No Better Place to Call Home: What It Means to Be SMPA Proud
May 9th, 2013

By Sara Snyder
PCM '13

The end of last week marked the biggest and one of the final steps in my GW career as a graduating Political Communication major. I hosted my very first documentary preview screening for my film, "Verge of Existence." The piece, funded by the first ever Manheim-Sterling Undergraduate Research Prize, looks into the lives of LGBTQ homeless youth living in New York City. As I spent hours last week in the edit bays of the 5th floor, I couldn't help but realize that these may be some of the last moments I would edit here. And as the hours ticked by, I felt a strange sense of nostalgia for the many hours I had already spent in SMPA over the last four years.

Sara Snyder on panel

Sara sat on a panel as a student filmmaker.

While I may have been the kid who knew from the minute I stepped onto GW's campus that I wanted to come here, I couldn't have predicted the amazing opportunities and path I would take as an SMPA student. Thinking I was going to be a political reporter, I pursued my first internship with a local government as their communications intern. Almost as soon as I had signed on, I was ready to be done with this whole government thing. And this experience left me quickly without a dream job.

But with the support of some of the best SMPA faculty and the Internship Database, I began to find my footing right where my heart had been set the entire time. My mini-documentary from Jason Osder's class landed in the National Film Festival for Talented Youth in 2011, and I got to sit on a panel called "Out of the Closet, Onto the Screen" as an 'expert' student filmmaker. I traveled to Chattanooga, TN with Bridgett Lynn to see what made the newest Volkswagen Plant the first LEED Platinum Auto Plant in the world. I did all of this while interning with amazing companies like Prime Movers Media, Planet Forward, Spark Media, Believe Out Loud and National Geographic Society.

Sara Snyder at Preview Screening

Sara at her documentary's preview screening.

But none of these opportunities would have meant anything without having incredible peers in both Political Communication and Journalism who pushed me to be my best. Production partners, classmates, friends and colleagues have been some of my greatest collaborators, toughest critics and most loyal fans that I have grown to respect and admire. By the time you take Senior Seminar, it is no longer just a class but a weekly family gathering.

When the lights went down and the music started playing from my film, I was overwhelmed by how many familiar faces filled my audience. I have felt so much love and support from my classmates and all of the amazing professors that helped me reach my full potential in this program.

I have never felt more proud to be part of a community like SMPA. People always say that SMPA majors have more SMPA pride than GW pride, and I can certainly say that I've felt that last week. There is no place I have been more proud to call home than the School of Media and Public Affairs.

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Intern Diary: Bridgett Lynn at BBC World News America
April 29th, 2013

By Bridgett Lynn
JMC '13

Over the past four months I have had the privilege of interning for BBC World News America (WNA) in Washington, DC. The BBC is a highly respected and massive news organization, so the idea of being their production intern for their live, nightly newscast was a dream to me. I landed the internship last fall after I contacted the editor of WNA, Kate Farrell, and was eager to experience something new for my last semester of college. What I got out of interning for WNA was everything I expected and more.

I began the internship in January and was thrilled to be part of the behind-the-scenes action of in-depth reports on the major international and US news of the day. On my first day there, I was welcomed by an energizing and exciting crew of BBC employees from a wide range of on-air news channels such as BBC Radio and BBC Arabic. As a bonus, the bureau is located only a half mile from GW's campus, which made getting to the internship from my classes a breeze.

Bridgett at MLK Memorial, BBC

Live production at the MLK Memorial.

After the initial meet-and-greet, I started assisting the WNA team right away with researching guests for upcoming shows and various administrative duties. I was able to go on shoots with the executive producer, Ashley Semler, including one during my first few weeks at the BBC to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial to get an inside scoop on Clayborne Carson's newest memoir, Martin's Dream.

One of my most memorable days working for WNA was when the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez was announced dead. I arrived at the BBC around 2 PM that Tuesday, and it seemed like it was going to be another regular day at the office. Not long before pre-production for the 5 PM show, I went to the lobby of the BBC and met one of our scheduled guests Michael Shifter, the president of the Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington-based think tank on Latin America. Originally Shifter was going to be interviewed by WNA's anchor, Katty Kay, about the recent reports of Chávez's deteriorating health and speculation that someone may have deliberately infected Chávez with cancer.

Minutes before the show started, I watched the several television screens in the control room when Kay said from the newsroom studio that Chávez had died. I rushed to tell Shifter the news, and we had him set up for his interview earlier than planned. The show started slightly before schedule that night with a special "BREAKING NEWS" subtitle, and Kay interviewed Shifter about Venezuela and Chávez's legacy. I ran on adrenaline as I was sent back and forth from the control room to the news desk to deliver new information as it came in.

Bridgett at the BBC

The rest of my time spent at the BBC consisted of researching, transcribing interviews including one with American author and poet Maya Angelou, meeting prominent figures like former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge and using Twitter to promote upcoming shows. I was surprised every day by how much I learned at the BBC's DC bureau, and my internship for WNA has increased my knowledge of international reporting and television news production. I have had internships at other media organizations, including World Footprints Media, CBS Evening News, NBC Washington and Charlottesville Tomorrow, and I could not have asked for a better experience during my final semester at GW. I hope that I can use what I have learned and continue working in challenging media environments after I graduate in May.

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Intern Diary: Stephanie Stich on Capitol Hill
April 19th, 2013

By Stephanie Stich

Stephanie Stich and James Himes

Congressman Himes and Stephanie on the steps of the Capitol.

JMC '12

Working in the Capitol during an election season is a special experience, one I feel fortunate to have. Just talking about it can make an SMPA student's heart beat a little quicker and an SMPA professor nod with approval and pride.

When I landed an internship with Congressman James Himes (CT-4), I was excited to get a first-hand look at our democracy in action. I felt a great sense of responsibility to work alongside his constituents and my own neighbors to resolve problems and bring attention to voter concerns. I worked closely with the press secretary, who - to my surprise - was a recent SMPA grad. Right away, I felt at home in that Cannon building office. I gathered and distributed the daily press clippings to send to constituents and gave tours around the Capitol to visiting guests. I listened in and took notes on important hearings, saw John Boehner and Nancy Pelosi speak on the Capitol steps and passed Eric Holder in the hallway. I even got to park my little car in the Capitol garage!

SMPA allowed me the privilege to say I worked on "the Hill" - an opportunity that most journalism students only dream about. And for that I'm grateful and ready to take on new challenges in my life and career.

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Intern Diary: Cara Bowers at Meet the Press
January 24th, 2013

By Cara Bowers
PCM '14

As an SMPA student, I was looking forward to simply being in DC for election season. But when offered an internship with NBC's Meet the Press for the fall semester I couldn't have been more thrilled. I have always been slightly torn between Political Communication and Journalism; so finding an internship that was able to combine these two passions was perfect for me.

Cara (far right) and other interns with host David Gregory.

I had the opportunity to sit front row to all discussions and debates, which of course required a 3 AM wake up call on Sunday mornings, but I couldn't think of a better reason for my early rising. During the week, I helped log interviews and press passes, archive media from past shows, compile research for upcoming shows, and even pitch ideas I may have for future interviews.

On Sunday mornings during the show, my duties varied from transcribing, assisting in the control room, and greeting guests. My favorite was Newt Gingrich. He always seemed to remember the interns and take time to chat with us when he had a moment. One of the highlights of the semester was when David Gregory interviewed Mitt Romney. Being able to see the entire interview, even the off-camera moments and interactions, couldn't have been more interesting. I am so thankful for the incredible opportunity and look forward to expanding my broadcast experience in the future.

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Manheim-Sterling Prize Winners
January 22nd, 2013

The first annual Manheim-Sterling Undergraduate Research Prizes have been awarded to Sara Snyder and Sarah Ferris.

Sara Snyder (a senior) and Sarah Ferris (a junior).

Snyder, a Political Communication major, will travel to New York City through an alternative spring break program to conduct interviews, film and produce a short video documentary focusing on the lives of homeless LGBTQ youth. Professor Jason Osder will serve as her mentor.

"This is exactly the kind of award that gives me the opportunity to launch right into the media career I've dreamed of," Snyder said. "My film will challenge me in ways I can't really imagine sitting here in January, and I couldn't be more excited about it."

Ferris, a Journalism major, will continue an independent study project overseen by Professor Steven Livingston on how non-state actors use information technologies - like mobile phones - to enable social action. She will go on a trip to Nairobi, Kenya this summer.

"Spending time meeting local partners in Kenya, like Ushahidi and Sisi Ni Amani, will help me understand how these tools can be further developed elsewhere," Ferris said. "What do we need to do to make this work in other parts of the world?"

Through the newly established Manheim-Sterling Awards, Snyder and Ferris will have the funds necessary to produce amazing work that will surely help jumpstart their careers.

Sarah, Sterling and Sara

The award winners meet with Chris Sterling.

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Intern Diary: Eugenia Finizio at mtvU
November 8th, 2012

By Eugenia Finizio
JMC '13

Eugenia interviews college students about Occupy DC.

As a student journalist for mtvU, MTV's college television station, I pitch ideas and produce news stories that are relevant to a college audience. I heard about the student journalist program through an SMPA alumnus, and after a series of interviews, I began reporting on my first story for the station in late August.

With a script, interview questions, a camera, and myself, I trek all over DC to report on stories. I then sit down and edit the the story together and send it to the producers at mtvU. After some final changes, the story airs on mtvU stations around the country and online.

As someone who has always wanted to become a reporter, being able to cover issues and events that I think are important to college students and then watch the stories air on television has been an amazing opportunity. I went from watching TRL with Carson Daly on MTV when I was in middle school to reporting for mtvU as a senior in college.

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Intern Diary: Samantha Zeldin, VICE Media
August 22nd, 2012

Samantha Zeldin
JMC '14

“Definitely no dress code; and please for the love of God call me Jason,” said my supervisor Mr. Mojica in our last email exchange before my first day at VICE this summer. I knew I was in for something different as a Tentpole Documentaries Intern at VICE Media, Inc, a leading global youth media company based in New York City. Ten minutes into a tour of the office, I realized different was an understatement.

Samantha Zeldin

Junior Samantha Zeldin interned at Vice Media this summer.

Not only was I incredibly overdressed in my less-than-dressy internship outfit, but I also found myself surrounded by and office full of 20-something-year-olds knee-deep in tattoos, cigarette smoke, colored hair and skinny jeans sitting around a giant stuffed bear in the conference room.

My first day as an intern Jason handed me a 300-plus-page book called The World’s Most Dangerous Places, and told me to “read through it.” I was thrown right into the production world, preparing a production bible for Jason’s trip to West Africa, researching HIV statistics in the area and mapping out directions for the crew to get through checkpoints between Ghana, Togo, Nigeria and Benin as they rode shotgun with long haul African truckers. They were scheduled to leave the following night and I was to pick up their visas in the morning. The next day, with the car service waiting downstairs to take me to the UN, Barry, who arranges the group’s travel plans, stopped me in a flustered rush. Nigeria no longer wanted to grant us Visas because they found out we were journalists.  This was my first real-life experience with resistance against the media.

In my subsequent weeks at VICE I spent my time researching, transcribing interviews, attending production meetings, searching for archival footage and brainstorming my own pitch ideas on the side. In the meantime, I began to dress down and get used to what kind of content VICE produces—anywhere from following Snoop Dogg as he journeys to Jamaica to record an album with Diplo, to going on a police terrorist raid in Karachi (Pakistan’s most dangerous city) and exposing North Korean labor camps.

About half way through my internship I was ready to pitch my own story idea. I had come up with an outline for a 5-episode documentary series titled Toxic Solutions: America’s Water Crisis. It was focused on America’s freshwater crisis. As I envisioned the story, VICE would start by investigating a real-life version of the movie Chinatown in California, to diving in 100 ft deep cavernous sinkholes in Florida (the result of groundwater pumping), to taking a cliff jump into the toxic Hudson River. A few days later the executive producers had green-lighted my story idea. We quickly jumped into arranging pre-production plans, and I was granted the role as associate producer.Vice Logo

I was in charge of devising a production outline and scheduling interviews for each episode. After a few weeks of booking, meetings, changing and developing characters and story lines we were finally underway and scheduled to shoot.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Face the Facts USA Launches, Covered by Politico and CNN
July 30th, 2012

The School of Media and Public Affairs is excited to announce the launch of a terrific new initiative called Face the Facts USA.

ftf logoThe project, which launches today at facethefactsusa.org, is a new nonpartisan, multi-platform content hub and civic engagement initiative dedicated to elevating the tone of national debate with provocative facts. The effort will roll out one revealing, myth-busting new fact each day until the election. The facts will be augmented by a deep archive of information, discussion and interactive tools.

Led by SMPA’s Center for Innovative Media, Face the Facts USA uses pop culture-themed digital videos, lively infographics, and extensive social media to help voters become more informed on today’s most important topics. The user, upon seeing the facts, can peruse “Details on Demand” – original source information, essays and commentary, citizen conversation, and related content.

There are two teams of GW students working on the project - one is producing videos to augment the daily facts, and the other is a team of six student and alumni researchers led by SMPA graduate student Melissa Mapes whose task it is to produce 10 facts in each of 10 different categories. The categories are: Debt & Deficits; Jobs & the Economy; Taxes; Education; Infrastructure; National Security; Energy & the Environment; Health Care; Social Security & Medicare; and Life in America.

The project is already attracting major media attention from the likes of CNN and Politico, whose Alexander Burns wrote about it this morning. The project's chief executive is Frank Sesno, SMPA's Director, and he appeared yesterday morning on CNN to describe the project. We'll link to more media coverage as it is available. Here is the press release. Meanwhile, go check out the website, follow them on Twitter, and fan them on Facebook!

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Intern Diary: Emily Sporn at Noblis, Inc.
July 9th, 2012

By Emily Sporn
JMC '14

Rising junior Emily Sporn works as a corporate communications intern at Noblis, Inc.

I might not be your typical SMPA student (if there is such a thing!) As a freshman at GW, I actually began my collegiate career as a pre-med student. As time progressed, however, I realized that I was more interested in learning about the field of science and healthcare, rather than actually being on the front lines in a hospital setting, and switched my major to Journalism and Mass Communication.

Fast forward to my internship this summer at Noblis, Inc., a non-profit science, technology and strategy organization in Falls Church, Virginia, that helps clients solve complex scientific systems, process, and infrastructure problems in ways that benefit the public. At Noblis, I have enjoyed the experience of not only being the sole corporate communications intern at the company, but also being challenged every day to push myself past my own limits.

I was looking specifically for an internship experience in the field of health communications. With Noblis’ five mission areas of health innovations, transportation systems, enterprise services, national security and intelligence, and sustainability, I have gained experience writing not only about health, but other disciplines as well. While at Noblis, I have been able to shoot videos, write press releases, tweet breaking news, and interview employees that range from engineers to registered nurses. In the short time that I have been at Noblis, I have already developed a portfolio of work that is entirely my own. This portfolio will become invaluable when I graduate from SMPA in just two short years and enter the job market.

It can be hard to find a good internship, especially in Washington, DC, where college students flock from around the country for internships every summer. My tip is to start searching early, and don’t settle. It took me five months of internship hunting and countless interviews until I was able to find just where I wanted to be. Be patient, network with everyone you meet, and you too will find what you’re looking for.

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Student Final Project: 1000+ Views and Climbing
May 16th, 2012

Journalism and Mass Communication senior Stephanie Linka’s final assignment for her “Social Media” class is an academic project on how one Internet video went viral – that is going viral in its own right.  Now at over 1000 views, her video chronicles the rise in popularity of Internet phenomenon “Caine’s Arcade,” the short film about of a young boy in East Los Angeles whose cardboard arcade games have inspired both children and adults around the world.

Stephanie Linka

Senior Stephanie Linka's web project drew over a thousand views in a week.

In her project, Stephanie drew on her background as a PR firm intern to calculate the viewer impressions the original film had and integrated that data into her classroom studies of social network theory. Using photos and music and iMovie, she condensed her findings into a 3:35 minute video incorporating the theories of experts Clay Shirky and Henry Jenkins, among others.  Once the project was online, class professor Dr. Nikki Usher tweeted the work out to the same experts mentioned in the original film, as well as the original filmmaker himself.

“For this class, I didn't want to assign students a traditional paper. In keeping with the idea of social media, what they produced had to be spreadable and sharable,” said Professor Usher. “I wanted to see how they could apply course concepts and theories to explain real online and ICT (information and communication technology) phenomenons-- as well as some of their offline interests.”

To her great surprise, as the link was tweeted and retweeted by those experts and other interested fans, Stephanie’s own work quickly gained its own popularity.

“You don’t necessarily think a project you make for a class will reach the academics you quote, but today we have all these tools that allow us to converse directly with the people we’re reading,” Stephanie said. “College and academic work isn’t as stagnant and isolated as I thought it was before this project.”

Stephanie, who graduates this week and will soon begin a teaching position with Teach for America in Baltimore, was drawn to the original short film because of her interest in children and the entrepreneurial spirit shown by the little boy in the film, Caine Monroy. Not only has the original film had over a million views, but a foundation and a scholarship fund have raised thousands of dollars from people inspired by the film’s story. Filmmaker Nirvan Mullick showed Stephanie’s video to a gathering of the foundation’s supporters last weekend.

“Taking your academic texts and finding out how far you can take them into the real world is important part of today’s learning environment,” Stephanie said.

See Stephanie's video below:

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