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Post by NBC12.

Mic-ing up talent is a regular part of the job and this video is a great recap or  introduction to the uninitiated. Never have an awkward set-up again.

       This week at the UMFS mentoring class we had a change of scenery.

        Instead of staying in the same ‘old’ studio room we ventured out and went on the field, as reporters do.

       We divided our group in three teams. One group would shoot some b-roll around the school grounds and two others would accompany the students and assist them when conducting interviews.

Interview Skills: 10 Tips to Improve Interview Performance

       Our group was assigned the topic belongings, the first step of the Circle of Courage program, which the kids have been working for weeks now.

       We all walked to the gymnasium, located right above our studio set, and met with a student that was supposed to answer a few questions about the program and how it influenced her life for the better.

       The kids decided to set the interview next to a big beautiful tree, just outside the gymnasium building, that provided a great background set.

Video-Setup for Interviews > Framing

       The interview ran pretty smoothly, with the exception of one minor misunderstanding on which topic we were assigned to, but fortunately, the student conducting the interview, was able to make some changes on the spot, just like a professional.

       Both kids did an amazing job during the interview, they were all connected, paying close attention to the answers and focusing on the assignment.

      As soon as the interview was over, we all went inside the gymnasium for some mechanical b-roll of the interviewee shooting some hoops at the basketball court.

Glossary of Broadcast News Terms

     After some great shots inside the gymnasium we all took a walk on the UMFS grounds, taking advantage of a perfect fall day to get some awesome b-roll.

     The time flew so fast, as it usually does when one is having fun, and soon the class came close to an end.

      On our way back to the studio class, we met with the other groups and shared thoughts about our fieldwork day.

       An immense improvement, especially when connecting to a troubled student, was noticed by all, and we all realized that we needed to take some steps back and stop pressuring this student to connect with us.

       As we were wrapping up, the feeling of satisfaction took over me and I couldn’t help myself to presented this student a little treat.

      The treat was a funny Hello Kitty plastic ring I’ve gotten for free with a McDonald’s Happy Meal just before class.

HappyMeal

        The silly plastic ring earned me a beautiful smile, making it priceless.

       Almost three weeks have passed since our last mentoring class at the UMFS.

       At this point, the kids have finished their poem project where they had to combine a series of images to go along with a selected poem.

       All of the projects were outstanding and the kids really exceed all expectations.

       Some of their best works were selected and shared with other students outside the classroom, showing our appreciation for their hard work and amazing skills.

       The next project is already upon us and this time the kids need to research and report on the Circle of Courage program.

Circle of Courage - Explanation and Materials

       The Circle of Courage is a model of positive youth development first described in the book ‘Reclaiming Youth at Risk’, co-authored by Larry Brendtro, Martin Brokenleg, and Steve Van Bockern.

Reclaiming Youth at Risk

       The model integrates Native American philosophies of child-rearing, the heritage of early pioneers in education and youth work, and contemporary resilience research, and it is based on four universal growth needs of all children: belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity.

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        Each kid in our class will be assigned a different step of the model and will conduct interviews with some of their mentors at UMFS to find out more about the impact of this program in the life of young adults.

       Several other institutions have already adopted the circle of courage model, like the "Helping You Pursue Excellence, Enrichment and Empowerment" or HYPE Youth/Counseling Services, that specializes in helping at-risk youth and adults overcome serious emotional and behavioral challenges in order to build lifelong strengths through intensive in-home counseling and mental health support. Their main focus is to serve the mental health needs of the child and adult with programs that provides aid to the family in locating educational, economic, vocational, medical, legal and social services.

H.Y.P.E. Counseling Services

     Some of these services are being offered at the UMFS, like supervised visitation, family reunification and mentoring, that helps promote a positive future for youth and their families.