Closing Time

Practicum was an interesting class for me this semester and was probably one of my hardest because everything is just rapid-fire learning. You could miss a package changing tip or a shred of advice in an instant because you weren't paying attention. Being a kinesthetic learner all the hands-on editing and shooting we did really enabled me to learn, however, and I feel like I actually know what’s going on in the studio. I enjoyed taking part in Wellness TV and working with MocsTalk this semester and I’m sure I learned more than I ever imagined.

First off, editing allowed me to get most of my hours the second half of the semester so that is what I’m most familiar with. Spending hours in the lab cutting down packages, doing voice-overs, and collaborating minutes of film into one smooth final product. I learned how to change volumes on different clips in order to alternate between interview footage and B-Roll. It seemed like every time I was in the studio there was something new I could try and get a hang of with editing. Just when I thought I mastered sound Ryan taught me how to add .WAV to the videos to add music. I also learned that people have different ways of using Final Cut Pro to suit their needs. My time spent with Katie in the studio showed that she was very strategic about the time of each clip and the flow of the piece making sure everything was perfect. However, when I was in the studio with Ryan, he was more concerned with the overall look of the package and ensuring that it would appeal to the viewer. This isn’t me trying to say one way or the other is more accepted but that they work for each of the editors. I really appreciated all the time I spent editing in the lab.

I also received hours from working on the news show, MocsTalk, which was hands-on again but a different way than editing. MocsTalk was hands-on incorporated with keeping open eyes and open ears because every opportunity in the studio is a chance to learn something. I learned about making sure your audio is recording correctly because in our studio the audio is recorded separately from the visual picture and how to work the teleprompter. I was too nervous to ever actually press the keys for the teleprompter but it was a skill I’m proud I learned. It seemed like studio hours went by faster for me than any of the other hours I tried to fulfill. 

If I could go back and do Practicum I all over again, I think I would allow myself more time to collect hours. It was hard to plan time around softball where people could meet and shoot for class. During this class and my other COM course, Mass Media, I have found what I would like to do with my degree. My dream is to be a media buyer for some organization and I’m excited to begin working towards my dream.