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Pepperdine Provides Training Ground for Future News Anchors

For the eighth year, Pepperdine University will host The Associated Press Television Radio Association (APTRA) Academy. At the event, held Saturday, Oct. 11, and Sunday, Oct. 12, aspiring reporters and anchors will have the chance to interact with some of the best in the business and learn step-by-step how to construct a news story.

Under the guidance of respected producers, directors, makeup artists, voice coaches, news anchors, and Pepperdine communications faculty, student participants will conduct interviews, cover action sequences, do stand-ups, write stories, and oversee the editing of their pieces. Student anchors will also work at Pepperdine's on-campus TV studio where, at the end of the two-day workshop, they will execute their own five-minute newscasts.

"The students actually leave on the second day with tapes in their hands and, in their hearts, feelings that they're more motivated than when they first arrived at the academy," says Hal Eisner, APTRA Academy director and FOX11 reporter.

Eisner launched the academy in 2000, wanting to provide an easier method of mentorship and training in the broadcast business. "The experience actually gives the participant the opportunity to be a reporter or anchor 'in action' – something no other workshop or class can replicate," he says.

This year's lineup of mentors includes: Washington D.C. reporter Alec Schreck; ABC4 Salt Lake City anchor Ross Becker; KTTV/KCOP helicopter reporter Kevin Takumi; FOX News channel correspondent Adam Housley; The Young and The Restless actress Kate Linder; and KESQ - Palm Springs producer Anne Petersen.

Michael Murrie, Seaver College professor of telecommunication, will serve as a mentor as well. He says he's happy that his students get a chance to be involved in the academy. "Several Pepperdine students of video production and television news participate each year either as studio volunteers or as students in the program," he says. "They can meet and work alongside the professionals who might be their colleagues one day."

Click here to learn more about the APTRA Academy.