Thursday, January 20, 2011
January 20, 2011
For my last blog post for Winterim 2011, I would like to thank Mr. Frank Donze for the time and effort he spent coordinating my remarkable experience at the Times Picayune. I am so grateful that he provided me with this opportunity and introduced me to so many reporters and photographers at the newspaper. I am especially appreciative of Mr. Kenny Harrison's time with me, and I want to thank him for placing my graphic design in the newspaper. I was overjoyed to also receive several copies of the newspaper and a posterboard with the layout of the page to frame. I am also so grateful for Mrs. Roark's assistance and support. Additionally, I am thankful for the volunteer opportunities at New Orleans Outreach Center, facilitated by Ms. Paige Breaux. Without Harpeth Hall's guidance, I would not have been able to intern at the Times Picayune. My stay in New Orleans would not have been as fun or enjoyable if not for the hospitality of my aunt and uncle, Dorothy and Jim Creely. Their thoughtfulness and generosity are both greatly appreciated. I learned so much at the Times Picayune and New Orleans Outreach Center, I look forward to Winterim 2012!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
January 19, 2011
Returning to Nashville after such a memorable experience in New Orleans will be a difficult adjustment. Not only did I enjoy spending time with my family, Dorothy and Jim Creely, but I learned a great deal during my time at the Times Picayune and the New Orleans Outreach Center. My experience these past few weeks far surpassed my expectations. I explored almost every aspect of the newspaper possible; I observed filming sports videos, learned about covering music in the city of New Orleans, attended a city council meeting, interacted with the mayor, Mitch Landrieu, discovered how the newspaper has changed over the century, and so much more. I was exposed to raw journalism at its finest, and I appreciated the reporters' honesty. They were eager to share their opinions and advice with me. I benefited from meeting an incredible and talented group of people who were willing to offer guidance for my future as a woman both at school and in the workplace. The tangible lessons I learned about working in the journalism industry, specifically at a newspaper, are too numerous to list, but there were also additional skills that I acquired from my time in New Orleans. In addition to learning about blogging, photography, and writing, I was given the opportunity to build self-confidence through interacting with others. It is often challenging to meet new people and make conversation fluidly, but through my work at the Times Picayune, I feel empowered and confident in my abilities to communicate. New Orleans has always been a special place for my family, and I have always been intrigued by the fantastic and nationally-acclaimed newspaper published there. My fascination with New Orleans only increased after spending time at the Times Picayune. I learned more about the city's history, culture, and issues that have plagued the people in the city in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I was inspired by the Times Picayune reporters' desire to truly help the people of New Orleans and expose local news. Their commitment to journalism and the city itself was admirable, and I hope that at some point in my life, I, too, can enjoy a career with such vigor as they do. Without Mr. Donze's willingness to coordinate my internship, this opportunity would not have been possible. I am very grateful for his generosity to mentor me and coordinate my schedule at the newspaper.
Spending time at New Orleans Outreach Center was also a beneficial experience. I admire the non-profit organization's mission to rehabilitate the public school system in New Orleans and offer enrichment opportunities to impoverished children. Although I am disappointed I was not able to work with the children, I am pleased that I visited a few charter schools. I was impressed by the progress that has been made, and I am very thankful for Ms. Paige Breaux's willingness to assist me with volunteering at the center.
Spending time at New Orleans Outreach Center was also a beneficial experience. I admire the non-profit organization's mission to rehabilitate the public school system in New Orleans and offer enrichment opportunities to impoverished children. Although I am disappointed I was not able to work with the children, I am pleased that I visited a few charter schools. I was impressed by the progress that has been made, and I am very thankful for Ms. Paige Breaux's willingness to assist me with volunteering at the center.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
January 18, 2011
I was privileged to learn a great deal about the history of the Times Picayune during my winterim experience. In addition to Mr. Finney's stories about his personal experience at the Times Picayune in the mid 1900s, I was given the opportunity to visit the printing press at the Times Picayune. In the room above the printing press, I viewed an exhibit that displayed older editions of the newspaper and explained how the paper was printed. Instead of using long reels of paper as displayed below in gigantic, complicated machinery, a metal mold was made for the paper to be printed upon. Every day, a new mold was created with the articles imprinted upon it. The mold had raised lettering so that the ink could print upon the paper. Then, the paper was distributed by paper boys to the subscribers. The Times Picayune was created in 1837, and the newspaper was named after the Spanish coin, a "picayune." The destruction and devastation of Hurricane Katrina did not, in fact, tear the newspaper apart. Rather, after publishing online for 3 days to update readers, the paper rebounded and began printing again. After Hurricane Katrina, the consistency of the Times Picayune helped readers recover from the storm. Along with the Saints and the general culture of the city, the accurate news coverage allowed the city to regain strength. It is intriguing to learn about the history of the Times Picayune and appreciate how technology has developed to increase the success, productivity, and accuracy of the newspaper. I envy Mr. Peter Finney for his ability to watch the newspaper evolve over the years.
Above are pictures of the printing press at the Times Picayune.
Above are pictures of the printing press at the Times Picayune.
Monday, January 17, 2011
January 17, 2011
Today I worked at the New Orleans Outreach Center's Administrative office with Ms. Paige Breaux, Director of Finance and Operations. Once again, I filed receipts and financial documents. I stored supplies, made copies of documents, filed forms for current teachers, and organized the log of work hours submitted by employees. Working with Ms. Paige today taught me a great deal about the importance of organization in the workplace, and I have realized that the ability to follow directions, file information, and work as a clerk's assistant are important skills. For lunch today, we went to Parkway Bakery & Tavern, one of New Orleans's most famous Po-Boy restaurants. Parkway is known for being one of the oldest and most entertaining po-boy hot spots in the city. I greatly enjoyed my time today with Ms. Paige and working at New Orleans Outreach.
Friday, January 14, 2011
January 14, 2011
Today I attended a COM-STAT meeting with Brendan McCarthy, Times Picayune crime reporter. The meeting was held at UNO (University of New Orleans) and consisted of police officials discussing recent crime in their respective districts. The New Orleans Police Chief, former Nashville Police Chief, Ronal Serpas, was present at the meeting. Officers from the eight districts in New Orleans reported on the robberies, thefts, homicides, violent crimes, sexual assaults, and narcotics abuse issues. New Orleans is notorious for its criminal activity, as it ranks as one of the top cities in the country for its crime rates. Mr. McCarthy explained that as a crime reporter, his schedule varies from day to day as he juggles writing articles, attending meetings, interviewing people for stories, and gathering information. He is required to be constantly on the "look-out" for more article ideas and breaking crime stories. Mr. McCarthy and I discussed the corruption of the NOPD, the New Orleans Police Department. In fact, some officers have been tried on a federal level as a result of recent scandals. Unfortunately, most of the public, especially in impoverished neighborhoods with high crime rates, mistrust the police. In fact, Mr. McCarthy pointed out, the feeling of "safety" is merely a perception. Statistics, crime rates, and numbers can be altered by the police to help the public feel "safer" and assure the community that the police are improving the city's conditions. Crime continues to be an ongoing concern for the city, and according to several sources, it has only worsened since Hurricane Katrina.
I learned a great deal through covering the meeting this morning and interviewing a family in the Treme neighborhood. For confidentiality purposes, I am unable to fully "blog" my experience about speaking with the family, due to the nature of the subjects discussed.
Below are pictures of the COM-STAT meeting.
Afterwards, I met Mr. Peter Finney, Mr. Frank Donze's father-in-law. Mr. Finney has worked at the Times Picayune for sixty-seven years. Beginning at the paper after graduating from Jesuit High School, in 1945, Mr. Finney covered American Legion Baseball and from there attended Loyola University. He has covered the Saints throughout the years and was overjoyed by their success at the Superbowl last year. The Saints began in 1967 and have played 655 games - winning only 277 of them. Nevertheless, Mr. Finney has been one of New Orleans's most trusted and acclaimed sports writers. Not only is he a fan of the Saints, but he is a supporter of the city and the spirit of the Times Picayune-Saints relationship as a whole. Mr. Finney has watched the journalism industry evolve since the 1940s. He is still wary of technology and refuses to check his emails. His technology usage is limited to typing stories, and when speaking with him, he laughed about the new generation's obsession with Twitter, facebook, email, and texting. Mr. Finney recounted an amazing anecdote from his early days at the Times Picayune. When covering Saints games at Tulane Stadium, photographers would attach their completed film rolls to the legs of pigeons. The pigeons would return tho the Times Picayune building, where reporters were waiting to remove the film from the legs of the pigeons and then develop it. Needless to say, the art of journalism has changed dramatically. At 83 years old, Mr. Finney still writes for the Times Picayune.
In an article written by Jeff Duncan in August 2010, Mr. Finney is spoken of as an extraordinary figure: "No one has chronicled New Orleans's rich, proud sports scene longer, better, or more passionately than him. He has witnessed more sporting events, profiled more athletes and enlightened more readers in this great city than anyone who ever lived." In fact, Mr. Finney received an incredible honor - the Dick McCann Memorial Award, in recognition of his extraordinary coverage of professional football. In addition to covering both the LSU national championship in 1958 for football and the Saints Superbowl title in 2010, Mr. Finney has interviewed hundreds of athletes and professionals from Muhammad Ali to Ted Williams.
Today I was given several issues of the Saturday Gardening section of the newspaper. I am pleased to say that my tree illustration is both in a skybox on the front and inside the paper. A special thanks to Mr. Kenny Harrison for allowing me to create a design for the newspaper!
I learned a great deal through covering the meeting this morning and interviewing a family in the Treme neighborhood. For confidentiality purposes, I am unable to fully "blog" my experience about speaking with the family, due to the nature of the subjects discussed.
Below are pictures of the COM-STAT meeting.
Afterwards, I met Mr. Peter Finney, Mr. Frank Donze's father-in-law. Mr. Finney has worked at the Times Picayune for sixty-seven years. Beginning at the paper after graduating from Jesuit High School, in 1945, Mr. Finney covered American Legion Baseball and from there attended Loyola University. He has covered the Saints throughout the years and was overjoyed by their success at the Superbowl last year. The Saints began in 1967 and have played 655 games - winning only 277 of them. Nevertheless, Mr. Finney has been one of New Orleans's most trusted and acclaimed sports writers. Not only is he a fan of the Saints, but he is a supporter of the city and the spirit of the Times Picayune-Saints relationship as a whole. Mr. Finney has watched the journalism industry evolve since the 1940s. He is still wary of technology and refuses to check his emails. His technology usage is limited to typing stories, and when speaking with him, he laughed about the new generation's obsession with Twitter, facebook, email, and texting. Mr. Finney recounted an amazing anecdote from his early days at the Times Picayune. When covering Saints games at Tulane Stadium, photographers would attach their completed film rolls to the legs of pigeons. The pigeons would return tho the Times Picayune building, where reporters were waiting to remove the film from the legs of the pigeons and then develop it. Needless to say, the art of journalism has changed dramatically. At 83 years old, Mr. Finney still writes for the Times Picayune.
In an article written by Jeff Duncan in August 2010, Mr. Finney is spoken of as an extraordinary figure: "No one has chronicled New Orleans's rich, proud sports scene longer, better, or more passionately than him. He has witnessed more sporting events, profiled more athletes and enlightened more readers in this great city than anyone who ever lived." In fact, Mr. Finney received an incredible honor - the Dick McCann Memorial Award, in recognition of his extraordinary coverage of professional football. In addition to covering both the LSU national championship in 1958 for football and the Saints Superbowl title in 2010, Mr. Finney has interviewed hundreds of athletes and professionals from Muhammad Ali to Ted Williams.
Today I was given several issues of the Saturday Gardening section of the newspaper. I am pleased to say that my tree illustration is both in a skybox on the front and inside the paper. A special thanks to Mr. Kenny Harrison for allowing me to create a design for the newspaper!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Artwork Online!
Click here to see my design for the Times Picayune online:
http://www.nola.com/homegarden/index.ssf/2011/01/for_arbor_day_plant_some_trees.html
http://www.nola.com/homegarden/index.ssf/2011/01/for_arbor_day_plant_some_trees.html
January 13, 2011
Today I had a fabulous experience at both the Times Picayune and New Orleans Outreach Center. I began the day by meeting Kenny Harrison, Times Picayune Graphic Design artist. To visit Mr. Harrison's website, click here: http://www.plaidpup.com/. It contains biographical information, examples of several illustrations he has created for the newspaper and his books, and other pieces of art he has completed. Mr. Harrison hopes to pursue writing and illustrating children's books, and he allowed me to illustrate a garden column for the paper entitled "Green Thumb." The column celebrates trees through "Arbor Day," and it examines how trees are important to both nature and human life. Mr. Harrison instructed me to create an image that celebrates trees and portrays our appreciation for their role in nature. My drawing will appear in the Saturday, January 15th edition of the Times Picayune. Below is the "rough draft" or preliminary stages of the page with my illustration.
After review, we decided that the branches of my tree needed to be extended, so we made the following revisions. The drawing below was altered on Photoshop and edited so that it will appear in the newspaper. I learned a great deal from Mr. Harrison and enjoyed working with him. I will be given the rough copies of the garden section tomorrow so that I can review the layout and design of the page.
Today I also worked at New Orleans Outreach Center for a couple of hours filing, labeling, and storing materials. Although filing receipts and financial records can be a tedious task, it was beneficial to learn from the system of organization that the non-profit uses to store important documents.
Below are images of the administrative offices for the non-profit organization.
Today I also worked at New Orleans Outreach Center for a couple of hours filing, labeling, and storing materials. Although filing receipts and financial records can be a tedious task, it was beneficial to learn from the system of organization that the non-profit uses to store important documents.
Below are images of the administrative offices for the non-profit organization.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
January 12, 2011
Today I attended the Jefferson Parish Council Meeting at the Joseph S. Yenni Building in Jefferson, LA. I was accompanied by reporters from the Times Picayune East Jefferson Bureau. I shadowed Rich Rainey, a government reporter in Jefferson Parish. Jefferson Parish is the largest parish in the state of Louisiana, as its population is close to 450,000 people. It is also one of the most affluent and conservative areas surrounding New Orleans. Unlike St. Tamany Parish, which is recognized as a rapidly growing community, Jefferson Parish's population has remained stagnant and relatively stable.
Attending my first parish council meeting was an interesting learning experience. Beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call of the council members, parish president, and directors of departments, the meeting lasted for four and half hours and covered a myriad of topics.
The twenty-paged program agenda addressed 175 notices, reports, and ordinances to be discussed, approved, or denied. Controversial issues like prostitution and underage drinking in Fat City were discussed at great length. Fat City is a particularly seedy part of Jefferson Parish that many politicians hope to refurbish and rehabilitate. Councilwoman Cynthia Lee-Sheng has taken measures to prevent illegal activity and inappropriate behavior in the area.
To read more about Councilwoman Lee-Sheng's influence on Fat City issues, click below: http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/01/jefferson_parish_council_crack.html
At the meeting, zoning issues were discussed, as a few residents expressed concern over Candlewood Suites, a hotel planned to be built approximately 150 feet from their backyards. Issues over residential areas vs. commercial/industrial areas arose, and I was shocked to see how passionately the residents spoke about their concerns. Mr. Michael Rodriguez and his wife, Mary, appeared before the council to discuss a "Splash Car Wash Business" that is 35 feet from their property. The couple filed complaints about the noise that interferes with their quality of life, as a result of the customers' subwoofers and the automated noise created by the car wash business itself.
Another issue pertaining to noise disruption that was brought to the council's attention was presented by Jackie Madden, a resident of Palm Vista Drive in Kenner, LA. I am currently staying with my aunt and uncle, Dorothy and Jim Creely, who also reside on Palm Vista Drive. The council was informed that a construction project for hurricane protection on Lake Pontchatrain has created unnecessary and aggravating sound for residents. The nuisance has proved to be unbearable for the inhabitants of Palm Vista, and they are determined to bring the project to the government's attention. Apparently, FEMA and the Corps, the leaders of the project, have been insensitive to their complaints.
Unfortunately, the internet at the building was malfunctioning, and the reporters were unable to connect to the internet, so I learned from how they successfully adjusted to their situation. Once again, flexibility proves to be a valuable and vital trait for those in journalism.
Lastly, I met and conversed with Mr. Drew Broach, East Jefferson Bureau Chief. Mr. Broach explained to me the role of the East Jefferson Bureau, as it covers local news for Kenner and Metairie. The Times Picayune has five different "zones," each with a bureau that covers local news specific to that area. Therefore, every day there are five different "editions" of the newspaper that are printed. I learned a great deal from Mr. Broach, who first became interested in journalism while living in Washington D.C. He spoke with me about the importance of covering local news and relating news back to the general public. Although international and national topics are critical coverage for readers, the Times Picayune specializes in local news and caters to people interested in learning more about the happenings in the New Orleans area.
I really enjoyed spending time in Jefferson Parish, and I am so grateful for Mr. Broach's time with me today. More tomorrow!
Attending my first parish council meeting was an interesting learning experience. Beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call of the council members, parish president, and directors of departments, the meeting lasted for four and half hours and covered a myriad of topics.
The twenty-paged program agenda addressed 175 notices, reports, and ordinances to be discussed, approved, or denied. Controversial issues like prostitution and underage drinking in Fat City were discussed at great length. Fat City is a particularly seedy part of Jefferson Parish that many politicians hope to refurbish and rehabilitate. Councilwoman Cynthia Lee-Sheng has taken measures to prevent illegal activity and inappropriate behavior in the area.To read more about Councilwoman Lee-Sheng's influence on Fat City issues, click below: http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/01/jefferson_parish_council_crack.html
At the meeting, zoning issues were discussed, as a few residents expressed concern over Candlewood Suites, a hotel planned to be built approximately 150 feet from their backyards. Issues over residential areas vs. commercial/industrial areas arose, and I was shocked to see how passionately the residents spoke about their concerns. Mr. Michael Rodriguez and his wife, Mary, appeared before the council to discuss a "Splash Car Wash Business" that is 35 feet from their property. The couple filed complaints about the noise that interferes with their quality of life, as a result of the customers' subwoofers and the automated noise created by the car wash business itself.
Another issue pertaining to noise disruption that was brought to the council's attention was presented by Jackie Madden, a resident of Palm Vista Drive in Kenner, LA. I am currently staying with my aunt and uncle, Dorothy and Jim Creely, who also reside on Palm Vista Drive. The council was informed that a construction project for hurricane protection on Lake Pontchatrain has created unnecessary and aggravating sound for residents. The nuisance has proved to be unbearable for the inhabitants of Palm Vista, and they are determined to bring the project to the government's attention. Apparently, FEMA and the Corps, the leaders of the project, have been insensitive to their complaints.
Unfortunately, the internet at the building was malfunctioning, and the reporters were unable to connect to the internet, so I learned from how they successfully adjusted to their situation. Once again, flexibility proves to be a valuable and vital trait for those in journalism.
Lastly, I met and conversed with Mr. Drew Broach, East Jefferson Bureau Chief. Mr. Broach explained to me the role of the East Jefferson Bureau, as it covers local news for Kenner and Metairie. The Times Picayune has five different "zones," each with a bureau that covers local news specific to that area. Therefore, every day there are five different "editions" of the newspaper that are printed. I learned a great deal from Mr. Broach, who first became interested in journalism while living in Washington D.C. He spoke with me about the importance of covering local news and relating news back to the general public. Although international and national topics are critical coverage for readers, the Times Picayune specializes in local news and caters to people interested in learning more about the happenings in the New Orleans area.
I really enjoyed spending time in Jefferson Parish, and I am so grateful for Mr. Broach's time with me today. More tomorrow!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
January 11, 2011
Today at the Times Picayune, I had the extraordinary opportunity to visit Judy Walker's house and observe the filming of "Judy's Kitchen," webisodes uploaded to nola.com that feature cooking tips from Judy Walker herself. Judy Walker, one of the Times Picayune's most renowned Food Editors, is a personal favorite of my mother. She enjoys reading Judy's articles online and experimenting with her recipe suggestions.
Today, Maria Montoya, Entertainment Editor, and Andrew Boyd, Times Picayune technology guru, assisted with the videos. Having already gathered information and completing preparation beforehand, Judy completed all of her videos today in one take. We filmed clips concerning kitchen safety, pork sauce, a cutting tool called a mandolin, and chopping leeks. Judy's videos are always wildly popular as many nola.com fans enjoy learning from Judy in her natural habitat. One of Judy's favorite videos features a her husband, Dave Walker, Times Picayune TV Critic, teaching viewers how to flip an egg. Click here to view the video: http://videos.nola.com/times-picayune/2010/10/tv_critic_dave_walker_on_the_a.html. To view more of Judy's Kitchen, peruse the following: http://videos.nola.com/times-picayune/food_cooking/index.html
Above Judy Walker and Maria Montoya prepare for the afternoon filming session in Judy's own kitchen.
Below, Andrew Boyd, left, provides Maria Montoya, center, tips for filming while Judy watches on.
Below, Maria Montoya films Judy as she prepares pork sauce in one of her videos.
Below is Judy Walker, Times Picayune Food Editor and author of "Cooking Up A Storm," which was nominated for the James Beard Award. For more information, click here: http://blog.nola.com/judywalker/2009/03/cooking_up_a_storm_nomination.html
Below, Judy informs viewers about kitchen safety during a video.
Today I also had the opportunity to assist Ms. Montoya with the Entertainment section of nola.com. Ms. Montoya explained how the Times Picayune has a subscription to the Associated Press, and her job includes watching the "wire," and then uploading those already written stories to nola.com. Ms. Montoya uploads videos to the Living section online as well as updates an online calendar of entertainment events for readers.
I actually helped write a section for the upcoming events and learned how to create links to other sites through the Times Picayune website.
I learned a great deal today, and I look forward to the events of tomorrow. A special thanks to Judy Walker for letting me visit her home and observe the filming!
Monday, January 10, 2011
January 10, 2011
After spending a weekend bitterly disappointed over the Saints' loss to the Seahawks, I was looking forward to returning to the Times Picayune. Today I met with Danny Monteverde, a reporter for the newspaper. He also actively works with the online desk, updating nola.com with news stories and graphics. Mr. Monteverde provided a basic tutorial on how to update the website, including the usage of tags, keywords, and basic headlines to make the entries easier to navigate. He explained that web design and content is a different art from “paper journalism,” as information is written in a different style and updated more quickly. A few sentences of a “story” are published online, with a more thorough and detailed story published in the hard copy the next day.
For example, last week, when a shooting occurred on Pontchartrain Expressway, a few sentences were published on the web, in order for the Times Picayune to claim first coverage of the story. Later, as more information and research was uncovered, the more complete story was written for the paper and later uploaded online. To view one of the multiple stories about the shooting, click here: http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2011/01/pontchartrain_expressway_shoot.html. I actually was at the Picayune when the shooting occurred. We were in very close proximity to the crime scene, and it was very interesting to watch the reporters gather information and pictures for the story.
Through viewing stories from 2007 published online, I was able to compare the different techniques and strategies that have evolved for web publication. The online media is constantly changing, and Mr. Montervede explained that many newspapers charge readers to view information online. The Times Picayune has not yet considered instituting subscriptions for the web. I have not yet spoken to anyone concerned that the newspaper is a “lost art,” but many reporters admit that as the industry changes, it is a possibility that media will translate entirely to online coverage.
The Times Picayune is a culturally significant and historic paper for the city of New Orleans, so as of now, the hard copy of the newspaper remains popular amongst readers. TV competition has not yet presented itself to be an issue for readers. Although TV is entertaining for viewers, its stories do not begin to compare with those of the newspaper. Mr. Montervede and I also discussed how the Times Picayune is nationally-recognized for its lengthy, “meaty” articles. The paper is packed with informative stories and pages with significant text, unlike papers in cities like Dallas or San Francisco. These newspapers are both impressive and effective means of media coverage, but they contain more graphics and advertisements. Sections like “Food and Wine,” although fascinating to a certain selection of viewers, are not as valuable as crucial news sections.
The Times Picayune publishes sections specific to communities once or twice a week. For example, on Thursdays and Sundays, neighborhoods like Metairie, Covington, Uptown, and the North Shore receive their own section of the paper with stories from their neighborhoods. The New Orleans area is divided into many parishes that require their own news coverage, and the Times Picayune is an umbrella for these communities. For example, my aunt lives in Kenner, a suburb of the city, and receives a copy of the paper produced from the East Jefferson Bureau.
Mr. Montervede expressed the difficulty of working in the ever-changing profession of journalism, but he lauded the unpredictability and excitement of his job. He encouraged the pursuing internships when available.
I also attended a Budget meeting with the overseeing editors. They usually meet both in the morning and the late afternoon to review the plan for the paper the following day. Today in the meeting, article research was discussed such as Sean Payton’s last press conference after the Saints’ devastating loss to the Seahawks, the upcoming BCS title game between Oregon and Auburn, future renovation to the Superdome, Obama’s oil spill commission release, and neighborhood and community meetings discussing levee construction, amongst other topics of consideration.
After lunch, I shadowed editor Terri Troncale and her staff of editorial writers, including columnist Jarvis DeBerry. Ms. Troncale explained the process of reviewing the many "Letters to the Editor." Readers of the newspaper can submit letters through email, fax, or mail. I opened and read about 10 letters, varying in topics such as the following: an inmate from Angola's believed that he was "wrongly convicted," a political fanatic claimed the administration was corrupted by "Socialism," an animal rights' activist expressed concern over the animal shelters in the city, an atheist who wrote in support of evolution, etc. Although many of the letters were amusing, some were veritable and considered to be potentially used in the paper. Learning about the columnists and how they received inspiration for their views was also interesting. Many of the columnists advised me to major in something other than journalism, as it would allow more flexibility for career paths. Majoring in something like history or english still allows one to pursue journalism. After all, they said, it is considered more valuable to be a good writer than to just be a journalism major.
Then, I met with Danny Gamble, who provided a tour of the Library at the newspaper. Mr. Gamble explained the filing system, and I was fascinated by the newspaper's precision and accuracy with keeping records. Today, the paper uses an online database library of articles and graphics for accessible and easy reference. Mr. Gamble explained that writers can submit "Photo Requests" through the database for photographers to take pictures for their articles. Learning about the library system was very interesting, as the newspaper has transitioned with technology from an intricate system of filing cabinets to a complicated online library.
Lastly, I conversed with Steve Kelley, Times Picayune political cartoonist and writer for the comic strip, "Dustin." Mr. Kelley already has 260 clients for his strip, created in January 2010. He is thrilled to have so many followers already and looks forward to expanding even further. I enjoyed learning about PhotoShop and how cartoon art has changed over the years. To view some of Mr. Kelley's work, click here: http://www.nola.com/news/kelley/
Below is one of Mr. Kelley's comic strips.
This particular cartoon was created by Mr. Kelley, and I watched him edit it today.
For example, last week, when a shooting occurred on Pontchartrain Expressway, a few sentences were published on the web, in order for the Times Picayune to claim first coverage of the story. Later, as more information and research was uncovered, the more complete story was written for the paper and later uploaded online. To view one of the multiple stories about the shooting, click here: http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2011/01/pontchartrain_expressway_shoot.html. I actually was at the Picayune when the shooting occurred. We were in very close proximity to the crime scene, and it was very interesting to watch the reporters gather information and pictures for the story.
Through viewing stories from 2007 published online, I was able to compare the different techniques and strategies that have evolved for web publication. The online media is constantly changing, and Mr. Montervede explained that many newspapers charge readers to view information online. The Times Picayune has not yet considered instituting subscriptions for the web. I have not yet spoken to anyone concerned that the newspaper is a “lost art,” but many reporters admit that as the industry changes, it is a possibility that media will translate entirely to online coverage.
The Times Picayune is a culturally significant and historic paper for the city of New Orleans, so as of now, the hard copy of the newspaper remains popular amongst readers. TV competition has not yet presented itself to be an issue for readers. Although TV is entertaining for viewers, its stories do not begin to compare with those of the newspaper. Mr. Montervede and I also discussed how the Times Picayune is nationally-recognized for its lengthy, “meaty” articles. The paper is packed with informative stories and pages with significant text, unlike papers in cities like Dallas or San Francisco. These newspapers are both impressive and effective means of media coverage, but they contain more graphics and advertisements. Sections like “Food and Wine,” although fascinating to a certain selection of viewers, are not as valuable as crucial news sections.
The Times Picayune publishes sections specific to communities once or twice a week. For example, on Thursdays and Sundays, neighborhoods like Metairie, Covington, Uptown, and the North Shore receive their own section of the paper with stories from their neighborhoods. The New Orleans area is divided into many parishes that require their own news coverage, and the Times Picayune is an umbrella for these communities. For example, my aunt lives in Kenner, a suburb of the city, and receives a copy of the paper produced from the East Jefferson Bureau.
Mr. Montervede expressed the difficulty of working in the ever-changing profession of journalism, but he lauded the unpredictability and excitement of his job. He encouraged the pursuing internships when available.
I also attended a Budget meeting with the overseeing editors. They usually meet both in the morning and the late afternoon to review the plan for the paper the following day. Today in the meeting, article research was discussed such as Sean Payton’s last press conference after the Saints’ devastating loss to the Seahawks, the upcoming BCS title game between Oregon and Auburn, future renovation to the Superdome, Obama’s oil spill commission release, and neighborhood and community meetings discussing levee construction, amongst other topics of consideration.
After lunch, I shadowed editor Terri Troncale and her staff of editorial writers, including columnist Jarvis DeBerry. Ms. Troncale explained the process of reviewing the many "Letters to the Editor." Readers of the newspaper can submit letters through email, fax, or mail. I opened and read about 10 letters, varying in topics such as the following: an inmate from Angola's believed that he was "wrongly convicted," a political fanatic claimed the administration was corrupted by "Socialism," an animal rights' activist expressed concern over the animal shelters in the city, an atheist who wrote in support of evolution, etc. Although many of the letters were amusing, some were veritable and considered to be potentially used in the paper. Learning about the columnists and how they received inspiration for their views was also interesting. Many of the columnists advised me to major in something other than journalism, as it would allow more flexibility for career paths. Majoring in something like history or english still allows one to pursue journalism. After all, they said, it is considered more valuable to be a good writer than to just be a journalism major.
Then, I met with Danny Gamble, who provided a tour of the Library at the newspaper. Mr. Gamble explained the filing system, and I was fascinated by the newspaper's precision and accuracy with keeping records. Today, the paper uses an online database library of articles and graphics for accessible and easy reference. Mr. Gamble explained that writers can submit "Photo Requests" through the database for photographers to take pictures for their articles. Learning about the library system was very interesting, as the newspaper has transitioned with technology from an intricate system of filing cabinets to a complicated online library.
Lastly, I conversed with Steve Kelley, Times Picayune political cartoonist and writer for the comic strip, "Dustin." Mr. Kelley already has 260 clients for his strip, created in January 2010. He is thrilled to have so many followers already and looks forward to expanding even further. I enjoyed learning about PhotoShop and how cartoon art has changed over the years. To view some of Mr. Kelley's work, click here: http://www.nola.com/news/kelley/Below is one of Mr. Kelley's comic strips.
This particular cartoon was created by Mr. Kelley, and I watched him edit it today.
Friday, January 7, 2011
January 7, 2011
Today at the Times Picayune I accompanied John McCusker to the re-enactment of the Battle of New Orleans at Chalmette Battlefield. Mr. McCusker is a photographer for the Times Picayune and also films videos at the newspaper. Mr. McCusker offered valuable photography tips, including helpful insights regarding the placement of light and the importance of "tight, close-up" shots. Mr. McCusker also drove me through the Lower Ninth Ward, an area in Orleans Parish, close to Chalmette, that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Mr. McCusker has taken countless amazing photographs for the Times Picayune, especially after the Oil Spill during the summer. Below is a link to a video created by the Times Picayune photographers after the oil spill.
http://videos.nola.com/times-picayune/2010/12/through_our_eyes_the_bp_oil_sp.html
I have always been fascinated with photo-journalism and was excited to spend the morning with Mr. McCusker. Shadowing him was truly an unforgettable experience. Not only did he share interesting information from a photographer's perspective, but he offered a great deal of information about New Orleans's history, the detrimental effects of Hurricane Katrina, and tips on how to interact professionally and gregariously with other photographers, journalists, and press secretaries.
The Battle of New Orleans was a monumental battle for the young nation, and observing the re-enactment was a memorable opportunity. Although Andrew Jackson is a controversial character in American history, his leadership during the battle had a monumental impact upon the United States. The re-enactor portraying Andrew Jackson was fabulous; his accent, mannerisms, persona were impressive.
After the excursion, I watched Mr. McCusker upload, edit, and select photos to be submitted to his photo editor. I was stunned by his usage of lighting and direction, especially through the silhouette shots of the soldiers and children. Mr. McCusker reminded me of the importance of creating captions using accurate names (and spelling) of the people featured in the photographs.
Below are a few pictures I took from the morning.
I also assisted Sports Editor Doug Tatum this afternoon with editing the twenty-two paged Saints spread that will appear in the Saturday newspaper. As the Saints prepare to play Seattle in the playoffs, the Times Picayune is expected to run a spread on the team. I reviewed several graphics, charts, action shots, and articles for Mr. Tatum. I also learned about the production process of the section and enjoyed proofreading. Mr. Tatum explained that "catching mistakes" early is essential. Printing a spelling mistake or incorrectly matching a player's mugshot to his information is considered an iniquity for the newspaper.
Today was very productive, and I am excited for next week's work at both the Times Picayune and New Orleans Outreach Center.
http://videos.nola.com/times-picayune/2010/12/through_our_eyes_the_bp_oil_sp.html
I have always been fascinated with photo-journalism and was excited to spend the morning with Mr. McCusker. Shadowing him was truly an unforgettable experience. Not only did he share interesting information from a photographer's perspective, but he offered a great deal of information about New Orleans's history, the detrimental effects of Hurricane Katrina, and tips on how to interact professionally and gregariously with other photographers, journalists, and press secretaries.
The Battle of New Orleans was a monumental battle for the young nation, and observing the re-enactment was a memorable opportunity. Although Andrew Jackson is a controversial character in American history, his leadership during the battle had a monumental impact upon the United States. The re-enactor portraying Andrew Jackson was fabulous; his accent, mannerisms, persona were impressive.
After the excursion, I watched Mr. McCusker upload, edit, and select photos to be submitted to his photo editor. I was stunned by his usage of lighting and direction, especially through the silhouette shots of the soldiers and children. Mr. McCusker reminded me of the importance of creating captions using accurate names (and spelling) of the people featured in the photographs.
Below are a few pictures I took from the morning.
Above is the re-enactor portraying Andrew Jackson.
My mentor, John McCusker, is at far left.
Above is the Chalmette Battlefield Memorial.
I also assisted Sports Editor Doug Tatum this afternoon with editing the twenty-two paged Saints spread that will appear in the Saturday newspaper. As the Saints prepare to play Seattle in the playoffs, the Times Picayune is expected to run a spread on the team. I reviewed several graphics, charts, action shots, and articles for Mr. Tatum. I also learned about the production process of the section and enjoyed proofreading. Mr. Tatum explained that "catching mistakes" early is essential. Printing a spelling mistake or incorrectly matching a player's mugshot to his information is considered an iniquity for the newspaper.
Today was very productive, and I am excited for next week's work at both the Times Picayune and New Orleans Outreach Center.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
January 6, 2011
Today I worked both at the Times Picayune and at New Orleans Outreach. I met Jeff Duncan, Times Picayune Sports writer for the Saints and author of Tales from the Saints Sideline. Mr. Duncan was generous to meet with me in his busy day, as he had planned a book signing in Baton Rouge and was preparing for the Saints' game in Seattle on Saturday. We conversed about his early career in journalism and how he had begun writing about high school sports in Monroe, Louisiana for about six years before "working his way up" and finally becoming a part of the Times Picayune team. He expressed his opinion that in order to be successful in the journalism field, one must be willing to make sacrifices, be flexible, learn new things, and be open to taking difficult jobs first to be the "gateway" into more fulfilling opportunities. For example, the student editor of the paper at Loyola University in New Orleans was interested in a job at the Times Picayune. However, the newspaper's availability was limited, so in order to prove himself, the student undertook a job from 1 AM - 6 AM seven days a week and worked tirelessly in the newsroom updating the web and gathering information for stories. Mr. Duncan explained that this work ethic and desire for success is vital to furthering oneself in journalism. Mr. Duncan admitted that a down-side to journalism is a lack of a structured schedule or consistent hours, but he enjoys the traveling that comes along with his profession. Mr. Duncan is passionate about both his career and the Saints, the New Orleans football team that won the Superbowl last year. He explained that the victory was a tremendous boost for the city as a whole, and the connection between the Saints team and the spirit of the community is truly unique. Having once lived in Nashville, he honestly compared the Times Picayune to the Tennessean, saying that the Saints' relationship to the paper is much stronger and more meaningful than that of the Titans.' In order to understand the incredible sentiments of the city towards the football team, one has to experience the public's gratitude towards the Saints.
After meeting with Mr. Duncan, I attended a meeting/party at Gallier Hall with Michelle Krupa, a Times Picayune reporter. At the meeting, the mayor of New Orleans, Mitch Landrieu, cut the first king cake of the Mardi Gras season. The party was the official "launch-off" of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is an annual festival in New Orleans that proceeds Lent. Originally a religiously-affiliated celebration, Mardi Gras is an integral part of the city's cultural heritage and traditions. In addition to the Saints and the Times Picayune, Mardi Gras is an aspect of New Orleans culture that binds the people together. It is a celebration of something that is unique to the people of New Orleans and is watched by the world. The mayor noted that Mardi Gras is something so special that it cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. In addition to the mayor making an address, Zulu officials spoke. Zulu is one of the most renowned krewes of Mardi Gras, and the annual poster for the krewe was unveiled. Designed by LSU graduate Jon Guillaume, the poster features a coconut, one of the central elements to the Zulu parade and historical heritage. To learn more about the history of Zulu, click here:
http://www.kreweofzulu.com/history/
Also at the meeting, the Captain of Rex delivered a speech thanking the mayor for recognizing the importance of Mardi Gras. Rex is also one of the most important parades of the Mardi Gras festivities. Rex has helped define Mardi Gras as a whole, and founded in 1872, it is one of the oldest Mardi Gras organizations in New Orleans. To learn more about the history of Rex, click here: http://www.rexorganization.com/
I've always loved the Mardi Gras season, from the king cakes to the beads to the parades - but viewing the celebration from a different angle was a fabulous change of perspective. I was so excited to witness such a formal and important event for the city. After all, Mardi Gras is the most important time of the year for the city of New Orleans. Mardi Gras helped the city unite after Hurricane Katrina, it holds important cultural significance for the city, and it encourages tourism and profit for New Orleans. Shadowing Michelle Krupa at the event was beneficial, as I learned from her recording techniques and ability to interact with the city officials. She taught me the importance of staying on good terms with the mayor and his press secretaries, and I was actually personally introduced to the mayor and took a picture with him. He was intrigued to learn I was one of the "Casey's" from New Orleans.
Above is a picture of Mayor Mitch Landrieu and myself, and below are pictures of the kickoff ceremony.
The ceremony was held in the historic Gallier Hall.
Mitch Landrieu enjoyed the opening music and parade of Mardi Gras dancers.
Many Zulu parade officials were present for the ceremony.
Above Mitch Landrieu and Jon Gulliaume, designer of the annual Zulu poster, pose for the camera. Pictured below is the official "first king-cake cutting."
The Mardi Gras Indians are an important cultural element of the festivities.
The captain of Rex delivered an address (above), as well as a Zulu official (below).
The garden at the Charter School is so beautiful that many people have chosen the spot for weddings.
After meeting with Mr. Duncan, I attended a meeting/party at Gallier Hall with Michelle Krupa, a Times Picayune reporter. At the meeting, the mayor of New Orleans, Mitch Landrieu, cut the first king cake of the Mardi Gras season. The party was the official "launch-off" of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is an annual festival in New Orleans that proceeds Lent. Originally a religiously-affiliated celebration, Mardi Gras is an integral part of the city's cultural heritage and traditions. In addition to the Saints and the Times Picayune, Mardi Gras is an aspect of New Orleans culture that binds the people together. It is a celebration of something that is unique to the people of New Orleans and is watched by the world. The mayor noted that Mardi Gras is something so special that it cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. In addition to the mayor making an address, Zulu officials spoke. Zulu is one of the most renowned krewes of Mardi Gras, and the annual poster for the krewe was unveiled. Designed by LSU graduate Jon Guillaume, the poster features a coconut, one of the central elements to the Zulu parade and historical heritage. To learn more about the history of Zulu, click here:
http://www.kreweofzulu.com/history/
Also at the meeting, the Captain of Rex delivered a speech thanking the mayor for recognizing the importance of Mardi Gras. Rex is also one of the most important parades of the Mardi Gras festivities. Rex has helped define Mardi Gras as a whole, and founded in 1872, it is one of the oldest Mardi Gras organizations in New Orleans. To learn more about the history of Rex, click here: http://www.rexorganization.com/
I've always loved the Mardi Gras season, from the king cakes to the beads to the parades - but viewing the celebration from a different angle was a fabulous change of perspective. I was so excited to witness such a formal and important event for the city. After all, Mardi Gras is the most important time of the year for the city of New Orleans. Mardi Gras helped the city unite after Hurricane Katrina, it holds important cultural significance for the city, and it encourages tourism and profit for New Orleans. Shadowing Michelle Krupa at the event was beneficial, as I learned from her recording techniques and ability to interact with the city officials. She taught me the importance of staying on good terms with the mayor and his press secretaries, and I was actually personally introduced to the mayor and took a picture with him. He was intrigued to learn I was one of the "Casey's" from New Orleans.
Above is a picture of Mayor Mitch Landrieu and myself, and below are pictures of the kickoff ceremony.
The ceremony was held in the historic Gallier Hall.
Mitch Landrieu enjoyed the opening music and parade of Mardi Gras dancers.
Many Zulu parade officials were present for the ceremony.
Above Mitch Landrieu and Jon Gulliaume, designer of the annual Zulu poster, pose for the camera. Pictured below is the official "first king-cake cutting."
The Mardi Gras Indians are an important cultural element of the festivities.
The captain of Rex delivered an address (above), as well as a Zulu official (below).
HAPPY MARDI GRAS!
After my festivities at the Times Picayune, I also worked for several hours in the afternoon and into the evening at the New Orleans Outreach Center with Paige Breaux. In addition to organizing supplies at the administration office, we delivered food to meetings at two schools, Samuel J. Green Charter School and Arthur Ashe Charter School. I attended two meetings that conducted contract agreements for teachers familiarizing themselves with the enrichment programs offered by the non-profit organization. I look forward to more work at the New Orleans Outreach Center.
Below, the Samuel J. Green Charter School has developed a program called the "Edible Schoolyard." The school has integrated a program to the curriculum that teaches students about gardening. Students pick the vegetables, learn how to cook, and then eat them for lunch. The cycle teaches the children responsibility and the importance of recycling, using composting, etc.
The garden at the Charter School is so beautiful that many people have chosen the spot for weddings.
Above is a section of the Arthur Ashe Charter school, another school in New Orleans that was revitalized after Hurricane Katrina and caters to impoverished students. New Orleans Outreach Center offers enrichment programs in subjects such as art, music, and yoga after school to the students.
More tomorrow!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
January 5, 2011
Today at the Times Picayune I was privileged to meet more interesting people, observe another video recording, learn about the front page layout, and attend a live neighborhood meeting concerning a hot issue in uptown New Orleans. My day began with meeting Keith Spera, who specializes in music news and reviews for the newspaper. Below is an image of Keith Spera and musician Elvis Costello, one of Mr. Spera's favorite artists and personal friend. Mr. Spera met Elvis Costello through the HBO Series hit show, Treme, and the two bonded over pictures of their children and being called "twins" as a result of their "nerdy glasses" and "unshaven faces." The series Treme is named after a neighborhood in the city of New Orleans and features residents rebuilding their lives after experiencing the traumatic destruction of Hurricane Katrina.
http://media.nola.com/treme-hbo/photo/keith-spera-elvis-costellojpg-cd2753a37f30e75c_large.jpg
I was actually given the opportunity to sit with Mr. Spera one-on-one in the Features Area Conference Room and converse with the accomplished reporter. I was intrigued to learn more about his "career with the rockstars." Mr. Spera explained that whereas one usually thinks of journalism as a career that only involves news stories and modular designs, it is, in fact, a flexible arena in which writers can pursue their own interests. Journalists like himself can research areas that fascinate them and create work to share with the public. Not a musician himself, Mr. Spera enjoys interviewing the stars and learning more about the music industry. For example, he often participates in conference calls with artists like Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, and Alicia Keys. Mr. Spera initially did not plan on becoming a journalist. As a New Orleans native, he went to Brother Martin for high school and proceeded to Texas A & M, planning on becoming a lawyer. When he joined the newspaper in college, he was hooked. Mr. Spera recognizes that as the Times Picayune moves towards becoming a more web-based publication, more of his work will appear online. He looks forward to reviewing Lady Gaga's performance in New Orleans in April.
Mr. Spera shared a remarkable anecdote with me about meeting Lil Wayne after his release from prison at a Hornets game. Mr. Spera explained that he had already met Lil Wayne as a younger rapper, but he was the first reporter to interview the rapper after his time in jail. According to Mr. Spera, he approached Lil Wayne at the basketball game with a notepad and spoke to him about his plans.
Besides working with Treme artists, reviewing music, and writing music stories for the newspaper, Mr. Spera writes a column entitled "Paternity Test" about his own children and the challenges of parenting.
In addition to meeting Mr. Spera, I also met Terry Baquet, the front page editor for the newspaper. I attended the meeting with a group of twenty-five editors who collaborated on the first section of the paper. They discussed the layout for the articles, potential graphic options to be used as secondary coverage, and the remaining research required for the next day's paper. Watching the editors and writers interact and plan for the issue was interesting, and I was also given the opportunity to watch the layout editors design the page.
I was impressed by their fluency in the InDesign program and with the skill and ease with which they were able to manuever the page. They truly were experts in the art of newspaper design, but I found it surprising that they discouraged me from pursuing newspaper journalism. They advised me that it was a "lost art" that is becoming rapidly replaced by multimedia and online coverage.
I was also awed by the precision and time the layout editors spent on their pages. In about 45 minutes, one editor was able to arrange a skybox, or a small section that appears in the top corner of the newspaper. The attention to detail was truly remarkable.
My day ended with joining reporter Becky Mowbray at a neighborhood meeting in uptown New Orleans. We gathered at the Laurel Street Bakery to discuss an issue with a Pilates building constructed in uptown.
Many uptown residents were concerned by the structure's height, design, and parking regulations. The meeting consisted of neighborhood residents, the Whole Foods Community Relations Spokesperson, a few of the Mayor's assistants, several councilmen, and the neighborhood board. The Pilates building was planned to be built on Magazine Street, an eclectic area that consists of both residential areas and unique, cultural boutiques. I enjoyed observing the controversial, heated meeting and learning from Ms. Mowbray's tips and advice on handling such a situation as an unbiased reporter.
Above is the Pilates building, halted in construction, on Magazine Street. The design of the building has created much consternation and controversy amongst uptown residents.
Below are a few pictures of the meeting I attended.
I learned a great deal today and am looking forward to the events of tomorrow at the Times Picayune!
http://media.nola.com/treme-hbo/photo/keith-spera-elvis-costellojpg-cd2753a37f30e75c_large.jpg
I was actually given the opportunity to sit with Mr. Spera one-on-one in the Features Area Conference Room and converse with the accomplished reporter. I was intrigued to learn more about his "career with the rockstars." Mr. Spera explained that whereas one usually thinks of journalism as a career that only involves news stories and modular designs, it is, in fact, a flexible arena in which writers can pursue their own interests. Journalists like himself can research areas that fascinate them and create work to share with the public. Not a musician himself, Mr. Spera enjoys interviewing the stars and learning more about the music industry. For example, he often participates in conference calls with artists like Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, and Alicia Keys. Mr. Spera initially did not plan on becoming a journalist. As a New Orleans native, he went to Brother Martin for high school and proceeded to Texas A & M, planning on becoming a lawyer. When he joined the newspaper in college, he was hooked. Mr. Spera recognizes that as the Times Picayune moves towards becoming a more web-based publication, more of his work will appear online. He looks forward to reviewing Lady Gaga's performance in New Orleans in April.
Mr. Spera shared a remarkable anecdote with me about meeting Lil Wayne after his release from prison at a Hornets game. Mr. Spera explained that he had already met Lil Wayne as a younger rapper, but he was the first reporter to interview the rapper after his time in jail. According to Mr. Spera, he approached Lil Wayne at the basketball game with a notepad and spoke to him about his plans.
Besides working with Treme artists, reviewing music, and writing music stories for the newspaper, Mr. Spera writes a column entitled "Paternity Test" about his own children and the challenges of parenting.
In addition to meeting Mr. Spera, I also met Terry Baquet, the front page editor for the newspaper. I attended the meeting with a group of twenty-five editors who collaborated on the first section of the paper. They discussed the layout for the articles, potential graphic options to be used as secondary coverage, and the remaining research required for the next day's paper. Watching the editors and writers interact and plan for the issue was interesting, and I was also given the opportunity to watch the layout editors design the page.
I was impressed by their fluency in the InDesign program and with the skill and ease with which they were able to manuever the page. They truly were experts in the art of newspaper design, but I found it surprising that they discouraged me from pursuing newspaper journalism. They advised me that it was a "lost art" that is becoming rapidly replaced by multimedia and online coverage.
I was also awed by the precision and time the layout editors spent on their pages. In about 45 minutes, one editor was able to arrange a skybox, or a small section that appears in the top corner of the newspaper. The attention to detail was truly remarkable.
My day ended with joining reporter Becky Mowbray at a neighborhood meeting in uptown New Orleans. We gathered at the Laurel Street Bakery to discuss an issue with a Pilates building constructed in uptown.
Many uptown residents were concerned by the structure's height, design, and parking regulations. The meeting consisted of neighborhood residents, the Whole Foods Community Relations Spokesperson, a few of the Mayor's assistants, several councilmen, and the neighborhood board. The Pilates building was planned to be built on Magazine Street, an eclectic area that consists of both residential areas and unique, cultural boutiques. I enjoyed observing the controversial, heated meeting and learning from Ms. Mowbray's tips and advice on handling such a situation as an unbiased reporter.
Below are a few pictures of the meeting I attended.
I learned a great deal today and am looking forward to the events of tomorrow at the Times Picayune!
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