Junior Naomi Harrison is a mass media major at Valdosta State. When she is not in class, you can catch Naomi behind a camera, running the jumbotron, or creating videos as a Production Assistant for Valdosta State University’s Digital Media Services unit. In one semester as a student assistant, she has worked 200+ hours and covered 40+ events. Oh, and did we mention she was asked to work at the National Championship game in Texas?
Here’s what Naomi had to say about the hands-on experience she has gained at #VState.
Q: Besides the National Championship game, what would you say was your favorite event to shoot?
A: Other than the National Championship game, the Homecoming pep rally was a lot of fun. Being able to capture the behind-the-scenes stuff, the hosts, and the students was really exciting. Hopefully, I’ll be able to shoot the homecoming concert next year!
Q: Has this opportunity helped you develop your skills as a videographer?
A: This opportunity has helped me learn how to capture sports and fast-paced activities. There’s a difference between capturing sports and capturing things like events and concerts.
Q: What inspires you?
A: The thing that inspires me the most is freedom. The freedom to be able to create a video the way I want and tell a story through the images I’ve captured. I think that’s amazing.
Q: How did you find out about the Video Production Assistant job opportunity?
A: I had just transferred to Valdosta State, and I knew I was going to have to work while in school. I didn’t have a car, and I was tired of jobs that I didn’t like. I went onto the student job board online, and I saw the Video Production Assistant position. I was shocked! I couldn’t believe that they were hiring students to do this type of work because my previous school didn’t have anything like it.
Q: How long have you worked with the university’s video team?
A: I was hired at Creative Services in Fall of 2017, so it’s been about a year and a half.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
A: In five years, I hope to be working for CNN as a video editor or maybe a small production company back home in Atlanta.
