Spring 2021
For the first seven weeks of the semester, I got the chance to fill in as lead morning producer two to three days a week. In my opinion, one of the best parts of it was producing the 6 a.m. hour - specifically KOMU 8 News Today's Nonstop News Segment. This segment is 15 minutes long, and on this particular day it included a live interview with a local superintendent. I'm really proud of the way this one came together and how well we stayed on time!
My reel consists mostly of election coverage, with another example of team coverage on an issue that continues to be important to parents during the pandemic, extra teases and an example of how I like to include nat sounds in my shows. Excited for a semester of feedback as I begin the job search!
Fall 2020
I feel so lucky to have worked both on Election Day and the same day Biden was declared President-Elect and Harris VP-Elect. I scripted and edited together this cold open package with the help of our PA, drawing elements from national coverage and our different local reactions to the news. While I focused the A block on Biden’s address and the different local elements our reporters were able to piece together, I wanted to use the B block as a chance to show how the different reactions were playing out nationwide.
This is one of those days I'm going to remember for my whole career. I got to the station at 12 p.m. with mostly excitement, but also a lot of nerves. It meant so much to me to be trusted with a dayside show on Election Day. One of my favorite things about the 6 p.m. show is the templated headlines, and I chose to really have some fun with them. I cannot remember any show before Election Day where I had four live shots. I am very proud that the only hiccups were a technical issue from a reporter's mic cutting out, and two cues that were only a second too early. I ended up staying until 2 a.m. that morning to help with other things around the station, and I can honestly say the 14-hour shift was worth it.
I got to work on KOMU's morning show after the first presidential debate. Due to the differences seen in this debate from past ones, I took it as an opportunity to write a recap for our viewers. It was challenging to pick the right bites and ensure each candidate was given equal time, but I think what really made this pop was the different production elements with the file boxes and the snappiness of the little segment.
Summer 2020
Our newsroom found out about Governor Parson declaring a state of emergency 30 minutes before our 10 p.m. newscast began. This shows my ability to stay calm and write well under pressure. It also shows my quick thinking since I moved things around last minute to make sure it all still flowed and went well together. Looking back on it, one thing I wish I would I have done is create a quote graphic, so I could have used that as well as the PC.
This show represents many firsts for me. First time with weather as the top headline, doing boxes in a headline, having a field anchor, having this many production elements and cueing one person for several minutes. There was a lot of unique decision making, communication and strategizing that went into this A block and I'm so proud of the way it turned out!
Spring 2020
I remember these newscasts very well. COVID-19 had just started making its way to Missouri, during a time when the words "presumptive positive" were still being used. Here are the A-blocks from the shows I produced on 3/12 and 3/13. The first A-block was a team effort on all accounts. The EP, another producer who was training me, and myself all worked together to ensure it went smoothly, especially after our A-block went from about 8 minutes to 11 after Governor Parson's press conference. My goal during the pandemic has always been to spread facts and not fear, which I think can be seen these newscasts.
Fall 2019
This semester I was lucky enough to work as an Assistant Producer at KOMU on the Thursday nightside shift. I worked with many different producers and each of them taught me so much! This video is a culmination of our combined efforts and I can't wait to create a reel in the spring that is all my own work.
I produced the 9 p.m. on 11/21 with Jack Lee. I wrote national stories, helped stack the show, wrote all of the teases, wrote the kicker, gave the anchors talking points for the chatter after the kicker, put break times into iNEWS and sat in the booth to help communicate any changes to anchors during the live show.
