Kristin Giannas

GIULIANI

2012-01-27T02:55:00.016-05:00

My Girl Scout Troop leading Rudy Giuliani in NYC parade

Rudy Giuliani, UF Accent Program, 1.26.12

Whenever I think of Rudy Giuliani two things come to mind- the day my Girl Scout Troop lead him in a New York City parade, and September 11, 2001.

When the towers fell, I was in my 8th grade classroom at M.S.172 in Queens.

I probably couldn't tell you if Giuliani was a Democrat or a Republican.

It didn't matter.

I was too busy processing what happened.

Trying to wrap my mind around the gravity of the situation- my classmates were crying-- many were lining up to use the telephone to call their parents who worked in the towers.

Everybody knew somebody who was there.

I'm not sure how many days later- or if it was the following day, but I was watching the news in the living room of our "Archie Bunker" Bellerose house when I heard my neighbors voice from the kitchen..."Moira is missing."

Moira Smith was the only female NYPD officer killed on September 11th.

Here she's helping Edward Nicholls before returning to the towers to help others.

This picture is the definition of heroism.

It takes me back to a summer afternoon, sitting on my neighbor's stoop.

I was just a kid... telling Moira my love for writing and dreams of becoming a news reporter.

I remember her saying I could do anything.

My best friend Giulia, (the girl waving her right hand at the camera) was killed crossing the street when we were 15.

We'd all live to see September 11.

I'm reminded of a verse, Hebrews 13:2:

"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing some have unwittingly entertained angels."

We never know what obstacles we'll face, or what's written in the stars for those we stand beside.

All we can do is live, and learn from everyone-- embracing those opportunities God gives us; whether it's shaking hands with the mayor or a conversation on the stoop with the cop next door.

You never know how those moments will shape your life-- those moments where the only picture you have to remember it all, is the one you keep in your mind and heart.

Sunset

2012-01-04T23:59:00.003-05:00

Waldo, FL
1.4.12

Driving back to the station from my story, I witnessed a beautiful sunset.
I pulled over and took some video... to make it last longer :)

Hit-and-Run

2012-01-03T23:31:00.011-05:00

Today I covered a story about a woman who was hit by a motorcycle while crossing a busy street. Her right foot was severed. The driver kept going...

The crash happened on Monday night, around 8:00 in front of the Taco Bell on US129, a few miles south of I-1O. Troopers were unable to locate the driver or the woman's foot.

I met a trooper at the scene late this afternoon. After our interview, I asked him to escort me to the median on 129, and "watch my back" as I got shots of the spot where the woman was hit.

On our walk there, we found the woman's right foot.

Victim's foot found along southbound lane of US129

Mic slip...

2011-12-29T23:36:00.010-05:00

My mic slipped down my shirt on my run to the set this evening. Click here to see the aftermath of my shenanigans.

NO MIC MIC!

In other news, my good friend and former co-worker Robert Bradfield made a stop in Gainesville today. He's a reporter at WPSD Local 6, covering stories in southern Illinois.

Robert and I went to UF together. He was a year ahead, but I got to work with him at our school's TV station, WUFT, as well as on several ABC News on Campus projects.

Robert and I anchoring, 2008

It's crazy how time flies SO. FLIPPIN. FAST. I guess the lesson is: you don't have to run through life. It's not a race. There's no fire you need to get to. It's okay to stop sometimes, take a look around, and smile at what you see. You may even catch a mic issue in the process. If you don't, no biggie- at least you'll have something silly to blog about.

Fill-in

2011-12-28T23:55:00.003-05:00

I had to fill-in anchor tonight. A few awkward moments...

Katie Tschopp, my producer for the evening

Special Delivery

2011-12-23T00:45:00.015-05:00

It's 1:00 AM. I just got home from work. Long day... ecstasy lab story in Ocala. Check it out here (disregard mic issues in the beginning).

12.22.11

Before work, my former intern Chris Gilmore and I drove to High Springs and delivered presents to Mrs. Williams. Her daughters were at their grandma's house so we were able to sneak in and hide everything. Mrs. Williams said she'd take pictures of the girls opening the gifts on Christmas morning. Can't wait to see them.

Mrs. Williams is a trip! She had me PEEING in my pants talking about my co-workers and I. She said we all need to have a drink before we go on air. In our defense, I explained the challenges of one-man-banding. She listened, making jokes along the way.

Mrs. Williams had something to say about every A-block story we did in the past month- the woman had our rundowns memorized!

People really do watch. The stories we bust our asses filming, writing, and editing are affecting people. Yeah, we're the bright-eyed, bushy-tailed reporters making no money in market 160, (the bottom of the barrel according to Nielsen market estimates) but we're still touching people.

Sometimes it takes stepping out from the daily grind and doing something for a stranger to realize the true worth of your work.

We left Mrs. William's house with a piece of rum cake and encouragement to take on the world.

Fixin our rum cake :)

Chris Gilmore and Mrs. Williams

Hello again...

2011-12-22T01:35:00.014-05:00

I haven't blogged in a year.

Why did I stop? No idea... it kind of just happened. I guess I could blame my friend Quan. He gave me a fancy leather journal and it seemed like a crime leaving it blank.

Random thoughts, overheard quotes, secrets, to-do lists, cartoons, bible verses... the journal is now well worn, and believe it or not my second also has no vacancy. But before I can start a third, blogging has been laid back on my heart.

Today I produced a story on "layaway angels," people who are stopping in retail stores and asking to pay off the layaways of complete strangers.

Click here to see the story.

After the show I wrapped presents my friends and I gathered for two girls in High Springs. I met them when I interviewed their mother last month. They live on the other side of the tracks in the city's "poor" neighborhood. Great people, but just struggling like so many of us.

Whether or not you have a big family, lots of friends, a boyfriend, or wife and kids, there's still always someone to give a gift to...and sometimes it's not something you can wrap.

8 priceless words...

2011-01-21T00:39:00.010-05:00

It was my mom's birthday on January 18. I sent her gift around 1:00 AM, (January 19). I know, Tardy Tammy, but it took a few hours to put together... Happy Birthday Mommy on YouTube.

I guess the good thing about being in an "overworked and underpaid" season of my life, (particularly during celebrations like my mother's birth) is: I have no choice but to search my heart for a gift without a price tag.

Eight words I'll never forget, spoken by my mother on January 19, 2011: "this is the best gift I ever got."

I guess ballin' on a budget aint so baddd...

Bound by Haiti

2011-01-12T11:49:00.007-05:00

Check out Jon and Roman's website, BOUND BY HAITI.

the joy of Giving

2010-12-25T11:47:00.063-05:00

How we react to the world, shows our maturity in God, and that type of maturity, doesn't come with age...

Christmas Eve

I got to the station at 11am, made some calls, grabbed my camera and tripod and ran out the door. My story: "last-minute shoppers."

When I got back to the station, I cranked out a script, then pre-recorded an intro and tag on set.

Once I finished editing, I said goodbye to my coworkers who were leaving town after the 6:00 show, and headed out to my second story of the day... a guy who hangs 100,000 christmas lights on and around his house.

As I was driving to the story, I couldn't help but think how depressing it was to be alone on Christmas Eve. It didn't help that I was driving out to the middle of nowhere, on a long winding road with no cars, just me and my TV20 jeep.

I called my mom, who was at the butcher getting filet mignon, (her Christmas dinner speciality).

I started crying. "This isn't fair," I told her. I was completely alone, tired, broke... and did I mention alone? Immediately Melissa Giannas did was she does best-- slapped me with the truth. "Life isn't easy," she said, "it's hard, especially when you're chasing after a dream." She recounted her days working at Bloomingdales, how she would get home late on Christmas eve, exhausted, "then me and ya fatha would stay up and put the presents under the tree...it was terrible." I laughed, because my mom's way of "telling it like it is" reminded me of home- the place I wanted to be more than anything.

When I got to the land of 100,000 Christmas lights, I was greeted with friendly smiles from 73-year-old Richard Mason, his daughter Belinda, and her two kids. They all laughed as I ran around the Christmas wonderland with my camera, filming and directing Mr. Mason, to make sure I got everything I needed before dark.

Richard Mason and I

12.24.10

Windsor, FL

After staging the classic, "walk-and-talks," with my defective tripod, I turned the lens on Mason, and started the interview.

Here's a grandpa who refuses to retire, and for the past 40 years, spends two and a half months hanging all these lights...by himself.

"That way if I make a mistake, I'm the one to blame," he told me.

Over the years Mason's lights have drawn a faithful following, with countless families incorporating them into their Christmas traditions.

"It's made a difference in my life, it's been a part of Christmas to me," said 23-year-old Katherine Oldham, an FSU grad student who has been coming to see Mason's works of art since she was five.

Problems with the retina in his right eye is making it harder for Mason to see his vision to fruition, making this year the grand finale.

He could have made an arm and a leg over all these years, but he didn't. Mason says he's never charged anyone a dime to walk through his land of 100,000 lights.

"Not for something like this, this is the joy of giving, not receiving," he said.

Before I left, Mason's daughter Belinda handed me a tupperware full of peanut butter cookies. She gave me a big hug and said, "Merry Christmas."

Christmas is about giving, and this family gave me a beautiful story to tell. A good friend of mine once said, "a gift is from the heart when there's no strings attached."

The only thing that came with this gift, was a hug.

I pulled out of Mason's driveway, and looked at the clock. It was 6:20pm. I still had time to make it to the Christmas Eve service at The Family Church.

I put the pedal to the metal and got there by 7pm, just in time for Pastor Max's sermon.

On my way back to the station, I pulled into the McDonalds drive through and got my Christmas Eve dinner- a big mac, fries, and Dr. Pepper.

Christmas

I was in downtown Gainesville by 8 this morning. To my understanding, a church group would be feeding and giving gifts to the homeless...

I noticed a boy, about my little brother's age, helping unload clothing from a truck. I got some shots of him, then walked over to the benches to get video of the homeless people.

If you've ever worked in Gainesville, in some type of journalistic capacity, you know filming the homeless at Bo Diddley plaza isn't exactly a party.

"TV20's here!"

"I don't wanna be on camera!"

"Girl, you betta check yourself before you point that camera at me!"

"I got a warrant, you betta not film me!"

Not fully awake and ready to solicit interviews from the tough crowd, I turned around and went looking for that little boy.

Alex and Sarah Guilfoyle

12.25.10

Bo Diddley Plaza

Alex Guilfoyle (9) and his sister Sarah (15) spent their Christmas morning handing out clothes and food to the homeless. I was thinking about my little brother, how at that moment, he was most likely unwrapping his XBOX Kinect, trying to act surprised when he knew all along my parents would cave in and get it for him, (I'm guilty too- on Wednesday night I went to Walmart and bought him a $53.00 Kinect video game, which he'll probably play once, and never again).

I asked Alex what he was doing downtown on Christmas morning.

"I'm helping the homeless and telling them about Jesus Christ," he said.

When I asked if he would ever forget this Christmas he said, "probably not, because this is like the happiest time I've ever felt."

Alex Guilfoyle

12.25.10

Downtown Gainesville

I walked back over to the benches to see if the homeless had a change of heart. The amount of people "feeding" and "passing out clothes" multiplied, but one woman caught my eye... and it wasn't because of her bright red vest.

This woman was giving long, colossal hugs to every homeless person who called her name... I've never seen anything like it. I walked over and introduced myself.

Jennifer Faye Smith was once homeless. She's been off the streets for 9 years, and has since, started her own ministry. Every Wednesday night and Saturday morning, Jennifer is at Bo Diddley plaza, hanging out with her homeless friends.

Jennifer Faye Smith

12.25.10

"These people have hearts and they have feelings, and just like you, they need to be validated with love," Jennifer said.

Jennifer's Crew Distributes Gifts

12.25.10

With Jennifer's help, I was rubbing elbows with Gainesville's homeless in no time. Their love and trust in her is amazing. As I filmed, I smiled... knowing in my heart, I was exactly where I needed to be.

"He must become greater; I must become less,"

John 3:30.

If we truly believe in God, we'll continually discover that life isn't about us. It's so much more than that.

Life is about giving and loving. It's about living for something far greater than ourselves, and trusting that living for God, though, not always easy, brings the greatest joy, and more blessings than any one heart can hold.

Check out some raw clips from my interview with Alex.

My way...

2010-12-12T23:46:00.045-05:00

As I sit and enjoy the last ten minutes of my birthday, I'm listening to Frank Sinatra's, "My Way."

Ol' Blue Eyes would have been 95 today; a man with "many sides" as described by Bill Gallo, in the NY Daily News,

"He was brash, good-natured, shallow, deep and poignant, angry, happy, funny, classy, unpredictable, steady and always on time, a slang-talking street guy, with diction so precise and clear that it complimented the English language."

Frank Sinatra is a legend. His songs are timeless. His voice is "The Voice." I can only dream of leaving such a legacy on the world.

I do hope that when I reach the end of the road, I can confidently say, "I faced it all and I stood tall; and did it my way."

How we live defines who we are and how we're remembered.

No one is perfect. We're all messed up, and we're living in a world that's just as screwed up as we are. But no matter what life throws our way, we must stay true to ourselves, never compromising what we believe in.

In the end, it's not the fall that makes us an inspiration to others, but our faith during the fight to get back up.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

2 Timothy 4:7

So, say the things you truly feel and show the world your "many sides." As Sinatra once said, "dare to wear the foolish clown face." Be different. Be real. Be you-- but never lose your faith.

Birthday card from the parents

12.12.10

Living the dream

2010-12-10T16:36:00.023-05:00

CBS News Correspondent Kelly Cobiella

Miami, FL

12.10.10

Life's full of inspiring moments...

watching someone

live their dream

is one of them.

good things come in small packages...

2010-11-21T20:19:00.011-05:00

It's not what gives us hope that matters... it's the fight to keep it that makes all the difference.

"This is a school, not a corporation"

2010-11-18T23:34:00.015-05:00

UF Rally Against Block Tuition 11.17.10

Photo by: Diana Moreno

On the steps of Tigert Hall, a large group of students protested block tuition, which is most likely going to be a reality at the University of Florida come Fall 2011.

After a UF administrator addressed the crowd, one kid screamed out, "this is a school, not a corporation!" and for some reason his words stuck with me...

Some of the images I tweeted from the protest:

Seeing Ester and Murray

2010-11-12T15:22:00.015-05:00

Grandpa Murray and I

Giulia Lewis Memorial Dinner

11.5.10

Giulia was an adventurous child. I remember when were ten-years-old, her grandparents took us to a church carnival. Giulia begged me to go on "The Zipper," which, if you've never heard of it, is the WORST carnival ride ever invented- a small cage... of death. I still to this day, get sick just looking at. Anyways, she convinced me to suck it up, and go on.

I remember trembling as the ride operator strapped us in. I looked over at Giulia and she was smiling from ear to ear, swinging her feet in excitement. As soon as the ride started, it took about five seconds for me to start screaming bloody murder. After two minutes of hell, the operator let me off. I ran to the back of the ferris wheel, and puked my brains out. The funny part about it was, Giulia was cracking up.... just laughing the entire time.

This past weekend at Giulia's memorial dinner, her grandpa Murray started talking about that night at the carnival. I've blogged about Giulia's grandparents before, and keep in touch with them through letters and phone calls, but this past weekend was the first time I've seen them in seven years.

As much as we need to move on from tragedies that have touched our lives, we must not let time erase those memories that keep who, or what we've lost... alive.

I'm comforted to know that Giulia's grandparents can still hear her laughing behind the ferris wheel... because if I close my eyes, and go back to that night, I can too.

Ester and Murray

11.5.10

Awkward Kristin

2010-11-12T14:56:00.015-05:00

My friend Andi decided to advertise one of my most awkward moments on Facebook and YouTube. You would think a stunt like the one captured above was done on purpose--but as the girl in the Florida sweatshirt behind the printer, I, Kristin Giannas, can promise you... this was real life. I'm really just that awkward.

So on the day of the above video, I was in the basement of Weimer Hall, and had locked myself in a dark, cold, editing cave to work on a project for one of my TV classes. Judging by the fact that I look like the Crypt Keeper, I hadn't seen the light of day for some time.

Make a long story short, in my zombie-state I left the edit bay and moseyed over to the printer to pick up some papers. I remember staring into a bright light.... and it took me a few seconds to realize that light was atop a camera feeding a newsroom live segment INTO OU NEWSCAST! Once this all clicked, I had seconds to make a decision and, being so quick and smooth on my feet, I decided it was a good idea to, elevator-style, drop it like its hot behind the printer.

I'm jealous that David can blame the dentist.

15 C

2010-11-05T07:34:00.006-04:00

I just boarded the plane that's taking me to New York for Giulia's memorial dinner, and I'm sitting in seat 15C.

Giulia was killed seven November 5th's ago.

She was 15.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm not a fan of the number 5.

"Everyone was where they were supposed to be"

2010-10-08T18:21:00.007-04:00

I've learned that sometimes, you're at the right place at the right time....and when you're at the wrong place at the wrong time, all you can do is trust that God knows what he's doing.

Uncovering truth.

2010-10-08T10:55:00.008-04:00

Tonya Miller

10-7-10

Evidence bag containing father's belongings

Inside father's wallet, Clifford's Meridian appointment card

Appointment cards found in father's wallet

Faith

2010-10-07T00:31:00.015-04:00

Demeatrius & Tonya Miller

10-6-10

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Hebrews 11:1

Have you ever had one of those, "God" moments? It's a step past goose bumps and the chills... where you feel an unexplainable presence around you. You can hear the beating of your heart as your mind seems to drift for a second, but you know you're exactly where you're supposed to be...

I guess the feeling is hard to describe, but if you've ever had a "God" moment, you know what I'm talking about.

I had one tonight, and it was when I decided to put down my camera, and pray with a family broken by tragedy.

"We cannot attempt to understand how Clifford junior became so disconnected with reality, that he was able to harm those he loved most. We are extremely sorry for the pain and grief ripping the Gainesville community, and we can only hope that time will begin to heal the wounds so deep. Six families including ours, have been affected by this unthinkable horrific act. Please continue to pray for all families involved, as the community rely on our faith to heal."

Miller Family Statement

My Hawaiian Breeze Candle

2010-09-21T23:24:00.016-04:00

I bought a Glade Hawaiian Breeze scented candle a few weeks ago, and I lit it for the first time tonight. It's crazy how one candle can make you forget where you are. It's only been burning for about 20 minutes, and my entire house smells like Hawaii... I guess I've never been to Hawaii, but regardless, the $2 candle has transported me to paradise, and inspired tonight's blog post.

As I was pulling into work this morning, I saw the red light on my blackberry flickering. It was an email from a good friend. The subject: "You and worry..."

At the very top, a question, "What Happens When You Worry?" followed by a bible verse...

1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you."

As I kept reading the message, one sentence struck me... "Worry doesn't take the sorrow out of tomorrow-it takes the strength out of today."

I wasn't expecting this "self-help" email from the friend who sent it. Regardless, I was appreciative and grateful, because despite some of the life-altering experiences I've encountered in the past year--realities that have shown me the value of today and the uncertainty of tomorrow-- I still find myself worrying about the future. My worries are generally about my job, and where my career is going.

It's been almost five months since I graduated from UF, and through my occasional "Facebook stalking," I've learned that several of my classmates have landed some sick jobs right out of college. I've got friends working for the network in NYC, others are reporting in top 50 markets...I can't help but look at myself--reporting for Gainesville's local ABC affiliate-- and not be anxious about where I stand in the world.

It's been five days since I interviewed Pastor Terry Jones, the man behind "Burn a Koran Day." I never expected that I'd be covering an international story during my time at TV20.

Although my coverage wasn't featured on CNN, or picked up by a big city ABC affiliate, I'm still grateful for the experience. For the first time in my young career, I was thrown into a media circus, where I was setting up my tripod and camera next to network news corespondents, BBC reporters, photographers that have been around the world and back...

I saw first hand, the effects of social networking--- how Pastor Jones' message crossed oceans, and brought journalists from around the world to the front lawn of his small Gainesville church. I saw a clear illustration of traditional news media losing it's power. Journalists are no longer gatekeepers of news and information for the public... editors and producers no longer the sole judges of which stories are appropriate, which sources are credible, which quotes are valuable...

Here was a story that, in my opinion, was made newsworthy by the people....the tweets, the Facebook groups, the YouTube videos-- the news media only added fuel to the fire.

The story opened my eyes to some of the realities of this changing industry... and it happened right here, in little old Gainesville.

I know in my heart that God has put me here for a reason. I've also learned that much like my two dollar Hawaiian Breeze candle, a story can make you forget where you are- a story knows no boundaries- a story has the power to touch lives around the world.

In both my life and career, I can't worry about tomorrow. I need to save my strength- keeping my passion and fire burning for the story today.

Pastor Jones, all you need is LOVE!

2010-09-16T19:23:00.011-04:00

Interviewing Pastor Terry Jones

9.16.10

Wall decor inside pastor's office

"John loved and prayed for the human race. Please tell people to pray the same for him. Remember that he had deep faith in love and that, though he has now joined the greater force, he is still with us."

Yoko Ono, December 1980

If the bible isn't teaching Pastor Jones about love, peace, and understanding....perhaps he needs to listen to The Beatles.

A dark cloud...

2010-09-08T19:01:00.011-04:00

Noon: Interfaith Prayer Service....Holy Trinity Episcopal Church...Downtown Gainesville

People from all walks of life came together, to pray for peace.

A moment of silence for those who lost their lives on 9-11-01

Gainesville Mayor Craig Lowe

2 PM: I took a drive to the Dove World Outreach Center, where Pastor Terry Jones was addressing the media.

As I was pulling away, I took a picture with my phone, and posted it on twitter.

The dark cloud over the Dove World Outreach Center made me wonder what God thought about all this...

Twitter and Terry Moran

2010-09-07T23:38:00.018-04:00

Terry Moran interviewing President Barack Obama....

Terry Moran sitting in front of my desk.

The preacher that's putting Gainesville on the international stage with his Koran bonfire scheduled for September 11th, has brought ABC's Terry Moran to TV20. Named co-anchor of Nightline in 2005, Moran has chased stories around the world.

Before I left the station, I thought I'd interrupt Moran as he worked on his script to introduce myself, (I mean, when's the next time I'd be THIS close to Terry Moran?)

We started talking about the industry, where it's going, and what role social media is playing in it all.

Basically, Moran told me to TWEET.

The tweets that Moran said, put him on the map in the twitter world:

On board Air Force One. Pancakes, bacon and eggs on the menu. Twix and snickers for snacks. 8:46 AM Feb 10th, 2009 via mobile web

Music on AF1 includes: Jason Mraz, Goldfrapp, lots of J Legend, Rihanna, + Jeremy Pelt! 8:57 AM Feb 10th, 2009 via mobile web

AF1 lunch: baked potato topped w/ BBQ chicken, fudge brownie. Yum. Tue Feb 10 15:32:25 2009 via mobile web

Moran said OVERNIGHT, he had hundreds of thousands of followers, simply by tweeting about the food served on Air Force One.

Firestarter: Pastor Will Burn the Koran
Meet the Florida Pastor who plans to commemorate 9/11 by burning the Koran.

Wes Skiles

2010-07-28T19:01:00.007-04:00

a dark year for sea turtles...

2010-07-20T18:40:00.009-04:00

Click on the picture below to watch my story...

One Day

2010-07-15T22:33:00.006-04:00

This is the intro to a 15-minute video I produced for Mike Clark. Two months ago, his 19-year-old son Philip was killed while on foot patrol in Marjah, Afghanistan.

Something compelled me to stay in the studio after work last night and finish the video. As soon as I was done, around 10 PM, I drove the dvd over to Mr. Clark.

I would soon find out that Philip's brothers of the 1/6 Marines, (Alpha Company) were on their way home, arriving back on base at Camp Lejeune, NC early this morning.

Sometimes we can't explain why we do things... (like why, out of all nights to finish the dvd, I stayed 3 hours last night) but I'm learning that if you follow your heart, and are obedient to it's commands, the end result is nothing but beautiful.

With the arrival of the 1/6, a family is reminded of their great loss, but I hope this helps them remember a hero- whose life is an illustration of the most perfect love.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" ~John 15:13

the 911 call

2010-07-07T23:40:00.048-04:00

I was on call last week.

At TV20 when you're, "on-call," that means in addition to your normal slave- I mean, work-week, you have to respond to any "breaking news" that happens before or after your shift.

Last Tuesday, I got a call from my assignment desk around 8:30 in the morning.

I was told there had been a shooting inside a Gainesville neighborhood, deputies were on scene, and to "get there fast."

I ran out the door, threw my camera and tripod in the trunk of the TV20 chevy I had been rocking since my on-call shift started that Friday, and raced to the address, (I guess the good thing about being on call is, you get to drive a Home Team wagon for a week- and TV20 fills up the tank).

When I got to the neighborhood, Alachua County Sheriffs Deputies were blocking the "no outlet" street that led to the location of the shooting. I was told a 16-year-old male had been shot to death inside his home, and deputies had no suspect.

I set up my tripod and camera.

Just as I was asking deputies if I could get closer to the scene, I saw a medical examiners truck coming my way. I ran to my camera and hit record.

When the truck reached the stop sign behind me, I kept rolling and stepped away from my camera. At that moment, a ray of sunlight hit the back window of the medical examiner's truck... I saw a covered body.

The truck pulled away, and for a few seconds, I stood still. My thoughts were paralyzing.

After speaking with the P.I.O on scene, I learned that 16-year-old Sebastian Ochsenius was inside his home, playing video games with a friend. Around 3:30 AM, he got up and walked to the kitchen. According to Sebastian's friend, (who stayed behind in the game room) moments later- multiple gun shots were fired.

Sebastian's parents were awakened, only to find their son bleeding to death on the kitchen floor.

Last night, deputies released the 911 call made by Sebastian's dad, Boris.

My news director had it in his hands by 7PM.

He asked that we all stick around and listen to it, and make a group decision whether or not we should broadcast the call on the 11:00 news that night.

It took only about 2 minutes for me to make my decision.

When I felt my eyes welling up with tears, I walked away from the newsroom. I didn't want my emotions affecting how my co-workers reacted to the call.

Inside the break room, I closed my eyes and began to sob. For me, the 911 call added details to a horrifying portrait I had already painted in my mind. Three days after Sebastian's murder, the Ochsenius family welcomed me inside their home. Sebastian's dad Boris described how his son died in his arms. He was holding Sebastian with one hand-and talking to a 911 operator with the other.

Speaking to Sebastian's father, Boris Ochsenius

Candlelight Vigil July 2, 2010

The 911 call had absolutely no news value. After the 5-minute call ended, I composed myself and walked back into the newsroom. My co-workers and I talked for 20 minutes- each of us expressing our opinions on whether the call should be broadcast.

I expressed my strong feelings against airing the call- saying it would do more harm than good.

One of my co-workers asked if my decision was based on the fact that I knew the family- and had developed a relationship with them.

As a human being with a heart, I knew it was unethical to broadcast the call. My decision would have been the same whether or not I had developed a relationship with the family. In no way would airing the call on the 11:00 news have helped detectives find Sebastian's killer, (who is still on the loose), nor would it have benefited the community- particularly Sebastian's family and friends.

I'm a journalist... but I'm a person first, and I'm not above anyone. When it comes down to it, viewers are no different than I...and if Sebastian was my brother, I wouldn't want my father's 911 call broadcast to the world.

Sebastian's sister Carolina, painting Gainesville's 34th Street Wall

June 30, 2010

Yea there's good news and bad news, but in the end- the ultimate goal of what we broadcast is to reveal truth- in hopes that will bring us all toward a greater good-whatever that might be.

Journalists are messengers- we bear a great power, one we mustn't keep but pass on to the people; whose best interest should always be at heart, especially when we're tested in covering life's most challenging stories.

Sebastian Ochsenius

December 3, 1993 - June 29, 2010

...and in the end, TV20 didn't air the 911 call.

I'm not afraid

2010-06-15T00:13:00.008-04:00

My last post was on May 18th.
I didn't know it at the time, but on that day, a story had begun; one that would touch my heart and life forever...

Let the beat build

2010-05-18T18:58:00.044-04:00

Ms. Shankman's Science Class 5-18-10

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

A good beat is like a Lil Wayne song...no matter how dirty the lyrics may be, you can't help but keep listening.

Beat reporting: the craft of reporting on an issue or particular sector, organization or institution over time (Wikipedia).

In the reporting world, there's the court beat, the cop/crime beat, the hospital, education, and entertainment beats, etc.

In her article, "Beat reporting brought you Dorn story" Karen Peterson of The News Tribune describes the difference between beat reporters and general assignment reporters.

Beat reporters, "develop their expertise and sources over time. Thus, their stories often come from the ground level, not from assignment editors. Their best stories aren’t initiated by a news release or a breaking news event. They are cultivated."

General assignment reporters, "typically cover whatever story is breaking that day as determined by editors."

At WCJB TV20 (market 160), we're general assignment reporters with beats.

I have the education beat.

Yesterday I produced a story on the class-size amendment in Florida. It was a complex piece; the experience of putting it together was nothing like listening to Weezy F. Baby- I couldn't wait to finish the thing and move on with my life.

Today however, my story brought me to Loften High School in East Gainesville, where I got to hang out with Ms. Shankman's science class.

I'm 21 years old, no fossil, but I must say, there's something about young people that lifts my spirits. Even under their 9th grade, too-cool-for-school exteriors, I saw warm, beautiful hearts; curious minds not yet fully hardened by the outside world.

I have to give a special thank you to Jalen Sheppard, the young man who held up my busted camera light as I recorded my standup, (which as usual, took several takes).

These kids are awesome, and meeting them today made me realize there's no such thing as a "good beat," only "good reporters" that know how to let the beat build.

Click here to watch "9th graders on oil spill"

I graduated!

2010-05-04T20:25:00.014-04:00

My brother Peter and I

Future Bull Gator?

Pete's got the better chance...

My beautiful mother

Yea, I love her

Cosmo, the coolest dad
(yes my dad's name is Cosmo)

So grateful for them

The top of my cap
The flowers are for Giulia Lewis, Bobby Duncan, and Jonathan Monis; the three friends I've lost, but will never forget.

Until we meet again...

2010-04-26T23:41:00.036-04:00

Jonathan and I, Homecoming 2004

Since I was a little girl, my dream was to change the world for the better. Over the years, I saw how journalism had the power to bring me closer to my dream. I understood how one story could change a life, reveal truth, and motivate someone to act.

My philosophy on life is simple- live it to the fullest. For so long I assumed "the fullest" meant never settling for mediocrity. In everything, from school and work, to my relationships with others, I never accepted "ordinary" or "average." I challenged myself and those close to me, because I refused to be like everyone else; I wouldn't be happy with the usual. I was realistic in my understanding that perfection was not attainable, but I wouldn't stop until I was damn near close to it.

Specifically during my college years, I saw my relentless and aggressive attitude toward life result in a positive outcome; well, most of the time. I'd reach for the stars, achieve a goal, then be off to conquer yet another nearly impossible endeavor.

With three days until graduation, I finally learned...I got it all wrong.

Living life to the fullest doesn't mean refusing to accept the unexceptional. For so long I believed that overcoming the impossible was the only way to fulfill my zest for life. It took the unexpected death of my first love and dear friend, Jonathan Monis, to realize I was wrong. Each day brings with it a new experience, a new person , a new challenge. I've learned to embrace what life throws at you, instead of chasing after what it didn't.

I can't help but be reminded of a TV commercial where a little girl is walking along a beach, throwing washed-up star fish back into the ocean. The message is simple; never doubt that one person can make a difference.

I know I can change the world for the better, one starfish at a time, enjoying the many blessings of life along the way...especially the fascinating people I'm lucky to know.

Jonathan Monis: Whoever said pimpin' aint easy never had a starfish. hah.

Hope in Hartman

2010-03-30T23:42:00.024-04:00

Nadeen, Steve Hartman and I

3-30-10

After work I drove over to campus, FOUND A SPOT next to the Florida gym, and sprinted straight to the Weimer basement, where inside the spiffy "NEW 21st century CMIR Newsroom" was Steve Hartman.

I felt like I was standing in front of the meat department at Publix. Minus the chill (21st century newsroom, no air conditioning) the place was filled with fresh meat; raw, graduating-in-thirty-days-journalists, glued to the seasoned network correspondent thinking, "he's so lucky he has a job."

Hartman began his career in what my classmates and I call the "good ol' days" of broadcast journalism, when working your ass off as an intern got you more than valuable experience. Hartman was a news intern at WTOL TV in Toledo, Ohio (market 73) then got hired as a general assignment reporter. I couldn't help but look around the room and think, as we enter the world of $19,000 non-negotiable two year contract, sign here one-man-band industry of television news broadcasting, oh what I'd give for a time machine! I'd take that puppy straight back to 1983, land an internship at WTOL, and be Katie Couric faster than Hartman could say "everybody has a story."

Okay that's a joke. Hartman is amazing- his storytelling has won him the highest accolades in journalism, from Emmys to Murrows, this man is THE master. However, the leg up I'd have on 1983-Hartman is the knowledge of the profession's dismal future, reality for 2010-Giannas.

Tonight Hartman gave me hope. When a student asked one of the most basic questions, "how do you do what you do," Hartman's response is what will keep me going, all the way to the top, with or without a time machine. He said it's all about genuinely caring, listening to someone's story and telling it from the heart.

It was at that moment I felt an amazing calm roll over me. I smiled, thinking the man with Murrows and Emmys, whose work has touched countless lives around the world, had inside him the same fire I was born with, a passion for people. Something you can't get at Publix.

"No THE BAG!"

2010-03-23T22:54:00.026-04:00

Upon seeing the toy airplane I had worked so hard to get my photog Patrick and I aboard this morning, I immediately regretted my story pitch.

Imagine this: you're driving down I-75, and you see a cluster of state troopers a few miles up. You reduce your speed to 60mph, ten miles under the posted speed limit. You softly pass the state troopers, even contemplating a friendly wave. Just when you think you've made it past the hot zone, flashing lights in your rearview. You pull over, extremely confused at your alleged crime. The trooper hits you with a $250 speeding ticket, saying an AIRPLANE clocked you going 15 over.

Florida Highway Patrol uses airplanes to catch speeders on the road.

Basically an FHP pilot flies over a major state road like I-75, uses a stopwatch to clock drivers as they cross a series of lines, (determining their speed), then radios to troopers on the ground, who finish the job.

I thought it would be cool to get the pilot's perspective. So I made some calls and got Patrick and I aboard HP267.

"It's very windy up there," said our pilot, Sgt. Andy Foote as he was giving us the pre-flight briefing.

(Over spring break I went parasailing, so I figured parasailing, small plane, same thing.)

Foote had Patrick sitting in front, and me in the back.

"Here, take this, even though you probably wont need it," said Sergeant Foote, as he handed Patrick a small barf bag.

For the next thirty minutes, Patrick and I took turns filming. Sergeant Foote kept reminding us not to stare into the view finder for too long, saying we'd start feeling sick.

Foote had a good point, but I needed a shot of a car getting pulled over- a rather difficult task that required several takes.

After giving up on my money shot, I passed the camera up to Patrick. Nausea hit me like a mac truck. The feeling intensified. I started sweating profusely. HP267 started closing in!

I hit Patrick's arm, pointing toward his barf bag.

Patrick turns around and hands me the camera.

"No! THE BAG!" my sudden dramatic screech frightened both Patrick and Foote.

After coming back down to earth, I not only realized that I'll never make it as a pilot, but through Sergeant Foote's story, I saw how an extra set of eyes above the road, (and a barf bag) can be good things.

Click here to watch my story

Goodbye UF!

2010-03-16T20:42:00.009-04:00

Yesterday I was sitting in ethics, and the lecture topic was: "final exam review"

Aside from the uncomfortable stomach pain associated with the realization that I'm months behind in my reading, something else dawned on me...THE END IS NEAR! I graduate on April 30th, (and all along I thought I was graduating in May).

I must say, it's been an AMAZING ride. I'm so grateful for every experience, person, and story I've encountered during my years at UF. From meeting people like Robbie Lumpkins, and producing a documentary for Tim Tebow, to reporting on Destin's "Sand Wars," and producing a UF version of Michael Jackson's Thriller, I'll cherish every adventure for the rest of my life. I'm truly blessed. Go Gators!

Kickball

2010-03-03T09:45:00.023-05:00

When I was little, I wasn't allowed to do sports. My mother was convinced that I wasn't a "sports girl." So for years my mission was to prove her wrong. It wasn't long before I realized what so many can't stand to confess; mama was right.

Katie, her dad Joe, and I

Father Daughter Dance, 4th grade

I wasn't like the rest of the girls. I was an extremely under-developed pipsqueak, a liability for any team. In sixth grade, when my friends started shopping in juniors, fitting into double-zero's, I was still in kids. When the girls started wearing bras, I was waiting for "breast buds." You can imagine how hard it was for an awkward middle schooler growing up in Queens, going to school with kids not afraid to "tell it like it is." Thanks to my older brother, I was fortunate enough to have nicknames like cardboard, big head, (my head was the only thing that seemed to grow), and the infamous, "zoop-zoop," which, with the hand motions, meant flat on either side.

My sports career officially ended when I decided to try out for the softball team in seventh grade. Coming home with a missing tooth and black eye brought my mother close to a nervous breakdown, and me, closer to tap dancing and ballet.

Fast forward to 2010, I was asked by my coworker if I'd like to join TV20's team in the annual

company kickball game. You can imagine my excitement-it's been years since the seventh grade, when I hung my bat and retired from the sports world! I'm taller, stronger, and well, way COOLER, and the best part- someone wants me on their TEAM?!?

Here's the video I produced, highlighting the experience as a member of TV20's kickball team:

Eating brownies on the sidelines, (I told everyone they were protein brownies)

Call it "Gi-walking"

2010-02-08T13:38:00.011-05:00

Jay Leno has a segment in his show called, "Jaywalking" where he quizzes America on everything from current events and literature, to state slogans and mottos. It's hysterical. I was working the 11 last night, (which happened to be Super Bowl Sunday). In desperate need of a story idea, I figured I'd marry the two- my plot to one day produce a Jaywalking segment in Gainesville, and the Super Bowl- and in the end, I got Gi-walking...("Gi" for Giannas) in G-ville. Okay, not as cool as Jaywalking, but my producer liked it.

*Scroll down to watch the story*

"I really want to be with my mom right now"

2010-01-16T18:53:00.010-05:00

one way ticket to Haiti

2010-01-15T05:56:00.006-05:00

Tragedy has swept the already suffering lands of Haiti, but this morning I saw hope. Hope not written between the lines of a news article, but behind the eyes of a man who says he literally cannot sleep because so many are suffering.

This morning I interviewed Mark Atkinson, a UF professor who has been doing missionary work in Haiti for years. On January 11, the day before the earthquake struck, Atkinson arrived back in Gainesville after a two-week mission trip to a town just north of Port-au-Prince. On his office computer, Atkinson showed me pictures from his recent trip, fighting back tears with every click.

Atkinson has purchased a one way ticket to Haiti. While looking through pictures from the AP wires, I asked him if he was scared of the harsh reality he'll soon face. Atkinson said fear has no presence in his life, and with tears in eyes he added, "I just love people."

Prime Time Football

2009-11-16T00:25:00.019-05:00

Orin and I

11.13.09

After class I drove over to Prime Time to hang out with the kids. One of the second graders volunteered to be my photographer. He did a good job, don't you think?

Prime Time is a nonprofit after school program for at-risk kids in East Gainesville.

Prime Time Website

mtvU!

2009-09-22T19:24:00.022-04:00

While sitting in a lecture hall learning about the many laws of mass communication, I got an email from my producer at mtvU saying he was airing my package...three times! At 2:30, 3:30, and 4:30!

HOW COOL!

I haven't figured out how to grab the video from the mtvU broadcast, but here's the link to the story on ABC's website:

Click to watch my "Gator Big Spirit" PKG

Lunch with Dean Wright

2009-09-04T10:49:00.014-04:00

Patrick, Miles, Dean Wright, myself, and Brittny

Yesterday Dean Wright took the ABC News on Campus team to lunch at Ballyhoo. It was a nice treat and I realized, I am SO excited for my senior year of college!

Clunkers, Clouds, and a Cameo

2009-08-02T22:56:00.041-04:00

It's Sunday, and this morning I went to church. Leaving inspired and rejuvenated, I decided on a lunch date to Panera with my laptop. Sitting in one of the prized booths next to an outlet, I'm catching up on my emails and taking sporadic bites of my panini. I just sent Rob, fellow journalist and friend, a response to his email I received at the beginning of the week. I unleashed some of the feelings I've been harboring since last night, when I left the station at 11:46 PM. I figured this makes for a good blog post.

I'm sorry I'm just now getting back to you. My weekend has been pretty crazy. Yesterday I worked at TV20 as a fill-in reporter for the 11. They sent me to Chiefland for a "cash-for-clunkers" package. On the way back to the station, my producer asked me to drive to Hawthorne to get a vosot on a man who fell from a water tower. To save time, the assignment desk gave me directions from Chiefland to Hawthorne. I guess sometime between pulling out of the car dealership and steering with my knee while searching for a pen, I misunderstood the directions. For the next 45 minutes, nothing but me and WCJB's white hyundai were on a long two-lane road, smack dab in the middle of a thick forest that reminded me of The Blair Witch Project. Having no service on my cell phone, I began to panic. At the first sight of human life, I pulled over. I grabbed my useless cell phone thinking that if I was abducted, at least I could pray for a miracle. A woman wearing overalls and chewing a piece of hay was selling peaches. Great, I was closer to Georgia than TV20. The woman gave me directions back to Gainesville. I put the pedal to the metal and called my producer at the first bar of service. She still needed the Hawthorne video.

I make it to Hawthorne Road. Up ahead I see dark clouds stirring together. I was approaching a severe lightning storm. When I couldn't see anything but the powerful bolts striking two feet from my car, I pulled over. I called my producer and explained my life was in danger. "Kristin, try to stick it out. We need this vosot. It's leading the show," she says. It wasn't long before I found myself hovering under a tree with my tripod and camera, getting video of a tall, METAL water tower surrounded by WATER. Good thing the rain didn't short out my camera...right? As soon as I got back to the station, I jumped in an edit bay and got to work. At 10:53pm I delivered my package. Wait. I forgot to insert super times in my script. My friends watching at home say they saw my graceful sprint behind the news anchor, as I booked it across the studio to the control room to give the director my cue sheet for supers.

Yesterday, time was not on my side. In the short hour I had to edit, I was forced to repeat video and use shaky shots. Not mentioned in my email, but will be explained to my news director on Monday, was the lack of footage at the car dealership. I wanted to get video of a customer bringing in their clunker, interacting with the salesman, etc. Of course when I got to Chiefland I had, "just missed the wave of cash-for-clunkers customers," (said the GM).

When it's all said and done, the important thing is, I survived. I did the best with what I had to work with at the ghost-town of a car dealership, made it to Hawthorne without getting struck by lightning, filmed the water tower without getting electrocuted, didn't trip and twist my ankle while sprinting to the control room, and my cash-for-clunkers package made slot.

Here's a link to my package, (watch for my cameo run during the anchor intro).

Click to watch:Cash for Clunkers WCJB TV 20 News

Black Violin

2009-07-19T20:28:00.019-04:00

Patrick setting up for the interview

Talking to myself/Patrick fixing camera angles

Wil B and Kev Marcus hit the stage!

Click to check out Black Violin's Website!

Ester and Murray

2009-06-22T14:29:00.040-04:00

My parents invited the relatives over for Father's Day, so I drove to Palm Harbor to pick up my grandparents. I was in their kitchen when I looked out of the window and saw a butterfly flying around the garden. When I see a butterfly, I think of one person.

Giulia Lewis was my best friend growing up. On November 5, 2003, she passed away. She was 15-years-old.

After Deadly Crash, Many Tears in Queens

Working as a reporter, I see articles like this one all the time. Many of us experience the initial heavy-heart, showing our coworker the police report with a check in the "fatal" box. You think of the parents who lost their five-year-old son. They were just trying to keep him safe by putting him inside the boat's cabin. They never thought the boat would capsize, their son drown. A producers voice, a phone ringing, the realization that you're live in ten minutes; the newsroom snaps you back into reality before you can think any deeper. Your emotions cannot stop you from performing, from doing your job. You're a reporter.

But I know these articles and police reports aren't just pieces of paper with facts to include in the VO. I know the pain and suffering behind the words. At 14 years old, I saw my best friend in a coffin. An experience that has changed my life. I saw how one death can affect the living. The parents who lost their only child. The aunts and uncles who lost their niece. The best friend who lost her sister.

"There is an old school of professional journalistic thought that reporters must adhere at all times to the appearance of detachment. We must eschew any activity or association that might reveal or even signal a bias, for that might undercut the credibility of our reporting," (found this in my notes, most likely the words of a professor).

Basically we cannot act like real people. So many times I see reporters who tell a story like Giulia's without a glimmer of emotion. They don't seem to have souls. I understand we must be "detached" as journalists, and I'm not saying we should shed tears during our stand-ups, but we must show that we're human. Viewers need to know they can relate to us, trust us. A reporter without emotion or caring is not much of a reporter in my book. You must have a heart. You must have compassion.

Not many understand the great power a journalist holds. Look at Robert Woodward and Carl Bernstein, two reporters working for The Washington Post who discovered and published the information that led to the resignation of Nixon. Woodward and Bernstein spent countless hours investigating leads and news tips, looking at documents and interviewing people, and it wasn't for their health. It was to help the people-ultimately the American people. That's our job as journalists. To help others. Robots aren't reading our articles and watching our newscasts. People are.

After seeing the butterfly in my grandparents garden, I decided to call Ester and Murray Lewis, Giulia's grandparents. Over the years Giulia's grandma Ester and I have kept in touch. We write often and I send her pictures and update her on my adventures reporting.

Grandpa Murray just celebrated his 90th birthday on May 6th. The last time I spoke with him was at Giulia's funeral, six years ago. Yesterday Ester put him on the phone, so I can wish him a happy Father's Day. I was afraid he wouldn't remember me, but to my surprise he screamed "Kristin!" right when he got on the phone. He went on to say how happy he was that I've stayed in his and Ester's life. He started crying, and said "I love you Kristin, you're my granddaughter." Of course I broke down, and we both talked about life, crying and laughing at the many memories we shared.

I guess what I learned this Father's Day is not to be afraid of changing, of showing your emotion and your heart. It can do so much good for others. Us journalists need to understand the power that lies in our hands. We have the ability to change the world, to help countless people. One newspaper article, one police report, one story, one phone call can change a life. Not just the viewers or readers, but your own.

Giulia and I

1998

My grandfather (Papoo in Greek), my brother Peter and I

Father's Day

6-21-09

Baseball Dreams

2009-05-30T16:11:00.026-04:00

Robbie Lumpkins and I

ABC News on Campus Website Photo Shoot, May 11 2009

On Monday, May 11, I drove back up to Gainesville. The new bureau hires were meeting to take a group picture for the website. Later that night, Brittny and I decided to go to Swamp with some friends. When I was there I ran into a friend of mine, Clayton Pisani. Clayton is on the UF baseball team. We started talking about baseball and he asked about my job with ABC News on Campus. The reporter in me came out and it wasn't long before I asked if there was anything newsworthy about baseball this season. After a few seconds, he said, "Robbie!"
"Robbie? Is he on the team?" I asked.
"Well, kind of," he responded. Clayton preceded to tell me about Robbie Lumpkins...

I had discovered an amazing story. Clayton said I could meet Robbie at the next home game that Friday.

When I got to the stadium, I walked up to the dugout and looked for Clayton. All the players were facing the field, looking exactly the same in their baseball uniforms. Their distinguishing marks were of no use because of course, I didn't know Clayton's number. So for a good five minutes, I awkwardly stood above the dugout, looking for Clayton, as onlookers most likely assumed I was checking out the team physique.

Once I found my friend, I asked if he knew where Robbie was.

"Over there," Clayton pointed to a man in a wheel chair sitting in section F. I walked over, sat next to him, and started talking.

Robbie was so friendly and kind. I explained I was a reporter from ABC News on Campus interested in doing a feature story on him and his love for the Gators. Robbie's face lit up and he quickly responded, "anything for the team!"

That week, my photographer and I followed Robbie around at two home games and one practice. Meeting Robbie was a blessing. His story changed my life. Robbie faces obstacles every day, yet he is so positive and has so much love and passion for life. He doesn't let his disability define who is he and what he can do.

I finished the story on Wednesday, May 27, and sent the script over to Hank Astengo, the sports anchor at the local ABC affiliate in Gainesville, WCJB TV20. I called Hank on Thursday and asked if I could swing by and let him take a look at the finished product. When I got to the station, we went to an edit bay and popped in my tape. When my story was over Hank said, "I have to rearrange my show."
"What?" I asked, extremely confused.
"I'm using this tonight," he replied, "This is amazing!"

I was in complete shock. I thought Hank would critique my package and have me change a few things, and if I was lucky, maybe he'd post it on WCJB's website. To my surprise, he wanted to air my package that night.

So, I called Robbie and everyone else I could think of and told them to watch the news at 6 and 10pm.

The next day, (yesterday) WCJB's assignment desk called me and said CNN picked up my story!
CNN Baseball Dreams

ESPN also picked up the piece! ESPN U Gators' No. 1 fan

I hope all who watch this are inspired by Robbie and his incredible story...

Gators Give Back

2009-05-23T14:36:00.007-04:00

I turned a package after I finished the documentary for "First & 15." It's on ABC's website. Check it out!

Click to watch "Gators Give Back"

My Spring Semester Has Officially Ended...

2009-05-04T02:33:00.020-04:00

Interviewing Aaron Hernandez, Draft Day April 14 2009

It's 2:40am and I'm staring at the purple bows on my sheets and the high school shrine my mother has made of my vanity. I'm back home, lying in a twin-sized canopy bed I've had since the third grade. The spring semester ended this past Friday, and that means sorority house move-out, and summer move-in with the parents. But there is a silver lining. Interning in New York City this summer is still an option. I need to make some calls this week.

I got home about two hours ago. I was at the bureau till about 11pm, editing a story for ABC.

Before that I was squeezing my entire room into my car. It's a miracle Sparkles (my fish) survived the two-hour drive. I had a few close calls with him. I actually pulled over on the interstate when it looked like he was floating.

Prior to the big move-out, I was at Firestone getting new tires. And guess what? The television in their waiting area is set to WUFT....(all along I thought no one watched us). After about an hour of some great local programming, I decided to get up and watch the mechanic work on my car. He was no where to be found. Bored, I walked around the store checking out the tires. I was thinking about a story Brian Ross did on aged tires being sold as new. In his standup he showed viewers how to decode the digits on the tire that represent the manufacturing date. I couldn't remember what Brian Ross said but that didn't stop me from playing detective and investigating the tires anyway. I had to look closely because I'm blind as bat. Around my fourth tire, the man at the front desk cleared his throat and looked at me. I smiled and walked toward the garage.

My mechanic was back, and with a McDonalds bag in hand! For the next two hours I waited as the man at the front desk suspiciously watched my every move. I debated telling him, "I was just checking the dates on the tires," but realized that would be weird, and it'd be easier to let him think I was a tire-thief.

What compelled me to get my tires changed? Well last night after I left the bureau, I decided to get a burrito for dinner. I called my mom while on my drive, to complain about how stressed and tired I was. I quickly realized my car wasn't moving when I put my foot on the gas pedal. A glance at my gas gage...oh, what do you know, empty. I pulled over as my car slowly lost momentum. I started crying. My mom started to panic as she yelled at me for being irresponsible. It was when I called triple-A, and they asked for my location, that I realized I was in front of Shands hospital, blocking the turning lane into the emergency room.

The one-eyed man from University Towing was there in a flash. Yes, he had one eye. He looked like the old man who repaired Woody in Toy Story 2.

The one-eyed, Toy Story repair man look-a-like from University Towing told me my tires were bald. When I called my dad this morning he said, "ya know, you need to get new tires on your car before you drive home, they're pretty bald." Funny you say that dad...

So, it's been a long week. The picture at the very top of this post is from "Draft Day," one of the events during the week of First and 15. Shortly after that interview, my documentary was presented to over 1,000 people. To see first hand, my work touching the viewers, evoking their emotions; it was the most amazing feeling. All those eyes fixed, for 7 minutes, on something I created...I'll never forget that night. And it gets better, that Saturday, April 18, my documentary was shown a second time, at the Black Tie Benefit Dinner. But this audience was very different. The dinner was $1,000 a plate, so you can imagine what high rollers were in there. Guests included Governor Charlie Crist, James W. "Bill" Heavener, Coach Urban Meyer, and Erin Andrews. I stood in the back of the room and watched as hundreds watched my documentary. Later that night I was told by an athletic director that he's, "never seen so many people crying at the same time."

My spring 2009 semester of college has officially ended. I am in one piece, my family and friends are in good health, I got three A's and a B+, Sparkles is alive, I have new tires on my car and one amazing documentary under my belt. I couldn't have asked for a better semester.

Tim Tebow and I, Black Tie Benefit Dinner April 18 2009

Matthew 6:21

2009-04-09T01:12:00.024-04:00

Tim Tebow visits Prime Time

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6:21

I turned to my bible for the opening line to a story I've been working on....

"First and 15" is a philanthropy that was developed last year by three UF students. The event includes a spring powder puff football tournament in the days leading up to the UF Orange & Blue Debut football game. The tournament raises awareness and money for two causes- the Pediatric Oncology patients at Gainesville's Shands Hospital and the orphans housed at Uncle Dick's Home in the Philippines.

Firstand15 website

Uncle Dick's Home was founded in 1991 by missionary Bob Tebow. Today the orphanage has over 50 orphans and Mr. Tebow continues his twenty-four year ministry in the Philippines.

All the Tebow children have been involved in the summer mission trips to the Philippines, including the University of Florida starting quarterback Tim Tebow.

Uncle Dick's website

I was asked to put together a documentary of Tim's latest spring break trip to the Philippines, (from March 8-March 14). It will be featured next week, (the week of "First and 15"), at two of the philanthropy's events.

God put this project on my lap, and I could not have prayed for a better blessing. I was given six tapes of footage that Tim and his friend David shot over the course of their trip. I had no idea what I was about to watch...

Inside my little editing-cave, I cried and laughed, I was inspired, angered, and motivated. What great stories these orphans had to tell. They just needed someone to listen. Their joy and love for life despite their dark and lonely past is amazing. The wheels were set in motion and I began piecing together a story.

I'm almost done with the final product, but I still have a lot of work to do before its perfect. For the past three weeks, I haven't been able to think about anything but this video. Images of these children's faces run through my mind, and I want to give them the voice they never had. I want this video to touch people's hearts, change their lives in some way that they are inspired to make a difference.

I needed some images showing how First and 15 is impacting our local community. So this past Sunday, I brought the creators of First and 15, (Tim, David, and Ryan) and my video camera to the East part of town, where we stopped at Prime Time, an after-school program that serves at-risk children.

Prime Time website

I've been volunteering with Prime Time for the past three years. Over the summer I directed a Summer Vacation Bible School. Working with the kids has opened my eyes to reality, the truth about what goes on in our backyard. These kids are broken down from physical and verbal abuse, neglect, and poverty. They have no guidance, no encouragement, no love.

If I ever have a bad day, going to Prime Time makes me forget what I'm upset about. Walking in the room and having ten kids run up to give me a hug; their excitement and joy because I'm a familiar face that cared enough to come back. Words can't express the feeling that touches my heart every time I'm with these kids.

As I was writing my story, I took a break and opened my bible. Without a chapter in mind, I began reading the top of one page.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"

Matthew 6:21

The story of one football star's journey to save the forgotten children of the Philippines has no better opening. The six tapes of raw footage show young children holding onto the ever-fading hope of tomorrow. But the tapes also show a man's true colors, how his heart beats not for football, but for something far greater, his treasures at the end of the world.

This verse is perfect.

Not only for the story, but for my life.

Second Place!!

2009-04-08T01:43:00.010-04:00

The winners for the 2009 Florida AP College Contest were announced this past Saturday, at the annual AP event in Orlando. I couldn't go, (tickets cost an arm and a leg, plus I had a lot of homework). Two of my stories did end up placing.

SPJ Article

I won second place for my "Sand Wars" feature, (Patrick Fleming was the photographer).

AND ....

Associated Press Article

I placed second for my spot-news "School Bus Crash" story. I produced the entire piece- from filming and reporting, to editing.

Here are my award-winning masterpieces...

(Ok, that was super corny...but then again, it's 2 AM, and I'm blogging. I really need to lay off the coffee).

"For ABC News on Campus..."

2009-04-01T20:38:00.007-04:00

During Black History Month I was asked to attend a gala celebrating 50 years of Integration at the University of Florida. I did a package on the event and ABC posted my story today. Check it out. The slug is, "UF Honors Trailblazers"

My Story on ABC News!

I decided to google...

2009-03-29T22:04:00.006-04:00

It's past 10:00 PM. I have a Climatology exam on Friday. I should be studying, but I decided to google.

I googled my name. Yea I know, pretty lame. I was curious what would come up. In order of appearance: my facebook account, my blogger user profile, an article written by my friend Jill Shatzen, my "Gangs at Walmart" blog post, an online-candle I lit in memory of my best friend Giulia who passed away, and among other things, the list of finalists for the Florida Associated Press Broadcasters contest (link).

On the second page, I came across a newspaper article written on the day I graduated high school (link). I was the salutatorian/class president of River Ridge High School's class of 2006, so I spoke at the ceremony. I used audio clips to make my speech more colorful. Two or three minutes into my speech; a disturbance in the back of the auditorium. Too nervous to look up, I continued chugging along. Turns out someone's grandfather had a heart attack. According to the article, he was able to walk out "with assistance" after the ceremony. I should have known something crazy would happen...welcome to my life.

I remember somewhere in my speech, I spoke about the unknown journey ahead. Life is so weird. We're all traveling on this road-and along the way we make decisions that change our direction. For example, I was accepted into the University of Florida. So at 17-years-old, I left the security nest at home and moved to Gainesville. Our decisions directly effect our direction, but we can only see so far ahead. We can't predict the approaching obstacles, the people we'll encounter, the decisions we'll face. I guess what I'm saying is, I've changed. I've grown to know who I am, and be confident in my skin. I know my purpose here on earth, and I owe that to my faith. I'm inspired and enthusiastic for life....

Who knew googling would be so deep :-)

"and with your daily dose of entertainment..."

2009-03-24T10:03:00.005-04:00

A little dated, but an example of what I do.

2009-03-23T13:32:00.003-04:00

This is a project I HAD to do for my interactive media class...I repeat, this is a project I had to do for my interactive media class. I promise I don't have this much time on my hands :-)

Gangs at Walmart

2009-03-17T23:43:00.017-04:00

I just received 4 emails and 2 text messages warning of potential dangers at our friendly neighborhood Walmart. One message reads, "DO NOT GO TO WALMART TONIGHT! I've been told a gang is initiating and planning to shoot 3 women." The scare is spreading around town. Apparently the local Target closed early.

This news makes for an interesting reaction package in tomorrow's newscast. I can interview girls in my sorority house, ask them questions like, "How did the message make you feel?" "Are you scared?" or "Will you go to Walmart again?" I'll call Summer Hallett, spokeswoman for the Gainesville Police Department, and see if arrests were made, or heaven forbid, shots were fired.

I took my mother to the Gainesville Walmart a few months ago. She drove up with my little brother to pay me a visit. I remember the fear in her eyes when I responded "yes" to her concerned but serious question, "do you come here alone?"

Gainesville, Florida has been my home away from home for the past three years. To me, its so much more than a college party-town. It was here that I took my first stab at being a reporter. I even anchored my own radio show last year, (from the hours of 4:00 AM - 7:00 AM, my voice could be heard on AM850, for the Morning Drive).

According to CNNMoney.com, Gainesville, Florida is one of America's "Best Places to Live." Gainesville is home to National Champions- the Florida Gators. Sports are big in this town, as is the presence of college kids. We're everywhere. However, outside the bubble surrounding the University of Florida, Gainesville isn't that great. The East side of town for example is extremely poor. The average household income for a family residing in East Gainesville is a little over $300 a month. That's crazy. The majority of children in public schools here qualify and receive free lunch. This year's state-wide budget cuts hit education in Gainesville, (or Alachua County) the hardest.

The CNN article didn't mention these fun facts, not to mention recent gang violence. Did the "Gangs at Walmart" message shock me? Not at all. I've seen the real Gainesville. If you're curious and brave enough to travel down University Avenue, past the familiar restaurants and clubs downtown, you'll also see the real Gainesville. A great place to live for sure, however, without the University of Florida, this place would suck.

Congratulations

2009-02-09T00:50:00.005-05:00

Big note in my mailbox today. I was accepted into the CBS 2009 summer internship program in New York City.

It's a Beast

2009-02-03T22:26:00.006-05:00

It was my first time "APing" the 5:30/6:00 show. Clock in at 3:30 PM. Say hello to everyone, 5 minutes. Check my facebook, 5 minutes. Oh, and my email too, 5 minutes. Return my mother's phone call, (big time killer) 15 minutes. It's now 4:00 PM.

I'm an AP (Associate Producer) at Gainesville's local ABC affiliate, WCJB TV 20 News. My job includes cutting and editing video, and exporting it to the correct slot in the producer's rundown. Basically, whatever video you see, (other than the anchors on set), I put into the cast. I can AP the noon and 11:00 PM shows with my eyes closed. The 5:30/6, not so much...

It was chaos. If it wasn't for one amazing producer saving my butt, there would've been a lot of black. There's just so much more video to cut in the 5:30. On top of that, I have to create the teases at the top of each show. I was cutting video from CNS tapes, Pathfire, and our station's photographers. It was craziness. I single handedly disrupted the entire 5:30 show.

The AP usually runs prompter for the show they work... I was so busy getting last-minute video into the cast, the producer for the 11 had to do my job and run prompter. I walked into the control room during the 6. I picked up prompter, (the 11:00 producer didn't look too happy).

During a commercial break, I apologized to my producer, reminding him it was my first time working the 5:30/6. He turns to me and says, "Yea, its a beast."

So what did I learn today? The 5:30/6:00 PM show is a beast... and television news broadcasting is a visual medium; if you have the responsibility of producing the majority of the visuals, GET TO WORK RIGHT AWAY, and most importantly, DO NOT call your mother.

Cookie Dough

2009-01-29T20:39:00.024-05:00

I was doing really great. I mean last night I ran to the stadium on campus, spent over an hour in there, sprinting up and down the stairs, end zone to end zone. Today I had the option of eating macaroni and cheese for lunch, and I went with salad, LEAVES over Betty's delicious macaroni and cheese. After lunch, an exam in Physical Geography. After exam, sprint to station. I was Entertainment Reporter tonight. The producer gives me the rundown...three slots to fill. One more than usual. Two packages and a VO on Sunday's Superbowl halftime show. Joaquin Phoenix, actor-turned rapper, was the lead in my Hollywood Minute. I was in the b-block. Great, I had all of the a-block to practice pronouncing, "Wa-keen Phoenix," "Wa-keen Phoenix," I must have said it 25 times.
We're live.
"...AND WITH YOUR DAILY DOSE OF ENTERTAINMENT, HERE'S WUFT'S KRISTIN GIANNAS."
I read prompter, introducing my package, next thing you know...
"JOE-KEEN PHOENIX."
Good one Kristin. Credibility out the window.
Before I start my Climatology homework, I open the fridge and
break out the cookie dough.
Three and half spoonfuls = 390 calories=2 laps around
the stadium.
It was worth it.
A professor of mine once said pursuing a career in television
news
increases ones chances of developing a substance abuse
problem.
Cookie dough could be dangerous...
Journalism isn't a job. Journalism is a calling. I was made
for this.
A job in broadcast journalism is my ultimate dream. News
is changing...
the business is not
what it used to be. One-man-band journalism is the norm.
In my
blog you'll read about my adventures reporting in Gainesville,
Florida.
You'll be able to watch the
news packages I create and leave your opinions and critiques.
I'll
blog about everyday challenges, lessons learned, and my life,
as I chase a dream in a changing world.