot of pieces published in the paper.
Even with the lack of NHL news at the time, I still covered a few hockey stories - including a few Winnipeggers making a big mark in the WHL.
My time at the Portage Daily Graphic really helped me during my three weeks at the Sun. In Portage, I would usually write around four stories a day, take my own video/pictures and then upload everything online.
While I did take some pictures and video during my three weeks, the Sun has photographers and people who work on the website, so that was definitely different. Writing two or three stories a day became much easier to do.
Now that I have had some experience on the print side of journalism, I'm looking towards radio and television for my second work placement in April.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Work placement
First semester of CreComm year two is coming to an end this Friday. As apart of the program, the second year students get to go on three weeks of work placement.
My work placement is at the Winnipeg Sun and I will be doing some sports writing. I am very excited as I've always wanted to get into sports journalism and this is a great way to get my foot in the door.
Looking back to last September, I didn't know what I was getting into when I entered CreComm.
I had just spend two years at the University of Winnipeg and to be honest, I didn't feel as if I was going anywhere. So, I decided to throw my name in for CreComm and I got accepted.
Since then, I've learned so much about journalism and if you told me 12 months ago that I'd be working with the Winnipeg Sun for three weeks, I would have laughed.
Now it feels like I have a career path and that I will be making a mark in this industry soon enough.
Coming to Red River College was the best decision I've made in my life and with a lot of hard work, it looks like it'll pay off.
I'm looking forward to the stretch run of CreComm.
My work placement is at the Winnipeg Sun and I will be doing some sports writing. I am very excited as I've always wanted to get into sports journalism and this is a great way to get my foot in the door.
Looking back to last September, I didn't know what I was getting into when I entered CreComm.
I had just spend two years at the University of Winnipeg and to be honest, I didn't feel as if I was going anywhere. So, I decided to throw my name in for CreComm and I got accepted.
Since then, I've learned so much about journalism and if you told me 12 months ago that I'd be working with the Winnipeg Sun for three weeks, I would have laughed.
Now it feels like I have a career path and that I will be making a mark in this industry soon enough.
Coming to Red River College was the best decision I've made in my life and with a lot of hard work, it looks like it'll pay off.
I'm looking forward to the stretch run of CreComm.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Bruce Springsteen
This long weekend, I had the pleasure of driving down to St. Paul to see Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band perform for the second time.
The best part about Springsteen shows are the people you meet and the stories you hear. And the saying, "everyone has a story" is so very true.
One that sticks out is when my step-father and I met an older lady, who was celebrating her 88th birthday the following day - which happened to be the night of the show.
She was from Jersey and has been following Bruce since 1974. She's seen over 400 shows and danced with him on stage in past shows.
To my shock, she was on the floor for this concert - and happened to get into the pit (as did I). Once Springsteen started playing Dancing in the Dark late in the show, he walked over towards her, picked her up from the crowd, brought her on stage and started dancing with her. It was one of the highlights of the show - and it shows how Springsteen can connect with the audience like no other musician can.
Going to a Springsteen show isn't a concert - it's an experience. During the weekend, I met people from Austin, Texas; Detroit, Michigan; and the craziest yet - Australia. Springsteen fans are amongst the most passionate that you'll ever meet.
They all had crazy stories and they all shared one thing in common - a love of music - and that love connected them - even if they live thousands of miles away from each other.
If you ever have the chance of seeing him live, I would recommend it. Besides creating five decades of great music, Springsteen's live shows are superb. He plays three hour shows and unlike many bands who have static set lists - he changes his every night.
The best part about Springsteen shows are the people you meet and the stories you hear. And the saying, "everyone has a story" is so very true.
One that sticks out is when my step-father and I met an older lady, who was celebrating her 88th birthday the following day - which happened to be the night of the show.
She was from Jersey and has been following Bruce since 1974. She's seen over 400 shows and danced with him on stage in past shows.
To my shock, she was on the floor for this concert - and happened to get into the pit (as did I). Once Springsteen started playing Dancing in the Dark late in the show, he walked over towards her, picked her up from the crowd, brought her on stage and started dancing with her. It was one of the highlights of the show - and it shows how Springsteen can connect with the audience like no other musician can.
Going to a Springsteen show isn't a concert - it's an experience. During the weekend, I met people from Austin, Texas; Detroit, Michigan; and the craziest yet - Australia. Springsteen fans are amongst the most passionate that you'll ever meet.
They all had crazy stories and they all shared one thing in common - a love of music - and that love connected them - even if they live thousands of miles away from each other.
If you ever have the chance of seeing him live, I would recommend it. Besides creating five decades of great music, Springsteen's live shows are superb. He plays three hour shows and unlike many bands who have static set lists - he changes his every night.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Writing comedy
As apart of my comedy class, we had to perform three minutes of stand up at Rumor's Comedy Club.
I was pretty nervous - not about perfroming - but writing 180 seconds worth of "funny" material.
Being a journalism student definitely helped me with my writing process. I was able to write a "story" about elevators, while still making it punchy and funny - well, funny to some people anyways.
And on Sunday night, I was able to test out my material at a sold out Rumor's Comedy Club.
Surprisingly, it went well. Being on stage was a great experience. The lights were bright and the crowd was into the stand ups.
While I was up there, it seemed like the three minutes flew by. And when I got off the stage, I felt disappointed.
However, when I was able to re-watch my stand up, I was pleased with my performance - considering it was my first time on stage.
So for future CreComms, I would highly suggest taking the comedy class. Number one: It's fun. But more than anything, you'll learn a lot about yourself when you have to write and perform stand up in front of complete strangers.
I was pretty nervous - not about perfroming - but writing 180 seconds worth of "funny" material.
Being a journalism student definitely helped me with my writing process. I was able to write a "story" about elevators, while still making it punchy and funny - well, funny to some people anyways.
And on Sunday night, I was able to test out my material at a sold out Rumor's Comedy Club.
Surprisingly, it went well. Being on stage was a great experience. The lights were bright and the crowd was into the stand ups.
While I was up there, it seemed like the three minutes flew by. And when I got off the stage, I felt disappointed.
However, when I was able to re-watch my stand up, I was pleased with my performance - considering it was my first time on stage.
So for future CreComms, I would highly suggest taking the comedy class. Number one: It's fun. But more than anything, you'll learn a lot about yourself when you have to write and perform stand up in front of complete strangers.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Small town papers vs large dailies
While working with the Portage Daily Graphic in the summer, I had to unfortunately cover two deaths - both car accidents on the Trans-Canada Highway.
The first was east of Portage in early July. A truck had rear ended a car that was turning off the highway and the crash killed the female passenger. Being late on a Friday, I was the only one in the office, so I had to cover the crash.
So many emotions were running through my body when I arrived at the scene to take photos of the wrecked metal strewed across the highway and into the ditch. The passengers and drivers were taken from the scene already.
When talking to people who witnessed the crash, they would all say, "I can't imagine how the family feels."
Even worse are the cases where families find out about deaths by media - instead of police.
This leads to the question: Should media sources rush to get the names of deceased out to the public? Now, I'm not talking about murders or crimes such as that.
In the cases of car accidents, hit and runs and other incidents of that nature, I don't feel it is important to have the names released to the public.
But in the current day of media, where every news source wants to be first to the punch, I feel they disregard the feelings of families just to break a story first.
In Portage, we wouldn't release the names until we felt enough time would have passed and family members of the deceased would have been notified.
Because Portage was a such a small tight-knit community, everyone knew everyone, and that made the subject a little more touchier than a death in Winnipeg for example.
I'm not sure how other newsrooms work, but I think for Portage, it was the right choice.
Winnipeg is a much different market. As sad as it is to say, people are used to murders here in the city and unlike Portage, communities are not as close.
This is why Winnipeg papers have a much different feel than smaller towns. While Portage certainly doesn't shy away from harder stories, there is a focus on feel good stories.
And that is something that isn't seen much in the Free Press or Sun.
As a writer, I always hated covering the fluff stories. I wanted to break a drug bust or some harder breaking news. But when that hard news rolled around, it didn't do anything for me.
It's not that I didn't want to beat Portage Online (the Portage rivals) to the crash scene, or the large fire; it was that I realized that I would rather be covering a feel good story than a death or anything of that nature.
Either way, it's interesting to compare rural papers to the big cities. The difference in stories is just mind-blowing. With the horrible stories you see day-after-day, it's nice to open a paper and see a strong community doing great things.
The first was east of Portage in early July. A truck had rear ended a car that was turning off the highway and the crash killed the female passenger. Being late on a Friday, I was the only one in the office, so I had to cover the crash.
So many emotions were running through my body when I arrived at the scene to take photos of the wrecked metal strewed across the highway and into the ditch. The passengers and drivers were taken from the scene already.
When talking to people who witnessed the crash, they would all say, "I can't imagine how the family feels."
Even worse are the cases where families find out about deaths by media - instead of police.
This leads to the question: Should media sources rush to get the names of deceased out to the public? Now, I'm not talking about murders or crimes such as that.
In the cases of car accidents, hit and runs and other incidents of that nature, I don't feel it is important to have the names released to the public.
But in the current day of media, where every news source wants to be first to the punch, I feel they disregard the feelings of families just to break a story first.
In Portage, we wouldn't release the names until we felt enough time would have passed and family members of the deceased would have been notified.
Because Portage was a such a small tight-knit community, everyone knew everyone, and that made the subject a little more touchier than a death in Winnipeg for example.
I'm not sure how other newsrooms work, but I think for Portage, it was the right choice.
Winnipeg is a much different market. As sad as it is to say, people are used to murders here in the city and unlike Portage, communities are not as close.
This is why Winnipeg papers have a much different feel than smaller towns. While Portage certainly doesn't shy away from harder stories, there is a focus on feel good stories.
And that is something that isn't seen much in the Free Press or Sun.
As a writer, I always hated covering the fluff stories. I wanted to break a drug bust or some harder breaking news. But when that hard news rolled around, it didn't do anything for me.
It's not that I didn't want to beat Portage Online (the Portage rivals) to the crash scene, or the large fire; it was that I realized that I would rather be covering a feel good story than a death or anything of that nature.
Either way, it's interesting to compare rural papers to the big cities. The difference in stories is just mind-blowing. With the horrible stories you see day-after-day, it's nice to open a paper and see a strong community doing great things.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Lance Armstrong
Last month in The Projector, I wrote a column defending Lance Armstrong and the doping allegations that he was facing from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
While I did say it was likely he doped, I couldn't say he did until the USADA provided the necessary evidence.
Well, the USADA released hundreds of pages of Armstrong's former teammates saying he doped on multiple occasions. Now the International Cycling Union (UCI) has stripped Armstrong from his seven Tour de France titles and banned him from the sport.
I can't say much other than it's a shame that Armstrong doped. It will be interesting to see who is awarded with those seven vacant titles - especially considering most cyclists during that period doped anyways.
The most concerning question is how can a single man cheat the system so easily. While the media can and will continue to focus on Armstrong, I find it disturbing that he could cheat hundreds of drug tests - and not get caught - until now.
Cycling needs a complete shake up, much like Major League Baseball did in the mid-2000s. I don't want to say the sport is tarnished, but when the greatest cyclist is outed in this way, it doesn't look good.
That would be the equivalent of Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, or Jerry Rice being removed from their respective positions as greatest in their sport.
It will be interesting to see if the public turns on Armstrong. On one hand, he is a cheat. But this is also a man that has raised over $500-million towards cancer research.
There will be a split among people. Those who can overlook his cheating because of his charity and those who have the pitchforks out and are ready to bring him down.
I'm split. I admire his charity work, but the kid inside me is just so disappointed with the news that he cheated. I remember watching every Tour de France that Armstrong participated in and he was someone I looked up to. He had character, he had guts and he was a good person. It's just disappointing that someone you looked up to turned out to be a cheat.
As for my original column in The Projector, I wouldn't say I was wrong, but I did write too much with my heart.
While I did say it was likely he doped, I couldn't say he did until the USADA provided the necessary evidence.
Well, the USADA released hundreds of pages of Armstrong's former teammates saying he doped on multiple occasions. Now the International Cycling Union (UCI) has stripped Armstrong from his seven Tour de France titles and banned him from the sport.
I can't say much other than it's a shame that Armstrong doped. It will be interesting to see who is awarded with those seven vacant titles - especially considering most cyclists during that period doped anyways.
The most concerning question is how can a single man cheat the system so easily. While the media can and will continue to focus on Armstrong, I find it disturbing that he could cheat hundreds of drug tests - and not get caught - until now.
Cycling needs a complete shake up, much like Major League Baseball did in the mid-2000s. I don't want to say the sport is tarnished, but when the greatest cyclist is outed in this way, it doesn't look good.
That would be the equivalent of Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, or Jerry Rice being removed from their respective positions as greatest in their sport.
It will be interesting to see if the public turns on Armstrong. On one hand, he is a cheat. But this is also a man that has raised over $500-million towards cancer research.
There will be a split among people. Those who can overlook his cheating because of his charity and those who have the pitchforks out and are ready to bring him down.
I'm split. I admire his charity work, but the kid inside me is just so disappointed with the news that he cheated. I remember watching every Tour de France that Armstrong participated in and he was someone I looked up to. He had character, he had guts and he was a good person. It's just disappointing that someone you looked up to turned out to be a cheat.
As for my original column in The Projector, I wouldn't say I was wrong, but I did write too much with my heart.
Monday, October 15, 2012
A Thousand Farewells
Two week ago, I had the pleasure of reading Nahlah Ayed's book, A Thousand Farewells.
While I did enjoy the book as a whole, there are sections that are much stronger than others.
I feel the first half of the book was much stronger than the second half. Ayed does a superb job of grabbing the readers attention at the beginning of the book.
Her story of leaving Winnipeg with her family, only to return to a refugee camp in Jordan is brilliant. It brings many questions to the readers mind like, "Why would her family do this?" and "What was it like to move from a nice apartment in Winnipeg to the slums across the world?"
She answers all of these questions and more.
Her journalistic experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq are almost unbelievable. I can not imagine what the guts you had to have to be apart of the Iraq and Afghanistan invasions.
It would be so hard to think about doing your job, all while living in a nation where anything can and did happen. When thinking about all the journalists who were kidnapped, attacked and killed throughout the past 10 years, it was remarkable that Ayed could spend so many years in countries of chaos.
I do think that when she gets to Lebanon, the book somewhat loses its touch. It's not that it isn't as good, I just don't find it as exciting as the first half. Maybe it's because I'm more familiar with the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
Journalists can learn a lot from this book, but nothing more than the fact that people make stories. It's as simple as that.
Without people, there are no emotions that the reader can latch on to. The reader needs to have an emotional connection with a story, otherwise it won't mean anything to them.
Ayed does a fantastic job of showing us that through her wonderful storytelling.
Although the book does focus on her life, the integration of the everyday people she meets and works with helps bring a nice focus to her story without making it look like it's all about her.
A Thousand Farewell reminds me of Band of Brothers in that regard. From the outside, they don't seem similar. But each book does a superb job of tackling a larger conflicts (Afghan/Iraq War and the Second World War) and bringing in the human side, which brings out such strong emotions.
Reading the book effected me in a real way. I think television has desensitized a lot of people regarding Middle Eastern issues and none is more evident then when a headline reads "Forty or fifty dead after suicide attack in Baghdad."
After seeing those headlines day-after-day, year-after-year, you become used to it. But the fact remains that those were mothers, fathers, sons and daughters whose lives were taken much too soon.
I think the perception has to do with those people not being Canadian, so no one takes it to heart. After reading Ayed's book, my perception has changed drastically.
So head to your nearest bookstore and pick up Nahlah Ayed's A Thousand Farewells. You won't regret it.
While I did enjoy the book as a whole, there are sections that are much stronger than others.
I feel the first half of the book was much stronger than the second half. Ayed does a superb job of grabbing the readers attention at the beginning of the book.
Her story of leaving Winnipeg with her family, only to return to a refugee camp in Jordan is brilliant. It brings many questions to the readers mind like, "Why would her family do this?" and "What was it like to move from a nice apartment in Winnipeg to the slums across the world?"
She answers all of these questions and more.
Her journalistic experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq are almost unbelievable. I can not imagine what the guts you had to have to be apart of the Iraq and Afghanistan invasions.
It would be so hard to think about doing your job, all while living in a nation where anything can and did happen. When thinking about all the journalists who were kidnapped, attacked and killed throughout the past 10 years, it was remarkable that Ayed could spend so many years in countries of chaos.
I do think that when she gets to Lebanon, the book somewhat loses its touch. It's not that it isn't as good, I just don't find it as exciting as the first half. Maybe it's because I'm more familiar with the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
Journalists can learn a lot from this book, but nothing more than the fact that people make stories. It's as simple as that.
Without people, there are no emotions that the reader can latch on to. The reader needs to have an emotional connection with a story, otherwise it won't mean anything to them.
Ayed does a fantastic job of showing us that through her wonderful storytelling.
Although the book does focus on her life, the integration of the everyday people she meets and works with helps bring a nice focus to her story without making it look like it's all about her.
A Thousand Farewell reminds me of Band of Brothers in that regard. From the outside, they don't seem similar. But each book does a superb job of tackling a larger conflicts (Afghan/Iraq War and the Second World War) and bringing in the human side, which brings out such strong emotions.
Reading the book effected me in a real way. I think television has desensitized a lot of people regarding Middle Eastern issues and none is more evident then when a headline reads "Forty or fifty dead after suicide attack in Baghdad."
After seeing those headlines day-after-day, year-after-year, you become used to it. But the fact remains that those were mothers, fathers, sons and daughters whose lives were taken much too soon.
I think the perception has to do with those people not being Canadian, so no one takes it to heart. After reading Ayed's book, my perception has changed drastically.
So head to your nearest bookstore and pick up Nahlah Ayed's A Thousand Farewells. You won't regret it.
Monday, October 8, 2012
The Portage Friendship Centre: Bringing positive change to the community
There’s an organization in Portage la Prairie that’s making a difference for everyone in the community.
During my three and half months in Portage, I was introduced to a great community organization that is making an impact throughout the town.
The Portage Friendship Centre (PFC) not only focuses on Aboriginal issues in the Portage and Central Plains area, but they regularly team up with other local foundations to help make the area a better place for everyone.
They have a large staff dedicated to improving the lives of people who are less fortunate. And every program that the PFC offers is completely free to those who want to register.
Portage la Prairie's Aboriginal Day. Credit to http://www.ptgfc.org/
Shirley Bernard, executive director for the PFC, said the organization offers many services to Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals in Portage.
“We’re a status blind organization,” she said. “We offer a variety of programs ranging from mentorship to employment advancement.”
One of their great programs is the Parent/Child Program. It offers children age’s six to twelve a chance to take part in educational activities that enhances their awareness about their own culture.
Parents are encouraged to take part in this program with their children, as it is a great tool to create a bond.
“The parent/child program is one of the programs I admire the most,” said Bernard. “It’s great to see children bringing their parents out for activities.”
Jeanna Campbell runs the program with a lot of the activities taking place at the Eagles Fire Youth Centre in Portage. The PFC staff incorporates community Elders’ to introduce a positive lifestyle to the children who go there.
Bernard said that her love of the community and people in it makes her job special.
“It makes me feel good when we can help anyone in the community,” she said. “We have an excellent staff that cares about Portage and we feel good about what we do here everyday.”
Another successful program has been the Partners for Careers program.
“We want to help people in the community acquire skills that will help them get employed,” said Bernard. “One of the aspects we target is teaching them good interview skills.”
The program also helps with resume building, as many of the people who take part will be able to work with the PFC is some fashion.
There is rarely a time during the year when the PFC won’t be holding some event or program.
This past week, the PFC held their annual Prayer Walk. The walk is to remember the missing and murdered Aboriginal women not only in Manitoba, but also across Canada.
“We had a very good turnout this year,” said Bernard. “Even though the weather wasn’t nice, we had a lot of people come out and walk with us.”
PFC holding their annual Prayer Walk on Oct 4. Photo by Robin Dudgeon/Portage Daily Graphic
With various community partnerships planned for the upcoming months, the PFC will continue to be a staple in the Portage community.
"We want to leave a positive mark on the community," said Bernard. "And we definitely encourage others to do the same."
To learn more about the PFC, what they offer and how you can get involved with them, you can visit their official website.
During my three and half months in Portage, I was introduced to a great community organization that is making an impact throughout the town.
The Portage Friendship Centre (PFC) not only focuses on Aboriginal issues in the Portage and Central Plains area, but they regularly team up with other local foundations to help make the area a better place for everyone.
They have a large staff dedicated to improving the lives of people who are less fortunate. And every program that the PFC offers is completely free to those who want to register.
Portage la Prairie's Aboriginal Day. Credit to http://www.ptgfc.org/
Shirley Bernard, executive director for the PFC, said the organization offers many services to Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals in Portage.
“We’re a status blind organization,” she said. “We offer a variety of programs ranging from mentorship to employment advancement.”
One of their great programs is the Parent/Child Program. It offers children age’s six to twelve a chance to take part in educational activities that enhances their awareness about their own culture.
Parents are encouraged to take part in this program with their children, as it is a great tool to create a bond.
“The parent/child program is one of the programs I admire the most,” said Bernard. “It’s great to see children bringing their parents out for activities.”
Jeanna Campbell runs the program with a lot of the activities taking place at the Eagles Fire Youth Centre in Portage. The PFC staff incorporates community Elders’ to introduce a positive lifestyle to the children who go there.
Bernard said that her love of the community and people in it makes her job special.
“It makes me feel good when we can help anyone in the community,” she said. “We have an excellent staff that cares about Portage and we feel good about what we do here everyday.”
Another successful program has been the Partners for Careers program.
“We want to help people in the community acquire skills that will help them get employed,” said Bernard. “One of the aspects we target is teaching them good interview skills.”
The program also helps with resume building, as many of the people who take part will be able to work with the PFC is some fashion.
There is rarely a time during the year when the PFC won’t be holding some event or program.
This past week, the PFC held their annual Prayer Walk. The walk is to remember the missing and murdered Aboriginal women not only in Manitoba, but also across Canada.
“We had a very good turnout this year,” said Bernard. “Even though the weather wasn’t nice, we had a lot of people come out and walk with us.”
PFC holding their annual Prayer Walk on Oct 4. Photo by Robin Dudgeon/Portage Daily Graphic
With various community partnerships planned for the upcoming months, the PFC will continue to be a staple in the Portage community.
"We want to leave a positive mark on the community," said Bernard. "And we definitely encourage others to do the same."
To learn more about the PFC, what they offer and how you can get involved with them, you can visit their official website.
Monday, October 1, 2012
NHL Lockout
The NHL has been locked out for just over two weeks and broadcast journalism has taken a significant hit - especially on TSN and CBC.
As a big hockey and TSN/CBC fan, I can relate to the difficulties of having a lockout and not having much news to report - but, I cannot stand the same repetitive segments week after week.
I realize this will continue as the lockout is still young and sadly, there is no end in sight.
This has led to TSN having movie nights on Tuesdays and CBC will likely do the same Saturday movie nights as they did in 2004.
Yes, TSN has the CFL, but with no disrespect intended, the station lives off hockey. That is even more apparent with CBC.
Looking past the players and owners, television stations will have to reinvent themselves during these next few (well, hopefully few) months.
Will they be able to attain the same ratings? It's highly unlikely, but with that being said, some stations may take a hit that's too hard to come back from.
In this case, I think The Score is at a big disadvantage. With Sportsnet airing NFL, MLB and much more, their audience should stay. TSN will take a larger hit, but their reruns of major hockey games will keep some of "us" around - for now anyways.
Sadly, The Score should be on its way out. Will it? Well, that's up to the big men at Rogers.
After losing Cabbie, The Score Tonight and Hardcore Hockey Talk, the station has been going downhill. They have the best online presence, but sadly for them, it doesn't make up for everything they lack - which is good programming.
I am looking forward to seeing the changes and adaptions made by sports stations over the next three to four months - especially if the lockout lasts a full season.
As a big hockey and TSN/CBC fan, I can relate to the difficulties of having a lockout and not having much news to report - but, I cannot stand the same repetitive segments week after week.
I realize this will continue as the lockout is still young and sadly, there is no end in sight.
This has led to TSN having movie nights on Tuesdays and CBC will likely do the same Saturday movie nights as they did in 2004.
Yes, TSN has the CFL, but with no disrespect intended, the station lives off hockey. That is even more apparent with CBC.
Looking past the players and owners, television stations will have to reinvent themselves during these next few (well, hopefully few) months.
Will they be able to attain the same ratings? It's highly unlikely, but with that being said, some stations may take a hit that's too hard to come back from.
In this case, I think The Score is at a big disadvantage. With Sportsnet airing NFL, MLB and much more, their audience should stay. TSN will take a larger hit, but their reruns of major hockey games will keep some of "us" around - for now anyways.
Sadly, The Score should be on its way out. Will it? Well, that's up to the big men at Rogers.
After losing Cabbie, The Score Tonight and Hardcore Hockey Talk, the station has been going downhill. They have the best online presence, but sadly for them, it doesn't make up for everything they lack - which is good programming.
I am looking forward to seeing the changes and adaptions made by sports stations over the next three to four months - especially if the lockout lasts a full season.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Portage la Praire summer experience
Over the summer, I had the pleasure of interning at the Portage Daily Graphic. It was my first real taste of writing life and I learned a lot during my three months there.
I've always been told that you have to start in small towns - and it's true - but I didn't realize how much I'd love working in Portage la Prairie.
Hard work. The writing and covering stories was great, but it was the driving that pushed me around on some days. I feel as if I proved that I could work those long days. With the driving back and forth from Winnipeg, I was working thirteen hour days, plus writing my IPP.
I pushed myself hard over the summer and I'm glad I stood up to the test.
Jordan Maxwell, the PDG's editor, was someone who I learned a lot from. He was a great teacher and I'm glad I was able to work with him.
The stories about CreComm grads being everywhere is true too. Robin Dudgeon and Dan Falloon, who are both great writers, are recent graduates of the program. It was great to see other grads having successful careers after school.
Portage was great as well. Until May, I had never really visited the town. As I began to become more familiar with the town, I realized that it was one of Manitoba's gems.
Crescent Lake and Island Park are two treasures. On Island Park alone, you have a beautiful park, golf course, new hockey rink - and my favourite summer spot - the strawberry fields.
The people were fantastic too. Portage is a very tight community and that is something I really admire. Everyone knows everyone and they are very charitable. People in Winnipeg could learn a lot from Portage.
Writing wise, the best part about working at the PDG was that they gave you full reigns to cover a wide variety of stories. During my three months there, I covered city hall, local politics, agriculture, sports, charities and much more. They also allowed me to take my own photos and shoot my own video.
It was a learning experience that you cannot get at larger newspapers and I am grateful for the opportunity to intern there.
I would highly recommend to any first year who plans to major in journalism to see if the PDG will be open to an intern again next year. Is it hard work? Your damn rights it is. However, it'll give you great experience, you'll meet great people and you'll see if you're really cut out for print journalism.
I've always been told that you have to start in small towns - and it's true - but I didn't realize how much I'd love working in Portage la Prairie.
Hard work. The writing and covering stories was great, but it was the driving that pushed me around on some days. I feel as if I proved that I could work those long days. With the driving back and forth from Winnipeg, I was working thirteen hour days, plus writing my IPP.
I pushed myself hard over the summer and I'm glad I stood up to the test.
Jordan Maxwell, the PDG's editor, was someone who I learned a lot from. He was a great teacher and I'm glad I was able to work with him.
The stories about CreComm grads being everywhere is true too. Robin Dudgeon and Dan Falloon, who are both great writers, are recent graduates of the program. It was great to see other grads having successful careers after school.
Portage was great as well. Until May, I had never really visited the town. As I began to become more familiar with the town, I realized that it was one of Manitoba's gems.
Crescent Lake and Island Park are two treasures. On Island Park alone, you have a beautiful park, golf course, new hockey rink - and my favourite summer spot - the strawberry fields.
The people were fantastic too. Portage is a very tight community and that is something I really admire. Everyone knows everyone and they are very charitable. People in Winnipeg could learn a lot from Portage.
Writing wise, the best part about working at the PDG was that they gave you full reigns to cover a wide variety of stories. During my three months there, I covered city hall, local politics, agriculture, sports, charities and much more. They also allowed me to take my own photos and shoot my own video.
It was a learning experience that you cannot get at larger newspapers and I am grateful for the opportunity to intern there.
I would highly recommend to any first year who plans to major in journalism to see if the PDG will be open to an intern again next year. Is it hard work? Your damn rights it is. However, it'll give you great experience, you'll meet great people and you'll see if you're really cut out for print journalism.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)