Specs Grad Jace Hammel

JACE HAMMEL
TV Personality
CW50 Detroit
(Detroit, MI)

My past experiences in the industry take me back to June of 1998 where I was hired at WADL TV-38 in Clinton Township as a master control operator, just about six months after graduating from Specs.

This is where I began my seven years of working behind the scenes and getting my first big break on camera for the Fox Kid Show that we aired Saturday mornings. After two years of becoming proficient with board operation and overseeing the on-air programming from day-to-day, I was promoted to supervisor of the afternoon shift.

Two years later, I was given the option to be a part of this Fox Kids Show while still supervising Monday through Friday every week. My position was to report weekly as "The Animal Guy" from the Detroit Zoo and do voice-overs on weekly segments. This was the experience that made me realize I want to do this for a long time and become better at it.

During my last few years at channel 38, I became aware of auditions being held at Specs Howard for the "On The Scene Team" UPN/CBS Detroit. I was picked with five other driven individuals and we became the new talent team for UPN/CBS Detroit (summer of 2003).

We took to the streets of Metro Detroit and attended all the hot summer events to spotlight the station on-air. Making appearances at community events and conducting live promotions was our main objective.

After an exciting year of opportunities with the station, they asked me to individually host comedy wrap-arounds every Saturday night. My comedy segments aired during shows like the Simpsons, That 70s Show, Frasier, Everybody Loves Raymond and Friends.

I'm currently still working as the exclusive talent for the new CW50 Detroit where I now conduct look-live interviews with client sponsors.

People would be surprised to know that despite my unique, outgoing personality and my hyper-active approach on things that I have a very sensitive and serious side to me that most people don't get to see.

My #1 advice to give to current video students is to never give up and be patient. Sounds cliche but after graduating from Specs, I never really thought that just a few years down the road that I would be consistently on-air at a top ten market station.


Jace was gracious enough to speak at a Specs Howard open house the evening of his 27th birthday so we surprised him with a cake.

Seems like in this industry things move so fast that it would be difficult to be patient. I can remember thinking many times that maybe I should switch careers because there's so much competition or I'm getting to old for this. At age 27 with all the wonderful people I have met and exciting opportunities in front of me, I feel like I'm just getting started.

It's hard to say exactly what my greatest accomplishment is because I feel that it is yet to come. Maybe taking the advice from my high school English teacher to check out the Specs Howard School upon graduation. -- it was here where I began to develop my craft.

I guess it could be difficult at times to keep up with all the trends in this industry, but I have been known to create my own and not always follow what's popular or hip.

Some key pointers on how to get some success in this industry is to be "REAL." Stay true to yourself and never feel like you should act any different to impress someone. I always ask a friend or family member for
some advice before a certain job or audition and they always tell me to just be yourself, Jace. That's what I stick to and it has worked on many occasions.

Jace on the 112 Days of Summer boat cruising around Metro beach in summer of 2004, handing out prizes with co-talent Erin Nicole and Promotions Team Christine Brilla and Marcy Ribits.

UPN Detroit talent Jace Hammel and CBS Detroit Talent Leslie Clark setting up for a live appearance at the Rock Financial showplace. They encouraged people to play our match game and spin the wheel of fun for a FREE prize.

Jace and co-talent Erin Nicole got to meet race car driver Clay Millican at the Milan Dragway for the IHRA Finals.

On the set at the school during a 2005 look-live event at Specs Howard School.

If you're a Specs Howard Grad with a story or news to share, please contact us here with the details. Thank you!

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