Ottawa police officer murdered... RIP, heaven has another blue angel.
http://ping.fm/9a2mb
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Thanks to Omar Ha-Redeye for setting up my interview with CFRB1010am on the Jim Richard's show... On my Law Is Cool article http://ping.fm/ILCeu
Thursday, October 15, 2009
UWO student arrested yesterday. Justified Arrest or Abuse of Power... you decide.
http://ping.fm/k7Pdn
http://ping.fm/k7Pdn
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Transition
Well, I've decided to keep this alive, and well as you can see, I've changed the format a little. I guess it is in accordance with my change of school paths.
I hope to keep this updated with regular posts.
Stay tuned for as things progress in my law school career.
I hope to keep this updated with regular posts.
Stay tuned for as things progress in my law school career.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Last Post...
Well for all of my loyal followers, I have some bad news.
This will be my last post here I am no longer in the UWO MA - Journalism program.
I am changing programs as I have the opportunity to fulfil a life long dream of attending law school. Thus, I will be attending UWO Law starting in Sept.
Thanks for tuning in...
This will be my last post here I am no longer in the UWO MA - Journalism program.
I am changing programs as I have the opportunity to fulfil a life long dream of attending law school. Thus, I will be attending UWO Law starting in Sept.
Thanks for tuning in...
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
TV Story Complete
Well after two hard days of work, my first original piece is now done!
With the help of my classmates Anna and Andrea, we were able to shoot, edit, and pull this thing together. Tomorrow is d-day in front of the class so we shall see how it is received.
My story was on the Special Olympics of London. It was a bit of a cheater topic for me, but one I felt very compelled to do. Why a cheater? Well I am a coach with the London Special Olympics "B" soccer team. But this is a story that is not told enough, so any chance I can to promote this amazing group of athletes I take.
I chose to cover how the athletes are training for the Ontario Summer Games. After discussing this with Cliff Lonsdale, one of our profs for the TV section, he said I need more focus. So I chose to focus it in on a special athlete and his specific preparations.
Gary Gray, 59, has been involved with the Special Olympics for over 25 years and 10 with the soccer team. He is part of the "C" team that is going to Windsor to represent the Forest City. He is contemplating retirement at the end of the outdoor season, but I have sneaking feeling that he'll be back for the indoor year.
Shooting went well, but we battled a setting sun and intrigued athletes who were all more than willing to make their on-camera debut. All went great and after a couple hours we walked out with about 25 minutes of footage, that needed to be trimmed down to around 90 seconds.
I did the shot listing and laid down the voice to pictures this afternoon. I began to cut, paste, edit, and re-edit, and in the end, I had just over 90 seconds of story!
I definitely realized how difficult it is to shoot sports stories with one camera among other things.
That brings our TV rotation to a close, and ON TO RADIO! At this point in time, I'm not all that thrilled about radio, but open mind and open heart.
I'll post again about the feed back I get tomorrow
With the help of my classmates Anna and Andrea, we were able to shoot, edit, and pull this thing together. Tomorrow is d-day in front of the class so we shall see how it is received.
My story was on the Special Olympics of London. It was a bit of a cheater topic for me, but one I felt very compelled to do. Why a cheater? Well I am a coach with the London Special Olympics "B" soccer team. But this is a story that is not told enough, so any chance I can to promote this amazing group of athletes I take.
I chose to cover how the athletes are training for the Ontario Summer Games. After discussing this with Cliff Lonsdale, one of our profs for the TV section, he said I need more focus. So I chose to focus it in on a special athlete and his specific preparations.
Gary Gray, 59, has been involved with the Special Olympics for over 25 years and 10 with the soccer team. He is part of the "C" team that is going to Windsor to represent the Forest City. He is contemplating retirement at the end of the outdoor season, but I have sneaking feeling that he'll be back for the indoor year.
Shooting went well, but we battled a setting sun and intrigued athletes who were all more than willing to make their on-camera debut. All went great and after a couple hours we walked out with about 25 minutes of footage, that needed to be trimmed down to around 90 seconds.
I did the shot listing and laid down the voice to pictures this afternoon. I began to cut, paste, edit, and re-edit, and in the end, I had just over 90 seconds of story!
I definitely realized how difficult it is to shoot sports stories with one camera among other things.
That brings our TV rotation to a close, and ON TO RADIO! At this point in time, I'm not all that thrilled about radio, but open mind and open heart.
I'll post again about the feed back I get tomorrow
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
MJ
Well, as an aspiring journalist I'm feeling like I should comment on the recent death of Michael Jackson.
It's been a little over week since the "King of Pop" died at his home in California. While the circumstances are still cloudy, one thing is not - the media frenzy that has erupted over his life, death, rumours, and subsequent funeral.
While I was never a fan of MJ's, I can appreciate the strides he provided, and boundaries he broke for music around the world. He was undoubtedly a musical talent that is on par with Elvis, The Beatles, and talents of my generation (Gen X) Nirvana.
Perhaps its the former police officer in me, but I have always been amazed with how society seems to forget the misgivings of people as soon as they take their last breath. While the celebratory nature of a funeral is just that - a celebration of their life - however, in my opinion the rose-coloured glasses should only be worn by the family and friends.
The media has a duty to report on everything, to seek the truth, and to present this person as they were: A musical phenom, eccentric, odd duck, and drug addict among other things. The fact that his "tribute" was being shown on no less than five TV stations and ALL major news channels is understandable, but the complete bias that was shown is not.
It reminds me of when I was a police officer. The murder of a Toronto teen, Jordan Manners, at his school shocked the GTA and sent officials and media alike into a frenzy about school safety. What was not reported and is known probably only to the police community is a completely different story. One where he is painted in a competely different and dark light. But that will never be reported on, however.
The send off MJ received rivals that of Princess Diana, somebody who actually deserved the kind of worldwide publicity that they received.
Now that the funeral is done, I hope we can all put this one to rest, and let MJ do the same. Alas, that will not occur. There will be intense coverage as the fight for his children, estate, and cause of death is unwrapped every day there is a new development.
The journalistic community needs to take a step back in situations like this and really examine what they are reporting on, and in the end they too need to take off their rose-coloured glasses
It's been a little over week since the "King of Pop" died at his home in California. While the circumstances are still cloudy, one thing is not - the media frenzy that has erupted over his life, death, rumours, and subsequent funeral.
While I was never a fan of MJ's, I can appreciate the strides he provided, and boundaries he broke for music around the world. He was undoubtedly a musical talent that is on par with Elvis, The Beatles, and talents of my generation (Gen X) Nirvana.
Perhaps its the former police officer in me, but I have always been amazed with how society seems to forget the misgivings of people as soon as they take their last breath. While the celebratory nature of a funeral is just that - a celebration of their life - however, in my opinion the rose-coloured glasses should only be worn by the family and friends.
The media has a duty to report on everything, to seek the truth, and to present this person as they were: A musical phenom, eccentric, odd duck, and drug addict among other things. The fact that his "tribute" was being shown on no less than five TV stations and ALL major news channels is understandable, but the complete bias that was shown is not.
It reminds me of when I was a police officer. The murder of a Toronto teen, Jordan Manners, at his school shocked the GTA and sent officials and media alike into a frenzy about school safety. What was not reported and is known probably only to the police community is a completely different story. One where he is painted in a competely different and dark light. But that will never be reported on, however.
The send off MJ received rivals that of Princess Diana, somebody who actually deserved the kind of worldwide publicity that they received.
Now that the funeral is done, I hope we can all put this one to rest, and let MJ do the same. Alas, that will not occur. There will be intense coverage as the fight for his children, estate, and cause of death is unwrapped every day there is a new development.
The journalistic community needs to take a step back in situations like this and really examine what they are reporting on, and in the end they too need to take off their rose-coloured glasses
Friday, July 3, 2009
Editing editing editing...
Well TV is now in full force. After the first couple days of getting to know the camera and equipment and then testing those skills, we have been tasked with a new challenge, writing for pictures. This is essentially when you for example shoot a soccer game. You want to tell the story of that game, so back at the editing suite you put it all together and THEN you write a script for your story.
It becomes painfully obvious that you have written a script first and THEN put pictures to the words. Don't ask me how, but it is just kind of obvious.
Our last few assignments have been trying to write for pictures and to make that script follow the story of the pictures without going into too much detail explaining them. Why is this? Well because the pictures are supposed to tell the story and if you become overly descriptive, well move down the hall and park yourself in one of the radio booths.
We have also been assigned our large story where we are to come up with a newsy idea and then make a 60-90 second story.
That's all for now.
It becomes painfully obvious that you have written a script first and THEN put pictures to the words. Don't ask me how, but it is just kind of obvious.
Our last few assignments have been trying to write for pictures and to make that script follow the story of the pictures without going into too much detail explaining them. Why is this? Well because the pictures are supposed to tell the story and if you become overly descriptive, well move down the hall and park yourself in one of the radio booths.
We have also been assigned our large story where we are to come up with a newsy idea and then make a 60-90 second story.
That's all for now.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Clipping It Together
Yesterday, we were given an assignment that required us to piece together various scenes in order to tell a story. I was given the sailboat clip, so after watching a couple set sail for the open ocean, I had to try to figure out how to arrange the scenes to make a 1 minute news piece on how they had left their jobs and are setting sail on destinations unknown.
I showed up this morning after we were given a time to arrive so I could record a voice track for my 1 minute clip. I have to say, once again, I was surprised with how difficult it is to record sound for pictures.
After 5 takes I was done and ready to start piecing it together. Along with my awesome editor Shannon, we were able to knit all my scenes together and complete the project in the allotted time.
Not bad for a first attempt. If I can grab the clip and put it up I will.
I showed up this morning after we were given a time to arrive so I could record a voice track for my 1 minute clip. I have to say, once again, I was surprised with how difficult it is to record sound for pictures.
After 5 takes I was done and ready to start piecing it together. Along with my awesome editor Shannon, we were able to knit all my scenes together and complete the project in the allotted time.
Not bad for a first attempt. If I can grab the clip and put it up I will.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
On to TV...
After a barrage of assignments in both our Print and Research Methods class (including two more speech stories, and a weekend story for Print; a number of in-depth looks at various topics for RM), I have now moved on to television.
A nice transition I would say.
Our first couple days have started at the pace we left in print, at a feverish pace. We were out on the street the first day filming, and learning how to piece together various shots to make a story with pictures. This is much harder than it works and there is so much that needs to be taken into consideration while doing this.
I also have a tremendous amount of respect for those reporters in the field who are doing stand-up at the location of their story. I think it took me about 15 takes to spit out 4 sentences about how the Faculty of Information and Media Studies (FIMS) is moving to either the Services Building or Ivey in the coming years.
I am now on a bit of a break from our latest assignment. Learning how to write for pictures. I have been given the task of making a story out of about 4 minutes of random shots of a couple on a sailboat.
That's the latest update... Still enjoying the program and the new learning experience is quite challenging!
A nice transition I would say.
Our first couple days have started at the pace we left in print, at a feverish pace. We were out on the street the first day filming, and learning how to piece together various shots to make a story with pictures. This is much harder than it works and there is so much that needs to be taken into consideration while doing this.
I also have a tremendous amount of respect for those reporters in the field who are doing stand-up at the location of their story. I think it took me about 15 takes to spit out 4 sentences about how the Faculty of Information and Media Studies (FIMS) is moving to either the Services Building or Ivey in the coming years.
I am now on a bit of a break from our latest assignment. Learning how to write for pictures. I have been given the task of making a story out of about 4 minutes of random shots of a couple on a sailboat.
That's the latest update... Still enjoying the program and the new learning experience is quite challenging!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Enterprise Story...
Well, our major assignment in print is now out of the way.
I was fortunate enough to focus my assignment on London's new amateur soccer team: FC London. The United Soccer League's Premier Development League team is scoring throngs of fans in their debut season.
I was fortunate enough to meet and interview President/CEO Ian Campbell. We talked about the process of bringing the team to London and what it is doing for youth soccer in London. My impression of Campbell is that he is a very well spoken and driven to succeed. I think I was most impressed with the simple fact that he is doing this to further youth soccer and because he loves the game!
I then met up with two of the players, who also happen to be London natives. After discussing the benefits of FC London to youth soccer, I moved on and spoke with some members of London's youth soccer clubs.
In the end, I think it was a great set of interviews and I am quite happy to see this team come to our town. I think the benefits that will be brought to youth soccer will pay off immensely, and it will help to keep local talent in London.
I was fortunate enough to focus my assignment on London's new amateur soccer team: FC London. The United Soccer League's Premier Development League team is scoring throngs of fans in their debut season.
I was fortunate enough to meet and interview President/CEO Ian Campbell. We talked about the process of bringing the team to London and what it is doing for youth soccer in London. My impression of Campbell is that he is a very well spoken and driven to succeed. I think I was most impressed with the simple fact that he is doing this to further youth soccer and because he loves the game!
I then met up with two of the players, who also happen to be London natives. After discussing the benefits of FC London to youth soccer, I moved on and spoke with some members of London's youth soccer clubs.
In the end, I think it was a great set of interviews and I am quite happy to see this team come to our town. I think the benefits that will be brought to youth soccer will pay off immensely, and it will help to keep local talent in London.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Wow...
Well, since my last post ALMOST A MONTH AGO (yikes sorry!), things have picked up considerably in school.
I would also like to apologize for not writing more, no real excuse, but my computer DID break on me. It took me a week to fix and load all the programs back on. So, now that I'm back up and running, I hope to post more frequently.
We are now running on full cylinders in our two courses (Jour 9700- Print and Jour 9702- Research Methods). As well we are being given assignments in the form of stories and research assignments at what has become a furious pace.
I will put up a few more posts to try and catch the essence of what we have gone through in the last few weeks.
Cheers.
I would also like to apologize for not writing more, no real excuse, but my computer DID break on me. It took me a week to fix and load all the programs back on. So, now that I'm back up and running, I hope to post more frequently.
We are now running on full cylinders in our two courses (Jour 9700- Print and Jour 9702- Research Methods). As well we are being given assignments in the form of stories and research assignments at what has become a furious pace.
I will put up a few more posts to try and catch the essence of what we have gone through in the last few weeks.
Cheers.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Slacking...
Since I am new at this blogging scene, I have been neglecting my blogs due to nice weather and of course May 2-4, which oddly enough came quite early this year.
I will report back tomorrow when I have a little more time to rattle out a few more details.
I will report back tomorrow when I have a little more time to rattle out a few more details.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Embassy Hotel in flames
Last night as I was driving downtown with my fiancée to take the dogs for a walk I noticed that distinctive trail of black smoke floating across the London skyline. So, as any good aspiring journalist, I followed my lead (pun completely intended). I ended up at Lyle and Dundas Streets where I was diverted by London Police. Although I was completely unprepared to write a story about the fire, I was pleased by my persistence to follow the smoke trail. My fiancée was not so impressed, however. That all changed when we were able to see flames shooting out of the roof and two large London Fire Department trucks spraying water on the charred building.
It is too bad we are not a little further into the term as this would make for a great story. When I was reading The London Free Press this morning, I learned that the building has recently been sold and is slated for a future condo development. The potential for some interesting twists is a distinct possibility!
It is too bad we are not a little further into the term as this would make for a great story. When I was reading The London Free Press this morning, I learned that the building has recently been sold and is slated for a future condo development. The potential for some interesting twists is a distinct possibility!
First Three Classes
In our first two JOUR - 9700 (Print) classes we have been tested twice on whether we are staying current with the news. I look forward to these tests and it will definitely force me to read ALL of the paper and not just the first section and sports scores from the night before.
Today we began learning about our new best friend. The library. Since returning to school (two years ago to take distance courses) I have been fortunate enough to avoid the library, but now I feel that I am going to become intimately acquainted with the large concrete building known as D.B. Weldon.
Another night of no homework or assignments. While I am anticipating learning about journalism, I am graciously thankful for these quiet nights. I know they will become few and far between in the upcoming months.
Today we began learning about our new best friend. The library. Since returning to school (two years ago to take distance courses) I have been fortunate enough to avoid the library, but now I feel that I am going to become intimately acquainted with the large concrete building known as D.B. Weldon.
Another night of no homework or assignments. While I am anticipating learning about journalism, I am graciously thankful for these quiet nights. I know they will become few and far between in the upcoming months.
Orientation is done, let the school work begin
With orientation and the first few days of class behind us, the class of 2010 is starting to settle into a groove with lectures and assignments starting to roll out.
In the first three days of class this week we have been reintroduced the basics of grammar and the basics of grammar for journalistic writing. First and foremost, we learned that our first priority is to the reader and not to our future employer. Initially this seems to be confusing, but when you look at the big picture and to who journalists are writing for (the readers), it makes perfect sense.
As future journalists we are now expected to be news savvy. As a result, we are expected to stay on top of the happenings in London, Ontario through our daily local The London Free Press but we are to know what is the top stories from the rest of Canada and globally. We will be staying informed through The Globe & Mail. I have to say that although I love the news, I do not read the newspaper, I am an addict of news channels such as CP24 and CTVNewsnet. I will have to expand how I take in the information and get up and extra hour early and read the papers every morning.
I am thoroughly enjoying going to class everyday, which is a departure from my undergraduate days. I am learning much about a culture and profession which I know little about. The future is exciting, and I eagerly look forward to learning the "ins" and "outs" of print, broadcast, and radio.
In the first three days of class this week we have been reintroduced the basics of grammar and the basics of grammar for journalistic writing. First and foremost, we learned that our first priority is to the reader and not to our future employer. Initially this seems to be confusing, but when you look at the big picture and to who journalists are writing for (the readers), it makes perfect sense.
As future journalists we are now expected to be news savvy. As a result, we are expected to stay on top of the happenings in London, Ontario through our daily local The London Free Press but we are to know what is the top stories from the rest of Canada and globally. We will be staying informed through The Globe & Mail. I have to say that although I love the news, I do not read the newspaper, I am an addict of news channels such as CP24 and CTVNewsnet. I will have to expand how I take in the information and get up and extra hour early and read the papers every morning.
I am thoroughly enjoying going to class everyday, which is a departure from my undergraduate days. I am learning much about a culture and profession which I know little about. The future is exciting, and I eagerly look forward to learning the "ins" and "outs" of print, broadcast, and radio.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
First Blog EVER!
First off, welcome!
This is my first attempt at a blog and my first post. So if you're tuning in, I hope to keep this updated on a fairly regular basis while I am going through the trials and tribulations of the University of Western Ontario's (UWO)- Journalism School.
Well after attending my first day of my Master's program in Journalism I have to say, I AM EXCITED! The group of people that have been paired together for this 2010 stream seem outstanding.
So, what can you expect from me here? Consider this (your) the reader's bill of rights.
- I will try to give a full and comprehensive account of my experiences at UWO's Journalism school.
- I will not blog about gossip or "real" people unless they have given me permission to do so. Gossip is fine, we all do it. I love TMZ as much as the next person, however, this blog is not proper forum for it.
- I will provide as much information about what it is like to be a journalism student.
- I will attempt to keep this updated as regularly as possible... keep in mind that I am in school, so if I'm not around for a little bit, it's because I have been completing my student journalistic duties.
I think that is all the rights you will have. Any suggestions, please pass them on. I hope a little bit of sarcasm is showing through.
Now the big question. Print, or should I say, text. Radio. Or Broadcast? I entered the program like many others with a mind set on print. As I sat in class I had already discounted radio, however, the passion of our professors with the radio stream resonated with me and I will definitely have to keep my opinions and options open.
I think that is all for today. It has been a long few days. I will try to fill in some more details tomorrow.
This is my first attempt at a blog and my first post. So if you're tuning in, I hope to keep this updated on a fairly regular basis while I am going through the trials and tribulations of the University of Western Ontario's (UWO)- Journalism School.
Well after attending my first day of my Master's program in Journalism I have to say, I AM EXCITED! The group of people that have been paired together for this 2010 stream seem outstanding.
So, what can you expect from me here? Consider this (your) the reader's bill of rights.
- I will try to give a full and comprehensive account of my experiences at UWO's Journalism school.
- I will not blog about gossip or "real" people unless they have given me permission to do so. Gossip is fine, we all do it. I love TMZ as much as the next person, however, this blog is not proper forum for it.
- I will provide as much information about what it is like to be a journalism student.
- I will attempt to keep this updated as regularly as possible... keep in mind that I am in school, so if I'm not around for a little bit, it's because I have been completing my student journalistic duties.
I think that is all the rights you will have. Any suggestions, please pass them on. I hope a little bit of sarcasm is showing through.
Now the big question. Print, or should I say, text. Radio. Or Broadcast? I entered the program like many others with a mind set on print. As I sat in class I had already discounted radio, however, the passion of our professors with the radio stream resonated with me and I will definitely have to keep my opinions and options open.
I think that is all for today. It has been a long few days. I will try to fill in some more details tomorrow.
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