Spartan News Network

Posted on February 15, 2012 by admin

I love hearing from grads who have their hand in a multitude of things…read on for Tony’s story.

Uncle Kernen,

I just figured that I would write you since it’s been 2 years since I first started what has been the greatest decision of my life to this point. I graduated with RVF 1-10 in October of 2010. Being at Specs Howard was an amazing experience, and I’ve recommended it to numerous people. One of my current jobs at the Spartan Sports Network has hired three other graduates, with my recommendations and they have been excellent as well. We are doing big things at SSN, and I wanted to thank you for having us all prepared. With SSN I only work during Michigan State basketball and football games.

For the rest of my time I am at Doner Advertising down the street in Southfield. I’ve been working here since April and my work has been recognized and I started off the new year on their staff and I am very excited about it. I’m working as an assistant video editor and have been able to work on accounts with Chrysler, Fiat, Minute Maid, AutoTrader.com, Choice Hotels, Cat’s Pride and quite a few more. The main reason that I am e-mailing you is that I wanted to figure out a way to give back to the school. Right now I’m not able to give back through a monetary donation as I’m still on my first job in the business. If there is anything that I can do, please let me know because I will be happy to help. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Tony Guastella
RVF 1-10

A Great Way to find Media Interns

Posted on February 13, 2012 by admin

Good interns are hard to find. That’s why Specs Howard brings together the brightest and best at the annual Internship Fair! This is a great opportunity for industry companies to save time finding the best interns in the media industry!
All potential interns attending the fair will be pre-screened. Students are trained in various forms of media: graphic design, radio, video and film production, and digital media. Find help that is driven and willing to work for experience.
Companies will be offered complimentary space (seating for two) at the Internship Fair along with a complimentary lunch (noon- 1 p.m.). Please bring a stack of applications and any promotional items to hand out.

To reserve your spot, please RSVP by Feb. 23, 2012 to Katie Peters at kpeters@specshoward.edu or call 866-61-SPECS

Cruise Adventures

Posted on February 9, 2012 by admin

Who couldn’t ask for more? Editing on a cruise ship? Sounds pretty luxurious…

Good Evening,

I wanted to give a slight update with where I’ve gone after Specs Howard. I’ve been pretty out of touch and wanted to touch base. I was working at a marketing firm called Move Communications soon after I started interning for a private motion artist and once work got slimmer in MI I took a chance on working and editing for Royal Caribbean. Traveling the globe and editing was great. After my first contract I was promoted from Broadcast Technician to Head Broadcast Technician. Within the past month I was offed a job with Disney and now that’s who I work for. I am headed out to Germany in a few days to help take out the brand new ship “Fantasy”. I just wanted to keep you updated with everything.

Ryan Wekwert
write.travel.edit

Life Changing

Posted on February 7, 2012 by admin

Always great to hear of a grad making a difference. Read below the note I recently received….

Mr. Kernen!

I hope everything is going well for you!

I figured I would update you with my newest adventure. I had the opportunity of going to Australia and East Timor to create a documentary for Rotary International. I was gone for 5 weeks total (2 in Australia & 3 in East Timor)

I started e/motion just over a year ago. I am still at Media Street but have a strong desire to do work outside of that realm and be creative through my own ventures. I do a lot of weddings & lifestyle work as well as documentary work through volunteer opportunities.

Every time I hear a Specs ad on 89x, it reminds me of how thankful I am for the opportunities it has given me!

I hope things are well at your end!

Jana

Watch the documentary trailer here.

Billboard Power 100

Posted on February 6, 2012 by admin

Specs Hall of Famer, Alex Tear of Clear Channel Miami has been named one of Billboard’s Power 100 which recognizes the most important people in the Music Industry. He shares the honor with, among others, Jay Z, Beyonce, the President’s of CBS Radio, Clear Channel Media, Pandora, Jon Bon Jovi, Taylor Swift…well you get the picture. Let’s Hear It for Alex!

Alex is the Program Director at WHYI Miami as well as the mainstream Clear Channel Radio brand coordinator. As the brand coordinator, Alex works to determine what current pop music receives prominent nationwide exposure under the direction of Tom Poleman (see No. 42), president of national programming platforms.

To read more about this honor, visit Billboard’s website.

Louder than Love at the DIA

Posted on February 1, 2012 by admin

I’m really looking forward to seeing Specs grad, Tony D’Annunzio’s work in the upcoming documentary Louder than Love. The documentary is focused on the 60′s rock revolution in Detroit!

While the West Coast was groovin’ to the sounds of the “Summer of Love” in 1967, Detroit was pumping out a hard-driving, gritty and raw sound that was “Louder Than Love.” The Grande Ballroom stood as the epicenter of the Detroit rock music scene that spawned in the late ‘60s. Serving as the starting point for bands such as MC5, Iggy & The Stooges, Ted Nugent & The Amboy Dukes and more, the Grande not only influenced local Detroit musicians but inspired bands from all over the U.S. and Great Britain. Legendary acts like Led Zeppelin, Cream, B.B. King, Janis Joplin, Pink Floydand the Who soon began to grace the stage at the Grande on a regular basis.

D’Annunzio’s documentary, Louder than Love documents the creative and revolutionary frenzy of Detroit in the 1960s with rare archival footage and interviews by surviving musicians, and explores the now abandoned theater haunted by this legacy. The film is a part of the Detroit Revealed on Film series held at the DIA’s Detroit Film Theatre. For tickets to the see the film visit the DIA’s website.

Detroit Revealed on Film: Louder Than Love

Detroit Film Theatre

April 5, 2012, 7:00pm

Detroit Revealed on Film is presented in conjunction with the DIA exhibition Detroit Revealed: Photographs 2000-2010. The films range from bold experiments such as a 3D film shot in the abandoned Packard complex (plant), a tribute to the storied Grande Ballroom (Louder than Love), a kaleidoscopic look at the aspirations of Detroit’s citizens and civic leaders (Detroit/State Theater) and documentaries about grass-roots efforts at revitalization and the urban agriculture movement (After the Factory, Grown in Detroit and Urban Roots).

Changes in Detroit

Posted on January 3, 2012 by admin

Always great to hear of exciting change in the industry! Read on folks…

Vicki Foley of Allen Park was elected the president of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association for 2012. Foley will become the first female leader in the history of the 63-year-old organization.

Foley has served for several years on the panel of judges that awards academic scholarships to two Specs Howard students each year. She has 12 years of management experience with Comcast Corp.

Others elected to officer positions include James Rein, vice president; Sherrie Handrinos, secretary; and Bill Wischman, treasurer.

West Virginia Moving Up

Posted on December 31, 2011 by admin

It is great to hear from grads after they put the time in and make it happen! Congrats Chris!

Hey Uncle Kernen,

Just wanted to give an update to where my young career has taken me so far
after graduating from Specs in July 2009.

After less than two years in a small market (Parkersburg, WV) as a Sports
Director and eventually CHR Program Director… I achieved one of my dreams
much earlier than I expected when I applied for and was hired to be a new
member of Cleveland Sports Radio’s new FM station, 92.3 The Fan when it
launched in late August of this year. I know one of my favorite teachers,
Tony Sherock, would be proud that I made it back to our homeland by the
lake.

I am currently a full time update anchor, part-producer of the weekday night
show and am recently getting opportunities to host 1 – 1.5 hour shows on my
own in a large market.

I’m excited to see where this takes me next and look forward to a great
career in radio. I do have to thank Specs for lining up my original
internship with the Drew and Mike Show on WRIF and setting up the interview
that got me the Sports Director job in WV to build my resume and give me
some “post grad” experience before landing this current amazing job.

Thanks again!

Chris Fillar
RTV 1708 Radio Grad
92.3 The Fan – Cleveland

Right here in Southfield…

Posted on December 21, 2011 by admin

Sometimes many of our grads don’t end up working that far away from where it all started at Specs. Sara is one of those grads who has made it back home!

Dick,

I’ve been wanting to update you lately with what I am doing and that I finally became a news anchor and I also host a few shows as well. I work with the Middle Eastern America television (MEA) in Southfield and I anchor International news and host two shows. One of the shows is focused on Arab American cultural topics and the other show is a travel show about destinations in the United States. I even write scripts for commercials for our clients and I’ve even done a couple of voice overs as well..

MEA is on Comcast channel 667 and can be streamed live here. (It works best on Internet Explorer)

My set schedule is:

Tuesday night: ‘Vacay Spots’ (travel show) at 11pm
Thursday’s and Fridays: International news at 8pm
Thursday night: ‘MEA cafe’ (talk show) at 11pm

Hopefully I’ve made you and Specs Howard School proud of me!

Genuinely,

Sara Massoud
News anchor/host
MEA tv-radio

Trailblazer

Posted on December 16, 2011 by admin

Always great to hear a grad creating their own path in the industry. Read on for Martone Williams’ story.

Hi Mr. Kernen,

It’s been a very long time! I do hope that things are going well for you and the school. I have been very busy with creating a career for myself in the entertainment business. I would like to thank you and Specs Howard for giving me the tools that I needed to succeed in the world of broadcasting. I produce two popular Internet radio programs that are being heard in over 35 countries. I produce, direct and host a Internet web series program called Industry Revue. Things are certainly going well for my production company Enotram Entertainment. I just signed a deal to produce & direct a comedy DVD for comedian Laura Bartlett.

The reason I am contacting you today is regarding my latest venture. IndustryRevue.com is a entertainment social networking site that is geared to entertainment industry professionals and it will be up and running on 12/31/2011.

Don’t forget to check out his new site in the coming weeks!