News

“Do less better” is the resounding advice from Former CBS News President Andrew Heyward to Professor Sissel McCarthy’s news video reporting students. Heyward came to class to critique their profile assignments and told students a more focused piece is always better. “Report broadly by being relentless on the street and then ruthless as an editor,” said Heyward, who urged students to find an angle and build a narrative arc around that. He also shared the one question reporters should ask more often: What do you mean by that? When someone answers that question Heyward says you often get a vivid detail or golden nugget that will make your piece memorable. “Every story needs a great beginning and ending and a surprise or twist in the middle,” Heyward added.

MEDPL 283 News Video Reporting students made their on-air debuts last week as they learned how to read from a teleprompter and deliver the news from the Hunter North fourth floor studio. Fortune Magazine’s Susie Gharib, who anchored business programs for CNBC and PBS, gave the students three things to remember as they got into the anchor chair:

1. Sit up straight
2. Know what you’re talking about and
3. Think about why you are telling people this story and sell it!

She also encouraged students to pump up their enthusiasm and self-assurance. “When you sit down in that chair, you own that anchor desk,” said Gharib, adding that it’s important to project confidence to the audience.

F&M alum Taishon Black’s (director) short film THE ROCKET SHIP won:

– The Audience Choice Award at Indie Works
– Winner of BEST FAMILY SHORT at the Manhattan Film Festival

The film’s team includes alumni: Nick Vega (director of photography), Miles Adgate (producer), and Peter Jackson (production designer).