By Kenneth R. Erdey
Photos by Dan Gerardi
When you prepare students for any production, there are many ways you could go. Each semester, I’ve tried to find the best way to prepare them for another premiere of Good Morning, Illini. Each semester we get a new crew. We start from scratch on how to shoot, edit and present.This year we also have added a class to give a better performance on camera. Some may say I could put them in the studio and run them through cameras, teleprompter and maybe even switcher. No, at GMI, we like to think out of the box. Previous semesters I have taken them bowling and then asked them to go to an escape room. Both were challenging and made for a great experience. This semester, I decided the best way to get us started in the on-camera performance class was to work it out. Literally.
Michael Giesler is my personal trainer. He is the owner and operator of
Elite Fitness Athletic Training and coaching in Champaign. I asked if he would be open to letting me bring in my class for a workout. I am so thankful he did, as this was one of our best class shoots ever. Not only did my J199 – Content Producing students learn to shoot movement and activity. I was given the chance to see GMI talent shine.
Jared Farmer has been a GMI anchor for the past year. He is great in interviews and has brought us some of the best comedic moments to GMI. On this day he was dreaming of when the metal chains would bend simply because he pulled a Thano’s snap. Patience Jared. You are inevitable.
Our resident gear head Jose Zepeda gave up the motorized vehicle for a sled that requires a push start. Jose will be offering these skills and more as he ventures into his second GMI class. Maybe I can find him a motor next time.
Kenya Williams and Andrea Cannon, thought team work was the best way to approach this. Throughout the morning we all learned how to count to eight, repeatedly. Because of them I now can guarantee how many crayons are in my crayola 8 pack.
GMI wasn’t the only team on hand. Illini Sports Night Corespondents Nathan Dehaan and Blake Landa were practicing their sport reporter’s smiles. Sideline reporting requires a good smile sometimes. Right now, Illinois sports have a lot to smile about. Be sure to follow these guys at Illinois Sports Night.
In the end, this class needs to develop two things. One, provide a workshop feel for our new crew to understand how field shoots work. This exercise allows mentoring and coaching. Plus, offer the chance of constructive criticism and failure with assurance of a “safety rope.” In my opinion as a career photojournalist, the best way to be a photographer is to go out and do it. Then get as much as you can to tell a great story. This experience absolutely accomplished that.
My second goal for this project is to create a bond in their team which will translate to their show. Watching them all work together yesterday, the simple answer is, that goal was met as well. 
Maddie Rice is taking over as full executive producer of GMI. I am stepping back to the adviser role. I want her to 
challenge the show and really set it on a course for years to come. GMI premieres on February 14th @ 10 AM. As always we hope you make it a Good Morning, Illini.
by Kenneth R. Erdey
