Category Archives: Multimedia Workshop

The New Sock ’em Boppers

There were two images in my head when we were told that we were going to play bubble soccer: hamster balls and bubble wrap. I am pleased to say that it was a mixture of both. Students climbed into a partially hollowed out ball, strapped themselves in, and gripped the handles in front of their faces in hopes that their faces wouldn’t sustain any injuries.

After that, we were told to “Go loose.”

As high school students do after a long day of sitting down and receiving information, we did. Within seconds of being in the bubbles, there was someone on the floor.

We sprinted across the gym in the student center and met in the middle, slamming our bubbles against each other and ricocheted five feet back from the point of impact.

One student volunteered to be a shark and the rest of us avoided him like the plague.

The next game was King of the Hill, in which we all clustered in a box and were told, “Don’t fall outside of the lines!” One by one, students were knocked over the lines until two of us were left: me and the college student who rammed into people without mercy.

We went on to play several more games: human bowling, soccer, paparazzi, and so on. It was one of my favorite things out of the whole camp experience.

Now, an explanation for the name of this entry. Sometimes, the best way to end a conflict is to just duke it out a little bit. However, the problem with that is the “duking it out” part. The goal is to avoid injuries, so why not just throw the offended/offending parties in some bubbles and tell them what we were told, “Go loose!”

And thus, the new Sock ‘em Boppers are born.

Students tour KDKA studios

Interactive Multimedia Storytelling students received a behind the scenes tour of Pittsburgh’s KDKA studios on Wednesday July 19.  

Students met KDKA’s noon time anchor Kristine Sorenson to watch the live taping of the noon news and then tour.  Students watched the live taping from a set of bleachers that gave a view of the entire studio.  They got to witness how fast the anchors and producers have to change the show when something unexpected happens.

After the taping, students toured the studio, the control room, a second studio, and the office areas.  Kristine Sorenson also took time to talk about her job.  She explained the amount of work that goes into each show and how to get into the broadcasting field.

The tour concluded with an open question and answer session with Kristine Sorenson.

Many a false step is made by standing still.

Many people believe by not moving forward you can’t make a mistake. Sometimes not trying anything is the biggest mistake. Doing nothing will get you nowhere in life so you have to take action. A prime example is by thinking and wanting to get a job won’t get you a job unless you take action and apply or look for a job. Dreaming about getting fit won’t make you fit unless you actually work out. Will Rogers once said “Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” This quote sends the same message to the reader.

 

Never Give Up

The documentary “The Secret” explains how to achieve success in life. In short, the secret is the law of attraction.

When people hit a rough spot in the life, the easiest thing to do is complain. “It’s too hard,” someone might say. “I can’t do it.”

Suddenly, it’s as if you can’t. A wall was built between you and your dreams—and you’re the one who built it.

The greatest thing about progress is that oftentimes, it’s a state of mind.

The secret is actually quite simple, and a whole lot easier than you may think.

If you want good things to come into your life, speak those things into existence. Say what you want aloud. Let yourself hear it. Then go get it.

Believe you can and you will.

No, it won’t always be easy. No, it won’t always come quickly. But the first step in achieving what you’re reaching towards, is simply reaching towards it.

It is much wiser to take advice than to give it

Wilson Mizner said, “To profit from good advice requires more wisdom than to give it.” This quote means, rather than giving advice, to get advice from others and take it.

This quote means to help yourself before helping others. If you worry so much about other people, nothing but pain will be brought to youself. You will always be worrying about others and not yourself, which will not help you feel better and it will not help you feel better.

More times than not, taking advice can make you go out of your comfort zone. But that will be most helpful. It can cause you to learn all kinds of things you never thought you would because you are doing something you never thought you would.

Doing something that you never have before brings a whole new point of view to your eyes.

“Many receive advice, only the wise profit from it,” Harper Lee once said.

2 Days In Pittsburgh(Continued)

I felt after the first day of wonder and amazement that nothing would be able to surprise me, as usual I was wrong. When my still tired eyes flew over the scheduled today and I saw that we were going to the Penguins Arena I was hooked and my energy levels where up. Before that I got some legendary teaching about journalism. Things I never even new about. Before I just thought that you take a couple pictures and write a couple lines and big bang boom you have got an article. Now whenever I read the paper I can fully appreciate the work that these journalist do. Even when I just had to write a small article I my brain was fried. Now I realize that these journalist do not just make on article but thousands every year day after day without end.

Then after a hearty lunch we went on to the main event the tour of the Arena. It was an odd feeling being at that place and there was no hockey being played not even ice in the arena. It was being taken down for a concert. Then we got some helpful tips from the great Tom McMillian his job seemed like a one that would be very tough but he seemed to love every bit of it. Even with the switch between the Console Energy to Pittsburgh Paints in the middle of the year he still loves his job. He gave us helpful tips and quotes like “find yourself through your job” and “you must have a thick skin in this business.” We even got to go down to the hallowed halls were greats have walked and see the area where they play and where they walk before a game.Also having the privileged of seeing Mario Lemieux  equipment and many awards. It was truly awe inspiring and a great day in the city.

 

Fortune Cookies

When the paperwork I received in the mail said “Guest Speakers”, I’m not sure what I expected to see at the workshop. But we have been fortunate enough to meet journalists, professors, alumni, and current students, which has given me the opportunity to immerse myself in the Point Park University and Journalism atmosphere.

On day one, we met former students and professors who gave us insight to the skills that are crucial for a good journalist. Andrew Conte taught us how to interview in a way that allows us to get to the information we need. He told us to, “Wade through the noise” in regard to fake news comments and things that are impertinent to our story.

The second speaker of the day was a photojournalism student that gave us a brief run through on good photography from a journalistic standpoint. We made our way to the Duquesne Incline and Mount Washington to utilize our new skills and capture some breathtaking shots of the city.

By the end of the day, we all still had a plethora of energy that was used on games of spoons, spit, Cards Against Humanity, and a mini movie night in dorm 304.

Day two began with a 9AM workshop on composition of writing and more interviewing skills. Mr. Grande, while I do remember more of your talk, the thing that sticks out to me most is “Comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.”

We also went to PPG Paints Arena to do an abbreviated tour of the arena, led by Tom McMillan. He told us that a good sports journalist can’t just love sports, they have to love the work that comes with it.

“Pick a job that fits your personality… find out who you are.”

2 days in Pittsburgh

Just two days in the Pittsburgh downtown area and the memory in my phone is almost full. It is in times like these when I wish I had a 2nd phone and better sight so I would be able to capture and appreciate this city to the fullest extent.

The first day my lenses in my phone did not seem large enough as I tried to capture the view off of Mt. Washington. The view was breathtaking(as well was looking down over the railing). Truly if you were a traveler coming to Pittsburgh this is the best way to see what our city is all about. The way the sun glisten off the water and the downtown buildings it making the whole city shine like  a diamond. The way the billowing white clouds streched over the rolling hills of green made you feel as if someone had made this image just for you, and how the blue sky seemed to be watching over all of this completing the picture making you feel part of a whole.  I couldn’t help feeling sad as we were leaving and as I looked out the back of the window and hearing the familiar click clacking of the incline I couldn’t help but want to run back as if the sound was calling my name inviting me back to serenity and peace.