A Feature Story Experience Blog

My next project in Video Production class was a more convergence journalism side rather than entertainment, which I prefer. My concept was to take a sport that many people know about and find a player and really dive in to the aspects of the sport itself. I chose my friend Abby Rist who recently started playing and took me on a journey of why she started late and how she got into it. I made sure to keep my narrative leads and voiceovers very professional sounding and keep the whole video short and sweet. For my second source in the video I interviewed Abby's dad, Bruce Rist. He is a professional golfer and he's the main reason Abby started golfing. These interviewees really complimented each other because their father-daughter relationship gave the video a certain emotional touch especially when she mentioned that her dad coaches her to get better.
I had a very good experience while shooting and editing the video because it was my first real professional convergence piece that I've done. Towards the beginning of this process I wrote a script which acted as a loose blueprint for my project because it had the order of shots I wanted and what I wanted to cover in the voiceovers and interviews. It was a loose blueprint because I wanted to be able to alter it if needed, which I ended up doing in some parts. Shooting this video was especially fun because I think the sport golf itself has so many opportunities to be yourself in the shots that you can film. I wanted to maintain the six shot system but add my own twist on it incorporating new and interesting shots that catch the eye.After filming and editing my Golf Feature Story on Abby Rist, I moved on to the written portion of the project. I created a written 'roadmap' of my video that showed step by step what I wanted in each section of my video.

The first section was the narrative link. This is a short section that you use to caption the audiences attention. If your narrative link is weak then no one will want to keep reading/watching your project. My narrative link was about how student show favoritism to certain sports and the sports that they choose to play they dedicate they time and effort in it. Abby dedicates her time to golf and follows her father's lead and trusts him to coach her.
The next section was the nut graph. This is where I formally introduced the who, what, when, where, and why. Who- Abby Rist, sophomore golfer. What- Her journey through high school golf with her dad, who is a professional golfer, who coaches her. Where- Olathe northwest high school. When- Sophomore year. Why- Abby loves golf. Also in the nut graph I added 3 or 4 of Abby's quotes that she said in her interview with me. Next I added one of her fathers quotes as well. I explained both the quotes and explained how they were relevant.

Abby Rist feature story

Hearing the snap of the 52” wedge club against the ball and seeing it fly through the air fighting the wind to get to the green. That sigh of relief when it takes less than two hits to get it in. The cheers of the fans in the distance while you see the ball go in the hole. That’s all a day in the life of sophomore golfer Abby Rist.

Many students choose favorites when it comes to playing sports. No matter what the sport is, the players always devote their time into it. Rist devotes her time to golf.

She says she was introduced to golf through her dad who is a professional golfer. Even though her dad has played golf for over 20 years she just started playing golf this year.

“I didn’t start playing golf until this year because I didn’t really think it was a sport for me, but my dad pushed me into doing and and I have loved it,” Rist said.

She puts in hard work to make the golf team and wants to keep pursuing golf throughout her high school career. She believes practice leads to vast improvement.

“I like getting better and seeing how you progress over time,” she said.

Her dad, Bruce Rist, a professional golfer, is very supportive of her golf journey and is glad she decided to join the team. “It’s something we can do together,” he said. “Playing together is something we can enjoy together.”

Abby has enjoyed her time in golf so far and talks about whether it’s more mentally or physically challenging.

“I think it’s a little bit of both but definitely mentally because you have to push yourself and strive to get better,” she said.

Abby Rist and her family are glad she chose to take after her dad and play golf and hopes that she improves all throughout high school. She has high ambitions of herself and works hard to achieve her goals.

Overall I am very pleased with my video and am excited to dive deeper into the world of convergence journalism!