1st session, complete writing of Live shot & pkg @ Tenn VOLS Prospect baseball camp . Lesson taking the story Full Circle. 2nd session, Jackson assigned to take hand written notes/ story structure & translate into TV Script form with the added element of actually making an iMovie of this story. Challenge is in finding video to fill in all words trying to cover! “Testing in Progress” (last 20 minutes of class on his own testing to see if he can complete scripting on him)
Assignment
Search for home movies / videos of Jackson & VOLS recruit brother
Session Minutes
90
Minutes Student Attended
90
Lesson Comments
Jackson is locked-in, focused and really impressive in his absorbing of lessons and growing in his actual skill set. Jackson's ability to departmentalize all which currently swirls in his life and walk into class and focus, learn, create on the spot, in the moment under pressure from me (creating newsroom atmosphere to a small degree) is really good. Jackson is very coachable!
Writing Live pkg Tenn VOLS. What's an "Angle"? What's Unique? What's different about YOU being a Reporter @ this event where your brother is participating and you are a prospect? Therein you find a angle, your unique angle and tell sports fans something they're not expecting, educate what such an event is all about and have some fun as only brothers can. Jackson dives right into writing his report.
Assignment
Think about story lay-out
Session Minutes
45
Minutes Student Attended
45
Lesson Comments
Jackson is impressively engaged and absorbs lessons quickly
LIVE Reporting: Tenn. VOLS Baseball Camp Experience
Lesson Outline
Jackson All-Star Day in the classroom! Focused, connected, alert, absorbing in lessons and creative under pressure. After discussing what's "NEWs" / current events, we begin structuring a fictional Live Reporting Event re: his experience at his younger brothers Tenn. VOLS baseball camp. Miller was supposed to record a on-cam 'stand up' @ Knoxville but snow altered access. He did write it so Jackson was assigned to tell / build-out the story from there. We shot Look Live intro and tags @ Batt school yard & created fictional sound bites from VOLS coaches & players attending. Jackson's ability to focus despite a whirlwind of activity in his life with baseball & brothers is impressive. Miller joyfully exclaims "Hey, I'm getting good at this!"
Assignment
Complete VOLS Live Reporting packaging writing about Parents financial commitment to make showcase possible.
Session Minutes
90
Minutes Student Attended
90
Lesson Comments
By far Jackson's best day in class. Totally connected throughout the 90 minutes. Even his questions about subject matter, baseball & life are sincere. His comprehension is advanced. His 'coachability' is outstanding. No doubt, my choice to design topics which are relatable to his paramount interest creates the desired connection to learning and advancing but Jackson is a sharp kid who isn't afraid to be challenged. I enjoy watching his mental wheels turn when I ask him to think beyond the obvious and create content which is unique, as only he can tell it from his perspective--and in this case @ the VOLS, access. Grand Slam day for Jackson Miller!
TV Scripting Continues, + Review local espn interview we prep for last Friday
Lesson Outline
A major prerequisite for journalists is to be up to the minute, hour, day on current events. This brings Jackson and I to review the local radio interview we formatted for last Friday. Jackson not only executed flawlessly, shared insightful comments and expressed his personality, I advised him to share it with every team. Whoever drafts him wants to know the investments is in a sound kid who can be the face of the franchise.
Session Two today: TV Scripting finish homework as he quickly absorbs concepts on video shot descriptions and cues for production staff (fonts, shot sequence etc). Jackson was on his "A" game in today's double-header of classes. Impressive.
Assignment
Univ. of Tennessee @ Knoxville baseball camp. Jackson files Report
Session Minutes
90
Minutes Student Attended
90
Lesson Comments
Outstanding engagement on every level today by Jackson. See above breakdown of topics. Truly impressive. Jackson is a 'quick study' which means he is very coachable. Jackson is traveling with his mom & brother to Knoxville, TN to Univ. of Tennessee baseball camp. I gave him the homework assignment of not just attending but to file a report with the 5 W's, a unique angle etc. Jackson eagerly accepted the challenge. Without question Jackson best day ever in class!
Introduction to TV Scripting, Structure, Direction and the Why
Lesson Outline
Introduction to TV Scripts, after New Year's recap & storytelling of headline! Jackson is in attendance and pretty engaged. Illustrate & describe basic TV Scripts structure (Half Audio, Half Video) and the why. Engage in conceptual identification of what he sees on sportscaster & news so he can recognize the elements and better absorb learning.
Homework, write Video side of every shot in Feature="I get it, I know...I got it!"
Assignment
Homework, write Video side of every shot in Feature="I get it, I know...I got it!"
Session Minutes
90
Minutes Student Attended
90
Lesson Comments
Jackson was pretty engaged until about halfway through second session. He became visibly distant & no longer able to exhibit concentration. I let it ride given two new factors: a) Jackson reveals his parents just announced they are divorcing. This decision also impacts his baseball contacts, informing them to no longer contact his father. b) Jackson has another tryout tomorrow Saturday in Port Charlotte with the Tampa Bay Rays. Two pretty heavy thoughts not to mention the impact on his three younger brothers.
Introduction to TV Scripting, Structure, Direction and the Why
Lesson Outline
Sports Broadcasting lesson today: Introduction to TV Scripts, after New Years recap & storytelling of headline!
Jackson was a no show
Assignment
carry over
Session Minutes
45
Minutes Student Attended
0
Lesson Comments
Did not get any notice, reason for Jackson's absence. Upon leaving I learned his Mom texted in to say he would be attending today, just later. Too late for this session. I waited to greet him back for what promises to be an exciting 20204 for him.
Jackson Miller was a No-Show. No explanation given.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Assignment
Watch News Coverage & determine Accuracy or Agenda or both?
Session Minutes
45
Minutes Student Attended
0
Lesson Comments
Jackson was a no-show again. No reason given by the time I left. I stay the two sessions but only charge for one because I believe last week I had an extra 45:00 minutes in the totals. If I didn't put in for an additional hour? Well, Merry Christmas :)
How News Networks Cover current events. Agenda vs. Accuracy vs. Activism
Lesson Outline
Sports lesson today: Jackson recovers from being sick, we talk current events & how News covers events. Then finish feature story. Record fictitious "Live Shot on cam intros in 2nd session. Jackson does a nice job with notes.
Assignment
Review "Live Shot" recording and consider how he could improve
Session Minutes
90
Minutes Student Attended
90
Lesson Comments
Man, this kid is fun to teach when he is present and engaged. Sports lesson today: recovers from being sick, we talk current events & how News covers events. Then finish feature story. Record Live Shot on cam intros in 2nd session
