NewsTeam Class

The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing you fear and get a record of successful experiences behind you - William Jennings Bryan

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NewsTeam Boulder will equip you with the skills and experience you need to launch your broadcast career. 

What do prospective media employers want to see from student work?
The best way to move closer to your career goals is to develop skills that will make you a valuable employee. In surveys, prospective employers look for the following qualities in newly graduated students:

• Excellent Oral and Writing skills;
• Competency in Research and Ethics skills;
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving skills;
• Personal Responsibility and Professionalism.
  

Here's a job hint for you: Producers are in demand, so if you want a job as a producer, you're likely going to get it. Put your best foot forward!

The Demo Reel

To get that job, you will need a demo (resume) reel. There are several kinds -- reporter reels, anchor, weather, sports, and even producer reels. You'll get plenty of opportunities in NewsTeam to beef up that reel, which you can then show to prospective employers. In fact, your final assignment this semester will be to produce a demo reel that showcases your best work (which can also include the work you do in internships and elsewhere) and embed it on your own professional website.

As the semester progresses, be sure that you're saving your work, including written materials like scripts, Web stories and rundowns (for producing jobs). Don't wait until the semester is nearly over to start collecting the work you've done; save as you go is the better recommendation.

Here's what prospective employers mostly look for in a reporter's demo reel (disclaimer -- requirements may vary):

• At least four engaging, interactive stand-ups. 
• 2 really compelling and visually interesting packages.
• Good writing. 
• Originality. News directors want to see enterprising stories. Your job is to dig up stories and new angles on existing stories, not duplicate what other reporters have already done.
  
• Anchoring clips will not get you a job, but your reporting will. However, most resume reels end with an anchoring montage that lasts 20 to 60 seconds, and also shows some bantering with your co-anchors.
  
• The length of the entire reel is 6 to 8 minutes tops.
  

How We Define Reporting

You often hear your journalism professors describe reporters as storytellers. But at least 70 percent of your reporting is digging up information. Only then will you be ready to tell the story. The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) advises that you should be a reporter not a stenographer -- It's not a story if you just repeat what people say or if you pass along claims without challenging them. A good journalist cuts through the rhetoric, makes inquiries, follows up, and applies critical thinking skills to clarify arguments and distinguish relevant from irrelevant facts. We expect you to show these same practices in your own work.

We also see reporters performing a service, adding to the community's knowledge by investigating, providing context and explanation to stories that impact people and make a difference. You will need to weigh in on the credibility of experts; fact check and even do some debunking; and find ways to make your information accessible visually. Many NewsTeam students before you have done this, and these skills led to successful careers.

NewsTeam Boulder is a Legitimate News Operation

More than just a class, we're Boulder's only live 30-minute television newscast, covering mostly campus, city and county news. As in the professional world, you will be required to produce original news stories under deadline. Teamwork is essential -- missing deadlines, or producing unsatisfactory work, means that you're not just answering to your professors, but to your classmates who depend on you to contribute to the overall newscast. Keep in mind, your professors won't be the only eyes that see your work.

NewsTeam Boulder is a collaboration with two other classes - the studio production class TV-2, and the directing class, TV-3.

NewsTeam Boulder's Origins

NewsTeam Boulder began in 1987 and boasts a long list of alums who are working all over the country in multiple broadcast roles. One of our first graduates is NBC news correspondent Tom Costello. 9News anchor Kim Christiansen and Peabody award-winning 7News investigative reporter Marshall Zellinger are are also former NewsTeamers. Click here to see a list of others.

NewsTeam Boulder is also an official CNN affiliate and we have partnerships with 7News Denver and the Boulder Daily Camera. Additionally, NewsTeam students create Web content for the show’s media website at newsteamboulder.tv

When does NewsTeam Boulder air?

NewsTeam Boulder airs on Comcast 63 live at noon and repeats at 6p and 10p, twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We also stream the show via Livestream. Entire shows are recorded and archived so you can access them for resume material.

Important Links:

www.newsteamboulder.tv (this is our media website)
www.newsteamclass.com (this is our class website)

Twitter: @NewsTeamBoulder
Facebook: NewsTeamBoulder