Abby Lee: Throughout my time on Harbinger, I transformed video staff from a two-person operation to an award-winning 10 person staff

Sophomore year, I was faced with the task of selecting one more elective. My unhealthy obsession with movies, staying up past 2 a.m. watching the “top 10 movies with the best plot twists” led me to enroll in Video Production 1. 

Despite having no prior knowledge, I began to fall in love with all things video — learning the fundamentals of camera work and editing with Adobe Premiere Pro. I loved the creative freedom and gratification of watching the final project after hours of filming and editing.

I planned to continue to Video Production 2, but my plans quickly changed when my friend Katie convinced me that joining the Harbinger would give me the opportunity to pursue my passion for video while gaining access to more equipment and an audience of thousands. So, I enrolled in Harbinger.

Entering my first Harbinger class, the second semester of sophomore year. The journalism room felt like an alien world compared to the rest of East. Hearing the words “print cycle” and “ads day” sounded like another language.  

Assigned to the “video staff” under the guidance of former Video Editor Maggie Klumpp, we comprised a two person, underground team. We worked on the former East boys lacrosse video series “Face Off,” where she taught me the basics on how to use a camera. Despite my experience in editing videos, interviewing and AP style basically all things journalism was not in my skill set. 

My early contributions to the Harbinger’s YouTube channel reflected my knowledge of comedic editing — adding random sound effects and zoom-ins on faces which only I thought were hilarious — but it lacked journalistic qualities.

It wasn’t until the Gloria Shields journalism workshop intervened — teaching me the essentials of news feature stories — that I began to grasp the journalistic aspect of my role. I learned how to conduct an interview, compile b-roll and create scripts for voiceovers. With this newfound knowledge, I leveled up to Video Editor my junior year. The ego boost was huge.

But the two person team turned into one.

Even as the sole member of the video staff, I managed to keep our channel active and even won a national award, NSPA fifth place in feature broadcast for my “Lancer Day”.  I gained credentials and street cred, and before I knew it my solo journey turned into a 10-person staff. It’s now my senior year and second year as a Video-Editor now the credits roll as my reign comes to an end and tears begin to flow.