The Annalise Freling Interviews

Annalise Freling is a recent graduate of Buffalo State. She majored in journalism and graduated summa cum laude. She spent much of the Spring 2009 semester in New York City where she completed an internship at “The People’s Court” television show. Annalise was a member of the All College Honor’s program as well as the communication honor society, Lambda Pi Eta. She was chosen to receive an award for top journalism student amongst the graduating class of 2009. Annalise was the recipient of the Hazel M. Bleeker alumni scholarship. Outside academics, Annalise has strong interest in music history, especially classic rock and collecting albums. Other hobbies include politics, photography, travel and local sports. She loves Western New York, especially the summers and local restaurants. While in New York, she conducted a series of interviews with professionals working in communication related fields. She discussed various career aspects with each person. The interviews were approximately 30 minutes long each.

John Schiumo: Host: NY1's "The Call"

A graduate of SUNY Buffalo, John Schiumo started at NY1's overnight assignment desk. From there, Schiumo worked his way up through the ranks. He spent six years reporting and four years anchoring. Now, Schiumo is currently the host of NY1's "The Call," the industry's first interactive newscast.

"The Call" gives the audience at home complete editorial control. Viewers vote which stories they feel are most important online. When the show airs at 9:00 p.m., the three most popular stories are discussed. Viewers have the opportunity to call in to ask questions, write emails and voice opinions throughout the duration of the show.

John Schiumo offered some advice about on-camera appearance. I sat down with him at the NY1 studio, which is located Manhattan's West Village.

1. How did John get his start?
2. "Watch your eyes."
3. "The Bobble Head"
4. How John prepares for his show.
5. How hard is it to think on your feet?
6. "Finding your voice."
7. John found his "voice" in the rain.
8. "Find your own way."
9. What would you recommend for people who want to pursue a career in broadcasting today?

Curt Chaplin, The Peoples Court

Curt Chaplin is broadcasting veteran. You may have seen Chaplin on "The People's Court" television show interviewing litigants after a case. He also serves as the show's announcer.

Experience? He has plenty of it. For the past 30 years Chaplin has covered everything from spot news to sports in New York City, his hometown. And it is experience, he argues, that is the key to broadcasting.

Curt and I talked on the set of “The People’s Court” in New York City.

1. What is your role with "The People's Court"?
2. How do you prepare for the show?
3. Is it sometimes hard to get a reaction out people?
4. You say you have 30 years experience, where did you start off?
5. "This business is all about experience."
6. "It's a long road"
7. Curt didn't start in television.
8. How can people better their on-camera technique?
9. "You've got to get that first job."

Rick Leventhal

Rick Leventhal is a Senior Correspondent with the Fox News Channel. He has nearly 22 years of experience reporting. For the past 12 years, Leventhal has covered breaking news for Fox. He describes reporting as the best job ever; he gets to see history being made.

Leventhal has covered stories such as the miracle in the Hudson, the crash of Flight 3407in Buffalo, 911, and the Iraq War, where he was an embedded journalist.

I talked with Mr. Leventhal in his office at the Fox News Studio in New York City.

1. What does Rick Leventhal do as a correspondent for Fox News?
2. How he got started
3. When he goes out locations for stories, is there a mental checklist?
4. What do you think makes a good reporter?
5. How did you perfect your on camera technique?
6. "The more stuff you can do in front of a camera."
7. Mistakes he sees young journalists making
8. The most exciting part of his job is…
9. A stand out experience
10. Is there anything you would tell graduates who want to pursue a career in journalism?
11. You have chosen a very exciting career path."

Marissa Bailey

Marissa Bailey is a reporter for WGRZ-TV, the WNY NBC affiliate. Bailey completed her undergraduate at Niagara University and her masters at Syracuse. It was while she was at Niagara that Bailey knew she wanted to go into television reporting. Bailey says that she is the luckiest person to have a job like she does. She gets to meet and talk to many different people and she learns something new everyday.

Ms. Bailey and I sat down together after her story aired on the 6:00 news.

1. What do you do at WGRZ?
2. How do you decide which stories to do?
3. How do you prepare for your stories?
4. "Preparation changes for every story."
5. "What do you think makes a good story?"
6. Who are some of the hardest people to interview"
7. Flight 3407
8. Why Marissa decided to pursue a path in broadcasting.
9. "I love working in a community."
10. "I am the luckiest person alive."
11. "You learn something new everyday."
12. Makeup
13. "Look your age."
14. "My job isn't 9-5."
15. "Tell the story."

John "J.P." Piccillo

J.P. is a disc jockey for WGRF, 97 Rock. He has over 30 years experience in radio broadcasting. Currently, J.P. can be heard on the air every Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. He also serves as the public address announcer for the Buffalo Bills, which he describes as a "dream job."

JP and I talked inside the 97 Rock Studio in between breaks when he
went on the air.

1. What does J.P. do for 97Rock?
2. How does J.P. prepare for shows?
3. How he got his start.
4. Technology has changed.
5. "I've never not loved doing what I do."
6. "To be a part of 97Rock."
7. Buffalo Bills
8. "Just be yourself."
9. Radio broadcasting is important.
10. "It's not all fun and games."
11. "There is a sense of service to the community."
12. "This business has never failed me."

Tom Fontana

Tom Fontana is a Buffalo native. He went to Canisius High School and Buffalo State College, where he majored in speech and theater. From a young age, Tom Fontana knew he wanted to be a playwright. He has had much success writing and producing shows such as "Homicide, Life on the Street," "OZ," and "St. Elsewhere." I sat down with him in his office in Greenwich Village, Manhattan.

1. "I always wanted to be a playwright."
2. "I'm a show runner."
3. What does into writing episodic television?
4. What sort of attributes should a good writer and producer have?
5. "Be original."
6. What inspires Tom to write?
7. Good Dialog
8. Researching Characters
9. A moving experience
10. "Actors can elevate your writing."
11. A good writer…
12. Breaking into the business
13. "It's an exciting time…"