Not going to Berkeley /  by Helen Arase

So I'm not going to Berkeley's journalism program, and it's a bummer. That was an awesome program - it is an awesome program - it would have been an awesome opportunity.

But the upshot of this is that I spoke with the director of admissions and she told me what kind of candidate they look for and what my app was missing. 

I'm still waiting on the other schools. Some need more info, interviews, writing tests, etc. I have a skype interview tomorrow. 

I went to an Oscars viewing party with Maggie. She's doing some kind of review for AOL and had a plus one. There I met a Mizzou alum - the nicest girl ever - who basically talked me into applying at the last minute. We even asked if she's a recruiter, but she just loved her undergraduate experience that much. The fall deadline has passed, but it's nice they start fall and spring for their two-year program. I think it's a sign, as I was looking at their program's curriculum earlier that day and wondering why the heck I didn't apply...

After telling the universe I was going to grad school in the fall (but then not getting in to Berkeley) I'm putting together the Missouri application, thinking about all the possibilities, trying not to have some kind of crisis because I don't have a plan B. Everyone gets turned down from schools. I just have to wait for the other interviews, information and the rest of the decisions. 

Fingers are crossed and eyes are looking ahead.

Women's March LA /  by Helen Arase

Covering the Women's March on Saturday was an interesting experience. My friend Maggie and I went. She did a thing for work.

I think it's cool to know all of us who photographed, wrote, etc. about the marches got to be there for history as a documentarian. 

I like to watch or read about journalists being interviewed because they were at an extraordinary event - 9/11, wars, civil rights movement - and how they viewed it, their thought processes and all that. Something that always stuck out to me is that they talk about their thinking during the event. Like, a building is falling but all they could think about was their work and covering the story accurately. Then they talk about getting home and processing - or not - what they just witnessed. 

I like this page from the NPR ethics handbook that talks about independence and impartiality while observing rallies and demonstrations. We were there to bear witness. 

That's something I had feelings but couldn't articulate about the Trump protests we photographed earlier. We were there, and some of the time walking (at times they were running) to get along the route, but sometimes it was hard to identify yourself. Of course if asked why you're there or who you are it's a no brainer, but the times you are just working or sitting down to take a break... 

This time around, there were so many people that we had to fight through the crowd to get anywhere. We got stuck in the crowd during the speeches but made a run for it after (AKA jumped into a train of people) and got on top of cement barriers to watch and photograph the march go by. 

These aren't spectacular photographs, but I'm glad I was there for this. 

This is a little further forward than where we were when the speeches were happening. The first few minutes of "we're supposed to march now!" here, turned into not moving for a couple of hours. Reported to have 750,000 in attendance.

You can pretty much still see Pershing Square...

"After today, I'm going to be famous!"

Singer Khia inspired many on Saturday.

Meanwhile at Pershing Square...

Interview /  by Helen Arase

I have a grad school interview (hopefully the first of a few) tomorrow. I'm really, really excited - and nervous - but mostly I just want the chance to talk about my work and ambitions. 

I am not afraid to say that I love the program I'm interviewing for tomorrow. It was on my list of grad schools the first and second time I was thinking of applying to grad programs. Hopefully the (sort of) third time is the charm. 

 

I've spent a lot of time looking at my writing for these applications, and it's journalism so that's absolutely reasonable, but I believe there is more to judge a person on besides their writing abilities. I may be biased because I feel that is the area I want to improve and have the least experience, but I think there are missed opportunities if only writing can be submitted. 

One school completely  only wanted writing or an audio/video. The only way they'll see the body of my work and capabilities is if they seek out my site from my resume. And I kind of think that sucks for both of us - and others who may have a less traditional take on journalism. 

Having had/read a few conversations with still photographers on the various journalism Facebook groups, it seems that there could be enormous enrollments in journalism and media programs because they (we) are interested in being more educated and and having more skills to use to report. If programs count out those without many writing experiences they could be missing someone who could be a great asset. 

Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox. Things seems to be working out in the direction I wish they will and I don't want to jinx it. Please, universe, I want to go back to school.