UF Students ‘Hit the Road’ to Cover the North American International Auto Show

Sophomore journalism/digital media major and western equestrian major, Grant Goetscheus, at NAIAS

With press passes in hand, UF communication students traveled to “Motor City” for the 2017 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS),
one of the largest auto shows in North America. The group worked alongside professional news organizations to cover the Detroit event and put their journalism skills in action.
Grant Goetscheus, sophomore journalism/digital media and western equestrian major, was especially excited to gain professional experience while surrounded by never-before-seen automobiles.
“I was shocked that we were getting to go do this,” said Goetcheus. “Having the opportunity to be there with a media pass and see the new models before anyone else was so cool.”
Goetscheus and the others at NAIAS gathered footage and content for Findlay Media Network’s UFTV and student newspaper, the Pulse. Obtaining background footage for UFTV was Goetscheus’s responsibility while the others interviewed professionals and delivered news about the event on camera.

“I’m more of a camera guy,” Goetscheus laughed. “We started with Hyundai’s new fuel cell and then got b-roll of the new Chevrolet and Ford models.”
AJ du Fresne, UFTV Manager, encouraged the students to focus on how the auto industry changes relate back to Findlay and Northwest Ohio, in addition to how the auto industry is targeting millennials.

Communication students filming at NAIAS

At first, Goetscheus found practicing video production skills next to media professionals a bit daunting, but it turned out to be his biggest takeaway. He found much of what they were doing to be exactly what he’s learning in the classroom.
“The way they shoot is what we are learning here,” said Goetscheus. “It was eye-opening to see behind-the-scenes and at a professional angle.”
Communication students at UF are provided with experiential learning such as this to practice and strengthen skills needed to be experts in the industry.
“It was so interesting to be there with professionals and covering the same things they were,” said Goetscheus. “That’s the hands-on experience that you need to put yourself above others. That’s what employers want to see.”