Hello everybody. I’m Mike, a senior broadcast communications major at Westminster College, and this is my blog. I'll be posting at least once a week mainly on the topic of the progress of my senior year, particularly my capstone project.
       I have been doing television and radio production since my freshman year, most notably on the Titan Crew. The Titan Crew broadcast events such as: Westminster College and high school football and basketball games (including several PCN Game of the Week). I’ve also been involved in nearly every aspect of WCN’s news show, The County Line, Through tasks such as technical directing and producing/anchoring sports I have improved my television production skills.

      This past summer, however, I started production on my first documentary tentatively titled Life on the Road: the Culture of Motocross. It features a two week shadow of young entrepreneur, Drew Carl. Included with the trailer Carl drives is three of his employers, two dogs, and endless amount of DVDs. The focus of the documentary is on the culture of motocross (hence the title) and the interactions of the people within the American subculture.

      However, you must be warned, Carl and his crew do not splash through muddy tracks or climb steep grades to fly weightlessly through the air. Instead Carl’s company, Escore, stays along the side of the track with other merchandise vendors. Escore rents/sells transponders (a software component each racer mounts on their vehicle) which help determine the outcome and score of the races.

      Life on the Road looks at the interrelationship of the Escore crew and Carl’s relationship with other vendors and the racing world’s amusing people. I became aware the benefits of living on the road, as well as the setbacks , as I watched a bond form between this small traveling community.

      The thought of watching another video of young men covered in gear and dirty riding at top speeds doesn’t appeal to everyone, however, an introspective look into the drama of a culture tends to grab more people attention. As I enter the final stages of post-production this semester I hope to build on my writing skills as well as polish my technical skills.

      This semester is going to be pretty demanding. The challenge of finding time to keep up with the blog and editing will be unlike anything I’ve experienced at WC. But, as always, I welcome a challenge.

for more information on Drew Carl's business Escore