THE ONLINE HOME FOR CO 4713 MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM
editor in chief / instructor of record : wendy roussin, mfa
Jack Cullerton. Communication:Broadcast and Digital Journalism
I chose to major in Communications with a concentration in Broadcasting and Digital Journalism because I’ve always been passionate about both storytelling and sports. From a young age, I found myself loving not just the games, but the announcers who told them. The athletes, the teams, the rivalries, it all felt like something bigger than just the action on the field. Sports have a unique power to unite people, and I wanted to be part of that not just as a fan but as someone who could tell those what is going on in my mind in a meaningful and engaging way.
One of the projects I’m most proud of from my classes was just the day-to-day filming. I do not enjoy many of the sides of reporting, but I think I have gained experience and life skills through doing that. Some of the things that I have learned about is just the way to interact with people and how it can be beneficial to creating a story and honing your craft. One of the things i have been a little saddened by that i have not been able to do was really work on my play-by-play calling and being more a part of the sports world through my classes.
When it comes to my favorite writing, photography, or video I would have to say I’m most drawn to none of them I don't think my work is good enough for any of the three I would say writing might be my best, but I have had some trouble in the past with my skills. When I look at all my past and all of the projects ii have done I would say writing is my best but I still struggle with the daily task of it and trying to convey my words in a more storyteller fashion or made for electronic media.
In this class, I’m hoping to learn more about the technical side of things like mastering the way of making a blog but beyond the technical skills, I’m also interested in understanding how to create content that resonates with today's sports audience. With the rise of digital platforms and social media, the broadcasting field and digital media field are going to look a lot different withing the next ten years and we need to be ready for it. I want to learn how to craft stories that not only entertain but also show that I can write long form media and be adaptable to anything that jobs through at me. Also understanding the business side of digital media from audience analytics and how people view our content.
As for my career plans, I envision myself working in sports broadcasting, either as a reporter, anchor, or commentator, but I’m also open to the many opportunities digital journalism offers in terms of sports media. But realistically I don't think I want to work in any of these. I think media would be the outlet that I would choose and try to make it in a world that currently is very over saturated with talent, and I could also see myself just going and doing construction I feel I have wasted 4 years of my life on something I’m not that passionate about anymore.
My ultimate goal is to become a sports journalist who can work across multiple platforms broadcasting live events and producing feature stories and managing digital content for a place like ESPN or Barstool. I’ve always been fascinated by the way sports have evolved in the digital age from the explosion of podcasts and YouTube channels to the rise of social media influencers in the sports world.
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Looking further down the line, I’m also considering the idea of branching into sports documentary filmmaking. I have always loved the way that ESPN has done there 30 for 30 documentary's and I think that could be a route I go. With the increasing popularity of long form media, I think there’s a real opportunity to tell powerful untold stories about athletes, teams and the forgotten men and women who have made sports into what it is today. Whether it’s shedding light on the personal struggles of an athlete or exploring the global influence of a particular sport. Documentaries allow you to take a deeper dive into the human life of sports that viewers want you to pull back the curtain with.
In terms of learning, I’m hoping to improve my ability to work under pressure, especially when deadlines and group work must get done. I want to refine my skills in play-by-play commentary color analysis and live reporting, but I don't know if this class will be that way and I'm excited to see how the next generation of media is and how traditional broadcasting will not me the norm for many of the people looking to join the media world. Additionally, I’d love to develop my editing skills further in terms of video and photography.
Ultimately, my goal is to merge my passion for sports with my skills in digital journalism and broadcasting. I want to work for a major sports outlet or network where I can cover a wide range of sports with leagues such as the NFL and NBA. My dream is to become a voice in the sports media world, whether through live coverage, digital content or documentaries. This class is a key step in learning the skills I’ll need to make that dream a reality.
Email me at jwc635@msstate.edu with any questions