ADVICE FOR THE NEW MEDIA AND JOURNALISM CREW

By NICOLE QUINONES

NICOLE QUINONES FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY

Being successful in the Media and Journalism class at Washingtonville High School is no easy task.  There is no denying that the class is arduous and time consuming.  On the other hand, the sense of accomplishment that the class brings to each student makes it worthwhile.  For the juniors planning to tackle the class next year, here is some advice to get you through a fun, but challenging course. 

WHAT TO DO

Saying that deadlines are important for this course is an understatement. In fact, they are probably the most important part of this class. If students don’t meet the Thursday deadline each week, there are no extensions.  If a piece of work is not in by Thursday afternoon, it will not be put on BGTV, the blog or iTunes.  Thus, students are forced to manage their  time wisely and have stories planned well in advance. This actually works in favor of the students because they aren’t rushing to get their assignments in on time.

Another important tip for upcoming seniors is to be respectful. Students will be spending every single day together, so getting along is important. If there is negative energy in the class, everyone suffers and the final product each week won’t be as credible. Students work together every week to create a product for the whole school to view;  this should be a fun experience. Keep the drama out of this class. 

Being organized in this class is a must. Students in the class make use of a giant blue clipboard that displays what everyone is doing each week.  The class of 2017 even created a bigger version on the whiteboard located in the studio which has been a lifesaver.  Production usually runs  smoothly because the class in its entirety is organized.   In staying organized and communicating effectively, there should be no duplicate stories, which is something that should be avoided at all costs. 

Students interested in this class need to be able to use their imaginations as much as possible.  Coming up with topics to cover each week often poses a problem when nothing appears to be going on.  That is what is known as a “dry week.” Despite this, students still have to come up with stories.  There are no free passes;  if there is a dry week students still need to hand in a product.  This is when good reporters need to go out there and find the stories that nobody usually thinks about doing.  A good piece of advice is to contact the middle school and elementary schools to see what is happening over there.  You could also be creative and  make up a trivia game to add a unique twist to the show. 

WHAT NOT TO DO

Being in this class is a privilege.  Do not take advantage of being able to use expensive hardware.  The school district, Mrs. Connolly and Mr. Leonard are trusting each student with several thousand dollars worth of equipment. Do not be foolish enough to break or lose a camera, tripod, computer or any other piece of paraphernalia.  Also, do not drink or eat in the classroom, or anywhere near the equipment, if you want to avoid the wrath of Mr. Leonard.  

When it comes to critiquing every Friday, do not take constructive criticism personally. It is given to make each week better.  Everyone in the class wants to make the best show and best blog possible. So, if someone gives input on how to make a piece better, take it into consideration.  Try not to be stubborn; students should always be passionate about their work but should never refuse the opportunity to make it the best it can be . 

Overall, make the experience in this class as amazing as possible. Time flies by and students may never be able to have an experience like this again.  Students should put their all into each week because if they don’t, they will regret it once it is all over.