Monday, November 22, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving

There is one day that is ours. There is one day when all we Americans who are not self-made go back to the old home to eat saleratus biscuits and marvel how much nearer to the porch the old pump looks than it used to. Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American. ~O. Henry



Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Announcing Fall 2010 Capstones

Piedmont College Mass Communications Alumni are cordially invited to attend the Mass Communications Capstone Presentations for Fall 2010.
The presentations will take place from 4p - 6p on Wednesday Dec. 1 in the Swanson Center Screening Room.
Presenters are: Kathy Nicholson, Michael Barry, Matthew Curtis and Lee Robin

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Marriage Advice

I just returned from Jenkins Lobby (formerly Jenkins Theater) in Daniel Hall, and a wedding shower for alumna Sandi Tatum, who is marrying Tim Suda, also an alumnus of the mass comm department. Those of us in attendance who are married were asked to give the new couple our marriage advice. Here is mine (I've been married 21 years):

1. Keep each other’s secrets. Married couples who are very close know intimate details about each other. It’s powerful to trust someone else with your insecurities, and feel he or she loves you anyway. It’s damaging when someone breaks that trust, even if the confidante is another family member or friend.


2. Don’t ride the complain train. I don’t know what men talk about when they get together without their wives. But I know what women talk about, and sometimes they complain about their husbands. If I have a problem with my husband, I work it out with him, not with my friends behind his back.

3. Express yourself. You can’t read each other’s minds. It’s a romantic idea that your spouse will know exactly what to buy you for your birthday without your having to say a thing. It’s thrilling in a perverse way to employ the silent treatment until he/she figures out what he/she did wrong. But it’s detrimental to your marriage. Say what you’re feeling and what you want and you’ll avoid misunderstandings.

4. Listen. The other person has just as much right to a point of view as you do. Sometimes you can agree to disagree.

5. Don’t criticize. I learned early on in our marriage that if my husband offered to clean the kitchen after dinner, I should leave the kitchen and leave him to it. If I suggested he wasn’t doing it right, he’d quit, and rightly so.

6. But know when to speak up. Encourage your spouse to do important things that are beneficial, like apply for a promotion or get more exercise.

7. Don’t keep score. Do nice things for your spouse when the opportunity arises. Avoid doing things that are hurtful. Do them for their own sake, and not for rewards or retaliation for things he/she did in the past.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Mass Comm Experience Day

The Mass Comm Department is playing host to 100 high school students Friday, November 5. Five groups of 20 students will attend workshops in Print Journalism, Public Speaking/Debate, Radio, Television, and a tour of the Swanson Center. Mass Comm faculty and students will work together to showcase our facilities and our department to prospective Piedmont students and Mass Comm majors.
Here's the schedule:


8:30-9:00 Check-In Swanson Lobby

As guests arrive, Admissions staff will check them in at the check in table and be provided with a folder of information which will include the following:

• An agenda of the day including an explanation of which track they are on.

• A map of the campus

• Promotional material about Piedmont College

• Nametag

After registering, guests will be directed to the screening room where they can find a seat and watch a video/slide show related to Piedmont and Mass Comm. The video will play in a continuous loop to entertain the guests while they wait.

Several mass comm. students will be available to take groups on tours of Swanson as they arrive early. Groups will be returned to the screening room by 8:55.

9:00-9:15 Welcome and Introductions Screening Room

Dr. Van Cantfort will welcome everyone to Piedmont College and introduce Mark and Gwen, the mass comm. faculty, and admissions staff. Then Dr. Van Cantfort will review the agenda and the procedures for the day. Eight mass comm. students will be present. Dr. Van Cantfort will introduce them and have the tracks report to their designated escorts who will greet them and help them get to their first session.

9:20-9:50 Session One

Track 1: Print Journalism Track 2: Radio Track 5: SWC Tour

Track 3: Television Track 4: Public Speaking/Debate


9:55-10:25 Session Two

Track 1: Radio Track 2: Television Track 5: Print Journalism

Track 3: Public Speaking/Debate Track 4: SWC Tour


10:30-11:00 Session Three

Track 1: Television Track 2: Public Speaking/Debate Track 5: Radio

Track 3: SWC Tour Track 4: Print Journalism

11:00-11:40 Tour of Campus

Guests will remain in their 5 groups. The admissions staff will be divided to take each group on a tour of campus.

11:45-12:30 Lunch Brookside Dining Room

12:40-1:10 Session Four

Track 1: Public Speaking/Debate Track 2: SWC Tour Track 5: Television

Track 3: Print Journalism Track 4: Radio


1:15-1:45 Session Five

Track 1: SWC Tour Track 2: Print Journalism Track 5: Public Speaking

Track 3: Radio Track 4: Television

1:50-2:00 Closing

Ending the day in the screening room, Dr. Van Cantfort, Mark, and Gwen will provide closing comments. A video will be shown of guests on campus during the day. Mark and Gwen will take photos during the morning sessions and will create the video while the guests are in their afternoon sessions.

Friday, October 29, 2010

News Workshop in Atlanta

Publishing a successful student newspaper is tougher than ever these days (as if you didn't know that).


But smart editors and advisers are constantly asking themselves:

-- What can we do to keep readers happy?

-- How do we upgrade our storytelling and design?

-- What new-media skills do our reporters and editors really need?

In other words: How do we futurize our newspaper?

Now, you may think your paper is fine just as it is. BUT -- If you need to rethink, retool or reinvent what you do, you'll find all the answers at the highly-acclaimed-yet-ridiculously-affordable "Futurizing the News" workshop with Tim Harrower, author of "Inside Reporting" and "The Newspaper Designer's Handbook," coming to Atlanta on Saturday, Nov. 13.

"Tim's seminar is entertaining, enlightening and fulfilling. You leave feeling good about what you do, armed with new ways to do it better, wishing you could infuse Tim -- or at least his ideas -- into your paper right away." (Steve Dorsey, design director at the Detroit Free Press)

Want to learn more? Or watch a video preview? Follow this link to http://timharrower.com/atlanta

Thursday, October 21, 2010

2011 Gwinnett Braves Trainee Program

From  Piedmont College Career Services:

The Gwinnett Braves Trainee Program is designed for applicants who are interested in pursuing a career in professional sports. This program not only provides trainees with a valuable experience in the day-to-day operations of a professional baseball club, but it also gives trainees the opportunity to build a network in the sports industry. Trainee positions pay an hourly rate and are not subject to health benefits or paid time off. Term: January - End of Season.


The Gwinnett Braves also offer two internship positions for college credit only. These positions are intended for college students who seek credit as part of their curriculum. These position typically report on gamedays only and are not subject to monetary compensation, health benefits or paid time off. Term: April - End of Season.

Interested candidates should send resume and cover letter to gwinnettinfo@braves.com .

Friday, October 15, 2010

Job Opportunity

Attached is a job announcement for a Location Specialist in the Film, Music and Digital Entertainment Division. If you or someone you know are interested please send resume and cover letter to jobs@georgia.org. This position is open until 5 p.m. on October 18, 2010.

Georgia Department of Economic Development Position Announcement

Title: Location Specialist
Entry Salary: Low to Mid $40k’s
Division: Film, Music & Digital Entertainment
Location: Atlanta
Duties and Responsibilities: The Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development is responsible for promoting Georgia as an entertainment industry destination by increasing the awareness of Georgia’s film, music and multimedia business opportunities, resources and infrastructure. This is achieved through the building of relationships between GDEcD staff, industry partners, the private sector and prospective global clients, resulting in an increase in the number of new projects to locate, expand or start in Georgia.
The Location Specialist will assist production companies with all aspects of filming in Georgia from initial preparation of location packages through site visits and logistical assistance through the completion of the project.
Duties and responsibilities include:
• Manage the division’s digital location database and create individualized location packages for prospects
• Through networking, trade shows and trade publications, identify prospective projects, develop qualified leads and promote the state as a premier filming location
• Assist with research, writing and development of industry-specific promotional materials
• Scout locations throughout the state of Georgia for prospects as well as to populate the location database
• Develop itineraries and conduct statewide location scouts with prospects
• Assist Georgia communities to understand the needs and benefits of hosting local film and television productions and develop long-term relationships
• Assist productions already in progress in Georgia with logistical assistance and troubleshooting as needed
• Speak and present to statewide communities, associations and organizations about the film industry in the state and its value
• Provide in depth information to prospects about the state’s film resources as well as our incentive packages
• Photograph Georgia locations and upload to database
• Represent Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office at trade shows, film festivals, and local industry events.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Completion of a bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Journalism, Business or a related area and two years of related experience
OR one year of experience as a location scout in the film production industry.
• Knowledge of Georgia communities and locations
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Proficient proofreader with strong writing ability
• Detail-oriented with ability to multi-task and follow through on numerous projects
• Ability to travel and represent the state and department in a professional manner as needed; valid GA drivers’ license required.
• Ability to work nights and weekends as necessary to meet with prospects.
• Ability to effectively work under short deadlines and quick turnaround times
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills. Public speaking will be required
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience in the film production industry
• Music production background
• Photography experience
• Experience in marketing and/or promotions
Travel Required? Yes. Nights, Weekends Required? As necessary
Deadline: October 18, 2010
To apply for this position, you must submit your résumé and cover letter via e-mail to: jobs@georgia.org no later than the deadline listed above. Include the position title in the subject line of your e-mail. If you do not have internet access or require accommodation because of a disability, please contact GDEcD Human Resources at 404-962-4000.
All qualified candidates will be considered but may not receive an interview. Preference will be given to applicants who meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications. Current and former employees of GDEcD may be considered prior to other candidates. Applicants who are not selected for interviews will not receive notification.
Applicants selected for hire will be subject to a background check, including a criminal history record check. Depending on the position, the background check may include education verification, credit check, and driving record.
If selected, male applicants between 18 and 26 years of age must present proof of Selective Service Registration.
GDEcD is an Equal Opportunity Employer