ESPN Monday Night Football
Communication Students Answer ESPN Call
Despite a heartbreaking,last-minute home-team loss, the Buffalo Bills' recent Monday Night Football game gave some of Buffalo State's communication students an exciting opportunity to see live television production in action.
Kwokman Productions ESPN, which provided the production crew and staffing for the game, wrote to several Communication faculty members looking for students interested in joining their crew to work as production assistants, field grips, runners and utilities.
More than 10 answered the call -- and got a once-in-a-lifetime experience working with the professional crew in a real-world application of their studies.
Media production students Andy Szeliga, Dan Bracey, Jaime Flor, Scott Jarrett and Kenny Coleman worked as camera operators and grips on the field.
Monique Leo, a public communication student, was pressed into action several days before the big game as a tour guide when the ESPN team shot b-roll for its pre-game and half-time programming about the Western New York area. Leo said she took them on a tour of the region's impressive architectural treasures, such as the beautifully restored Darwin Martin House, as well as its natural wonders, such as Niagara Falls.
Amy Eisenberg, who's minoring in communication, spent time with the ESPN crew on pre-game logistics planning.
Although the Buffalo Bills' first Monday Night Football game in 13 years didn't end on a particularly positive note for most fans, for the Communication students who answered ESPN's casting call, it was a night they won't forget -- not to mention a great line on their resumes.