The University of Akron | School of Communication

Comm news you can use....

See what it takes to produce a documentary

Join Dr. Phil Hoffman as he works his way through a new feature length documentary, "Turn Blue: The Short Life of Ghoulardi." While the doc is in progress, you can get a behind-the-scenes look at the process by visiting the Turn Blue Production Blog. The blog will provide regular updates as the production continues, showing students exactly what it takes to create a feature length documnetary, including all the tedium, frustration and elation that goes with the process.

"Turn Blue" is the story of Ernie Anderson, former WJW-TV 8 announcer who donned a fright wig in 1963 to become "Ghoulardi." Anderson, along with co-horts Tim Conway and Big Chuck Schodowski would create one of Cleveland's most unique on-air characters. The film is based on the book "Ghoulardi: Inside Cleveland TV's Wildest Ride" by Rich Heldenfels and Tom Feran.

ZTV hosts Digital Media Conference November 7, 2008

UA Communication majors are invited to take part in the first ZTV/NATAS (National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences) Digital Media Conference..

The conference will be held on Friday, November 7, 2008 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Featured speakers will include Steve Warren of Sports Time Ohio, Steve Kurrent of WEWS-TV 5, Eric Mansfield of WKYC-TV 3, David McClean, of post:blur studios, Mike Pritt of M.P. Productions, Megan Mahoney of WMFD-TV in Mansfield, Chuck Collins of Rubber City Radio Group, Ed Esposito, President of the Radio & Television News Directors Association, and Gary Manke, President of NATAS.

For a complete schedule, visit the Z-TV web site at www.ztvakron.com

This event is free to all U.A. Communication majors.

ZTV reporters cover national convention

UA Communication majors Jamie Reeves and Becca Gruccio covered the Democratic National Convention in Denver for ZTV.

The two interviewed Ohio delegates and local political figures such as Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown.

Both Reeves and Gruccio work on ZTV's News Source. Reeves is a producer and Gruccio is a reporter.

To see their reports or to register your preference in the presidential race, click here.

Alumni.comm takes home 3 Vision awards

The Electronic Publishing class took home three Vision awards from the IABC-Cleveland competition.

IABC-Cleveland, which honors the best In Northeast Ohio's communications community, gave alumni.comm, the online magazine for School of Communication alumni, three awards: one for writing and two for electronic/interactive.

To see the award-winning magazines, click here for the 2008 issue and click here for the 2007 issue.

Internships, Z-TV/WZIP, 2380

If you want to intern in Spring 2009, you'll need to get your completed application form in to the School of Communication office by October 10. Undergraduate and graduate students can pick up the application packet in the School of Communication office, Rm. 108 Kolbe Hall, now.

If you want to join the staff of Z-TV or WZIP-FM, pick up applications at WZIP on the top floor of Kolbe Hall. You can work in TV and radio news, sports, promotion, engineering, advertising sales, production, music or as on-air radio and TV talent. UA students need to have a 2.8 GPA to participate.

The 2380 film organization will be meeting on Mondays at 4:30 p.m. in Kolbe Hall, Rm. 111. .