Jack Weafer and Colin Couch

After growing up with two of the best role models out there, I decided to show them my full appreciation. Most of my peers at school forget about these two and this is a video to bring them the attention they deserve. Sometimes those who are less fortunate have a heck of a story to tell.

The idea formed when my partner I took an interest in Jack and Colin's personal life. We knew these two went to every game and every sporting event possible, but we never knew how serious they took sports. After noticing Colin's hand movements and Jack's vocabulary, it's obvious that these two were dying to get out there and play. Both of them as happy as can be in the Friday night atmosphere, I knew this was a story to share with the world.

Jack's interview went very unexpected. Before any of this, my partner and I weren't going for the emotional appeal. We were going for the informational piece just trying to inform others on how dedicated these two are. It wasn't until Jack started to give us answers about being physically disabled that would make our story that much better.

It wasn't until mid story where we had an issue. Tyler and myself felt like the story was centered more on Jack than it was Colin. We decided to interview Colin's dad just to balance things out and it was by far the best interview I've ever conducted. Mr. Couch wasn't the slightest bit of shy on camera and his interview really added to our story.

To be completely honest, the best stories always have planning twists. The one above was never planned out before creating. The only advice I would have is to let things fall into place; let the story tell itself.

BYOD Deviceless- First News Package

My first news package was a little rocky. My partner and I had poor time management and we didn't receive enough qualifying b-roll. The final product didn't turn out bad, but it took a lot of hair pulling to get it as such. The first interview we had wasn't the greatest... mainly because the interviewee didn't give us the responses we were looking for. Trying to get something out of him was like trying to pull teeth. The next interview we had turned out exceptionally well. The teacher we interviewed was short and quick to the point, and that's exactly what a journalist looks for. One big change I'll incorporate into my works will be better time management and sequencing. This change will keep the stress levels down, the quality of the video will be better overall, and it will also teach me a life lesson... Procrastination is bad.

First Challenge

My e-communications teacher now assigns weekly challenges. The first challenge was assigned last Tuesday and I think it was a huge success. The process of video making brushed up my storytelling skills and refreshed my Final Cut Pro fundamentals. I choose to create a story over one of my classmates. His name is Connor Bickford and he likes to get involved with the school. It's not the most interesting of stories, but it was simplistic enough to give me a refresher.

I'm normally not the type to make videos because my passion is in writing, but this project made me realize I'm capable of both. There still needs to be creative thinking behind news packages and I could definitely get used to this. I learned that storytelling is the biggest component into video creating, and having a plan is imperative. There has to be thought put into interviews and there needs to be thought behind camera angles.

I didn't realize how many specific rules there are to storytelling. I never took into consideration that I could revolve my story around a dramatic arc. For those of you who don't know what that is: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution. Ring a bell? Anyways... I really look forward to the rest of this year.

First post

This is a blog I'm writing in my e-communications class. I'm a senior at Olathe Northwest High-School and I plan on attending Kansas University next fall. My goal is to receive a scholarship of some sort, major in journalism, and become a writer for a news and or sports station at any given time. That is my dream anyways.

The first assignment of my senior year E-communications class is to set three goals for this year:
1: One personal goal
2: A goal for the class
3: A goal for your role in communications

I'm a person who strives to make a name for myself. I like to be recognized for my efforts just like any other human being. Writing is something I have developed a passion for, and I'd like to be known for being a "great writer". I don't know what all that entails, but that's what I'd like people to remember me for. When I leave, I'd like people to think, "Wow that kid could write". This may or may not happen and it might be a microscopic goal to some, but this is something I've been striving for all my years of high-school.

This class has been known to be similar to a study hall. So basically other students that aren't in e-comm think that the class is mess around time. It's mostly lazy e-comm kids who spread the word and make this 21st century program seem as if. In my eyes, this class is a huge opportunity and I'd like to take it and run with it. The goal this year is to make people think, "Dang that journalism class puts in work". The class has already taken a 180 due to a new teacher, so others are starting to see that we're very serious about this. I just hope by the time I leave here that there aren't any doubts, and all heads have been turned.

Developing a role was something I truly strived for when I entered e-comm. I was experimenting different strands such as: graphic design, web design, animation, entertainment, and journalism. While being a freshman, I had no idea which one I wanted to continue with. I basically randomly chose one and hoped for the best. Turned out to be the best random decision I've ever made. I started to meet new people and started developing new role models. The biggest role model of all was Johnny Carver and he set a beyond perfect example for me. He now attends Arkansas University and is planning to major in sports marketing.. which I'm sure is a place he will succeed at. He had written for my schools yearbook and website, and was most definitely a stand out writer. Not only did he have colleges wanting him, he also has a book published called "Ranketology". By the middle of his senior year, he was then writing for K-States website and soon the Sunflower League football blog. I think it's safe to say that his legacy will always be remembered here at Olathe Northwest. Johnny Carver is an all around prodigious person. I wish to fill his role as a writer, and to someday be just as successful as he is.