Sapienza, Steve

How has the multimedia platform helped areas of success in getting your message across to people?

How do you think field work helps you as a producer?

What problems with budgets for projects do you face and how do you go about solving/improvising?

Micah, Fink

What heavy influence impact you decision to work on the issue of homophobia leading to the production of "The Abominable Crime"?

 Which multi-media productions in either international affairs, public health, or environmental issues attained the most at awareness and changes in our human populations?

What kind of material in documentation do you suggest for future students of production to begin with?

PULITZER QUESTIONS

Micah Fink
Questions
1. Watching your clip, I've notice your focus was in Kingston. Did you also explore the homosexuals that also reside the popular area in Montego Bay?

2. While in Kingston, were you able to interview other lesbian and gays? And were you able to go to their vary hangout spots like Palais Royal (strip club), Carlos Cafe or even their secret parties in the hills?

3. While in Jamaica were you able to work side by side with JFLAG and if you did, are you planning to work with them  and help those seeking asylum ?



Steve Sapienza
Questions
 1.What inspired you to focus on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the carribean and what was your main goal?

2. Are you working with a non for profit agency?

3. What was the hardest thing you've encountered doing this documentary?

Pulitzer Questions

1. What made you pursue this adventure?
2. What’s was the hardest part of watching this crisis?
3. What did you expect before you began your adventure?
4. What was the most severe situation that you came across?
5. Did you think of any solutions for this issue?
6. Why did you choose this country?

Pulitzer Questions

Steve Sapienza:

1. In shooting a documentary piece, the wide shot is essential and the subject can be asked to repeat the same mannerism in order to get a different angle. What about in shooting hard news pieces.

Micah Fink:

1. You've covered a lot of humanitarian issues, how do you decide when to approach a story as an advocate of change as opposed to an objective journalist.
2. In order to protect the integrity of a story, would you let certain things pass and when wouldn't you
3. Do you think you're guilty of ethnocentrism

Pulitzer Interview Questions

Steve

1. What camera angles do you make sure to get when filming a documentary? 
2. Have you ever been told about restrictions as far as airing content that you've filmed and had to edit because of those restrictions? 
3. What documentary have you done that you feel was the most important issue or topic that you brought to the surface? 

Micah

1. Which do you enjoy more, teaching now what you've learned over the years and your career as a producer/director/writer, or actually going into the field and working?
2. Throughout your film-making phase, was there a specific company that was easiest to work with?
3. Was there ever a situation while shooting material where your life could have been or was in danger? 

Pulitzer questions- Jalesa

Steve Sapienzaa

1. Whats the most memorable story you've covered?

2. why are Dominicans hostile toward Haitians?

3. What sparked your interest in the story?


Micah Fink

1.Was it difficult to get gay people to open up on camera?

2.How did you meet simone (from the film)?

3.How did you come up with the title of the film?

Pulitzer Questions

Questions to Steve Sapienza

1. What made you interested in finding out about climate change from this particular country only (Bangladesh)
2. Can you give us some background on your project called Live Hope Love?
3. What things have you experienced in the countries you do projects on?

Questions to Micah Fink

1. What made you start Common Good Productions?
2. What are some of the films you have worked on?
3. What is "Marine Defenders" about?

Pulitzer Questions

Steve Sapienza Questions

1. Filming and taking pictures can sometimes be a little misinterpreted especially when capturing  someone else’s personal life issues.  What techniques do you use to grasp the emotional, deeper connection with the people to make it more personal ?

2. Was it difficult to get people to open up about situations such as HIV? What do you think made them more comfortable to open up?

3. What experience would you say impacted your life in a positive way the most?

Micah Fink Questions

1. How did it feel to have one of your projects aired on national TV?

2. What was one of the first videos you have done in the past as an aspiring journalist?

3. What advice would you give to young students trying to make it out in the world, just like you have succesfully done?

Pulitzer Questions

For Steve 1 What do you enjoy most about being a journalist? 2 What was the experience like working with the HIV crisis in Haiti and the Dominican Republic? 3 How did it feel when you received an Emmy for working on the human face of HIV/AIDS project in Jamaica? For Micah 1 What made you decide to want to do this project? 2 What was the experience like doing this project? 3 If you had the chance to ever do this project again would you?

Pulitzer Questions

1) Your reaction when you won your first award?

2) Throughout your years of work, what was the most difficult moment you've encountered?

3) As a producer, what was the one documentary you enjoyed the most?

4) You've worked on dozen of films, which one or more took the most time to work on?

5) You've worked on National Geographic Explorer, how was the adventure?

6) What advice would you give to the young journalist out there?

Pulitzer questions

For Steve:
-what led you to be a journalist?
-do you feel you would have gotten as big as an impact about the crisis happening around you had your stories just been showcased in print journalism?
-what triggered your interest to focus in on Jamaica or the Dominican Republic?

For Micah:
-why investigative journalism?
-where did your interest to pursue journalism come from?
-there are crisis all over the world but is there one that has gotten your attention as a possible documentary any time soon?

Pulitzer Questions - Wes MacKenzie Cl#1

Steve Sapienza-
1) Who do you travel with when you do these kinds of stories?  Are you managing all the video, photography and audio yourself?

2)How much prep work is involved in a story like "Slum Dwellers Struggle for Clean Water"?  Is it planned what the results should be or do you go to the site looking for a story?

3) Do you see the HIV issue as a continuing and growing epidemic?

pulitzer questions-joshua hazlehurst

Micah fink
- did you find it difficult to find people willing to speak about their homosexuality in jamaica
-was your safety ever threatened
-what was the worst case that you've heard regarding violence against homosexuals
-do you find that more people are coming forth and standing up against violence towards same sex couples
-do you find it a growing problems in schools with children

Pulitzer Questions (Homosexualtity in Jamaica)

What is your reaction usually when you see violence towards homosexuals in videos on the internet and on TV?



Do you think we/you can change the public perception of homosexuality in Jamaica? If so how?



What is the worst story you've encountered since you started reporting on this story?

Questions for the Pulitzer Center Reporters, from Devon Smith

For Steve:

1)What was it like working with other journalists on both of your projects on HIV/AIDS?

2)Of your projects for the Pulitzer Center, which one had the biggest impact on your life?

3)Which of the stories that you covered or worked on was the most interesting to you?

For Micah:

1)What was it like working with 2 other grantees on a project this size?

2)What was the inspiration for a project like this?

3)How were you able to get the answers to the questions you had from the community?

Pulitzer Center Consortium Visit Q&A

1) What made you want to report on your specific international crisis in the Dominican Republic/Jamaica?

2) What were your journalistic methods of capturing the material needed for your project on this international crisis?

3) What was some of the more obscure information that came about while reporting on your international crisis?

4) What advice or tips do you have for those that plan to enter their international crisis pitch to the Pulitzer Center?

2013 Pulitzer Center Campus Consortium Award Project

After spending the entire month of June in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, I was able to put together a project through the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, which you can find here.

PULITZER CENTER CAMPUS CONSORTIUM VISIT ASSIGNMENT: DUE 11/21/13

1) Check out the links and work of the two journalists from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting who will be in class with us on Thursday:

*Award-winning news and documentary producer Steve Sapienza

 *Award-winning producer, director and writer Micah Fink

2) Come up with at least 3 questions for each of them and be prepared to ask them on Thursday: a good question will relate directly to their work. Apply what we've learned about interviewing to your questions.


3) Post a blog entry with your questions by Thursday's class meeting. USE THIS LABEL: PULITZER QUESTIONS


4) Come prepared and ready to be engaged. ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY

I like gaming…but I Loooove Football, Football, Football!!

Kevin Lang is a Guy's Guy, you can find him on any given day gaming. What really moves him, a great football game….Having WCC student Kevin Lang break down his day to day and what he is into. He enjoys the world of gaming, unlike most he doesn't even mind playing himself. He elaborates a little about his love of sports as well as who has inspired him in the NFL and what does it mean to him. I was delighted to learn about Mike Vrabel.

Looking Inside the Mind of a Writer

I recently sat down with Stephanie Mehia, a current student at Westchester Community College.  We discussed her love for poetry and her love of music.  Her favorite topic to write about is nature and she strives to display the darker and bleak aspect of nature through her writing. One of her main inspirations for writing is from her favorite artist Emily Autumn.

A hardworking person

I recently Interviewed one of my classmates, Angie Gill, who works really hard. She explains what she has been through these several years of working multiply jobs.




Here is advice from a successful person....http://youtu.be/KuNQgln6TL0

Barbara Villena's Hardships are the Roots of Her Love for her Family

            WCC student Barbara Villena discusses in this audio piece how her love for family came about from something as melancholic as having to live among a Peruvian terrorist group called the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%BApac_Amaru_Revolutionary_Movement
Due to Villena being separated from her family and having to be cared after by her nanny during those times of violence, her longing and appreciation for her family remains with her today since her pain was and still is being separated from her family.

Make-up Love

Jalesa Tucker shares with us her passion for make up, her feelings on society, animal testing and shares with us tips and tricks to look your best everyday!






Jalesa's favorite Youtuber, Michelle Phan gives a make-up tutorial inspired by the Mexican holiday "Day of the Dead"

Wes Welcomes WCC Program with Open Optimism (mostly)..

Wes finds a vast range in diversity at Westchester Community College, or WCC,  by most all students and faculty. The audio above of Wesley McKenzie's take and feedback on the school comes from a one on one interview based on his experience.Wes is one of many mature, older, and decidedly declared  students currently majoring, at WCC in Valhalla, New York in journalism. As a fellow peer and student, I myself agree with his input on the school's educational use of the BlackBoard system. This audio also gives a personal perspective on a personal decision and outlook on predisposing events leading up to his decision to go back to school.

Oksana's Love Of Ukrainian Dancing

Oksana talks about her story of teaching Ukrainian Folk Dance at the Ukrainian Folk Center in Yonkers. She talks about her passion of dancing and the experiences that she went through as well.

Skateboarding over the decades

        Over the years, skateboarding just like many other sports has not only changed but also reached new audiences and even influenced new genres never thought possible before.  What had originally started in the 1950's as an idea "to surf on the street" was now reaching audiences in the hip-hop community. Chris Nieratko from Vice comments that "There was always an unspoken understanding between the two worlds: skaters would not rap, and rappers would not skate". A interesting but true idea, since the early 80's there was not one hip hop artist that would make a video skateboarding. Nieratko, also mentions that "At some point, the rap world...realized that white kids made up the majority of hip-hop record sales, and the majority of white kids were skateboarding". Fast-foward nearly a decade and we hear that Lil' Wayne skateboards, odd yes, but certainly true. Nieratko, also comments on Wayne "naturally, the first thing Wayne does to prove how down he is for skateboarding is to start a skateboarding clothing line to capitalize on it". Whether a fad for the moment, or a forever arrival into the hip hop community, what we do know is that skateboarding has now reached more audiences and grabbed the attentions of those internationally as well, surpassing cultural and ethnical groups. A devout skateboarder and student at Westchester Community College tell us more about his thoughts on this ever changing sport.

http://www.skateboardingskateboards.com/skateboarding-history/

The Latest Fashion Discovery

You many not hear very much from Iman Brown but  you can't miss her in a crowd. After being suppressed into Catholic school with minimal school girl fashion, Iman has found something different and she truly enjoys. Her black and gray fingerless gloves and shocking neon pink jacket are trademark fashion pieces that will make you look twice. She has rebelled against the typical collared tops and plaid skirts and went towards becoming a punk fashionista. It's one thing that makes you think twice at who Iman Brown really is.

Geology...A love story

Kassandra gives us the scoop on her first love Geology. Find out what Geology is, why it matters and why Kassandra wouldn't be caught dead in California.

Another world, where rules are non existent.

Learn what college girls are interested in today.

Not that!  Wes MacKenzie interviews a WCC student and learns how reading fits into her lifestyle.
Todays american youth are not reading for pleasure. In fact, according to www.oecd.org they rank in the bottom third of the worlds youth of today.  And according to at least one study, this issue has a direct link to students who do not preform as well in college.  While reading as a pastime may be a dying practice for todays youth, some students are still finding enjoyment in reading.  Meet Melonie and see what she finds exciting in the world of reading for pleasure.

Movie Magic Behind the Scenes

I recently had a conversation with avid movie fan Devon Smith, and she had some pretty interesting things to say.






When I talked to her, Devon discussed a number of things which included her favorite producer.

Our Ears Are In Good Hands For The Near Future!

Matt Brown, an aspiring Dj to be shares with us his interests and goals. Be prepared to book your next music event with Matt brown! Coming soon to a venue near you. Take a look at other aspiring Dj's and how Hip-hop influenced them like it has influenced Matt Brown

Karla Flores is the best babysitter in Westchester County

'Karla Flores loves working with kids' and won't steal your kid's halloween candy

A College Football Know-it-All

Matt Fortunado, a Westchester Community College student is a huge fan of football. His favorite team is the New York Giants, and he is also involved in fantasy football. (To anyone interested in learning about Fantasy Football, this is how one would go about getting involved.) While registration for this season is closed, one can still go on to check the rankings of various teams, and people are even able to start making fantasy teams for other sports as well. If you have no idea about how football is played or how to make heads or tails of the game, the National Football League (NFL) has an easy to understand set of rules on their website. When on the NFL's site, you can also check out team rosters, team records, players, schedules, and even buy tickets for a game.
If there are people out there who love hosting parties, or just having great food when watching a game, Southern Living has included a bunch of easy to make recipes.

LARRY W. SMith

Retiree returns to college to pursue his passion

Choosing a major is a very serious undertaking for so many prospective students as it can make and break you in college and in the marketplace. Nowadays, however so many students figure out what they love and what they're good at and follow their passion all the way. Wesley McKenzie is a retired techie returning to Westchester Community College after decades of working in the computer field to pursue his real passion; journalism.

From High School To College By Way Of Florida

Kevin Dusold has an interesting story to tell and some advice to impart...



When a student takes time off between high school and college, it's often called a "Gap Year" and there are quite a few Pros and Cons to consider.