Sunday, April 17, 2016

CMIR and UF

I have been attending the University of Florida College of Journalism for 2 years now, after transferring from Florida Atlantic University. Through the CJC and CMIR I have been able to better myself as a reporter and media personality in general.

After getting my foot in the door at UF's radio station 89.1, I have not stopped to continue working hard and get where I want to go. If you check out my YouTube channel, you can see most of my work that I have completed here.

The University of Florida has been nothing but absolutely amazing to me since I got here. I would not trade anything I've learned or experienced here for the world.

My pride and joy from UF has been the INC and news program. Here is my final reel for my job hunt. Thanks for a great semester!


Thursday, March 24, 2016

Our "Real World"

It is fun to look at the views of others who are studying and doing what I want to do.

Sometimes I think that this may only be difficult for me or that I may not be doing something right. This is why I enjoyed reading Darling, Nestor, and Connor's blog pages. I enjoyed looking at the different angles and ideas on media and the work involved.

Fitness

In the industry I want to work in, it is very important to stay fit. I have been taking this a lot more seriously lately in regards to working out and what I eat.

After looking at blog posts, I noticed Alexis Geffin had posted some different workouts and meals she had been eating. I feel as though I could learn from these!

I also noticed Nikki Rode had a great blog and I loved the title "Strong is Sexy." It's important for people looking to get fit to realize that there is more than being skinny and that is being healthy.

Kelsey Sanchez also had a great blog. She also keeps me motivated when I see her post pictures at the gym.

Sunday, March 20, 2016

About Me

Olivia Courtney is a senior at the University of Florida studying Telecommunication News. She is pursuing a career in broadcast journalism. Courtney currently produces, anchors, and reports for PBS affiliate WUFT-TV and NPR affiliate WUFT-FM 89.1. She is aiming to one day be a reporter and make her way up to an anchor position at a national level. Courtney’s favorite part about communication is knowing how large of an effect it has on the world. Not only is broadcast journalism a job, it is a way to serve the community on a daily basis.

Olivia currently works as a 5:00 anchor for WUFT News where she has learned how to "go live." Courtney is also a reporter for the show. In this position, she films, edits, and writes a full day-turn package for the 5 pm newscast. This opportunity has made her fully prepared to write news stories, operate a camera, edit video, interview and talk in front of a camera.

This past summer Olivia interned at WPLG Local 10 News in Miami, Florida. This helped her gain experience in investigative reporting as well as general news reporting, anchoring, weather, and traffic reporting. Olivia is also an Associate Producer at WCJB TV-20 in Gainesville, Florida.

Olivia will graduate from the University of Florida in May 2016 with a Bachelor’s Degree in 
Telecommunication News and a minor in Communication Studies.

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Resume

Today was the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Career Fair. I guess you can say this is perfect timing for posting my resume!

This is my new, updated resume. Olivia Courtney, WUFT News.

Olivia Courtney
Cell: (786) 566-0011 Ÿ Email: oliviacourtney@att.net


Focused multimedia journalist experienced in producing, shooting, editing and on-camera delivery of news, feature and entertainment stories for broadcast and Web. Proficient in use of AVID, Adobe Premiere and Final Cut video editing software. Committed to excellence and integrity.

Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Telecommunication News, received April 2016 from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.

Experience
WPLG Local 10 News Miami, FL • Intern May 2015-August 2015
Worked as member of consumer protection investigative unit and fielded calls, investigated stories, shot and edited video, and conducted interviews. Shadowed news assignment desk and field reporters. Participated in news meetings and assisted reporters in field. Conducted field interviews. Learned to operate green screen and report weather and traffic.

WCJB TV20 News Gainesville, FL ŸAssociate Producer August 2015-January 2016
Edited and produced content for newscasts and ran teleprompter for news anchors.

WUFT News Gainesville, FL • Specialty Anchor January 2014-present
Write, shoot, edit and deliver live news and entertainment segments. Anchored afternoon News in 90 segments.

Student Government TV University of Florida • Reporter August 2014-May 2015
Covered events on and off campus that aired on organization’s YouTube Channel.

ESPN SEC Network Gainesville, FL • Set Manager August 2014-December 2014
Assisted with shooting, editing and producing live sports events.

National Broadcasting Society Gainesville, FL • Reporter August 2014-present
Shoot and report entertainment segments for society’s television series.

Technical Skills
Microsoft Office
Premiere Cut Pro, Final Cut Pro and AVID video editing  

Video camera operation

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Web Stories

This week I was able to help a web student create a story off of my TV2 shift.
It was nice to be able to help another outlet publish a story that was able to help someone in our coverage area.

Tuesday

This week, my TV2 shift took me to Sweetwater Wetlands Park.
A lady e-mailed Gainesville City Commissioners concerned about the handicap accessibility of the park.
Normally, coverage and questioning tends to get things accomplished. I hope this story helps her out.

NBC Page

This past week I finally applied to be an NBC Page.
I like to consider this my "dream," basically the one thing I have wanted my entire life.
At 7 years old I woke up and discovered The Today Show.
Since then, I have been planning my life to achieve this goal.
I guess you can say this is why I am at UF studying Telecommunication News.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

GNV Airport

This is the package I worked on during this weeks TV2 shift. Gainesville Regional Airport is undergoing changes to make the traveling process more enjoyable. New bathrooms, a new west wing, larger aircrafts, and more flights will be added. Take a look.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Don't Make Me Think

Don't Make Me Think... this is a book that did the exact opposite of what it’s title asks it. This book really did get me thinking about what a "good" website is. It also helped me notice what I like and dislike about websites when I use them. Some websites make it difficult to find exactly what you’re looking for as well as hard to find certain tools. I use certain websites more than others because they are simply easier and more convenient. For this reason, I think, I have come up with a couple different examples of what I think make a good website, as well as what I think are well played out web articles that will grab your attention.

Google vs. Yahoo! or any other search engine. To me there is no comparison whatsoever. If a computers search engine is completely set up to Yahoo! I do not know what to do with myself. I immediately go to the website bar and search to Google. This is because Google is better laid out and more organized. It is also more appealing on the eyes. I find that Google lays out exactly what you want to see it where you want to see it. The Images, News, etc. tabs are all very clear and concise, and are appropriately filtered.

To me, Yahoo! is very difficult to maneuver and I find myself getting stressed out while using it. I also do not like the colors they use on their website I just really find purple distracting.

Article wise, I prefer things that are laid out in a clear and concise manner. For example, Buzzfeed articles are in the perfect arrangement. Even when they are in paragraph form, the words are spaced out in a manner that is easy to follow and makes you want to keep looking. I know this is bad, but I also like the layout of Wikipedia. I like the list of personal information, which is ultimately what I use it for. For example, if I am trying to find out Taylor Swift’s home town, Wikipedia will have it laid out exactly where I want it and at the first glance I will see where it is.


Ultimately, I like websites that are clear and concise. I like to receive my information as quickly as possible in order to get the work I am looking it up for done.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Get Involved

One of the main things I've learned while anchoring the entertainment segment of our 5:00 show is that you need to get involved in the stories you present. So far, I have been able to pre-report on 2 different, really cool, events in North Florida. It is one thing to go out and cover a story, but I think it makes a difference when you put yourself in to it. Especially when it is something for an entertainment segment. This past Friday I went down to Ocala, FL and pre-reported Cirque Italia. This is an Italian born circus, that does not use animals, and is performed on a stage that is actually a 35,0000 gallon tank of water. Here's a look at the package I put together for it, and a little bit to show how it can work to get lost in your story. 
 

Tuesdays

Pitch meetings and reporting... 2 words that seem pretty simple, right? Wrong. For our TV2 shifts, we are asked to arrive the day of on time for the 9:30 am meeting. At around 9:15am seven 20-something-year-olds arrive and anticipate their doom. Or luck... and I mean luck.


It all starts with a pitch. This means each student comes in with a story idea prepared for the day. Phone calls out to our sources for the story, locations down, the angle we plan on taking, every detail needs to be worked out. This is a great technique if you end up with the story you pitch. However, there are days when you could go in with a story you think is wonderful and newsworthy and it can get completely shut down. This is when it gets difficult and stressful. Once your pitch gets denied (or if you're lucky, approved) it's time to get to work. Reporters are assigned photographers, and the rest of the day is a ticking clock. It's actually pretty fun at this point in the day. We get to go out, meet interesting people who are interested in cool things, and we get to get lost in the story.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Fridays

Every Friday I anchor the entertainment segment for the 5:00 newscast at WUFT. I LOVE it. I've only been doing this for about 2 weeks but I have gotten to do some pretty cool things. Deke Sharon. The music director for the "Pitch Perfect" films. The creator of "The Sing-Off." The music director for "The Social Network." The creator of "Pitchslapped." The guy who has won American Music Awards for his music. This was my first experience interviewing a famous person. It was exhilarating. His new a Capella group "Vocalosity" was starting their national tour in Gainesville and I was able to get the inside scoop from him. I learned a lot from this interview. I learned that it is very important to let the star shine. As an entertainment reporter, it is important to make sure that the interviewee remains the interviewee and you showcase them in a very light way. I learned that it is important to have a "moment" with the person you are interviewing. The moment I had? The CREATOR of modern a Capella got me to sing with him. That's a moment if I've ever had one! Here's the finished product for this story. I'll do my best to post every Friday's package. Hope you like it!

 

Well Would You Look At That!!

Did you look for this page? Or did you get lost and find it? Sometimes I think that's the best way to discover incredible things. Searching for something, stumbling upon something else, and discovering something incredible... getting lost in it. It's safe to say this is a saying that sums up my every day life pretty well.

Hi, I'm Olivia Courtney and I want to me the person that makes you laugh after a rough day of work, class, life.. basically everything thrown at you.
I am a senior at the University of Florida in my final semester. Oh yeah! You read that right, FINAL semester. It's the time for reel building and job hunting... What's reel building and why am I doing it? Glad you asked. I am studying Telecommunication News with hopes of becoming a reporter. My ultimate goal is to work in a large market (preferably New York City) as an entertainment reporter/anchor. But honestly, I would love more than anything to work with Saturday Night Live as the Weekend Update anchor... to make people laugh while delivering the news. Future Tina Fey? Maybe, we all have dreams!


This blog will showcase my love for television. It will show how I am willing to work hard to get where I want to be in life. It will show that I love what I am doing. It will show how much fun and exhilarating the story and reporting process is. It will show me getting lost in it.