Shaky Beginnings
Like many others, I traveled out into the world of college. I moved to Georgia in search of a shiny framed glass with my name on it. My degree was not only a milestone but also an entry ticket into life outside of high school. As a college freshman and one of only 30 undergrads in the Journalism degree plan, I was determined to push beyond my status. No one wanted a chance more than me. I knew that come pass or fail I would outwork my competition.
This mindset, accompanied by the shell shock of having my bike stolen on the first day of classes, is what prompted me to walk a half-hour away from the freshmen dorms towards the other side of campus.
This is a quieter part of the grounds reserved for upper undergrads and graduate students. Nervously, I sped past the rows and rows of Greek life. The large banners threatened to scoop me up and devour me whole. You’d think the sidewalks were safe, but the numerous amounts of bike riders kept me on my toes. A ring here, and a honk there were reminders that I was not where I was supposed to be. I scrambled to stay out of the way, and my repetitive attempts to excuse myself did nothing to help my circumstance.
There was a moment I considered turning back. I thought to swallow my pride and return to my dorm, but I had come all this way…
A Glance Back into the Past
After taking a moment to catch my breath, I thought back to all I had worked on to get here. The high school I had previously attended was overseas in Germany. Considering this, many think I had luxuries that students in the states are not allowed, but we were not Air force. As an Army base, we were often granted less funding, which in turn meant less opportunity at the high schools. To put it plainly, we were not the mission; the soldiers were.
My experience with videography was limited to two things: a camcorder from 2009, and a beat-up tripod held together lovingly by duct tape. Not ideal, but it got the job done.
I had spent countless games in the cold fall of Bavaria stuck on the top of gym buildings and press boxes. I prayed that the shakiness from my hands would not be noticeable enough in post-editing. There was no real teaching here. It was:
“Hold still.”
“Just point and record.”
“I want this video on my desk come Monday”
Again, not the most ideal situation, but you can bet that I spent my time in the off-season pining over a worn copy of iMovie for Dummies from the base library. With bags under my eyes and a freshly charged camcorder in my backpack, the film was on the head coaches’ desk every Monday.
Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained
I adjusted my backpack, heavy from the weight of my camera and laptop, and continued my walk in the Georgia heat. I did not even know if I was qualified for what came next, but I knew I wanted it, and that was enough. It would have to be enough.
When I arrived at the building, I saw the bright bold border around the words “WMUB ESPN.” I let myself in and quickly found a group of people huddled around a large keyboard with multiple lights and buttons; a TriCaster, as I later came to find out.
Set apart by the deer-like sheen in their eyes, I spotted five other freshmen amongst the group. The meeting I had come all this way to attend was for new hires in the production crew. The opening question asked, “Does anyone have any prior camera experience?” Although I knew it was a bit lackluster, I raised my hand and took a chance that no one would question me further. Fortunately, they did not. We spent the rest of the meeting walking around the production studio, learning about equipment, and going over the game plan for the upcoming game on Friday. Luckily, I learned there was no duct tape involved.
Time to Put your Game Face On
Come Friday I laced up my trusty worn Converse, grabbed my bag and yellow raincoat, and began my walk towards the football field. From the dorms, it was about a 20-minute walk. Once there, I was instructed to notify the ticket booths that I was part of the production crew so that they would let me into the field without a fee.
When initially given the instruction, I had my doubts. There was no way a title alone would get me in, but sure enough, it did. After making it past security, my walk slowed to a stroll. Was this really happening?
A coworker who noticed me lost in thought motioned me over to the rest of the team. She gave me a run-down of the communications system and presented me with a huge, bulky, over-the-shoulder video camera. I was taken aback by the complex display and shiny buttons. So much was happening so quickly.
Looking around, I noticed that there were no other freshmen at the event. The pioneers I had met at the meeting just days prior had failed to show, and now I was alone. Although I don’t know how referring to me as a “Freshie” helped, the upperclassmen reassured me. The team discussed amongst themselves the variety of camera positions that needed to be covered and when the mention of the sideline came up, I couldn’t stop myself.
“Please, Let me take the sideline!”
Several heads snapped toward my direction. They had forgotten I was standing there. I don’t know what I was thinking. As if watching my body from 3rd person, the team set me up with the equipment and two of the guides I had met at the meeting walked me down the sideline.
After plenty of questions, lots of sweat, and a near-death experience (at the mercy of a bunch of football players) I made it through my first college game. The whole night had rushed by in a blur! As a gathered my things to begin my walk back to the dorms, I was stopped by a pair of upperclassmen from the production team. They offered to dropped me off at my dorm.
It was the first time I had been in a car since my parents had dropped me off a few weeks prior.
About the Author
Daniela Oestreich
Student Author - Fall 2021
Daniela “Danie” Oestreich is a 3rd year student at GCSC. She is working towards her Bachelors degree in Digital Media Studies with a focus in Video Production.
