Class of
2004
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Zahra Burton
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ATVN positions and duties: Anchor, Reporter
Class of
2001
Class of
2005
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Ryan Wilson
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Bio: I was born in Heidelberg, Germany. I grew up in Tacoma, Washington. I’ve lived in DC, Honolulu, LA, and Yosemite. Now I live in Great Falls, MT. It’s been a trip.
ATVN positions and duties: Writer/Shooter/Editor: Had to shoot footage for VO’s and V/S/V’s. Learned how to ask people to do interviews and how to speak up at a press conference. Also, realized how boring video can be, unless you get the camera in people’s faces.
Reporter: Had to do day-of-airs and learn how to deal with stress. Had to be able to set up interviews, look for interesting angles. Learned how to shed my shyness further. (It’s still there, but I have gotten over it for the most part.)
Producer: Learned how to manage time. Couldn’t believe how much time I wish I could have had every day I produced. Learned how to tell people what to do. Tried to teach W/S/E’s how to write clearly.
How did ATVN prepare you for your current job?
What I did as a reporter and a producer at ATVN directly translated to what I do every day. I have to set up interviews, think of story ideas, manage my time, deal with stress every day. It’s just a little bit more organized because usually at your first job, you are surrounded by people who have done it for a bit longer than you. And of course, you learn how to deal with criticism because when you are young, you generally suck. (I find that out every day!) But at the same time, if you put out a solid effort every day and are really working to improve everyone respects that. But you have to start somewhere. And that’s generally the bottom. Just know that you are better than the bottom.
What is your advice to aspiring journalists?
You have got to work hard and make the most of every chance you get. During my last semester at ATVN, I realized that every day-of-air I needed to make my best because it could be one of the last chances I get to do a good stand-up or a good story for my resume tape.
I think the most important thing in the world, though, in choosing a job, whether it’s in journalism or not, is to pick a place where the people are good. I chose my station because my news director was a teacher in the past. I knew he would want to help me. He told me we had a cameraman who had been here for more than 10 years and people who loved this place. I won’t ever go to a place where I dislike the people I work with. It’s not worth it, because you’re already stressed out enough without having to deal with people you dislike.
What are the top three skills college journalism students should be working on in order to be prepared for their first broadcasting job?
1. Organization. Evergreens are a great opportunity for reporters to learn this. You have to set up interviews beforehand, especially. You have to have a plan for how to approach your day. You have to know who you need to call and you have to be able to manage your time. I think those are all part of organization.
2. Writing. Of course you have to know how to write and most importantly, how to write creatively. Write in and out of your soundbites, write to your video, write with emotion (when appropriate). Anyone can write a package, but not everyone can write a good package. I fell into a trap for a while where I was just trying to get the job done as fast as I could so I didn’t have to worry too much about the deadline. But I wasn’t writing like I meant it. My cameraman said, “The clock is your enemy. Just focus on the story.” That was the best advice I got so far. My stories have improved dramatically since.
3. Shooting and editing. Shaky video sucks. Don’t ever use it. EVER. It’s annoying and unprofessional. And it’s not that hard to avoid. Just set the camera on a tripod, press record, and don’t touch the camera for at least 10 seconds. AT LEAST. It’s my biggest pet peeve.
And don’t leave flash edits in your video either. Take pride in your video, because that’s why people are watching. It’s the most important part of the whole “TV Journalism thing” you are getting into.
(OH!!! Important!!!! Use NAT SOUND as much as you can!!! That’s what makes the story come to life, as it flows underneath your track, and occassionally pops up for the viewer to hear. Watch 60 Minutes to see examples.)
If you take all three of those things and combine them, you’ll be set. Because good organization will lead to a good story idea which will have good video and good nat sound and then you’ll take your writing and match it up with the video and sound and you’ll have a great story.
What is the most important thing a college journalist should know when he or she is trying to negotiate his or her first job?
Don’t think about the first job. Think about getting your job done at ATVN and getting it done well. If you do the best job you can where you are now, another job will come to you.
What prepared you most for your current job?
ATVN, Broadcast Reporting, Producing, internships (so you understand the environment you are entering)
Class of
2003
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Rudy Buehler
|
Bio: I started my journalism career at CBS 47 in Fresno, California. I was originally hired as the 5pm producer, but was moved to the 11pm newscast within the first two months. I was promoted to dayside Executive Producer in the spring of 2004 and still hold that position currently. I now produce a one-hour broadcast from 6pm to 7pm as well as oversee the other broadcasts. It’s a lot of work but worthwhile. In October, 2006 I won “Best Newscast” from the Northern California RTNDA. In March, 2007 I was part of a team that won “Best Spot News Story” from the Associated Press, Television & Radio of California, Nevada and Hawaii.
In the future I will likely look for a job in a larger market. I’m
excited about finding something new and challenging.
ATVN positions and duties: Executive Producer. Producer, Writer
How did ATVN prepare you for your current job?
ATVN taught me how to produce and be confident in my news judgment. I learned that the hard work and effort pays off. You have to be willing to spend a lot of time honing your abilities. I can’t imagine a better place than ‘SC in terms of learning how to produce, write, and understand the inner workings of a newsroom.
What is your advice to aspiring journalists?
Use your time at ATVN wisely. Apply yourself to do the best you can because stations don’t want anybody who isn’t already capable to do a job when they come in. (I was producing the 5pm newscast on my third day here) So, if you’re not prepared, you’re going to be in over your head. Listen to your advisors. (I know, I know, everyone says this, but it’s true!) They have real world experience and there’s nothing more valuable than that.
What are the top three skills college journalism students should be working on in order to be prepared for their first broadcasting job?
1. Writing ability
2. News Judgment/ability to find a story
3. Time management/preparation
All the practice at ATVN really does make perfect.
What is the most important thing a college journalist should know when he or she is trying to negotiate his or her first job?
Know what you want and go in looking for that. With that in mind, be realistic. Accept the fact that your first job won’t necessarily be glamorous but it will be an important first step on your path to
success.
What prepared you most for your current job?
Producing and writing a show by myself and having confidence in my news judgment. ATVN gives you the unique opportunity to understand all aspects of a news station; from the control room to reporters to producers. If you can understand all those jobs and at least do a few of them, you’ll be in good shape. Also, if you want to be a reporter, make
sure you don’t edit all your packages on AVID because most stations are still using linear. (Mine just got Final Cut Pro a couple months ago, so linear editing is very important!)
Class of
2006
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Rob McPherson
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Bio: Rob McPherson is the Sports Director for KXLF-TV in Butte and KBZK-TV in Bozeman. Rob joined Montana’s News Station in October of 2006.
Before coming to big sky country, Rob attended the University of Southern California’s Annenberg journalism program. While at USC, Rob served as sports specials manager of the campus news station, Annenberg TV News. As a senior producer of sports feature shows and weekly anchor, Rob covered all Trojan sports from the 2-time national championship football team to the club ice hockey program.
Rob was also actively involved with the USC football team serving as a sports producer and shooter in the video operation department. Rob was lucky enough to travel with the Trojans his junior and senior year highlighted by the national championship win in the Orange Bowl and the tragic loss the following year in the Rose Bowl.
Rob loves the outdoors and couldn’t be happy to call Butte and Bozeman home, but brings his laid back California attitude the Treasure state. A San Diego native, Rob is a die hard Chargers and Padres fan…and of course a Trojan for life.
When not working, you’ll find Rob playing hockey at the local rink, hitting the links for a round of golf, or enjoying some of the best snowboarding in the country. He is trilled to cover Montana’s local sports and bring all the highlights and score to your home.
ATVN positions and duties: Sports Director/Sports Specials Manager, Executive Producer, Producer, Reporter, Assistant Director, W/S/E, Graphics
How did ATVN prepare you for your current job?
ATVN gives you the opportunity to learn, build and improve your skills in all aspects of journalism. It taught me to write, produce, report, anchor and manage a department. I use all of these skills everyday in my current job as a sports director. ATVN gives you the tools and opportunity…it’s up to you to take advantage of an amazing opportunity.
What is your advice to aspiring journalists?
Have some fun. You have to love what you’re doing in order to make it in this business. Enjoy breaking stories, trying something new in a rundown…challenging people around you to do something exciting. Excitement will breed enthusiasm, and you need to be passionate in order to succeed. Never be satisfied with your work. You can always improve. If you continue to push yourself, you’ll continue to be one of the best no matter what station and market you’re in.
What are the top three skills college journalism students should be working on in order to be prepared for their first broadcasting job?
1. Writing – The best journalists are the best writers. This is the single most important skill because people can tell instantly what kind of journalist you are based on the way you tell a story. Work hard on this skill, it will separate you in this very competitive field.
2. Shooting/Editing – You may not have to shoot and edit yourself your whole career, but you will in your first job for sure. Professional video and editing is what I use to judge how well rounded a reporter is. Make sure you’re stories are told in the highest quality in all aspects, including what the viewer sees and when they see it.
3. Producing – The best reporters/anchors are also the best producers. They end up being the most successful too. When a reporter can understand the components to producing a show well, it will show it in the way they produce their individual packages. I have been able to separate myself because I can produce, write, shoot edit all while telling a story. When you can do it all…stations will think you are very valuable, and it will lead to a job.
What is the most important thing a college journalist should know when he or she is trying to negotiate his or her first job?
Know what you are getting into with your job. The first one can be tough to get…but remember it’s going to be your life for at least the next two years. Make sure you like the area and station. Like the people you will be working with and make sure your news director and seasoned journalist are willing to continue to teach you and help you improve. Don’t look at it as a station that has to GIVE you something huge in terms of money or benefits…look at it more as a paid internship that will give you the additional skills that will land you a HUGE jump in markets after that contract is up.
What prepared you most for your current job?
The opportunities ATVN game me to pursue. I was able to produce three sports feature shows. I had the chance to interview some of the highest profile coaches and athletes in the nation. ATVN laid the groundwork for my journalism skills, and gave me the opportunity to hone them. Take that advantage. It’s worth spending the additional hours working at ATVN. Those “overtime” projects and work is what will separate you from the rest of your competition when getting a job. The more time you spend at ATVN, the better you will be when you make it to your first station.
Class of
2003
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Rachel Parker
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Class of
2003
Class of
2001
Class of
2003
ATVN positions and duties: Producer
Class of
1999
Class of
2005
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Michelle Rabinowitz
|
Bio: Michelle Rabinowitz is a producer at MTV News in New York, her hometown. Since making it to Times Square in the fall of 2005 she has produced segments on topics ranging from sexual health and education policy to post-Katrina New Orleans and Green Day. Recent projects include an interview with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and a half-hour special on Viral Video posted by U.S. servicemen and women.
Before joining team MTV, Michelle was a Carnegie Fellow at ABC News’ Brian Ross unit and an editorial assistant at KNBC in Los Angeles.
ATVN positions and duties: Producer, one time on-air reporter (never again).
How did ATVN prepare you for your current job?
As a producer at ATVN I had to manage a team. Let’s just say teamwork was never my strong point. I had to reel in my temper, evaluate peoples’ strengths and weaknesses in order to properly assign tasks and eat some humble pie from time to time. I was working in a “real world” job while producing at ATVN, but I was a peon. Learning how to write, encode and edit is important. Learning to manage, however, is how you get the really good jobs.
What is your advice to aspiring journalists?
Learn how to do everything. More doors will open up for you and you will eventually make more money.
What are the top three skills college journalism students should be working on in order to be prepared for their first broadcasting job?
Writing, writing and writing. The fourth would also be writing.
What is the most important thing a college journalist should know when he or she is trying to negotiate his or her first job?
Do not oversell yourself. Employers are looking to invest in talent when they hire a young journalist. Don’t act as though you know everything.
What prepared you most for your current job?
Writing constantly for two years of graduate school. Having to pull five pitches out of the ether also trained my brain for this crazy place. I can now find great stories in the strangest places.
Class of
2003
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Kimberly Lansing
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Bio: World Poker Tour - Online Updates Host (2007-2008)
People Magazine - Reporter/Writer (2004-present)
Hollywood.com - Host (2004-present)
Instyle - Reporter/Writer (2007)
Wireimage/Getty Images - Field Producer (2006-2007)
Associated Press - Writer (2004-2005)
A chance encounter between Kimberly Lansing and the World Poker Tour at the Season V WPT Celebrity Invitational sealed her fate in poker when the WPT offered her a role as the online hostess for WPT Live Updates. Live from the tournament floor, Kimberly reports all the exciting poker action while conducting player interviews over the WPT Live Updates Webcam on www.worldpokertour.com. Her unabashed interviewing style helps audience members get a heads-up perspective of poker’s finest competitors. From each Season VI tour stop Kimberly introduces you to a premiere Casino destination, broadcasts up to the minute breaking news and entertains with behind the scenes footage. You can now catch Kimberly doubling up as part-time TV hostess alongside Layla Kayleigh on the World Poker Tour show for play-by-play action of the WPT Final Table.
Kimberly grew up in Rancho Mirage and Laguna Hills before attending the University of Southern California. During her time at USC, Kimberly worked at the college news station, Annenberg TV News. After receiving a BA in Broadcast Journalism at USC, Kimberly began her career as an entertainment journalist for the Associated Press and Us Weekly Magazine.
Since 2004, Kimberly has been a reporter for PEOPLE Magazine, covering almost every red carpet event in Hollywood. In addition to her work at PEOPLE, Kimberly also writes for In Style Magazine and the German publication, Gala. You can also catch her as a host/correspondent on Hollywood.com Television.
Starting her path toward the poker world, Kimberly hosted in December 2006 the OnGame Network’s Poker Classic at the Casino de Barcelona, in Spain. In March of 2007, Kimberly attended the WPT Celebrity Invitational tournament to report for PEOPLE. Kimberly’s charming disposition and impressive background in poker prompted WPT to create a position for Kimberly where she would travel the poker circuit and report live from the tournament floor via streaming video blogs.
May 2007, Kimberly joined the WPT Team as the Hostess for WPT Live Updates. WPT has also tapped Kimberly’s talents for the WPT television show—her first job on the tour was hosting in front of TV cameras June 2nd at the Mandalay Bay Poker Championship final table.
ATVN positions and duties: Reporter / Writer
Class of
2003
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Katie Harlan
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Bio: After graduating, I moved back home to work at CTV, Channel 30.
It’s a community-owned television news station in the San Francisco
area. I did it all, reporter, producer, camera woman, and editor. After
just over a year, I landed my first affiliate job in Eugene Oregon with
the CBS affiliate, KVAL-TV. I was a reporter during the week and
produced the weekend newscast. After just over a year, I was offered a
full-time reporter position at KGET-TV, the NBC affiliate in Bakersfield
California. After a few months, I was promoted to report for the number
one show in the market, 17 News at Sunrise and anchor 17 News at Noon.
ATVN positions and duties: Reporter and camera woman
How did ATVN prepare you for your current job?
I learned how to edit and put a story together. It’s important to write
to video and that was an on-going theme at ATVN.
What is your advice to aspiring journalists?
Don’t wait for a news director to call you. Pick up the phone. Don’t
just send out tapes, hit the road. That’s what I did. I drove from Chico
to Yakima Washington in search of a job. I just called every news
director on the way and dropped in for a quick interview. I was offered
a job three weeks later. Also, don’t compare yourself with anyone else.
The news business is unpredictable, if you want it bad enough it WILL
happen, LEARN how to be patient.
What are the top three skills college journalism students should be working on in order to be prepared for their first broadcasting job?
WRITE to VIDEO, develop your own interviewing techniques (know which questions to ask), get on air as much as possible; go LIVE, LIVE, LIVE! Make your mistake now, that’s why you’re there.
What is the most important thing a college journalist should know when he or she is trying to negotiate his or her first job?
If you’re offered a job workings at an affiliate after graduating take it. Whether it’s in Nebraska, Alaska, or California; TAKE IT!!! You won’t have much power to bargain and you won’t get paid anything. I had to work at the mall part time while working for the CBS affiliate in Eugene. Believe me if you don’t want to make the sacrifice, there are hundreds of people lined up behind you who will work for much less. If you want to be on air, understand you won’t make much for a long time. That’s never going to change.
What prepared you most for your current job?
INTERNSHIPS, I worked at E! Entertainment, I worked with top notch photographers and interviewed lots of people. I also wrote a pkg for the International Network in college. Make sure you ask questions during the interview process for internships. Make sure you can get hands on experience working with professionals. I was lucky to get amazing internships at KTLA and KTVU. Change stations, make contacts, and work for free. It’s never too early to start an internship, freshman go get them. Also, Trojan Vision was great, I hosted a show and produced for a year. Do a little something of everything, the more you know, the better!
Class of
2001
 |
Kate Janeczko
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Class of
2002
Bio: I was two weeks out of school and interviewing to be a morning show reporter/host in a remote town in Alaska. While the people there and the job seemed great, I decided I’d rather go with my gut (and ignore my parents’ advice), and move in with a good friend in San Diego. The day after I moved, I had an interview scheduled at a radio station with a program director who had told me a month earlier that he had no jobs available, but he’d meet with me to get my feet wet in the interview process. When I went in for the interview he told me that the previous week the producer of ‘KYXY Love Songs’ had given his two-week notice and they needed someone. The program director was impressed by my resume, seeing as how I was fresh out of school. He offered me the job of my dreams and I took it. Two months into the job, the overnight DJ was sick and they called me to do the air shift from midnight to 6 am. My boss told me I could be on air if I wanted, and now in addition to being the producer of the #1 evening show in all of San Diego, I’m the weekend fill-in personality on air. I love my job, and haven’t yet had a day when I thought, “Ugh, I don’t want to go to work today!” I plan on staying here as long as possible, and making it to a regular slot on air. I like working at KYXY, which is owned by Infinity, a pretty stable radio owner in a rather volatile market. I may eventually move on from San Diego entirely, but have no plans as of yet. Radio in San Diego has been very good to me so far!
ATVN positions and duties: Producer, writer, camera operator
What are the top three skills college journalism students should be working on in order to be prepared for their first broadcasting job?
Focus on accumulating a lot of practical work experience while still in college and develop contacts with people who have important names in the business you’re going for. Also, students should be able to write a good cover letter and be politely persistent about getting interviews.
What is the most important thing a college journalist should know when he or she is trying to negotiate his or her first job?
I think the most important thing in considering any job is whether or not you’ll like going to work every day. If you think you’ll love the job, and it will lead you where you want to go, take it!
What prepared you most for your current job?
Having read a lot and being “in the know” makes me better at my job. I work really hard and give 100% on the job, and I am always available to come in early, stay late, or pick up others’ slack. My music industry classes and internships helped prepare me for my job because they pointed out a lot of the nitty gritty stuff and gave me opinions on the business (so I could talk with my new co-workers and not sound like a kid just out of college, which I am!).
Class of
2003
ATVN positions and duties: News Anchor
Class of
2004
Bio: Juliane Ngan comes to Southern Oregon from Southern California. Prior to joining News10, Juliane was a community news reporter for the San Bernardino Sun in Southern California, where she anchored and assisted in the development of the newspaper’s video Web casts.
Born in Hong Kong, Juliane was raised in San Jose, California. She graduated from the University of Southern California in 2004 with bachelor’s degrees in broadcast journalism and political science and a minor in sociology with an emphasis in deviant behavior and juvenile delinquency. During college, Juliane gained daily television news experience while working at Annenberg TV News as a writer, editor, weather anchor and reporter. She also interned in the newsroom at KNBC in Los Angeles and worked as a part-time reporter for the Silicon Valley Community Newspapers group in San Jose. Juliane was a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a community-service co-ed fraternity at USC, and a member of Phi Alpha Delta, a pre-law fraternity. She was also on the School of Journalism’s Dean’s List and a member of Lambda Pi Eta, a journalism honor society. After graduation, Juliane hosted the city of Newport Beach’s NBTV “City Scenes” segment. She then worked as budget editor for City News Service, a newswire service in Los Angeles County. She is a member of the Asian American Journalists Association. In her spare time Juliane enjoys running 5Ks, traveling, shopping and spending time with her dog, Macaroni. Though she was sad to leave sunny Southern California, she is thrilled to be part of the News10 team!
ATVN positions and duties: Reporter, Weather Anchor
Class of
Bio: In high school I worked as a photographer / audio operator / MCO at KTTC in Rochester, MN (market 153). After college I moved to Minneapolis to work for WCCO as a satellite and microwave truck operator. One year later I accepted a senior technician position at KMSP. In the fall of 2002 they offered me the News Technical Operatations Manager position.
ATVN positions and duties: Director and technical director.
How did ATVN prepare you for your current job?
It helped me grow up. Remember being a stupid high school kid? Well after that I was a stupid college kid. Somehow during the next four years, after making plenty of mistakes and failing a few times, you learn how to focus, be responsible, and communicate. Directing helped me hone my communication skills and taught me how to remain calm and focus in stressful situations.
What are the top three skills college journalism students should be working on in order to be prepared for their first broadcasting job?
Writing, time management, and the ability to work/communicate with anybody.
What is the most important thing a college journalist should know when he or she is trying to negotiate his or her first job?
First, if you decide you’ll only work in a certain city, state, or region, you’re only limiting your options. News directors get dozens, if not hundreds of tapes and resumes for each opening, so you have very little leverage. Your first job isn’t about the money… it is an opportunity for you to work in news every day, continue to grow rapidly, and demonstrate that you can live up to your potential. Most reporters and producers are lucky to make enough to pay the bills at their first job. And that is OK. Accept it and work hard to better position yourself for the next step.
What prepared you most for your current job?
My previous job. And for that job, my job before that. (At one point, ATVN was one of those “jobs"). Treat each step as an opportunity to prepare yourself for what is next. Don’t be afraid to try something new, then learn from your mistakes. Do everything that is in your power to create future opportunties for yourself by working extremely hard and learning something new every day.
Class of
2002
Bio: After graduation I continued to work at MTV Networks in Santa Monica. Starting out as a production assistant, I left at the end of 2006 as a producer in the Music & Talent Development department.
In 2007 I took a job with a the television and film production company Den of Thieves where I work as a producer of documentary, music, and reality programming.
ATVN positions and duties: Executive Producer, Producer, Studio Director, Writer, Editor, Technical Director, various studio crew positions.
How did ATVN prepare you for your current job?
ATVN helped me learn many technical skills I still use today. The newsroom and control room experience helped me develop methods to deal with deadlines and co-workers in high pressure environments.
What are the top three skills college journalism students should be working on in order to be prepared for their first broadcasting job?
Have professionalism, independence, and individuality. Professionalism: Knowing how to act and react to co-workers goes a long way. Independence: Being able to work on your own and complete tasks ahead of time is a skill that is never under-appreciated. Individuality: Getting the job done with some personal style can help elevate your work. Producers are always looking for new ideas and ways to breathe life into old ideas.
Class of
2005
 |
Dave Strumpf
|
Bio: Dave graduated from the University of Southern California with a BA in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Communication in the Entertainment Industry.
Dave gained experience as a sports anchor and reporter for Annenberg TV News. He was fortunate enough to cover the USC football team in their National Championship seasons in 2003 and 2004. Dave also worked for the Best Damn Sports Show Period on Fox Sports.
Dave is thrilled to be in Charlottesville and a member of UVa’s Flagship stations. He’s eager to contribute to the extensive college and high school sports coverage. In 2007, Dave and the WCAV Sports Department won the Virginia Association of Broadcasters’ award for “Outstanding Sports Coverage.” WCAV topped the larger markets in the state to take home the award.
When he’s not watching sports (which is rare), Dave enjoys golf, comedy shows, and music.
ATVN positions and duties: Sports Anchor and Floor Director
How did ATVN prepare you for your current job?
Aside from all the basic skills (shooting, editing, producing), one of the best experiences I gained from ATVN was dealing in a fast-paced environment. In the newsroom the hours can feel like minutes as you are racing to put together a story, find an open edit bay, and produce a PKG by deadline. ATVN was a great experience in learning how to multi-task, focus, and put a story together in such little time.
What is your advice to aspiring journalists?
Make sure you are having fun. Find stories that interest you. The more you are invested in a topic, a better story almost always comes out.
What are the top three skills college journalism students should be working on in order to be prepared for their first broadcasting job?
1) Shooting - Chances are, you’ll be shooting your own stories at your first broadcasting job. Sometimes reporters overlook how important the visual aspect of the story is. No matter how interesting your story is, a strong sequence of images is what keeps the viewers from changing the channel. Keep the camera on the tripod as much as possible. Don’t forget to white balance.
2) Time Management - Always keep an eye on the clock and know your limits. If it takes you two hours to edit a package, make sure you get back to the station by 4:00 for a 6:00 spot. If you are an editing whiz, you can spend more time out in the field getting better shots or an extra interview. If you are stuck waiting for an interview or edit bay, use the time to start thinking about how you want to tell your story.
3) Overall people skills. Don’t forget to be friendly to everyone you meet, whether you are in the field working on a story, or on your day-off running errands. The relationships you make are key to your success in a small town, especially one where everyone knows everyone. You never know, they could soon come to you with an Emmy-winning news scoop.
What is the most important thing a college journalist should know when he or she is trying to negotiate his or her first job?
You went to USC and worked at ATVN, which immediately gives you a leg-up on any other candidate trying out for that first job. Exploit that. You are a reporter who can make an immediate and positive impact on the station’s on-air product.
Class of
2004
Bio: Darryl Sellers started as a Sports Anchor/Reporter for WNEM-TV and Fox 66 in May of 2006.
Before moving to Mid-Michigan, Darryl got his start as a Weekend Sports Anchor/Sports Reporter for KAAL-TV in the Rochester-Austin area of Minnesota.
Raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Darryl enjoyed his two years in the Los Angeles area while attending USC’s Annenberg School of Communication Graduate School Program. During that time, he was a sports anchor for Annenberg TV News.
In addition, he was afforded the opportunity to spend six weeks in South Africa for a summer internship. He worked at SABC-TV in Cape Town as a news and sports reporter. Darryl says it was an eye-opening experience getting immersed in the South African culture and seeing some of the problems facing the people there.
In his spare time, Darryl likes to stay active. He loves sports, aerobics, dancing and roller skating (old school style). His two-year-old son, Avery, keeps him on his toes. He enjoys spending time with his wife Rebecca and is a die-hard Minnesota sports fan.
His greatest sports thrills were watching the Minnesota Twins win the World Series titles in 1987 and 1991.
He’s still waiting (impatiently) for the Vikings to get their first Super Bowl title. He hopes it will happen during his lifetime. He also enjoyed following the Detroit Tigers’ pursuit of the 2006 World Series title.
Darryl loves meeting people and looks forward to getting to know people in the community. He also loves the sports culture in Michigan.
From the importance of high school sports, to the passion for college and professional sports, Darryl is proud to call Mid-Michigan home.
ATVN positions and duties: Sports Reporter / News Anchor (2002-03) / Sports Anchor (2003-04)
How did ATVN prepare you for your current job?
Getting actual on-air experience laid the groundwork for working for a commerical TV station.
What is your advice to aspiring journalists?
Get as many internships as possible, work for your school’s TV station, find a mentor.
What are the top three skills college journalism students should be working on in order to be prepared for their first broadcasting job?
Writing, reporting, interpersonal relations.
What is the most important thing a college journalist should know when he or she is trying to negotiate his or her first job?
The money is secondary when you are first getting started. Just make sure you will get a chance for a lot of on-air
experience...and that you will be in an environment that gives you a chance to grow on the job.
What prepared you most for your current job?
Writing courses.
Class of
2004
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Dan O’Hara
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Class of
2002
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Da Lin
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ATVN positions and duties: Sports department, news reporter
Class of
2006
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Christina Wu
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Bio: "I joined KVEW in September 2006. Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA . I graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a B.A. in communication studies and minor in accounting. I also have an M.A. in broadcast journalism from the University of Southern California.”
Prior to working at KVEW, Christina interned for the morning show at KABC, ABC’s Los Angeles affiliate. She also interned for the investigative reporting department at the FOX affiliate, KTTV, in Los Angeles. Christina was fortunate enough to spend the summer of 2005 reporting for one of the top news stations in Hong Kong, TVB.
Christina enjoys sabotaging ‘80s hair-band songs at one of her karaoke sessions. She also likes to dance, spend time with her black lab mix, Lucy, and cook. On her days off, you can find Christina watching Forensic Files or reading true crime novels.
Class of
2008
Class of
2007
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Cameron Chow
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ATVN positions and duties: Sports volunteer, Producer, Anchor
Class of
2007
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Brooke Bentley
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Bio: Growing up in Houston, I was born and raised on Texas sports. I played volleyball, basketball and tennis in high school. I was lucky enough to earn a scholarship to play volleyball at Davidson College in North Carolina. After graduating, I decided to check out the West Coast and moved to Los Angeles where I received my Masters in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Southern California. In 2007, I returned to Texas to work as a reporter for the Houston Texans and spent two years covering the team on Texans TV. I am thrilled to be in Beaumont now as part of the KBTV family and I am excited to tell all the great sports stories that come out of Southeast Texas.
ATVN positions and duties: Sports Reporter
Class of
2003
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Brad Williams
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Bio: After working for two years as a sports producer at Channel 4 in San Diego, Brad has switched gears into sports/entertainment marketing and PR.
ATVN positions and duties: Sports Anchor, Reporter, Weather Anchor
Class of
2001
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Bobby Ilich
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Bio: In a market where you have to one-man band, I was asked to one-man-band not just as a reporter, but as producer and weatherman as well. And because I preferred doing sports, I also did sports stories on my days off. It was laborious, but worth it. The best way to succeed in this industry is to constantly think like the viewer and constantly inform yourself. A viewer has to feel comfortable with your wording and the way you express your message. But more importantly, the more informed you are the more you’ll be respected by your audience.
ATVN positions and duties: Weatherman, reporter, sports producer
Class of
2003
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Andrew Hasbun
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Bio: Andrew Hasbun joined the Fox 10 news team in December 2006. He comes to the Valley after reporting in two very different parts of the country.
Before arriving in Phoenix, Andrew spent nearly two years at WLBT-TV in Jackson, Mississippi. During his time in the Deep South, Andrew survived Hurricane Katrina and reported extensively on the storm’s aftermath in that state.
Before Mississippi, Andrew lived in the Pacific Northwest. He anchored the morning news and reported for KOBI-TV in Medford, Oregon.
Class of
2000
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