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 17^th 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 PIECE OF AVIATION HISTORY HAS MADE ITS WAY TO JEFFERSON CITY TODAY.

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.

THE FORD TRI-MOTOR IS AVAILABLE FOR FLIGHTS THIS TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.

Sports Thursday 9/22

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.

JEFFERSON CITY IS ALSO HOLDING A PATRIOT DAY PARADE SATURDAY AND A MOMENT OF SILENCE SUNDAY IN HONOR OF NINE-ELEVEN.

Extra Photos from Matt Schofield

U_News @ 4 Live Shot 9/12 hit 1

U_News @ 4 Live Shot 9/12

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.

Personal News Gathering Process…

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 11^th after the towers had been hit. Matt arrived at the pile the morning of September 12^th. 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!

9/1 Sportscast

9/1 Sports tease