CCOM Students Take Journalism on the Road to D.C.

Montclair State University’s College of Communication and Media (CCOM) students are heading to Washington, D.C. on Saturday, March 6 to produce a news documentary special. The special, titled “Washington DC: We the People,” will feature stories ranging from homelessness and environmental justice to immigration to the risks facing modern journalists in the nation’s capital.

“On the Road: Reporting from the Field” is a special topics course taught by Prof. Steve McCarthy covering essential technical skills of field reporting, while also teaching students how to work on the fly. They learn to navigate the inevitable setbacks of field production, from securing last-minute filming locations to pursuing new leads when an interview falls through.

Preparation for the trip spanned six weeks of just pre-production. Students spent that time researching stories, identifying interview subjects, scheduling shoots and coordinating complex logistical operations. Since the students are only on the ground in D.C. for a limited number of days, they must over-prepare and make the most of every second. They have one shot producing the documentary special, making preparation critical. 

“We hope that students learn that preparing is just as important as doing,” says McCarthy. “We’re teaching students to get out in the real world and do real reporting work.”

Throughout the process, McCarthy acts as a mentor, offering wisdom from his years of news producing and documentary filming experience while letting the students lead the production. Working in teams, every student has a designated role, producer, editor, or correspondent, giving them full independence over their own stories. His advice for students considering taking the class in the future is direct. 

“It’s not a vacation, we’re going to work very hard production days at these location shoots,” says McCarthy. “The business is changing, but these types of basics that we’re teaching, how to report, how to cast, how to talk to people, how to film, no matter what platforms or venues they’re going to air on, they’re really important for students to learn.”

For Senior Executive Producer Andrew Cooper, the chance to lead a production of this scale was worth returning for a second semester. 

“This course really provides hands-on field reporting experience. You get to work with cameras, interview guests, and travel, which is really exciting.”

Senior Sophia Lazaridis, who previously served as a producer for last year’s “San Francisco: On The Edge” special, has taken on a larger role as Executive Producer for this special. Reflecting on the scale of the project, Lazaridis notes that the experience is more than just academic.

“It is life-changing. I have lifelong friends from this class and I have gained so much experience. It’s a lot to take in, but I would not trade this experience for anything else and I totally recommend it.”

Story by Gabriella LaRosa

Media Contact: Keith Green, greenk@montclair.edu 973-655-3701

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About the College of Communication and Media: The College of Communication and Media (CCOM) offers a range of dynamic programs to a talented and diverse student population of over 2,000. Offering degrees in advertising, animation and visual effects, communication and media studies, film and television, journalism and digital media, social media and public relations, sports communication and an online, asynchronous MA devoted to strategic communication and media, the College prepares the next generation of communication and media practitioners and leaders. Founded in 2012 and housed in world-class, state-of-the-art facilities just 12 miles from New York City, the College is the only program in the country that offers the following opportunities for students: a radio station (WMSC), newspaper (The Montclarion), strategic communications agency (Hawk Communications), sports network (Red Hawk Sports Network) streaming platform (Hawk+), digital newsroom (News Lab) and studio, and a social media listening center (Joetta DiBella and Fred C. Sautter III Center for Strategic Communication). The College also has a Student Success team, including dedicated Career Services and Advising professionals who prepare students for the internship and job search process. Student projects and programs have recently received national recognition from PRSSA’s Bateman Competition, an Edward R. Murrow Award, several Marconi Award nominations, and College Television Awards (“Student Emmy” awards) from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The College is also home to the Center for Cooperative Media, which serves the public by working to grow and strengthen local journalism and media. Through $7.1M in grants awarded over the last five years, the Center focuses on collaboration in journalism, media equity, media coaching and training, civic science and research. The Center is also home to the NJ Civic Information Consortium, the largest funder of media and journalism in  New Jersey, granting more than $10M over the last five years to support independent local media, journalism and training initiatives.