A Tale of Two Students
Most college students go to the mall to forget about their studies. But Jessica Miller ('08) and Matt Sudimack ('05) go there to bring their studies to life.
Before TuttleVision, Matt was an aspiring sports anchor. Jessica dreamed of hosting a news magazine. The two were enrolled as radio/TV majors at Capital. And they were looking forward to getting hands-on video production experience through the department's long-standing TV project.
"It used to be called 'The Show,'" Matt recalls, "and it aired on CapNet three times a semester. Students had a lot of freedom to do whatever kind of project they wanted. I liked that." But others, including classmate Jessica, felt differently. They ultimately decided to change the project format.
A Show Is Born
The marketing director of Tuttle Mall, had recently installed flat-screen TVs in the food court area and was looking for a creative way to promote the mall. So he approached Steve Esposito, associate professor of communication and director of University Television. Steve put the idea to his students. And that's how TuttleVision began.
TuttleVision is a monthly 20- to 30-minute program produced by students in Capital's radio-television program. Taped on location, it showcases Tuttle Mall events as well as merchants and their products. It airs on screens in the food court and elsewhere in the mall. The show is coordinated, taped and produced entirely by Capital University students.
Lights, Camera, Action!
Matt and Jessica's first on-camera interviews were eye-openers. "The first interview I did was with a store owner who didn't have a lot to say," remembers Jessica. Few of her questions got more than two- or three-word responses. With cameras rolling, she had to struggle to get the footage she needed.
Matt's first interview was with the owner of a diamond store. "I knew absolutely nothing about diamonds," he notes sheepishly. Then again, he figured, neither do a lot of guys who go out to buy them. During the interview, he turned his weakness into a strength by aligning himself with his target audience.
As the two fledgling newscasters mastered their jobs, they began to get creative. And the stores they profiled reaped the benefits. For Valentine's Day 2005, Jessica came up with the idea of highlighting Tuttle Mall's "Top 5 Gifts for Men and Women." Godiva Chocolatier, one of the featured stores, went on to have its busiest season ever. A segment entitled "Junior Spring Fashions" was staged as a music video featuring outfits from Tuttle's trendiest stores. After the segment aired, sales at one of the featured stores shot up 57%.
Being on-camera was only part of Matt and Jessica's work with TuttleVision. They've also spent long hours at the editing suite and mixing board. They worked closely with other radio/TV majors to ensure that each show was as polished as it could be.
A Transforming Experience
TuttleVision has taught Matt and Jessica some valuable lessons about work and life.
"I learned how to talk to people and to draw them out and get the story," Jessica explains.
"I learned it was important for me to be flexible. Sometimes, a store would cancel a taping at the last minute for business-related reasons like if they were going through a crunch time. I realized that, although it might be inconvenient for us, we were there to serve their business needs. That helped me put things in perspective." And what did Matt learn from his experience? "The importance of preparation and dedication," he says simply.
Before the TuttleVision project, Matt's ambition was to be a sports anchor on the 11:00 news. Now, just days away from graduation, he finds editing and production more appealing. "I'd rather make someone else look good than stand up there and be the guy on-camera," he declares. "I love the challenge of working in the editing booth."
Currently a sophomore, Jessica has been involved with TuttleVision since her freshman year. The experience has changed her career focus as well. "I started out wanting to be the next Katie Couric," she recalls with a laugh. "Now, I think I'd like to go into radio."
The two students have discussed the idea of working together someday and maybe starting their own production studio. But whatever the post-graduation future holds, they are passionate about seeing TuttleVision continue. It would be a fitting tribute to their professor and mentor, who died of cancer this January. Steve Esposito's dedication helped create this program, say Matt and Jessica. It's up to all of us to keep it going.
Words of Advice
If you're an aspiring broadcaster, TuttleVision is a great way to get real-world experience, both on-camera and off. But, say Matt and Jessica, "Prepare to work hard. It's a team effort, so you have to be willing to contribute wherever you're needed." Lack of knowledge is not a problem, they add, as long as you tackle it head-on. "If you don't understand something," Matt advises, "ask questions!"
Spoken like a true reporter.