Being a Journalist.
As well as taking on many leadership roles that push me. I am able to take on smaller yet equally important roles. I have been a journalist on news days numerous times. When I’m a journalist I try my absolute best to use this opportunity to teach younger years some of my skills. When in smaller groups producing multimedia stories, I will always ask what everyone else wants to do first. This is to help others reach their potential and produce something they are proud off.
I have been on some challenging and some fun stories this year, they’ve included a story about extending Southampton Pride Festival.
As I was heading out to film a piece to camera, I was asked to do different piece to camera by the TV Editor as they absolutely needed it. So, another member of my group done the piece to camera for our story and I done the piece to camera for the other story.
This was frustrating because I had learnt the scripting for the Pride Story. I was against the clock to relearn an entirely different story and to get both filmed and edited. This is an example of me being flexible and coming up with quick solutions to work around original ideas.
A job needed to be done so I completed it without complaint. Both stories aired with good quality. They could have been done better if more people pitched in. It is not unheard of for me to crack on and get things done with little or no help.
As a journalist I am adaptable. I am willing to be in front of the camera and behind the camera filming.
I have also been on a story about Christmas tree safety. As a group our first step was to find some free to use videos that demonstrate the problems of Christmas tree lights and to write a copy for the website. We found a few videos and called for the permission to use the footage. We then went to the Universities spark building as we knew there was Christmas tree decorations there.
For this package I filmed a member of the team doing a piece to camera, I gave her some helpful tips and advice and ensured that she felt comfortable.
I have been on many more stories throughout my time with Solent Journalism. My flexibility, organisation and willingness to ‘crack on’ and the help I give to others makes me a strong journalist to have in the newsroom.
Link to the full Pride Story: https://www.solentjournalism.co.uk/southampton-pride-urges-local-businesses-to-support-the-festival/
Link to the full Christmas Tree Story:https://www.solentjournalism.co.uk/christmas-could-be-over-in-a-flash/