CNN iReport topic

For the CNN ireport assignment, my partner Victor Mwangi and I are going to go to the soup kitchen the mustard seed in Saint Johnsbury, Vermont.
For the audio sounds we will interview one of the volunteers at the soup kitchen and if we can find someone who eats at the soup kitchen and is willing to be interviewed then we will interview them as well.
The visual aspects we will use for this project will contain footage from outside the soup kitchen, preparing the food and the consuming of the food.
This project will primarily focus on the volunteers at the Mustard Seed, why they do what they do, what it takes and how it impacts the Saint Johnsbury community.

member responsibilities:
Getting in touch with the volunteers and setting up a interview: Kaitlyn Manktelow
Taking pictures: Kaitlyn Manktelow and Victor Mwangi
Interviewing the volunteers: Kaitlyn Manktelow and Victor Mwangi
Editing the interview: Kaitlyn Manktelow and Victor Mwangi

Critiquing CNN iReport

I think the idea of CNN iReport is a really good one, however, I was confused by the website at first; the website should have had an about section right when you go onto the website to explain it better, and a way to help a user navigate through the website better.

 Despite my initial misgivings after realizing what iReport was the more it began to grow on me. For those that do not know, CNN iReport is basically a citizen journalism website. Citizens are encouraged to take videos and pictures of news events and breaking news and to upload it on the website, similar to WikiLeaks. I believe that the website is a unique way to get information, news and facts from eyewitnesses.

 However, being a journalism student also causes me to be wary of this website because, since this website is geared towards everyday citizens there are less limits, less boundaries, less rules and less obligation. Unlike journalists, these citizens can post what they like as long as they claim it to be true. Though the website does have editors on it monitoring and promoting the stories it is something that needs to be kept an eye on.

 Despite my one concern with citizens becoming journalists without the proper preparation, I do believe that CNN's iReport is a unique way to get the audience involved as well as getting more news from around the world. iReport is also a more creative way to spread information than a news paper, it is quicker, more appealing and more interesting appealing to the viewers.

 If there was a typhoon in India and millions are losing their homes each minute a video uploaded from and India native standing on his flooded home would be of greater interest than a print story.

 Almost everything has a flaw in it but all in all this website is a great resource which I know I will be using throughout my career as a journalist and highly recommend it to anyone!

 www.ireport.cnn.com

"Art is my drug"

Dorian McGowan, is a small man from a small town but as anyone can see, his artistic talent is anything but small.

He is a former professor at Lyndon State College, but now retired, he spends most of his days drawing portraits of students, staff and faculty members and even town residence. In addition to this, he continues to pursue his passions at home where he has his own art gallery, full of his own collection as well as his sons.

While others might have a passion for music, culture and science, McGowan believes art is a form of therapy for him. “A drawing a day keeps the doctor away.” Perhaps this is how he has reached the aged of eighty-one and still continues to pursue his passions in the art.

  Born and raised in Vermont he always knew he wanted to be an artist from a young age. He describes how his first painting was when he used the poop from his diaper and then smeared it on the wall, only to prove his mother right when she said all those years ago, “Oh God I have an artist on my hand!”

McGowan’s grandmother played a big role in nurturing his talent. From a young age she would encourage him to sit on her lap and draw with him. Being paralyzed from the waist down, McGowan found himself spending much time sitting beside her drawing, which he continued to do so even after her death.

Having gone to a catholic school, Dorian McGowan shocked his teachers when he told them that art was his passion and that’s what he wanted to study when he went to college. The nuns of his high school believed that McGowan was only pursuing this career goal as a way to see naked women, and while that may have played a minor part in it, he was set on his belief that he did not want to be a priest.

 After making this firm decision and writing to his inspiration Norman Rockwell, his decision was made when he applied to Pratt University. Passing the drawing exam heightened his confidence that art was his future. Moving to Brooklyn, NY was a huge risk that paid off.

While getting his education, little did McGowan know that that’s the same place he would meet his lovely wife. To perfect his artisan talent and also make a living, McGowan taught at a high school in New York before moving back to Vermont where he taught at Lyndon state College.

Dorian’s passion for art was passed down to his four children who are now grown and earn a living by being artists. Apart from drawing, painting and sculpting, building of stone walls is one of the many talents that McGowan has been able to express all over his property.

Never a seeker of fame Dorian McGowan is grateful and takes pride in all that he has accomplished. Raising a beautiful family and having a successful career.