SMPA Co-Sponsors Camp for Minority High School Journalists
June 13th, 2013

SMPA is honored to host and co-sponsor this year’s JCamp for minority high school journalists. 41 students from across the country have won a spot and will be coming to SMPA to learn all the ins and outs of the field from professional journalists.

The group is in need of student volunteers who are good at video editing in iMovie or Final Cut Pro to assist the high school “campers” with their basic video projects. No compensation is available, but the students will truly appreciate your help. You could help inspire someone into becoming a professional journalist too!

Qualifications: Basic video editing skills. You can sign up for one or more than one shift, or part of a shift.

Help is needed the following days:

Sunday, June 23
The kids will be coming back from the field around 3pm. From 3 to 5pm two people are needed to help them transfer video so they can start to transcribe and begin their scripts.

Monday, June 24
One person from 9am to 5pm to help with ingesting and editing in iMovie. To take kids' scripts and edit into 1:45min packages. There are a total of 14 kids.

Tuesday, June 25
Two people from 9:30am to 4pm to help with ingesting and editing in iMovie. To take kids' scripts and edit into 1:45min packages. There are a total of 14 kids. Videos need to be edited and then exported into .mov files at YouTube uploadable quality.

Much appreciated volunteers can contact Richard at rlui@umich.edu.

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KONY2012 Filmmaker Speaks Publicly for First Time
November 15th, 2012

By Zinhle Essamuah

Though the District air was at a frigid 40-something degrees on Tuesday night, the inside of Lisner Auditorium was buzzing with anticipation. On November 13, filmmaker and co-founder of Invisible Children, Jason Russell, spoke publicly for the first time since his streaking incident that occurred shortly after his KONY2012 video - the most viral video in Internet history - was released.

Lisner Auditorium was far from full, but the event was highly interactive and audience members were encouraged to write, email or text any questions they had for Russell. Before Russell spoke, Invisible Children's newest video, "MOVE," was aired.

The video has gained around 26,000 views over the past two weeks, a small number when one considers the success of the first KONY2012 movie. Still, Russell remains optimistic and dedicated to his cause - emphasizing the idea that every human life is valuable and every human interaction is a way of someone asking:

"Do you see me? Do you hear me? Does what I say mean anything to you?"

Russell was reverent about his streaking incident and apologized to anyone he may have offended, confused or disappointed. After his apology Russell discussed the power we, as the dubbed "millennial generation," have to make positive change in the world. He then proceeded to answer select audience questions, including: "What would you have done differently about the KONY2012 movement and video?"

Russell stated that he would have prepared the Invisible Children website more adequately. The site crashed as a result of the unprecedented amount of viewers and the Invisible Children organization could only communicate via Tumblr. Russell attributed this to much of the miscommunication and misinformation that occurred in the days following the video's release.

Currently, the organization is promoting and prepping for its big end-of-the-year KONY2012 events, LOBBY: DC and MOVE: DC, happening this Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17. These events are projected to have 10,000 people from around the world in attendance.

Zinhle with Jason Russell.

A group from the GW's Invisible Children Chapter will be leaving from Kogan Plaza at 7:15 a.m. Saturday morning to attend the event. The chapter connects with students through its Facebook and Twitter pages.

Whatever your qualms, questions or criticisms are regarding the KONY2012 movement, as media students we should see the work of Jason Russell as a reminder of our potential. He successfully made the most viral video in Internet history and has empowered youth across the world to believe they have the power to be the change-makers of today. As the end of the semester approaches, let his work remind us that we are attending GW not just to earn a degree, but to learn how to be effective journalists and political communicators who can make positive social change through media. Thank you, Jason Russell, for sharing your story and passion with us.

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SMPA Launches Video Collection on iTunes U
July 23rd, 2012

Sure, you can stream our videos on YouTube, but what if you want to download them and take them to the beach? Now you can!

The School of Media and Public Affairs is proud to announce the launch of our new video collection on the George Washington University's iTunes U channel.  Showcasing footage from the best in academic lectures, special events, and discussions with notable figures in media and politics, SMPA's online iTunes U presence allows a global audience to tap into a wealth of educational materials that illustrates the School of Media and Public Affairs' prominence in the worlds of journalism, political communication and global communication.

iTunes U offers free on-demand access to educational content from hundreds of colleges, universities and educational organizations across the country. Visitors may access the George Washington University's iTunes U channel (and click "Public Content") from any Mac or PC with Apple's iTunes software installed. Read the rest of this entry »

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Students Create Mini-Documentary about Twitter Use on Campus
May 25th, 2012

As their final project for Professor Jason Osder's Spring 2012 Introduction to Digital Media Production class, students Matthew Kwiecinski (JMC '14), Max Schwager (JMC '14), and Zoe Valentine (PCM '14) created a short documentary about Twitter use on the campus of The George Washington University. For the film, the students interviewed Peter Konwerski, Dean of Students, Tim Miller, Associate Dean of Students (CSE), and Lorraine Voles, Vice President for External Relations.

Watch #GWU: A Mini-Documentary below.

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Emmy-Winning Alumna Honored with Inspiring Women Award
March 23rd, 2012

SMPA alumna Darley Newman films an episode of Equitrekking in Alaska. Photo credit: Chip Ward © 2008

SMPA alumna Darley Newman (Electronic Media, '01), writer, creator, producer, and host of the Emmy-winning PBS travel television series Equitrekking, has been honored with a 2012 Inspiring Women Award.

Created by Women in Philanthropy and Leadership, the Inspiring Women Award recognizes the achievements of women leaders of various disciplines who were born in South Carolina or who have adopted the Palmetto State as their home.  Newman, who grew up in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, received the award for her outstanding entrepreneurship in the creation of the Equitrekking brand.

Combining her background in media from her time at the School of Media and Public Affairs and in broadcasting with her passion for horses and travel, Newman fashioned her dream career with the creation of the show Equitrekking.  With the help of her executive-producer husband, fellow GW alumnus Chip Ward, Newman travels around the globe to film episodes, exploring the world on horseback while introducing viewers to the history, culture and environment of each destination.  The upcoming season of Equitrekking, which premieres in late April, will feature episodes filmed during Newman's recent trip to Africa.  The series, which debuted nationally on PBS in 2007, now airs on television networks in over 65 countries worldwide.

When she is not filming episodes of her show, Newman, who recently was profiled in The Chicago Tribune, serves as editor of Equitrekking.com and manages Equitrekking Travel, an online travel company devoted to equestrian vacations.

Check out a clip from the upcoming season of Equitrekking below:


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Video: Watching 2012 with Joe Trippi and Arun Chaudhary
March 19th, 2012

On February 16, 2012, the School of Media and Public Affairs and the Center for Innovative Media presented "Watching 2012: How Video and New Media Are Changing American Politics." Moderated by SMPA Director Frank Senso, Joe Trippi and Arun Chaudhary engaged in a candid discussion regarding media's evolving role in our democracy and effective new media tactics used on the campaign trail and in the White House.  Trippi, legendary strategist and political consultant, was the architect of the 2004 Howard Dean presidential bid, the first campaign to maximize the mobile and fundraising power of the Internet. Chaudhary, a SMPA Fellow, was the YouTube guru for the 2008 Obama campaign and the first-ever official White House videographer.

A video of the event recently has been posted online:

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Planet Forward Hiring Freelance Producer
November 28th, 2011

Producer – Planet Forward

Planet Forward seeks an experienced, creative and enthusiastic free-lance producer to help curate hundreds of great ideas, and bring them to our audience online and on TV. Your job will be to take the user-contributed ideas, combine it with the expertise of our superior expert community and create compelling, journalistically sound content that will drive engagement and help find innovative solutions in the fields of climate, energy and sustainability.  Applicant should be a proven team player who can work in an entrepreneurial environment.

Desired Qualifications

5-10 years’ experience shooting/editing/producing short-form videos for broadcast or web distribution. Proven track record in creative story-telling and production techniques.  Editorial background and enthusiasm for climate, energy and sustainability issues.

Proven production experience with HD cameras, Final Cut Pro.

Experience working with high-profile talent and guests.

Experience using social media tools to engage audience around produced videos.

Experience working in a news environment, or at least an environment with regular deadline pressure.   Ability to work in such an environment with limited supervision.

Experience distributing videos through various platforms (Facebook, Twitter, iTunes, iReport, etc)

Bachelor’s degree from accredited university.

Job Description

Produce short, engaging videos (weekly or bi-weekly) based on user-contributed content for PlanetForward.org, a social media project based at the Center for Innovative Media at The George Washington University.  The videos should be based on user ideas but include any components (editorial or production) to ‘commit an act of journalism.’

Produce, or assist in producing, monthly pieces for contribution to nationally distributed business news program, featuring best ideas from PlanetForward.org.

Assist in producing annual, one-hour special, featuring best ideas from PlanetForward.org, with commentary from top experts and audience voting to select “Planet Forward Innovator.”

Cover events in Washington DC, featuring newsmakers and policy leaders, to include their ideas on PlanetForward.org

Manage Interactive “Ask An Expert” feature on PlanetForward.org.

Hours are generally standard working hours, but occasionally require a flexible schedule to meet project deadlines or accommodate the schedules of key stakeholders or subjects.

This person will report to the Executive Producer, Fuzz Hogan. To apply, send your resume, cover letter and links to published videos to fuzz@planetforward.org by December 15, 2011.

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SMPA Sophomore Questions Senator on C-SPAN
November 28th, 2011

By Spencer Fogel
PCM '14

On the morning of November 15, I journeyed to the Newseum for breakfast with Senator Marco Rubio--well, sort of.  I attended an event hosted by POLITICO called "POLITICO Playbook Breakfast," an event I attended after seeing an advertisement for it on Politico.com.  Audience members arrived at 8:00 A.M. for breakfast and to watch Politico’s chief White House correspondent Mike Allen interview a politician about the issues of the day.

Shortly after I entered the studio with my chocolate Danish and glass of orange juice, Mike Allen introduced the event’s special guest--Senator Rubio.  Senator Rubio (R-FL) is the second youngest Senator in office and he is widely acknowledged by many political commentators as an up-and-comer in the Republican Party.

Senator Rubio spoke about a variety of issues in the interview.  The topics of discussion ranged from the highly controversial “supercommittee” to discussion about whether diplomatic relations with Cuba should be reevaluated.  He even spoke about his enjoyment of rap music, which elicited many laughs from the audience.

When Mike Allen turned to the audience and asked if anybody was interested in asking Senator Rubio a question, I enthusiastically raised my hand.  When I was called on, I introduced myself as a sophomore enrolled at the School of Media and Public Affairs.  I keep up to date with the latest political developments and I identify myself as a “political wonk,” so when I was called on by Mike Allen to ask Senator Rubio a question, I asked about the 2012 Florida senate election.  Senator Bill Nelson will be seeking reelection in what is expected to be a close race, which led me to ask Senator Rubio if he intended to endorse a Republican Party candidate in the primary for Senator Nelson’s seat.

Senator Rubio responded stating, “I’m not going to get involved in the primary.  Ultimately, my hope is to help the Republican nominee.”  He also emphasized the importance of the senate seat that will be up for grabs when he stated, “I think we could do a lot more if we were in the majority.”

I left the Newseum with a full belly and knowing more about the Florida Senator than I had previously.  By the time I arrived back at Foggy Bottom, I walked over to the SMPA for my 9:35 A.M. Political Debate class.  All in a day’s work.

Watch video of Spencer's question below, which was shown nationally on C-SPAN.

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VIDEO: GW Commercial Narrated by SMPA Director Sesno
November 23rd, 2011

The next time you tune in to watch a GW basketball game on television, you might just hear the baritone voice of SMPA Director Frank Sesno during a commercial break. Director Sesno recently lent his vocal talents to a new TV commercial for The George Washington University to help promote the university during televised Colonials games. As a former journalist who began his career in radio before becoming White House correspondent, anchor, and Washington Bureau Chief for CNN, Director Sesno certainly is no stranger to standing behind a microphone!

The commercial will begin airing on November 30, but we have a sneak peak here via the university's official YouTube channel. Watch the spot below and let us know what you think! The video was produced by GW's External Relations division.

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Director Sesno Keynote on Sustainability
June 24th, 2011

Last night, SMPA Director Frank Sesno delivered the keynote address the 2011 American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment's "Climate Leadership Summit" hosted by George Washington University. The audience of college and university presidents, provots, financial officers, and others are meeting this week discuss and collaborate on ways to advance sustainability efforts on campuses across the country.

Sesno's speech addressed the need for universities to take the lead in communicating innovations and changes in climate change and related sustainability issues. He is the founder of PlanetForward.org, an international social network that addresses issues of energy, climate, and sustainability.

See his speech below:

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