#MediaMonday: Virtual Convention Prep
Good Morning Everyone,
I hope this email finds all of you well. Before I forget, I wanted to remind everyone to send in your convention shout-out videos prior to Wednesday, Jan 26. Now, onto todays email.
I am currently preparing for a virtual week of instruction, as our Covid numbers skyrocketed last week in the Midwest. Therefore, my week is looking somewhat different than I had previously expected. I am now trying to brainstorm how to practice for STN virtually.
Last year, you might remember, I sent out a post about convention practice. Here is that post: https://www.studenttelevision.com/mediamonday/mediamonday-convention-practice.
However, this year is going to look different as my students are practicing from home with the uncertainty of whether or not we will even be in the school building during convention at the end of February.
So, the topic of today's email is: Preparing for Convention Virtually
Get Ready
One of the single most important things about preparing students for convention is to give them adequate amounts of time to organize their thoughts, their equipment, and their teams ahead of time. All of this can be done virtually as well as in-person. Have the students reach out to one another on zoom or a group text, establishing a line of communication that is dependable and readily available. Encourage students to share their strengths and weaknesses with one another and assign roles within the team for their contest that play to their strengths.
Gear Check
Once the students have organized themselves, have the team construct two lists for equipment: an essentials list and a wish list. The essentials list should include every piece of equipment that is absolutely necessary to submitting an entry. This can include things like a single laptop or a camera and tripod.
Then, have the students write the wish list. The wish list includes things that would make the contest easier. This can include things like an extra camera, extra lenses, another SD card, or even specialty gear like prompters and stabilizers.
Then, have the student submit both lists to you so you can help assign teams with their equipment. As often as possible, try to give each team some gear off of their wish list. This not only helps your students perform better but it also boosts morale.
Check the Contest
In addition to going over contest rules and regulations, give students the link to their contest sheet. I would encourage that all of you read carefully over each contest and rule, as these can change from year to year. Give the students adequate time to read over each requirement for their contest and to imagine all scenarios for their event. Then, as a group, quiz each team on their contest. Quizzing each team allows you and the students to introduce hypothetical variables and circumstances to the contest and allows the team to imagine how they would handle these issues, if and when they came up. Some quiz questions might include:
What happens if you cannot find batteries for your camera that morning?
What happens if a member of your team gets sick before the contest starts?
What do you do if you need a graphic?
Where would you do a standup for this?
Who is shooting this?
Let them ask Questions
Once you have established a pattern of reflection, have the students ask questions. Give each of them time to go over their contest and and ask specific questions about their event. Students need to enter a contest feeling absolutely equipped and totally clear on all expectations. Give them time to ask any question that they need so that they are all equally ready to represent your school and your program.
Do you have any ways that you prepare for contests virtually? If so, let us know on the listserv; we would love to hear about it.
Talk to you soon,
Josh Cantrell