This week Point Park University welcomed 13 students, who didn’t know each other, to come together and learn about the world of Multimedia Journalism. The students came from all over.
All students came from high schools around the area besides one, who came from New Jersey to come to the camp. They also are various ages. Some are freshman; some are going to be seniors.
On Monday, Professor David Grande taught the students about interviewing and reporting in the morning. He taught these students about grammar, mechanics, and the world of AP writing.
That day, students had to interview another student about their most dramatic or traumatic event in their life.
Next, Andy Conte told students about the new Center for Media Innovation (CMI). The CMI is still under construction right across the street from Point Park’s Academic Hall at the corner of Wood Street and Third Avenue. Later in the week students got a tour of CMI.
On Tuesday, the students learned about photography, shooting, and editing from professor Chris Rolinson. He provided the students with Nikon D3200 cameras and taught the students how to use them. Students went around Pittsburgh taking pictures.
Later, Bill Moushey discussed his life in journalism. He told he started in “small town Ohio” and worked his way up to being an investigative reporter for the Post Gazette. He gave students signed copies of his book “Never Give Up”, a story about James Harrison’s journey to the NFL.
On Wednesday, the students started at WPPS Radio Station with Professor Dave Fabilli, taught the students about the world of radio journalism. He gave them a tour of the radio station. They even did a public service announcement (PSA). Students Ariana Cobb and Matthew Miramontes did the PSA.
“While it was not my first time recording audio, it was my first time using Audacity,” said Miramontes. “It was interesting to try to add tracks of voice and instrumentals to create a brand new product.”
Audacity is the audio program Fabilli introduced the students to.
After lunch, Robin Cecala taught them how to use Point Park’s video cameras. She taught students how to balance the cameras, take different types of shots, and many other techniques.
After the lesson, the students went to Point Park’s televisions studio. Students got to learn about different aspects of the control room and anchoring. Point Park only has a green screen set. They use everything digital. Even the news’s desk is digitalized. Student’s got to make there own newscast.
On Thursday, they arrived to camp a little earlier and arrived at KDKA’s Studio in Downtown Pittsburgh. They were greeted by Kristine Sorensen, the host of Pittsburgh Today Live, and got to go behind the scenes and watch their live broadcast. Sorensen, after the show, gave the students a tour of KDKA.
When they got back, Professor Heather Starr Fiedler taught them about their website where the student’s new stories for the week will be posted. They learned about the layout, editing, posting, and even a little bit about code.
After lunch that day, they got a tour of the CMI building being built and learned about the new state of the art technology that will be there. The CMI center will be completed by August of this year.
Today, the students went to Stage AE and finished their stories for the website.
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