My regular set schedule brought me to Alaska Integrated Media building 3 times a week. All the shows I produced for This Arctic Life were broadcast from KUDO 1080 both live and streaming online from 2 to 3 PM. My three shows were also posted on thisarcticlife.com as podcast soon after airing.

On Monday’s, I produced Table Talk. For this show, Mindy O’Neall would schedule a local political figure as a guest on the show. I had the opportunity to meet some of the candidates running for local office such as Hollis French and Mead Treadwell. This show uses consistent introduction and ending theme songs every week; opening with Beatles, “We Can Work It Out” and ending with the same. The music coming in and out of each of the 4 segments for commercial break each hour would change, preferably depending on topic or mood, but they were often politically tied somehow.

On Tuesday’s, I produced Alaska Travelgram with Mindy O’Neall and Scott McMurren. This hour was dedicated to keeping Alaskan’s in the loop on great travel deals. This show opened regularly with a voiced over Frank Sinatra song and ended with “Fly Me To The Moon.” For the cue music coming in and out of commercials, I chose travel related music that related to conversation if I didn’t have a preset list. The show consisted of 4 segments and 3 commercial breaks. The music One of my favorite catch phrases from the show was, “When the airlines are fighting, the consumer wins.”

On Wednesday’s, I produced Gal Radio with Mindy O’Neall and her best childhood friend Jessica Duncan. This show was a lot of fun. It covered topics from books they were reading and wine they were drinking to problems best suited for their mother’s advice and miscellaneous tips and tricks for ladies. These shows always opened with Bonzo Dog Band, “Look Out, There’s a Monster Coming,” except for the one time the computer when crazy on me and they had to sing it themselves. That was funny. The playlist for commercial break music ranged greatly. I was allowed to pick whatever music I wanted but the hosts often requested favorites ahead of time.

Overall, for each show, I had a specific set of duties to carry out. First, here’s a rundown of my schedule during the shows each day.

START – 14:06

SEGMENT 1 (I’LL GIVE A 2 MINUTE SIGNAL AT 14:13 TO CUT TO BREAK)

STOPSET 1 – 14:15 (3:00)

SEGMENT 2 (2 MINUTE SIGNAL AT 14:28 TO CUT TO BREAK)

STOPSET 2 – 14:30 (3:10)

SEGMENT 3 (2 MINUTE SIGNAL AT 14:43 TO CUT TO BREAK)

STOPSET 3 – 14:45 (3:00)

SEGMENT 4 (2 MINUTE SIGNAL AT 14:57:50 TO END SHOW)

END – 14:59:50

FULL SHOW TIME WITHOUT BREAKS – 44 MINUTES 40 SECONDS

*Each morning, I was responsible for manually placing the commercials for each show in our designated time frame in the system. KUDO 1080 uses Nexgen for their programming. Each of the 3 commercial stopsets included 3 minutes of bought or traded commercials.

*I was in charge of creating the music playlists

*I produced each show from a miniature-sized board operator room connected to the KUDO studio.

*I recorded some guests after the show for special commercials I would later produce.

*Photography of exciting things happening during the show

Outside of my regular show times, I helped the company with sponsored events, photography and commercial production. Some of the events I participated in include the Sex and the City 2 movie release party at Bernie’s Bungalow, a ladies fly fishing course offered locally and concerts and events tied in with KUDO 1080’s sister stations at Alaska Integrated Media. I’ll specifically detail some of these events in the photo portion on of my portfolio.

Over the course of three months, I learned more than I ever could have anticipated. I now have a decent grasp of the Nexgen system used to program both shows and commercials on KUDO 1080. I’m more familiar with audio related programs such as Otz, Winamp and Audition. I used both Otz and Winamp for some of my playlists for music cuing in and out of segments. Audition was used to record each show for editing and podcasting later. I also used Audition to record and produce commercials. I feel confident in my soundboard operation skills after this whole stint. I got good at seamlessly exiting from show segments into commercials and vice versa as well as choosing appropriate music to lead in and out. I gained confidence in my radio voice as I was often asked to turn my microphone on in the sound booth and participate. I conquered the phone lines for the studio so I was sure I wouldn’t hang up on random callers or guests. I felt timid about commercial production at first, but my internship helped me gain momentum in production competency. Creating a 30 second spot is much less stressful or time consuming as it was when I started. While this might not seem like a glaring lesson, I learned that most of the people who seem intimidating from titles were as real as me. Meeting respectable guests from political candidates to musicians put relationships into perspective for me and opened a lot of great networking opportunities.

The only thing I think started wearing on me was the scheduled time I was working. And even then, 2 to 3 PM wasn’t a bad time, but I was coming back to work after my full time job starting at 4 AM regularly. I was pretty cranky by the time my internship wrapped up due to exhaustion and lack of free time. I also wish I had more time to train with the programs, but our show slot was so short, I often lacked the time to get in depth with them or couldn’t find anyone to teach me. However, I took the initiative to learn enough to pull off all the basic functions necessary to the shows. I feel like this internship in combination with my other job at Alaska Integrated Media has really ignited a passion for radio I never knew I had. I learn more than I imagined I would coming into it. I love production work and I believe with my enthusiasm, creativity, and ability to learn quickly, I can see myself making an outstanding career for myself in this field.

I also helped record and produce a handful of commercials and ran a couple of Shannyn Moore’s shows, but I refuse to pay wordpress the extra money for an upgrade just to upload audio at this moment. I’ll grab the upgrade when I have the funds… Maybe now that my internship is up, I can focus on generating some money.

Gal Radio Takes Up Ladies Fly Fishing – Mindy O’Neall took up this fly fishing course after having the instructor as a guest on one of her shows. I only came to photograph the last bit of the final day, but it seemed like all the women involved had a great time with the class and really picked up on the skill. The article these photos accompanied can be found at This Arctic Life.

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Swimming For KoRn – This was  a promotion for 94.7 The End listeners to win free tickets to the KoRn concert at the Denaina center. The event was held outside of  TGI Friday’s. Contestants were asked to climb into a dunk tank full of water, popcorn, creamed corn and I believe a few corn chips… inside the tank were small eggs with prize tickets in them. After everything was said and done, everyone was happy. Most the folks who didn’t get tickets still left with other smaller prizes like CD’s and gift certificates to local businesses.

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Atreyu Makes An Anchorage Apperance –  When Atreyu came to Anchorage, they not only played a show at the Egan Center, but agreed to spend the day with a fan chosen at random by 94.7 The End. I was asked to photograph both the day trip that included the glacier tour in Portage as well as the meet and greet and show the following night. This was one of those jobs that really made me think that commercial event photography is where it’s at. I had lots of fun with this one. I was able to borrow red Bradley’s nice camera for the show so most of the shots turned out fantastic despite the dark lighting. I’m including photos from the trip and the show, including a couple of the opening bands.

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Movin’ One Minute Olympics – Movin’ 104.9 occasionally hosts an event called the Movin’ One Minute Olympics at The Northway Mall. This event is really geared toward families in that area of town… especially for the little ones because Steve and Corinna are fun. They host games that last about one minute each for chances to win gift certificates to local businesses. Throughout one event, the station gives away about $500 on prizes just for participation. Some of the games include racing to put puzzles back together, chewing that awful, sugary double bubble gum until you can blow a bubble it, or placing an oreo cookie on your eye and maneuvering it into your mouth without hands.

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Support Local Music – Each month, KZND 94.7 picks a local band to promote as the Homegrown Artist of the Month. At the end of the month, the station helps throw a CD release party with help from sponsors such as MGD. Over the course of the summer, I was asked to attend and photograph the CD release parties, often hosted at the World Famous Chilkoots Charlie’s. Here’s a sample of some of the more recent local bands featured… Witness the End, Dopiate and The Audio.

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Flyleaf Takes Over Town Square – During the Anchorage Downtown Partnership hosted Summer Solstice Festival, I was the main photographer for the headlining show, Flyleaf. The Airforce reserve sponsored the show, so 94.7 The End was able to put it on for free. My tiny friend, Jayme Morrison, from the station gave me a hand with some of the photos from the concert posted to www.947KZND.com. The turnout for this event was insane. I have never seen so many people packed into town square. And despite the gloomy weather, everyone had a grand time. I used a good about of the photos I took to make a multimedia slideshow upon request as a thank you to station listeners for coming out for the event. The video is posted in the last section of my portfolio. I’m also posting photos I took during the private acoustic set at Humpy’s. Flyleaf played for a fan chosen randomly and 10 of her friends by KZND. Last, the Anchorage Downtown Partnership was at a loss for photos of the Flyleaf show to include in their thank you framed certificates for businesses that participated in the event. They asked to use some of mine and of course I agreed.

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By Heather Hamilton

Photography by Leighann Seaman

In "The Afterlife of the Mind," Lydia, played by Lisa Starling pleads about the condition of her husbands brain with an eccentric back alley surgeon named Ulrich played by Paul Brynner.

In "Afterlife of the Mind," Todd, played by Erick Robertson, examines a contract entitling him to sexual endeavors with Lydia, played by Lisa Starling, until his terminal brain cancer frees his body for donation.

UAA students pay high prices for required textbooks each semester. The UAA Bookstore was bustling with new and returning students making purchases the first weeks of classes.

Used books obtained through the textbook buyback program are sorted and stacked by UAA Bookstore employees before redistribution to students and a discounted price, Jan 13.

UAA men face tough road test ahead

by Taylor Hall

Photography by Leighann Seaman

UAA junior Brandon Walker attempts to score against Saint Martin Saints in a match, Jan 21. The Seawolves defeated the Saints 62-45.

Local artist’s gig posters get public showing at Snow City

by Heather Hamilton

photography by Leighann Seaman

“Tim Seely,” a screen printed poster by Craig Updegrove.

“Dandies,” a screen printed poster by Craig Updegrove.

“Skullflake,” a screen printed poster by Craig Updegrove.

Lisa Rea and her son Henry enjoy some evening ice-skating in Town Square among Anchorage Downtown Partnership's Crystal Gallery of Ice, Jan. 15. Jennifer Jansma and Eric Shumar crafted "Love's Flame" pictured here. The rink remains relatively clear while the Egan Center next door bustles with activity during the 2010 Great Alaska Beer and Barley Wine Festival. Both the ice creations and the skating rink are available for public enjoyment until March.

I’ve only been at it for about 2 months, but I’m happy to say I’m still feeling incredibly enthusiastic about it. I can’t wait to learn more tricks and improve my flow. I’m also hoping my gusto will rub off on some of my friends. It would be awesome to have homies to progress with… that way we can tear up the festivals together this next summer. Hooping… just another little geeky piece of me. I know you can dig it…

Check, check, check it… Youtube!

Photography by Leighann Seaman

Generous supporters congregate downtown outside Covenant House Alaska for the 19th Annual Candlelight Vigil for Homeless Youth, Nov. 5. City Mayor, Dan Sullivan, spoke to the crowd about a new program advertised as “Pick, Click, Give.” This plan will allow Alaskan residents a chance to donate a portion of their Permanent Fund Dividend to Covenant House Alaska during the registration process.

Seawolves host St. Cloud State and hope to keep improving on their early season ‘growing pains’

Article by Drew Neuerburg

Photography by Leighann Seaman

UAA Seawolves protect their goal during a game against North Dakota Fighting Sioux, Oct. 24. So far this season, UAA has shown some offensive prowess with big wins over Denver and Mankato, but those win remain unpredictable as the takes big losses amidst their wins.

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Photography by Leighann Seaman

Candice Frisbee and Candy McCloud ferociously strain against one another during a pulling exhibition hosted by Body Piercing Unlimited at Chilkoot Charlie’s on Halloween. BPU owner, Kevin McKinley, regulates the action for the event.

Charlie Watson with Body Piercing Unlimited exhibits his well known framed face on stage at Chilkoot Charlie’s on Halloween.

Body Piercing Unlimited owner, Kevin McKinley, gets ready to hoist John Danger up for a suspension exhibition at Chilkoot Charlie’s on Halloween.

John Danger swings effortlessly by hooks punctured above his kneecaps during a suspension hosted by Body Piercing Unlimited at Chilkoot Charlie’s on Halloween.