One of the last events I covered for my internship was a workshop that accompanied the Citrus Cel Film Festival (see earlier post for photo gallery). The Lil Squirts Workshop was a stop-animation workshop for children of all ages held at the Cummer Museum.
The workshop was run by staff and students from the Art Institute of Jacksonville. The kids were taught how to make a flip-book of something 'in progress' (such as a flower growing up from the ground ... or wilting, in one girl's case). They were then able to take pictures of each page and turn that into an actual (super-short) stop-animation film. They loved it!
Check out the article for more info. I'd hoped to actually be able to include some of the short videos with the online story so that people could actually see what the kids had done, but the editor never got back to me about it and they are not included. Oh well.
May 2, 2011
April 25, 2011
Article in Print! Art of Caring
This article is one that I completed for class. We were assigned with interviewing one of the award recipients for this year's HandsOn Jacksonville volunteer awards. HandsOn Jacksonville awards individuals or organizations for their volunteer work and contribution to the community each year. They focus on everything from the arts to medicine and environment.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Wayne Wood, the founder of the Riverside Arts Market.
I was particularly excited to have the chance to talk to Dr. Wood because I have been a big fan of the market ever since I heard that there was a possibility it would happen. Having visited the Portland Saturday Market several times, I understand the impact that such a thing can have for a community and the Riverside Arts Market has certainly been a hit and, in some cases, life-changing event.
You can check out the story on Dr. Wood, as well as the stories written by my classmates on the other HandsOn Jacksonville award winners.
* On a side note, I just realized that mine must have been one of the four stories that was chosen for print in the paper. Here is that version ... I'm very glad they left the original up on the site as well. Just out of curiosity, would you find it confusing if you ran across two versions of the same story on a website with noticeable cuts (assuming for space) in one? I think I would if I didn't understand how that kind of thing works.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Wayne Wood, the founder of the Riverside Arts Market.
I was particularly excited to have the chance to talk to Dr. Wood because I have been a big fan of the market ever since I heard that there was a possibility it would happen. Having visited the Portland Saturday Market several times, I understand the impact that such a thing can have for a community and the Riverside Arts Market has certainly been a hit and, in some cases, life-changing event.
You can check out the story on Dr. Wood, as well as the stories written by my classmates on the other HandsOn Jacksonville award winners.
* On a side note, I just realized that mine must have been one of the four stories that was chosen for print in the paper. Here is that version ... I'm very glad they left the original up on the site as well. Just out of curiosity, would you find it confusing if you ran across two versions of the same story on a website with noticeable cuts (assuming for space) in one? I think I would if I didn't understand how that kind of thing works.
April 21, 2011
The best kind of surprise!
As I indicated in my last post, things are wrapping up for the semester. As a matter of fact, this is my last semester at UNF so, for me, things are also wrapping up for the program itself. After next week, I will be the official bearer of another educational degree!
And apparently, the third time really is the charm. Or maybe it really is the "year of the Hare!" Either way, I had a great surprise this week when I was handed a letter that began like this:
Maybe that's a little small to read, so here it is: I've been named the Outstanding Student in Journalism for the Spring 2011 Graduating Class!
Yea!
I'll receive a certificate and a cord to wear with my cap and gown at the graduation ceremony. Ironically, however, I'd actually decided a while back that I wouldn't be attending the graduation ceremony since I've already had the opportunity to do that several times in the past and didn't want to worry with it this time around.
So maybe I should rephrase that first statement: I'll receive a certificate and a cord to wear with my imaginary cap and gown at the graduation ceremony. I'm very honored to have been chosen to receive that title. It was a surprise to me! ... the best kind :-)
And apparently, the third time really is the charm. Or maybe it really is the "year of the Hare!" Either way, I had a great surprise this week when I was handed a letter that began like this:
Maybe that's a little small to read, so here it is: I've been named the Outstanding Student in Journalism for the Spring 2011 Graduating Class!
Yea!
I'll receive a certificate and a cord to wear with my cap and gown at the graduation ceremony. Ironically, however, I'd actually decided a while back that I wouldn't be attending the graduation ceremony since I've already had the opportunity to do that several times in the past and didn't want to worry with it this time around.
So maybe I should rephrase that first statement: I'll receive a certificate and a cord to wear with my imaginary cap and gown at the graduation ceremony. I'm very honored to have been chosen to receive that title. It was a surprise to me! ... the best kind :-)
April 18, 2011
Final day, final project
I'm amazed at how fast this semester has gone by. I (sadly) turned in my intern badge today. I'm not sure I was ready to seal the door on that chapter. The experience has been great and I'm a little sad to say goodbye. I can only hope that it'll lead to an open door--preferrably with a paycheck on the other side ;-) --in my future.
My final project was an exciting one for me. I had the opportunity to video my intern supervisor, Tracy Collins, along with other media and sports celebrities from the Jacksonville area as they competed in a celebrity shoot-out for the charity of their choice as TPC Sawgrass' famous 17th hole. It was fun to be a small part of the event and a great learning experience for me.
We edited the video and completed the clip this morning. I'm so proud to see it up on the website! Check it out for yourself at jacksonville.com to see who the winners were!
My final project was an exciting one for me. I had the opportunity to video my intern supervisor, Tracy Collins, along with other media and sports celebrities from the Jacksonville area as they competed in a celebrity shoot-out for the charity of their choice as TPC Sawgrass' famous 17th hole. It was fun to be a small part of the event and a great learning experience for me.
We edited the video and completed the clip this morning. I'm so proud to see it up on the website! Check it out for yourself at jacksonville.com to see who the winners were!
April 11, 2011
Photo Gallery Fun: Citrus Cel
The Citrus Cel Animation Film Festival took place over the weekend with workshops at the Cummer Museum and screenings at the 5 Points Theater. I helped out with the photo gallery for the event (I wasn't the only one taking pictures, but as of right now I'm apparently the only one who added them to the website??).
Check out the gallery to see some of the fun that the festival brought to the river city!
Check out the gallery to see some of the fun that the festival brought to the river city!
March 26, 2011
Photo gallery fun!
Check out the photo gallery of the "Where I Begin" showing at 5 Points Theatre in Jacksonville. The film, by award-winning filmager Thomas L. Phillips, featured local actresses and included a meet and greet with the Phillips before the show.
March 24, 2011
Article in Print! Bark in the Park
There was no shortage of tail-wagging fun at the Safe Animal Shelter's Mardi Gras Bark in the Park!
Check out the full story and the photo gallery!
Check out the full story and the photo gallery!
Article in Print! WeatherFest
Thunder, twisters and hail -- oh my!
The recent WeatherFest event at UNF, hosted by the National Weather Service of Jacksonville, helped educate the public about all kinds of weather-related issues. Check out the story!
The recent WeatherFest event at UNF, hosted by the National Weather Service of Jacksonville, helped educate the public about all kinds of weather-related issues. Check out the story!
March 11, 2011
Article in Print! Harlem Globetrotters
Not only did I have a chance to meet and interview a member of the Harlem Globetrotters, he also taught me how to spin a ball on my finger!!
Read more about him and the rest of the team here. Is that his picture that was included in the story? ... No. Why? ... I have no idea.
But I'm looking forward to checking out the moves of the whole team on the court tonight!
Read more about him and the rest of the team here. Is that his picture that was included in the story? ... No. Why? ... I have no idea.
But I'm looking forward to checking out the moves of the whole team on the court tonight!
Article in Print! Matt Spears
This is a feature story that I wrote a while ago and was held until the editor could get it on the front page. It's an interesting look at a local eye doctor's use of special contact lenses to treat the effects of keratoconus, a protrusion of the cornea that results in loss of vision.
The patient, Matt Spears, went from taking a trip to sign up for disability and learning to read braille, to having normal vision in a matter of minutes after meeting with the eye doctor, Dr. Armitage.
Read the story here.
The patient, Matt Spears, went from taking a trip to sign up for disability and learning to read braille, to having normal vision in a matter of minutes after meeting with the eye doctor, Dr. Armitage.
Read the story here.
March 8, 2011
Article in (online) print: xomba.com
I had the opportunity this week to write my first post for a website called xomba.com. For those of you who aren't familiar with xomba (pronounced "zomba"), it's a site that allows contributors to post articles about a wide range of topics for others to read. It's kinda like a big blogging community. Just a bit more newsie.
I love that they have a wacky news tab, so I decided to go in that direction and address the yellow sac spider's recent infatuation with the Mazda6, resulting in a major recall by the manufacturer.
Yes, that's right. Even spiders want to go "zoom, zoom."
Check out the story on xomba. And don't forget to click on an ad or two -- that one's been monetized!
I love that they have a wacky news tab, so I decided to go in that direction and address the yellow sac spider's recent infatuation with the Mazda6, resulting in a major recall by the manufacturer.
Yes, that's right. Even spiders want to go "zoom, zoom."
Check out the story on xomba. And don't forget to click on an ad or two -- that one's been monetized!
March 5, 2011
March 3, 2011
Article in Print! Amelia Island Film Festival
As promised, here is the story to go along with my earlier post about the Amelia Island Film Festival.
This was actually the same editor as the Supper Club story that I talked about in my last post, but in this case there were almost no cuts or edits what-so-ever.
Maybe that's just the difference between a feature story and an "evergreen" that just takes up space.
Article in Print! Supper Club
This is a fun little story that I covered about a local supper club. The club is made up of five couples who meet on a monthly basis to cook, drink and dine together.
Spending time with them was definitely entertaining. They're the kind of crowd that could easily spark a TV sitcom based on the their club.
Oh ... and the homemade cheesy olive bread I tasted was pretty darn good too!
What's not so good, in my opinion, is the edited version of the story that actually ran. I'm not crazy about the way that it was cut (for space). This is my first experience having a story cut so that entire lines are removed instead of just an edit here and there. I'm not sure all of the cuts did the story much justice. Especially at the end--just kind of awkward. Haven't seen the print version yet to know if that's just something to do with the online version, or if that's how it was actually printed.
To get an idea of the editing/cutting process that a story can go through, check out my original supper club story under the 'class' tab above.
Check out the jacksonville.com supper club story for more!
Spending time with them was definitely entertaining. They're the kind of crowd that could easily spark a TV sitcom based on the their club.
Oh ... and the homemade cheesy olive bread I tasted was pretty darn good too!
What's not so good, in my opinion, is the edited version of the story that actually ran. I'm not crazy about the way that it was cut (for space). This is my first experience having a story cut so that entire lines are removed instead of just an edit here and there. I'm not sure all of the cuts did the story much justice. Especially at the end--just kind of awkward. Haven't seen the print version yet to know if that's just something to do with the online version, or if that's how it was actually printed.
To get an idea of the editing/cutting process that a story can go through, check out my original supper club story under the 'class' tab above.
Check out the jacksonville.com supper club story for more!
February 27, 2011
Photo Gallery FUN!
This weekend I had the opportunity to cover the nearby Amelia Island Film Festival. It gave me a chance to meet all kinds of people including several writers, directors and actors.
The festival kicked off Thursday night with a film by writer, director, actor Aaron M. Metchik called "10 Years Later." Metchik attended the festival and the showing was followed by a question-and-answer session and an after party at the Dog Star Tavern in downtown Fernandina Beach. I have to say, of all the films I had the opportunity to see at the festival, this one was my favorite. It's a dark comedy that has several surprises and plenty of great characters. Definitely keep an eye out for it!
On Friday I decided to hit the festival during the day to get some shots at a couple different venues. It turned out to be an interesting day involving one (NOT short enough) short that I will only mention the name of so as to warn you to avoid it: "Fetish," some technical difficulties at one venue that resulted in the entire show being relocated, and the AIFF Bud Lounge in which attenders could rest in between shows and have a shot (okay, so it was really as many bottles at you wanted -- sorry Budweiser!) of beer. And no, I did not partake with my camera in hand. That was my stance throughout the festival, despite the persistance of one particular attendee who evidently really thought I should be drinking ... all day, all weekend.
Saturday night included the showing of David Keith's movie "Beneath the Blue." Keith (The Great Santini, Heartbreak Hotel, An Officer and a Gentleman) attended the show, which was followed by a question-and-answer session and an after party at Cafe Karibo.
Fun times! Check out the photo albums and stay tuned for a story in the near future!
February 24, 2011
Photo Gallery Fun
Felt so proud of myself last night -- got my first official press badge (i.e. "credentials").
I know ... I'm a nerd.
I had the opportunity to "shadow" one of the jacksonville.com photogs at a Leon Russell show at the Florida Theatre. Both the opening act, Amy Hendrickson & The Prime Directive, and Russell put on a great show. It was definitely a fun and educational experience.
Couple things I learned: You can generally only photograph the first 2 or 3 songs of a concert (they'll let you know the restrictions). No flash. It really helps if you have some better lenses than the ones I had available to me! ... Leon Russell is getting old ... and has some nutty fans!
Check out my album here.
I had the opportunity to "shadow" one of the jacksonville.com photogs at a Leon Russell show at the Florida Theatre. Both the opening act, Amy Hendrickson & The Prime Directive, and Russell put on a great show. It was definitely a fun and educational experience.
Couple things I learned: You can generally only photograph the first 2 or 3 songs of a concert (they'll let you know the restrictions). No flash. It really helps if you have some better lenses than the ones I had available to me! ... Leon Russell is getting old ... and has some nutty fans!
Check out my album here.
February 18, 2011
Article in Print! Jacksonville Giants vs. Lakers
Although I've enjoyed the experiences I've gotten at my internship so far, I think I had the most fun covering this particular event. Up to this point, anyway. You never know what's around the corner.
The Jacksonville Giants, the area's new ABA basketball team, are nothing short of amazing (and I'm not just saying that). They are undefeated and typically have over 100 pts. by the end of the first half. Breaking records all over the place.
Anyway, they played a charity game against a group of elementary school teachers several weeks ago and I got to attend and write about it. I had a blast!
Despite a couple more editing gripes (...how to address that kind of thing as a lowly intern?), I'm happy with the result.
Take a look at the story and then check out the photo albums (by another jacksonville.com photog, Bobby King) and see if you can spy me next to one of the super-tall players. Pretty amusing pictures!
The Jacksonville Giants, the area's new ABA basketball team, are nothing short of amazing (and I'm not just saying that). They are undefeated and typically have over 100 pts. by the end of the first half. Breaking records all over the place.
Anyway, they played a charity game against a group of elementary school teachers several weeks ago and I got to attend and write about it. I had a blast!
Despite a couple more editing gripes (...how to address that kind of thing as a lowly intern?), I'm happy with the result.
Take a look at the story and then check out the photo albums (by another jacksonville.com photog, Bobby King) and see if you can spy me next to one of the super-tall players. Pretty amusing pictures!
February 5, 2011
A1A: Scenic Byway...or Battleground? You Decide
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New story on my examples from class page here. For possible publication in a St. Augustine women's journal. I'll keep you posted.
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New story on my examples from class page here. For possible publication in a St. Augustine women's journal. I'll keep you posted.
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January 27, 2011
Text-to-Donate
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Jacksonville.com Blog Alert: Connecting the Dots: Text-to-Donate
Donating to your favorite charity is as easy as t-x-t!
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Jacksonville.com Blog Alert: Connecting the Dots: Text-to-Donate
Donating to your favorite charity is as easy as t-x-t!
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January 20, 2011
Article in Print! Hope Therapy
I had the opporunity to visit a really neat place in Middleburg last week called Hope Therapy.
Hope Therapy is a program, run by a woman named Rebecca Davenport, that offers horse therapy for individuals with a range of disabilities. Very, very worthy cause!
They are having a benefit this weekend to support the program and their plans for expansion so the story came at a very good time.
It also took up most of the front page of the Clay Sun section of the paper and a bit of room inside, which I like :-)
Enjoy! The photos with this one are mine too! Hope Therapy
Hope Therapy is a program, run by a woman named Rebecca Davenport, that offers horse therapy for individuals with a range of disabilities. Very, very worthy cause!
They are having a benefit this weekend to support the program and their plans for expansion so the story came at a very good time.
It also took up most of the front page of the Clay Sun section of the paper and a bit of room inside, which I like :-)
Enjoy! The photos with this one are mine too! Hope Therapy
Article in Print! Latitude 30
This was the first article that I wrote for my internship. I had it filed (publishing lingo for 'turned in') in time for last week's Southside Sun but the editor held it until this week.
I'm very excited that it was printed, but not so happy that the lead was left to sound as if the opening of Latitude 30 occurred last week when it was in fact the week before at this point in time. Sigh.
Latitude 30 is a pretty impressive place! Enjoy the short write-up: Latitude 30 Entertainment Complex
I'm very excited that it was printed, but not so happy that the lead was left to sound as if the opening of Latitude 30 occurred last week when it was in fact the week before at this point in time. Sigh.
Latitude 30 is a pretty impressive place! Enjoy the short write-up: Latitude 30 Entertainment Complex
THE 904: Connecting to Community Through Documentary
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Jacksonville.com Blog Alert!: THE 904
Read about a new documentary that focuses on the violent crime problem in Duval county and the amazing people that have been impacted and hope to make a difference.
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Jacksonville.com Blog Alert!: THE 904
Read about a new documentary that focuses on the violent crime problem in Duval county and the amazing people that have been impacted and hope to make a difference.
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January 18, 2011
Photo Gallery Fun
Check out the photo gallery I was able to do tonight: THE 904
It combined several of my favorite things: watching a powerful documentary, meeting inspiring and courageous people, and a date with my husband (thanks for being my 'assistant' and carrying the camera bag around all night, Robbie!!)
It combined several of my favorite things: watching a powerful documentary, meeting inspiring and courageous people, and a date with my husband (thanks for being my 'assistant' and carrying the camera bag around all night, Robbie!!)
January 15, 2011
Photo Gallery ... Fun
My first event photo gallery: Amity Turkish Cultural Center Art & Essay Contest Awards Night
...I do believe I have room for improvement.
Things I Learned:
...I do believe I have room for improvement.
Things I Learned:
- When covering an event, you should probably try to be there early to get good group/individual shots as opposed to assuming you can get some good ones when the event is over. At that point, it's just a mad house of people, many of them on their way out.
- Trying to take good pictures of people on a stage is awkward and you're always in someone's way.
- I DO NOT miss middle school or high school.
January 12, 2011
Etsy.com: Back To Basics
Jacksonville.com Blog Alert!: Connecting the Dots: Etsy
Connecting buyers directly to sellers of all things hand-made.
Connecting buyers directly to sellers of all things hand-made.
My Internship: No Barista Here!
Proud to announce that I am currently interning at the online portion of The Florida Times-Union, jacksonville.com. Very excited about this internship. They are keeping myself and my three fellow interns very busy writing stories, covering events, taking pictures for online photo albums and...blogging.
For the next four months or so I'll be keeping up with a blog on jacksonville.com called Connecting the Dots. My focus will be on writing about new ways of staying connected in the digital, social media age that we live in. And no--I'm not talking about Facebook.
Check it out for more details, of course. I'll be adding links to my jacksonville.com posts here. Keep your eye out on jacksonville.com for my other work too. I'll try to keep this updated with that as well.
Cheers!
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