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吃瓜爆料 students film an interview with an ABC News executive in the new Nor'easter Production Studio

吃瓜爆料 Production Studio Launches with Interview of Influential National News Executive

Students in 吃瓜爆料's Communications and Media Arts Degree Program Learned Industry Insights While Gaining Multimedia Skills

The School of Arts and Humanities at the 吃瓜爆料 launched its Nor鈥檈aster Production Studio on Tuesday, Sept. 24, by welcoming award-winning media executive Stacia Deshishku for a discussion with current students about her storied career in television as a leading producer for some of the nation鈥檚 most-watched broadcast news programs.

The sit-down with Deshishku, executive editor and executive vice president of ABC News, was an opportunity for students in 吃瓜爆料鈥檚 Communications and Media Arts degree program to immerse themselves in the new, state-of-the-art facility and insights into the journalism industry. 

The new production studio, located on the lower level of Decary Hall on 吃瓜爆料鈥檚 Biddeford Campus, is a hallmark component of the revised major and allows students to cultivate their professional skills in digital video production, photography, sound and lighting design, and other digital media to prepare them for modern careers in communications, journalism, and public relations. 

The facility is equipped with cameras from Blackmagic Design and Canon U.S.A., LED lighting units from Aputure, a complete array of grip equipment, and a full range of audio options from Zoom, Rode, and Sennheiser for narrative and commercial use.

吃瓜爆料 students conduct an interview in the Nor'easter Production Studio using video and lighting equipment
Stacia Deshishku sits for an interview by 吃瓜爆料 students in the Nor'easter Production Studio
Stacia Deshishku is seen through a camera monitor as 吃瓜爆料 students prepare equipment
A student takes photos with a DSLR
A 吃瓜爆料 student claps a production slate

The studio space鈥檚 design supports classroom instruction and learning and small student productions. It will serve and support the campus professional community in its media, marketing, and visual communications efforts, said Assistant Professor Matthew Siegel, M.F.A.

鈥淲e launched the studio in remarkable fashion,鈥 Siegel said of Deshishku鈥檚 visit. 鈥淭he launch represented a successful production and educational integration of the professional ranks with our students in the Communications and Media Arts degree program."

Students handled every aspect of the professional-level production, Siegel said, acting as floor director, chief interviewer, script writers, camera operators, a sound recordist, lighting technicians, and as a behind-the-scenes still photographer.

鈥淭he studio will serve as a dynamic, creative space and an incubator for future media productions at UNE,鈥 he said.

Deshishku has over 30 years of experience in strategy, decision-making, and profit and loss management, and her deep knowledge of the media landscape and ability to innovate have helped her drive impactful change and transform corporate culture.

Emily Hedegard 鈥25 interviews ABC executive Stacia Deshishku

Emily Hedegard 鈥25 interviews ABC News executive Stacia Deshishku in the Nor鈥檈aster Production Studio

As a top executive at ABC News, Deshishku  played a critical role as second-in-command for editorial efforts, working closely with senior producers across major network shows like 鈥淕ood Morning America,鈥 鈥淲orld News Tonight,鈥 and 鈥淣ightline.鈥 Before ABC, she was CNN鈥檚 director of coverage, managing newsgathering for some of the most important global stories, including Peabody Award-winning coverage of Hurricane Katrina. She also led CNN鈥檚 political coverage during the 2000 election and managed its White House unit.

Students interviewed Deshishku about her life鈥檚 work and learn from her perspectives as a woman in mass media while using the new equipment for the first time.

鈥淥ne of the most significant pieces of advice I took away from my discussion with Stacia is that we don't always realize the amount of power we have,鈥 said Emily Hedegard (English and Communications and Media Arts, 鈥25), who has already established herself professionally as a 吃瓜爆料 Community News Fellow and intern for both the Portland Press Herald and The Maine Monitor. 

"It was so exciting to work hands-on in the studio for the first time, and seeing all of the incredible opportunities opening up for students in the Arts and Humanities makes me so happy," Hedegard added. "I absolutely learned things that will help guide my studies and my future career.鈥

Grace Sprague (Communications and Media Arts, 鈥25) said she learned similar lessons, like that a career path doesn鈥檛 have to be linear and that it鈥檚 OK to take chances.

鈥淢y key takeaways were to never say no to career opportunities and to stand up for yourself in the workplace,鈥  Sprague said. 鈥淪tacia was extremely inspiring to hear, especially as a woman, regarding the way she carries herself and stands up for herself. I will remember her success and  nonlinear career path as I move into postgraduate life. "

Media Contact

Alan Bennett
Office of Communications