FULLERTON, CA -- Communications major Peter Martinez, Jr., is among several Cal State Fullerton students traveling this summer as part of their education.
The award-winning senior will spend three months at a paid fellowship with ABC News in New York. The National Association of Hispanic Journalists and UNITY Journalists of Color Inc., sponsor the fellowship. As part of the fellowship, Martinez and three other fellows will attend the UNITY convention this summer in Chicago.
Martinez will rotate between three of ABC NEWS' digital properties: abcnews.com, World News with Charlie Gibson webcast, and ABC NEWS NOW -- the 24/7 digital channel on most cable systems around the country.
Just prior to the end of the spring semester, Martinez was one of four Cal State Fullerton students who won the 2008 FOX News Channel "College Challenge," a national video news competition open to undergraduates studying broadcast journalism. The team submitted a news package titled "SoCal Immigration: Law, Labor, Liberty," which won the team an all-expenses paid trip to New York to appear on an April FOX and Friends morning program, as well as a $20,000 prize — half of which was awarded to the team and the other half to the Communication’s Department for scholarships, grants and new equipment.
Q. What was the biggest challenge you and your teammates faced in creating 'SoCal Immigration'?
A. The biggest challenge at the beginning was choosing one of the twelve topics provided. We picked 'Illegal aliens: should they stay or move them out?' because it remains a hot-topic issue in Southern California and around the nation. After we brainstormed and thought of the 'fair and balanced' way to present the story, my group members made enough interview contacts to round out the three-minute, eighteen-second news package.
My own challenge was to put to use three years worth of knowledge from my internship with KCET's 'Life & Times,' including technical details such as widescreen camera framing, lighting and audio. Up to 40 percent of the 'College Challenge' judging criteria was on production value alone.
The next challenge was meeting the December deadline during the last days of the fall semester (which meant final exams) and the Christmas holiday. All of us went above-and-beyond and I'm happy that FOX News Channel has recognized our hard work nationally.
Q. How did you get started in broadcast journalism?
A. My first exposure to video news production started with a multimedia ROP class at Los Alamitos High School during my senior year. We produced 'Griffin News,' a weekly broadcast to each classroom. That experience allowed me to practice with a camera and edit video.
That high school class helped pinpoint my career path. Early on, I realized how powerful it is to tell a story visually with interviews, natural sound, B-ROLL and good editing. I chose Cal State Fullerton's communications program and began to get involved my freshman year with the student-operated TV studio at Titan Communications.
Q. Who inspires you?
A. My parents and family have always encouraged me to do my best and set a good example for my three younger siblings. Friends from church have been a source of support and guidance, too.
At Cal State Fullerton, Assistant Dean Peggy Bockman was one of the first people who welcomed me to the College of Communications. If it wasn't for her, my college experience and leadership skills wouldn't be the same.
I thank Brent M. Foster, assistant professor of communications, for challenging me with constructive criticism and sharing a wealth of industry experience. He taught two of my broadcast classes, allowed me to work as a field producer, cameraman and post-production editor on the KCET-Orange TV show 'OC Insight' and was the faculty adviser for the FOX News Channel 'College Challenge' group.
Most of my professional experience is credited to all the former producers, reporters, cameramen, editors and staff at 'Life & Times.'
FULLERTON, CA -- Communications major Peter Martinez, Jr., is among several Cal State Fullerton students traveling this summer as part of their education.
