Ay-Ziggy-Zoomba.com

Hey all,

Hope your summers are going well. I'll try to be brief ...

I've been talking with Grant about covering fall camp for AZZ and I'd like to get some input from you all on how it should be done. I just bought an absolutely sweet high-definition video camera which should be arriving within a week. I'd love to head out to camp, post video interviews, video blogs, and probably some written blogs as well. Maybe I'd turn over the camera to some players for a day and let them have some fun, similar to the weekly correspondents on Jim Rome's TV show. Basically we'd try to keep a balance between being informative and being entertaining, which has always been the goal. Why do I want to do this? Well, for two reasons. I'd like to become more familiar with operating a video camera, as journalism is certainly heading in the visual direction. Secondly, I'm a jobless loser with a lot of time on my hands.

What I need from you is suggestions. This could really be fun for everyone.

Ryan

Ryan Autullo wrote:Hey all,

Hope your summers are going well. I'll try to be brief ...

I've been talking with Grant about covering fall camp for AZZ and I'd like to get some input from you all on how it should be done. I just bought an absolutely sweet high-definition video camera which should be arriving within a week. I'd love to head out to camp, post video interviews, video blogs, and probably some written blogs as well. Maybe I'd turn over the camera to some players for a day and let them have some fun, similar to the weekly correspondents on Jim Rome's TV show. Basically we'd try to keep a balance between being informative and being entertaining, which has always been the goal. Why do I want to do this? Well, for two reasons. I'd like to become more familiar with operating a video camera, as journalism is certainly heading in the visual direction. Secondly, I'm a jobless loser with a lot of time on my hands.

What I need from you is suggestions. This could really be fun for everyone.

Ryan

This sounds like really great idea. I hope you follow through with it. If some suggestions come to mind I'll post them.

Something like that would be phenomenal.

I'd be interested to hear from the new coaches, the new players and how the old players are adjusting to the new schemes.

All of that sounds awesome, and I agree with the suggestions others have already made. BG is a school that often doesn't get a lot of in depth attention, so it'll be great to see reports like this.

How bout a pseudo-Beer Money kind of show where you quiz some of the townies on BG trivia? Maybe offer them a free Snakeman tattoo kit?

I don't have a lot of creative suggestions, per se, but if there's anyway I can help out let me know Ryan.

I'm REALLY excited about this! Ryan is a great reporter and has been missed since being downsized by the Blade. It'll be great to have his connections, his wit, and his reporting style here! The addition of video is just going to take it to another level, and if we're really lucky, Ryan will always stay BEHIND the camera!

Like he said, we'll let the members of this site drive the content to some point, so get your suggestions in here...

And, if all goes well, we'll likely extend this beyond football season.

This is very exciting to hear. I would also be very interested in transitional stories: How Clawson's reign is different or the same as Brandon's, changes in offensive/defensive philosophies, how the new staff is coming together, etc. Not sure how much of that they would give you, but it would be awesome to see Ryan try.

I love the idea! I'd kind of like to see the players interacting with each other. There's a ton of great characters on the team that nobody is able to appreciate just by watching the game on Saturday. Documenting these guys could be a lot of fun. Also I think it would be cool to see some coach and player interactions with fans. Hope this goes well!

I think it's very cool, especially if you can have fun with it while being informative. It will be interesting to see what kind of access you'll be able to get. Good luck!

Keep up the great ideas. Some of my favorite stories I wrote at The Blade were ideas pitched by e-mailers. Don't underestimate the value of your input, because after all, reporters don't work for their bosses, other reporters, or the athletes. They work for readers, and in this case, viewers.

I should have mentioned I do not want to limit this venture to just football. We'll check on Louis Orr and Curt Miller, as well as their players, but clearly football has to drive the bus in August. Obviously I have to get clearance from SIDs and coaches, but unless they are averse to receiving more exposure, I can't envision this not happening.

I really like the idea of tackling this from a fan's perspective. The BG News does a wonderful job with their videos but that's from a journalist point of view. I'd love to hear from some freshmen and find out what kind of things brought them to BG, how's their first semester, how's dorm life, etc. On the flip side, find out what is the senior's best memories, who have they taken under their wing, how is it adjusting in your last year to a new system?

May I also suggest possibly covering hockey? I know a guy willing to do 90% of the work...

Excellent idea! Any and all coverage of FALCON FOOTBALL is great! Especially for us out of towners.

As is typical of any preseason/practice coverage, key positional battles should be a major focus, IMO. Who looks to get the reps at RB? Which WRs are stepping up? Which defensive players are going to take the place of all our graduated seniors?

Ryan Autullo wrote:I should have mentioned I do not want to limit this venture to just football. We'll check on Louis Orr and Curt Miller, as well as their players, but clearly football has to drive the bus in August. Obviously I have to get clearance from SIDs and coaches, but unless they are averse to receiving more exposure, I can't envision this not happening.

Don't forget about hockey!!! We Falcon hockey fans would love to see some in depth coverage...especially THIS year with all that is going on! Overall...this is a FANTASTIC idea!!!! Can't wait for your first report!!!