Multimedia

My multimedia work demonstrates three of my journalistic skills: teamwork, preparation and execution. I can divide work amongst a team of reporters and be responsible to independently accomplish my reporting tasks. I can research a multimedia story and plan out how each element will be different and will improve the overall story. Lastly, I can follow through on my promises and deliver a cohesive, engaging story on a deadline. The following stories used these skills to be successful, and I am proud of my reporting and production work on them.

Missouri’s nuclear weapon legacy and the mess it left behind

This story is my baby. After three weeks of hard work, rigorous reporting and long drives across Missouri, the final product is a two-part look at Missouri’s nuclear legacy. The first part is a Ken Burns-style piece on the Minuteman missile project, in which 150 nuclear missiles were installed across the state during the Cold War. The second part looks at how the state has mishandled a legacy of military waste, especially in St. Louis. Each part contains a video, text piece and social teaser. I created the main video for the military waste portion and wrote both text pieces. I helped write and produce the other videos. This story demonstrates my array of skills and my dedicated work ethic for producing compelling stories.

Veterans cope with PTSD through beekeeping

This piece demonstrates my ability to create an emotionally moving story. Across the U.S., military veterans use beekeeping as a way to cope with their PTSD. Some even say the practice saved their life. This inspirational story was a product of four reporters. In addition to research and script editing, I captured the photographs, wrote the text story and interviewed veterans across the country for our interactive infographic map. (I also had to get over my fear of bees. Getting in a bee suit and taking photos was not an easy task for me!)

KOMU-TV (NBC): Hallsville schools feeling the strain of population growth

This story, published by KOMU-TV (NBC), shows my ability to turn a complicated subject like school bonds into an accessible story. It compared two school districts of different sizes, illustrating how difficult it is for a small district to adjust to a growing student population. As a reporter on a four-person multimedia team, I helped shoot and produce the video package and co-wrote the text story. I also advised in the making of the infographic, which helps explain school bonds. Below is the social media teaser I shot, wrote and edited for the story.