Monday, December 12, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Blog
Personal News Gathering Process….
This week I had stories that lent themselves to man on the street interviews. I had plenty of challenges getting people to talk, but when you get someone to give you a great sound bite there are few things more rewarding.
I did a story on local’s reaction to Herman Cain’s 9-9-9 tax plan. I got video from his debate and an interview from business professor, but then had to get some random interviews. I went to downtown Columbia and people were hesitant to talk to me. I went to coffee shops and stood on street corners asking for interviews. I got about 5 interviews and had no one who was for the new tax system. Just as I was about to pack up and head to the station I found a man who was in favor of the 9-9-9 plan and got some great sound. I was so happy I stayed for the extra half hour and finally found what my story needed to be balanced.
I did another story this past week on how smartphones can assist with holiday shopping. I needed to interview shoppers on how they used their smartphones if at all. I had no less trouble this time, because I learned from the Herman Cain story. It is like anything in life, increase your numbers and you will increase your odds. It’s all about asking a bunch of people and hoping a few of those say yes.
Journalistic Reflection…
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Blog
Personal Newsgathering Process…
This week I debuted one of my favorite characters “Where’s Bondo.” This is an idea I have had for a long time and always wanted to do, but never found the right time. This week I was lucky enough to do a live shot for the U News @ 4 show on Halloween. Local Fulton businesses and organizations held a trick-or-treat event in the afternoon on Halloween. That is where I did my live shot via skype and I went in costume. I sold my producers on the idea and went in a “Where’s Waldo” costume. This was a great experience and not something I get to do everyday.
Days like Monday are why I am a journalist. I hate monotony in anything and especially in a job. Journalism may make me go gray early, but I will never tell the same story twice. I love the excitement of coming into the newsroom and having no idea what the day may bring me. If I do have expectations for the day they are usually off base. Some days it goes as plan and those are nice too, but I’ll never stray away from an adventure.
Journalistic Reflection…
It is almost an oxymoron to get news from Comedy Central, but John Stuart and Steven Colbert do some legitimate reporting. One of John Stuart’s correspondents, Wyatt Cenac, did a story this week on how a bill does not become a law. Wyatt focused on HB 3472 which gave insurance decreases to those who exercised. This seems like a bill that everyone would be behind. That however was not the case. Kathy Dalhkemper sponsored the bill that never made it out of committee. The American Caner Society, America Diabetes Association and American Heart Association opposed the bill, because people the organizations represented could not make lifestyle changes to have a healthier life. Once these organizations heard wind of the bill it died within a week.
I don’t know how often things like this happen in Washington, but I would guess more times than it’s reported. This is great journalism and it seems funny that Comedy Central was the only place I heard the story. Kathy was even discouraged by the opposing associations to not go on the show, but she did anyway. This is the kind of journalism I would like to seem in the mainstream media.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
U New @ 4
Journalistic Reflection…
I have been blessed with the opportunities I’ve been given so far in my life. Another great opportunity came my way this fall with the U News @ 4 show on KOMU. It is an interactive newscast that features skype, twitter, google+, and facebook. Sarah Hill anchors/hosts the newscast and is joined by a cyber couch composed of 10 people on their computers in her google+ hangout. I was the live reporter for he very first show and have loved it. This new show is entertaining and beyond its time.
As a 21st century journalist I must embrace the fast changing world of social media. I have google+, facebook, twitter, and a blog obviously. I try everyday to improve me skills and communication across those mediums. It is not something that is easy or quick. It will take t time to build the followers and increase your circles. I’m putting in the time now so hopefully it pays off in the future. Follow me @BrianBondus
Personal Newsgathering Process…
This week for my live shot for the U News @ 4 show I was able to cover a dog story. Rob Sanders was the trainer of the police dog Fano. Sanders was let go from the police department and wanted to buy the dog from the city. Fano had been in Sanders control since he came to Columbia. The city manager ended up not selling the dog to the Sanders.
I want to learn how to dig deeper into stories. I covered it fine and got all the facts, but did not get anything that another station could not. I think there were some politics at play with the city's decision. I wish I had exposed what those were and put that into my story. That is the next level I need to take in my journalism career. I want to be the one who has the inside scoop in every story.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
A little help from my friends
Journalism reflections...
Today all journalists must be familiar with a variety of multi-media tools to succeed. I am studying broadcast journalism, but it takes so much more than shooting and speaking to make it. Multi-media reporting demands writing web stories, taking photos, and embracing other media platforms to set you apart. With the demand on reporters to get so much content out in a short amount of time, it's amazing how much I depend on my iPhone. I use my phone to make calls, get directions, and even come up with story ideas. With Steve Jobs passing this week, it really made me reflect on how much technology I use on a daily basis. I do almost all of my schoolwork on my Mac book, listen to music off my iPod, which gets little use now because of the iPhone, and I'm hardly ever away from my phone. I can't imagine what journalist did fifteen years ago before cell phones and Internet everywhere. I appreciate the technology I have today and it encourages me to do better work because of the tools I have at my disposal.
Newsgathering process...
I had my first major roadblocks while trying to turn a package. I called every store in town that sold pumpkins and tried to get the name of the man who grew them. There was a shortage in the Northeast due to flooding and I wanted to find out if Missouri farmers were affected. Some stores ordered them from factories, others wouldn’t give out the name, and the farmers I did get in touch with were too busy. So I moved on to my next story idea. I tried to do a story on flu vaccinations. I interviewed a pharmacist and then decided to go to Sam's Club to see if I could get any video. I went there and on my way to the desk I encountered a man selling rugs. I talked with him and found out he was from Turkey and was selling Turkish rugs. He intrigued me but I did think much of it at the time. I walked back to the pharmacy looking for the flu shot station. It turned out the nurses were out to lunch. I thought for a second and went back to the carpet stand. I asked Kemal if he wouldn’t mind being interviewed for a story and he agreed. The story was not anything like what I set out to do that day, but turned out well.
Journalism is not a 9-5 job. I need to always be asking people like Kemal about their story and always looking for story ideas. I also learned when things aren’t going your way to just go with the flow and trust your instincts. I thought about waiting for the nurses to come back, but anyone in their mother can do a generic flu-shot story. I was happy to share Kemal’s story especially due to the events of the day.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Up in the Sky
Journalistic Reflection…
I was lucky enough to attend a reality television Symposium at the Missouri School of Journalism today. All four of the panelist were Mizzou grads and have gone on to do great things. Panelist included Linda Bell Blue who is in her 17th year as the “Entertainment Tonight” executive producer. Jim Berger who’s the CEO of Noon Entertainment and created reality TV shows such as “Cake Boss,” “Hunted by the mob,” and “Tough Love.” Lance Heflin created “America’s Most Wanted,” and now owns his own company, LHeflin Filmworks. The final and possibly most influential panelist was Jonathan Murray, the creator of “The Real World.” Murray is a pioneer in the reality TV show world, because “The Real World,” was the first one. The panelist all got their starts in TV news and talked about the similarities between the two formats.
The basic message of symposium was good story telling is good story telling. It does not matter if you are producing a 1-minute news package, a 30-minute reality TV show, or a 3-hour documentary. They all hit on the point of evoking emotion and conflict into your stories. This is what draws people in and keeps their attention. In reality TV it seems we don’t see anything besides conflict, which is why it’s blossoming.
I knew pursuing a degree in story telling (broadcast journalism) was not a bad idea. The skills I’m learning will translate to most any situation. Selling, teaching, and most other professions require one to tell a story. The medium, complexity, and structure will change from situation to situation, but story-telling skills I’m learning will always be needed.
Personal News Gathering Process…
Some days I feel like they are never going to end, and others I wish never did. This week I experienced the latter. I walked into the news station for a live shot shift and my producer asked me if I wanted to go fly in a historic plane. I would not have hesitated all unless there wasn’t the tragic airplane accident in Reno days before, but after about a second and a half I answered YES! I traveled to Jefferson City Memorial Airport, where a 1929 Ford Tri-Motor airplane was waiting for me. I got to go up in the press flight and actually skyped a live hit for U News at 4. The ride was surreal with beautiful views over the capital building. The second hit was on the ground and I talked about the safety of the plane.
While I was taking the ride I met an interesting character. Pilot Ashley Messenger is a commercial pilot that volunteers on his days off to fly historic planes for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA.) I don’t think I will ever meet someone who is more in love with flying. Anytime I asked him a question his eyes lit up when he answered. I asked about the role of aviation in his life and he answered. "It's the sum total of what I am. The house is full of airplane paraphernalia. The garage is filled with airplane paraphernalia. And my wife and I devote all of our vacation and free time to traveling around with these old airplanes. I'm at home in the sky and I have to be there."
I ended up doing a package on Messenger because I wanted the world to see his passion for flying. He flew the plane completely voluntarily and after he left Jefferson City he was going home to prepare to fly a commercial jet for his regular job. He could never get enough airtime in him I don’t think. I wanted people to be jealous of the passion he has for aviation. Everyone has interest and hobbies, but few people are consumed by their interest. One of my newly developed and useful interests is learning about new things. I learned more information about the Ford Tri-Motor plane and the history of aviation from Messenger in 20 minutes than I would have learned in a semester course. Messenger’s passion for flying drove and made the story. Now that the Ford Tri-Motor has moved out of Mid-Missouri, and I’m looking forward to finding out about more new things and sharing them with you!
Ford Tri-Motor Web Story
JEFFERSON CITY - A historic 1929 Ford Tri-Motor airplane arrived in the capital Monday, offering flights to aviation buffs through Wednesday.
The Ford Tri-Motor model has some extensive history and the specific Tri-Motor, number 148 out of 199, does as well. Bill Stout, founder of Stout Metal Airplane Company, designed the plane. He asked investors to invest $1,000 in the project, and one man who bit was Henry Ford. Ford saw the potential and later bought out the other investors to mass-produce the plane. The Ford Tri-Motor was the first all metal passenger airliner and pioneered the air transportation system we have today according to pilot Ashley Messenger.
Ashley Messenger is a volunteer for the Experimental Aircraft Association. EAA volunteers make the historic flights possible to patrons. Messenger flew the plane from its home in Wisconsin to Jefferson City Monday. Messenger is a commercial pilot and uses his vacation days to volunteer and fly historic planes. Messenger and his wife will depart from Jefferson City Thursday, and Ashley will be back to work for his commercial airliner this weekend. Messenger says he would never pass up an opportunity to fly the Ford Tri-Motor.
“I hope they appreciate the old girl for what she is. She is a stately matriarch,” said Messenger.
Messenger says the reason it’s so special to fly the plane is because its rich history. The plane started out as a passenger plane for Eastern Air Transport. Shortly after, it was sold to Cuba where it inaugurated Cubana Airlines on Oct. 30, 1930. Then it was sold to the Dominican Republic where it served as Air Force One for the country. From there it came back to the United States and became a crop duster. Then it transitioned to a smoke jumper plane for the Forest Fire service. It even showed up in Hollywood for a role in “The Family Jewels,” starring Jerry Lewis and Sebastian Cabot. The plane came full circle back to a passenger from 1965-1973. One windy night the plane took an unexpected take off and landed on its back. It was not in a hanger and was damaged almost beyond the point of repair.
The current EAA president jumped on the opportunity to get his hands on the damaged Ford Tri-Motor plane. It took 12 years and a lot of work but the plane was restored to its 1929 state. The plane’s home is now at the EAA’s headquarters in Oshkosh, Wis. Ford Tri-Motor 149 now gives passenger flights all around the country.
The EAA is currently sponsoring a tour around the Midwest. Flights are available to the public for $70 and $60 to EAA members. Each flight lasts about 20-25 minutes. Co-pilot seats are also available for an additional fee.
Flights are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Tuesday and Wednesday. The next stop for the Ford Tri-Motor is St. Louis.
A Man in the Sky
A FORD TRI-MOTOR AIRPLANE FROM 1929 IS GIVING FLIGHTS TO THE PUBLIC.
KOMU 8'S BRIAN BONDUS TAKES A LOOK AT THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THESE FLIGHTS POSSIBLE.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Put The Uniforms First- Class Project
THIS WEEKEND MARKS THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TERRORIST ATTACK ON THE WORLD TRADE CENTER.
KOMU 8'S BRIAN BONDUS SHOWS US WHAT ONE MID-MISSOURI COMMUNITY IS DOING TO REMEMBER NINE-ELEVEN.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Football and Heroes!
Journalism Reflection...
Last night was the opening game of the NFL season and the Green Bay Packers played the New Orleans Saints. Green Bay won the game despite New Orleans having the ball on the one-yard line with one play left in the game. Michelle Tafoya hosted a post game interview with Green Bay’s quarterback, Aaron Rogers, and center, Scott Wells. Both players were very excited after the win and Michelle started the interview by matching their energy and created a great rapport. When the announcers from the booth sent it down to her she was just laughing with the boys and proceeded right into the interview. She first talked to Rogers since he was the star of the game, but she asked him about the quarterback on the other side, Drew Brees. Rogers complimented Brees on a good game and then Michelle made a wonderful transition. She told Rogers that he didn’t do too bad himself and then asked him about his game. Transitions are what really set apart on-air personalities. Anyone can ask a question or read a story but to move from one topic to another takes talent.
She continued talking to Rogers about playing in front of the home crowd and about coming off the Super Bowl victory then seamlessly transitioned to the center. She asked him about running the ball against the Saints and she got an offensive lineman to sound like TO. He had a lot to say and was actually saying something. So many times in sports coaches and players just say the generic answer and it adds nothing to the broadcast.
I always pay attention to interview techniques whether it’s during a sporting event, talk show, or news piece because you can always learn something new. I think interviewing is an underappreciated art in the business and a lot of people get hung up on all the technical parts of broadcast. Sometimes reporters are too focused on the framing of the shot they often forget to listen to what the subject is saying. I try to take those skills that Michelle demonstrated to all of my interviews and even conversations on a day-to-day basis.
I considered myself very lucky for my first week of reporting this semester. I decided to pursue a story on a campaign that the Jefferson City Council is sponsoring for the tenth anniversary of 9/11. The council made September “Put the Uniform First” month in Jefferson City. Since the men in uniform are always on the front lines, the idea is for regular citizens to let them cut in line for a month. I went to the city council meeting Tuesday night to cover when they were presenting the proclamation to the men in uniform. A man from the Police department, fire department, and army was there to receive the award. I talked to all three to see if they knew someone directly impacted by 9/11, but instead found someone better to interview. I found a fire fighter that was searching the pile of 9/11.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Matt Schofield who is part of task force 1 and the Jefferson City Fire Department. Task force 1 was deployed to New Jersey the afternoon of September 11th after the towers had been hit. Matt arrived at the pile the morning of September 12th. He had some amazing sound bites and a wonderful story to tell. I think he will add a lot to the package I’m putting together. He also told me stories of when he was sent to Joplin this year to search and rescue there. He story was inspiring and he is a true hero!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Let It Snow
Tomorrow I start my first shift at the Missouri State Capitol building as a reporter for MDN. Two weeks ago I took a tour of the Capital, led by Phil Brooks, and was impressed. I loved the painting in the house lounge, the dome at the top, and met some very friendly people. I was very excited to start reporting last week, but was unable to because of the blizzard. Columbia got around 18 inches of snow and I had no way of getting to Jeff. City! There are also supposed to be some small flurries tonight in Columbia. I’m not too worried about getting to the Statehouse tomorrow because we are only expected to get 3-4 inches, so for now, “Let It Snow.”