Sportsnet: Day 4

Day 4 at Sportsnet was pretty short, to be honest, because I had my Political Science midterm this morning. I got into the office at around 1:30 and left at 5 – but while I was there it was definitely interesting. I got to sit in the main control booth while the producer, director and other journalists/technicians put together the EURO Spain versus Russia broadcast.

I sat next to a guy from TSN who made the clips and montages that you see during breaks, just before they head to commercial, and while the commentators are speaking about certain players, plays, etc. It was cool to talk to him and see how he progressed into doing what he’s doing right now. He said he had initially thought about going into print, but after an internship at TSN during his university days, he decided to stick with broadcasting.

Other than that, I basically sat around the control room talking and watching the monitors. Spain won, which is cool. And now I sadly only have one day left at Sportsnet, and 1.5 days left in Toronto…

Sportsnet: Day 3

Awesome. Really, awesome. I don’t have any other words to really describe it, so I’ll stick with awesome. The day started off at 3:45 – I met up with the two Sportsnet PR guys at the Rogers Center, got my press pass, and we went out onto the field.

Basically stood around for two hours, to be honest, but it was great. Stood a meter from Cito Gaston and marveled as he and the seasoned journalists reminisced about the old days laughingly. I sat in the dugout for a while and watched as the Sportsnet Jays reporter did his interviews and live stand-ups. It was pretty interesting to see how it actually works, although there is a lot of waiting around.

Then, we made our way up to the press box. On the way, I walked RIGHT BESIDE Ken Griffey Jr., my love. I had a dorky grin from ear-to-ear, I won’t lie. But it was cool. (He’s MASSIVE, but anyway.) Then, we grabbed some popcorn and drinks and watched the game until the seventh inning. That’s about as long anyone can really last at a baseball game anyway… and we went to Gretzky’s Bar downtown. Overall, it was a really good night.

Flipping Scripts

As I mentioned two posts down, I recently had a conversation with D. from Sportsnets’ Communications department about a wide variety of topics. One of these included Barack Obama’s bid for the US Presidency. Dave and I both agreed that in order to win, Obama needs to focus on the issues and the many differences between himself and his opponent John McCain. Further, we reasoned that Obama must try to stay above the Republican smear campaigns, as there is no way he can beat them at their own – and sadly, highly effective – game.

With our discussion still fresh in my mind, I smiled when I read a recent TIME magazine article describing how Obama is fighting to right the false rumors circulating about him. You’ve probably heard most of them by now, and if you haven’t, check out my previous post, Big Red Republic Machine.

Ultimately, you can check out Fight the Smears, Obama’s new website that’s purpose is to dispel the rumors circulating about him by providing readers with the TRUTH. Yes, the truth; a strange concept in American politics, I know. But if we – today’s supposedly educated and free-thinking generation – can’t face it in this particularly important context, I’m not sure we ever will. And who better than the patron of change, Obama himself, to lead us from our presently fictional and bypartisan path onto the road of reality, once and for all.

Sportsnet – Day 2

Day two at Sportsnet was similar to day one, although it was a little more relaxed, and I couldn’t help but feel that I had little to do. I started my day at 10:30 and sat in on a producers’ meeting at 11. They discussed the day’s stories and brain-stormed to find new, timely pieces. It was interesting to see the people around the table interacting with reporters in various Canadian cities via telephone, and see their thought processes in action. Some stories they were working on: Don Imus’ recent comment (What color is he?) about Adam Pacman Jones, Alouettes’ training camp/new head coach appointment, possible banning of maple bats in baseball, etc.

Sportsnet: Day 1

First day at Sportsnet down, four more to go.

I started the day with a tour around the Rogers Sportsnet studios in downtown Toronto. I was amazed by how many people worked there – even though at 10:30 a.m. the place is kind of empty. I guess I never realized how much work goes into a television broadcast. Still, I got to see the various behind the scenes departments as well as the on-air studios. The cameras definitely make the sets seem bigger than they really are, but even still, they’re impressive.

The Y Factor

“It’s hit solidly… to the warning track… HOOOME RUN!”

It’s the oldest cliché in the book: salted peanuts, the seventh-inning stretch and the familiar smell of a ballpark. But I make no apologies: ever since I can remember, I’ve been a baseball fan.

And I don’t mean a Yankees bandwagon-jumper. Oh, no. I may indeed have the subconscious desire to hurt myself, but whatever the reason, since the age of eight, my allegiances have been clear. The Alou family, Rondell White, Vladimir Guerrero… I’m an Expos fan for better, or in this case, definitely for worse.

Skylines

As my plane flew into Toronto City Center airport, I couldn’t help but feel that the Toronto skyline is beautiful, especially with the red horizon fading into darkness behind it.

The CN tower, Rogers Center and countless high-rises greeted me as my little plane landed in Toronto’s harbor area; my uncle’s apartment is a mere five minutes away from the runway. Tomorrow, I’ll start my week at the downtown Rogers Sportsnet studios, shadowing reporters and witnessing first-hand all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into a sports broadcast.

And somehow, my picturesque arrival into Toronto – which I thought, had it been in Montreal, would have been like landing 500 m from the Cirque du Soleil tent in the Old Port, or better yet, 500 m from Farine Five Roses – has cast my internship in a new light. I may even enjoy my time in Toronto and learn to like it here… Seeing the city’s bright lights and colorful landmarks has made me contemplate the idea this time around, at least.

A Continuing Saga

According to an article in today’s International Herald Tribune, the United States is looking to Lithuania to house the ten ground-based missile defense interceptors that were planned for Poland. The Polish government is stalling on the plans, the article states.

In my view, if placing missile defense systems in Poland and the Czech Republic caused such an uproar from Russia, the possibility of having US arms in their backyard, one of the three Baltic territories that broke away from the Soviet Bloc in 1991, will definitely cause the shit to hit the proverbial fan.

I honestly wonder what the American side is thinking. How could this not infuriate Russia? And how could such a move not draw comparisons to the Cold War? As my DSJ articles describe, most political scientists don’t feel that Russia will literally take action against the Central European countries involved with US missile defense. But, in light of this new development, who knows how Russia will react – the country’s harsh rhetoric may indeed lead to action.

Big Red Republican Machine

http://www.eyeblast.tv/Public/Video.aspx?rsrcID=2036

Euroviews

This past March, I traveled to Hamburg to analyze the environmental impact of River Elbe pollution on the city itself, and its renowned fishing industry.

http://medianet.djh.dk/euroviews/green-in-the-city/jillian/

Comments and feedback are always welcome.