​Learning Objective #1:

​To learn how to correctly film basketball, hockey, and baseball games (angles, following shots, etc.).
 

Resources/Activities:
• Discuss with Gregg Mace, who will explain the process
• Watch 3 sports segments on TV (ABC, FOX, ESPN) a week and observe their techniques
• Have Gregg and Mike review and evaluate my work at the station after I capture footage
Evaluation/Verification:
• Video samples of footage I shot

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Samples

 

​     To illustrate the successful completion of this learning objective, I attached a baseball segment I created with my co-intern for our supervisor. We recorded a Messiah College baseball game against Albright College on April 16, 2013. This sample is comparable to a sports segment used on abc27’s 11pm sports news broadcast; the audience would watch the baseball segment while the anchor read a script off the TelePrompTer. We created the entire segment with no outside help and shared all responsibility evenly—we each recorded half of the game (and recorded game statistics while the other filmed), edited half of the highlight segment, and wrote half of the script. This process, because we shared responsibility, required strong teamwork and the skill to do what was required of each of us, similar to how it works among a legitimate sports broadcast team.  We had the opportunity to help one another and strengthen each others weaknesses, along with the chance to develop our own skills further through the process. This sports segment can be viewed here.

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     Reflection

     At the start of this internship, I sought to learn how to correctly film basketball, hockey and baseball games through discussion with camera men, observation and practice. Although I did not cover any hockey games this semester, I did make significant progress in my ability to film basketball and baseball games. By mid-April, my fellow intern and I produced an entire baseball segment, from start to finish, with no help from our supervisor to illustrate our newly developed skills.
     Prior to my internship, I did not know anything about filming sporting events. I watch sports on television, but I never took the time to notice how they are filmed. This semester provided me with the opportunity to really explore this aspect of broadcast media in a hands-on environment. To begin, my supervisor, Gregg Mace, allowed me to watch the production process in order to gain a clear understanding of the steps Gregg and his team have to go through to create sports highlights. This was very helpful for me because the more I know about the big picture, the better I can comprehend how my work fits into the overall process. It is a team effort and requires collaboration to complete the highlights in time for the evening sports news.
     The next step was verbal explanation. Gregg and his camera man, Mike explained filming techniques I should implement when I film basketball and baseball (ex. Always follow the ball, after an athlete makes a basket or hits a homerun, zoom in on them, etc.). I found this extremely helpful, as well, especially for baseball. It is important to have the head knowledge before I actually film so I know what to do. It obviously takes practice, just because I intellectually know how the process works does not mean I can do it well but the mechanics of the process are foundational.
     Finally, it was my turn to film—I filmed a couple minutes at high school basketball games in the area and I also filmed at Harrisburg Senators baseball games, after Gregg and/or Mike knew they had enough of their own footage to show on the air that night. The first few times were difficult; it was more challenging than I anticipated because I was not used to it. However, with more practice, I became more confident in my ability to capture quality sports footage.
     I have also been recording Messiah College baseball games with my fellow intern in order to gain more experience. We film the games,  record the game statistics, edit the footage we capture into a short highlight package, write a script to accompany the segment and place our work in a Dropbox account for Gregg to review and provide feedback. This process has been unbelievably helpful. When we work on our own, we are not afraid to take chances and mess up; it is a low pressure environment to learn.
     I know I still have a long way until I feel completely comfortable recording games and sharing my work but I am confident that with practice, I can absolutely get to this point. This implies I do more work on my own. Over the summer, I can attend baseball games (and continue with all sports year round), film and create highlight reels for my own benefit. This will provide me with work experiences and work samples in the event I pursue a career in sports production.