THE FREELANCING CAREER PATH

Chris McLeod has proven that there is an alternative to the full-time job. As a recent graduate from Specs Howard School, Chris has found success working as a freelancer in the broadcast television industry. Having worked at a variety of companies as a production assistant, he was able to land his first job while still in school! During his last class at Specs Howard, Chris was able to work on the short film, “The Swing” for Screen Door Films.

“I came home from the Northern Michigan shooting location the day before I graduated from Specs Howard. It was my first paid job!”

After graduation, Chris kept his career moving on the fast track. Working on a variety of projects as a freelance grip and production assistant, Chris has had the opportunity to work on projects for Comcast, NBA Films, Comerica, Ford Motor Company & Habitat for Humanity. Even with a variety of commercial clients, Chris still has interest in film. This past winter he worked as a production assistant on the independent sci-fi drama “InZero,” filmed in Detroit.

“My dream job, as most film makers would say, is to show people the greatest adventures that come from my mind," says Chris. "I would love to get paid to create a motion picture of my daydreams.”

Image: Chris McLeod & other Specs Howard graduates on the set of the film "Amsteroid."

As many Specs Howard graduates will attest, the hands-on education at the school combined with the instructors' working knowledge helps launch students’ careers. Chris is no exception to this as he discusses his approach to the business.

“It’s all about networking. You just have to work hard and meet the right people," he says. "They’re the ones who are going to give you a call for the next job. Every single job I’ve gotten after my first one has been because of networking.”

Chris has earned his positions for the hard work he has put into previous jobs, slowly building his reputation. Having graduated from Specs Howard less than a year ago, his resume reads like a true professional.

“The most important thing I learned at Specs Howard is to have a good attitude. I knew it before but it’s still extremely important.”

STUDENTS COVER WORLD SERIES OPENING DAY

Enthusiasm, good planning, and a little luck with timing resulted in an exciting and unique experience for four members of RTV-04-06. 

The students -- Jeff Jewell, Terry Freers, Ryan Bonsall, and Isiah Eller -- were assigned to do a sports feature story for the fourth-quarter Specs Profile show, and the project happened to coincide with the opening of the World Series right here in Detroit. 

Since Jeff Jewell is currently doing an internship at Fox 2 Detroit, he used his connections there to gain access to numerous events going on in the downtown area.

Among other things, the group was allowed to bring a camera onto the roof of Hockeytown Café on the day of Game 1 to tape interviews, fan reactions, and shots of the activity on the street below. 

Despite lines stretching several blocks, security opened the ropes for the students and checked in with them throughout the afternoon, at one point even removing several patrons from the railing so the group could get a shot of the street. 

The high point of the day was a taped interview from the roof of Cheli’s Chili Bar with former Tigers pitcher Dan Petry and Fox 2’s Dan Miller, with Comerica Park prominently featured behind them.  Despite the Tigers subsequent loss, the students were able to capture the city’s exuberant atmosphere.

Written by Jeff Jewell (RTV-04-06)

Specs Howard Students shoot Dr. Bill Cosby's workshop, “My Life: Who’s in Charge”

October 7, 2006 - Nine fourth marking period students from the Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts had the opportunity to spend the day shooting a production with Dr. Bill Cosby at the Wayne County Community College’s Downtown Campus.

The students did a four-camera shoot for the “My Life: Who’s in Charge” workshop. Under the guidance of video instructor Denise Swope, the class of RTV-2-06 led by Producer Noah Baker, Kevin Reynolds, Courtney Schrade, Scott Czeszewski, Devon Holley, April Green and from the class of RTV-3-06 Jessica Clos, Patrick Flanagan II, and John Davies completed the production crew.

The workshop encouraged the audience to participate. Co- Host Barbara Reed (LMSW, ACSW) a social worker and Senior Facilitator for Leftwhich and Associates, led the workshop with her powerful words. 
  
The last time Bill Cosby was in Detroit a group of agencies came together to form Arise Detroit, which stands for Activating Resources Inspiring Services and Empowerment to get Detroiters involved in change. Not just change for their own personal lives, but in the community as a whole.

Cosby left the counseling to Barbara Reed, who told 600 people at Wayne County Community College that they, not their circumstances, determine their futures. Barbara was very encouraging.

She had a few points that really stood out:

The first point: “We love telling stories but not producing results.”

Second point: “There is no such thing as trying. You either do or you don’t.”

Third point: “Stop making excuses.”

A couple of the students that attended the event wanted to share their feelings from the day.

April Green: “Barbara made me realize that everyone has a story whether good or bad because that’s life but, you can not change your past. You can only choose to do something about the future.”

Noah Baker: “ The event was a kick in the behind. excuses are just laziness. You do or you don’t! If you don’t it’s your own choice. If I was to fail at my career it was my own choice.”

The audience went through many different emotions. Some were driven to tears, many laughed, others were frustrated, some were there to see Dr. Cosby but the majority was there seeking information to make changes in their lives.

This was an excellent opportunity for the Specs Howard School students to work on a large event in order to gain exposure to the broadcast industry. Before the event there was a press conference where the major media markets were present to interview Bill Cosby, and the SHS students were right up front. Many of the students used this opportunity to make their final demo projects for future jobs.

PASSING ON THE PASSION
By Bob Burnham
Chief Engineer

It is routine for Specs Howard instructors in both the video and audio departments to make use of student interns to assist with the many tasks necessary for the work we do.

This year, however, Matt Inskeep specifically requested an internship with the Operations Department, primarily assisting with needs of our department head, Tom Profit, and myself.

Matt explained that he didn't want to know merely how to use our digital consoles; he wanted to know HOW they WORK.

Broadcast engineers have a natural curiosity and appetite for information. Matt has that hunger as well. It is rarely a problem helping someone build their skills and learning from the start the "right" way to do things, providing they have the right attitude to begin with.

Matt was quickly put to work completing the schools equipment inventory. He is also sent out on regular "missions" which include various studio inspections, troubleshooting problems and learning a few equipment tricks in the process. Meeting with Matt on a regular basis constantly reminds me of images of my past when the roles were reversed.

A lot of small to medium-sized AM stations that originated their own localized programming were common in the late 1970s. At that time, I was on the air full-time at WAAM in Ann Arbor, but wore more than one hat at that station. I often found myself in the engineering workshop helping Chief Engineer, Randy Custer repair cart machines and other equipment.

But at my invitation, Randy also came over to the "programming" side as well.

One day he’d have me rolling on the floor with laughter -- delivering lines I had written for his character on my comedy skit. Yet on another day, he’d assign me to measure the percentage of distortion on every input of every console before we installed it, making sure it exceeded factory specs.

My WAAM job was never boring. In fact, I would still be there today if the industry hadn't evolved as it constantly does. That experience would be repeated several times at other facilities. In addition to sponging up knowledge, it developed that so-called passion in me.

Over the years, I would put the knowledge I gained from working with Randy and others to practical use. I would constantly build upon that knowledge just by DOING it. This is why a school like Specs Howard is so important, because students LEARN BY DOING.

I have no prestigious university degree, yet designing and building a studio or an entire station from the ground up is knowledge and experience I have. It simply came from acting as a "sponge" among others who knew more than I.

A broadcast engineer is not an easy role to fill nor is it easy to find people with that interest. Matt is a rare breed today because of his combination of attitude and range of interests.

When someone like him comes along, there is a guarantee he will be successful in whatever field he chooses. Whether he ends up in broadcast engineering will likely depend on what we convey in terms of Passing on the Passion. Certainly, I hope we’re as good at keeping him in this business as the people I worked with over the years were with me.

The word "mentoring" comes to mind, but to me, it seems much too stuffy and formal. Crank up the jams in the workshop! There's TONS of work, but the party atmosphere is still very MUCH alive among many of us getting-to-be-old-timers!

THE PROFESSIONAL APPROACH TO MYSPACE

Dick Kernen

Perhaps Specs Howard graduate and morning show host, Jeff of "Jeff and Time in the morning" said it best: "Well, well, well… Mr. Kernen! How appropriate that the KING of networking
has a MySpace page."

And Dick Kernen is feeling pretty hip right now thanks to the efforts of Internship Advisor Katie Peters and Admissions Representative Renee Vitale who helped him put his page together less than a month ago.

"We just thought it would be a great way for Dick to connect with past grads and current students," explains Katie. "He really gets a kick out of reading his comments and messages."

To date, the Specs Howard Vice President of Industry Relations has accrued 95 friends.

As it has at so many other schools across the nation, the cyber-phenomenon known as blogging -- or more specifically, MySpace -- has taken root at Specs Howard with more and more staff, alumni and
students signing on every day.

Mike Wisniewski

The unofficial Specs Howard group, moderated and created by grad Mike Wisniewski (DJ Nightowl) in July of 2005, now has 280 members with more joining every day.

"My reason for doing the group was basically to connect with other students and people in the broadcast industry," Mike explains, "and also I wanted some to keep in contact with my class (RTV-12-04)."

While MySpace has taken a beating in the media lately due to the inherent dangers of Internet meeting places, media professionals are signing on in droves to network and market themselves. MySpace is very popular among radio personalities who use the site to interact with listeners.

"I think MySpace is a great way to network and make connections," agrees Specs Howard Placement Director Kevin Seguin-Scollin, who also maintains a page. "My cautionary advice would be to decide why you want to be on MySpace. If you've ever skimmed MySpace and seen the pictures posted or the blogs - not always the most professional!"

"But go to a page like Andie Lynne's (who is also a grad), and it's designed more along the lines of a DJ trying to touch her listeners. You can see the difference."

Users should think twice before posting pictures, words, phrases and/or stories they wouldn't want their parents or future employers to see. Once it's posted online, it's out there like a bulletin board on the busiest highway in the city. What you post
could catch up with you.

(Please note when visiting any of the MySpace links provided that any comments or opinions presented on these pages are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Specs Howard School.)

Tim and Jeff

"TIM & JEFF IN THE MORNING"
Weekdays 6am-10am, Power 105.7, Fayetteville, AR

Jeff: "To someone who actually spends a lot of time on Myspace, it makes us seem like we're actually in the know of what's happening. The networking capabilities are amazing! One drawback is that I sometimes spend too much time messing around with MySpace, when I could be out meeting those listeners face-to- face! Bottom line, it's just another tool that we as jocks can use to make a personal connection with our listeners! And those personal connections are what get us free donuts from time to time so GOD BLESS MYSPACE!"

(Note: Tim is also a grad!)

Chris Cruise

CHRIS CRUISE
Weekdays 6pm-12am, Club 93.7 FM, Flint, MI

Chris: "Since being on MySpace, I've definitely gotten in touch with listeners both old and new, caught up with friends from high school, and have developed a complex for checking each and every bulletin I receive. It's definitely an advantage for me being on MySpace working in radio. I've had listeners participate in contests, bits, and topics all through the website. MySpace is definitely the way to go if you're trying to attain a wider audience. Just stop sending me chain letters!"

Carolyn Stone

CAROLYN STONE
Weekdays 10am-3pm, 106.5 The Zone, Toledo, OH

Carolyn: "I think MySpace is definitely allowing us to open new doors of communication with our listeners...much like it seems to be changing the way the music industry operates. Promotionally, it's great!!! Sending out programming and event bulletins is another way to keep listeners aware of what's going on with the station and it certainly seems to have a more one-on-one feel...something that's been hard to capture in the last few years.

With MySpace I feel like I'm more accessible to my listeners than just the normal remote or during my show. I can reach out or respond to people over the weekend and after hours and it's a lot more personal than traditional website email. Plus, I think creating a page allows you to really express yourself as far as your likes/dislikes go and is a great way for your listeners to get to know you better!!! It rocks!!"

Cartman

CARTMAN
Weekdays 6am-10am, 95.5/94.5 The Zone, Cheboygan, MI

Cartman: "Myspace is a fantastic tool to reach your listeners. They'll be able to view your blogs, and pictures, and be able to directly be in contact with you... I try to (leave a comment) at least once for everyone who adds me as a friend. This helps to develop a closeness with your audience because they feel you took the extra time to leave a nice comment. BEWARE though. It can be trouble just as quick. I know of a jock who was fired because of things he put on his page."