“So begins the first day of the rest of my life.” Growing up, I’ve heard this phrase many times but never understood it. As I prepare to graduate, I finally grasp what this really means as one part of my life ends and the next begins. With this final submission, my time on The Outlook concludes and as I lay out my last pages, I can’t help but recollect on how I got here.
After I transferred from Brookdale Community College, I began writing for The Outlook with my movie reviews, starting with the dark animated film 9. I continued to write weekly reviews, pursuing my passion for both cinema and writing. This was fun as I not only watched movies but felt like a real critic. As a commuter student, writing these reviews helped me become an active member of the campus community instead of just going to and from classes. I feel proud to say that throughout my time on The Outlook I wrote 48 reviews for films I loved like Source Code and those I didn’t such as Clash of the Titans (3D). When I became Outlook Film Critic, I felt like I had finally made my mark on the paper.
The next year, I became the Comics Editor. While I had a wobbly first two issues, I grew to love this section when I started writing my weekly comic book articles. This was a fun section because I could discuss whatever I wanted to from the latest DC and Marvel news to unique comic issues. Whereas other sections always had to announce their story list, I didn’t. Whether or not people read my section, I was proud of the column I created by informing readers about things they might not have known regarding comics. Other times, I had the fortune of talking to people who were involved with comics like Janine Frederick and her comic, or Professor. Claude Taylor’s affinity for the medium. Sometimes, it wasn’t easy to write these articles, but I’m a comic book nerd and always found something to discuss one way or another. Of course, I also found the funniest comics to put in the paper and hopefully made you laugh just a bit.
This past year, I became Entertainment Editor in addition to Comics Editor. While I was hesitant at first, I said yes to show myself I could do it. During the summer when all the editors were told to start assigning stories, I was very nervous. Step by step, I contacted people and got used to this responsibility. By the third issue, I looked forward to the articles and reviews my writers would submit on Sundays.
The first time I laid out the Entertainment Section, it was intimidating. Not only did I have two pages to work on but they were in color. Yet, I found a way to move forward and started placing stories and pictures until I finished. When I got a comment back for my first layout saying it was a good first attempt, I started to find my groove. Gradually, I got used to dealing with two pages and worked on how I could better lay out this section and thinking what colors, picture, and design to use and attract readers.
Now, as with any section, it wouldn’t be anything without my writers. Whether you wrote one or a couple of articles for Entertainment, from campus related events to mass entertainment, I thank you for helping me and the paper. I might not have been the easiest person to work with because I stressed out, but you were troopers for sticking with me. Plus, I enjoyed seeing most of you every week to talk about stories to cover or just discuss movies, TV shows or video games. Thanks to all of you: Nick Segreto, Dan Ste. Marie, Alex Fillimon, Diana Kumpf, Nicole Massabrook, Kevin Holton, Brett Bodner, Gina Columbus, Ray Ranous, Casey Wolfe, and Anthony Panissidi.
As Entertainment Editor, I still wrote movie reviews and covered campus entertainment events, showing me what the University had to offer with concerts (All Time Low), comedians (Joel McHale), dance performances (Cultural Dance Explosion Company) and film screenings (Black Maria, On Screen In Person). I also had fun presenting unique ideas like fan/nonfan reviews for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 and collaborating with Dan and Alex on a collective top 10 movie picks for the rest of 2012. Certainly, some of my layouts were better than others, but I tried to create exciting ways for readers to check out articles via pictures, colors, and interesting fonts. I hope you’ve enjoyed what I offered this past year.
Beyond writing, editing, and laying out articles, The Outlook was also about working with others and building friendships. I won’t say it was easy being an editor and sometimes the experience to me felt like “The Big Bang Theory” meets “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” Simply, I’m the nerd trying to navigate through society with a wacky group of friends. Yet, after working with most of you for a year or two, you’ve become like family to me. From joking around the office, handing out nicknames, or having a late night snack at Applebee’s after production, we grew close together. All of you were not only great coworkers but friends I will never forget. As the Beach Boys once sang, “God only knows what I’d be without you.”
It would take too many pages for me to write about everyone individually, but I can’t say goodbye without thanking my fellow editors who put up with my stress and gave me plenty to remember. You are amazing: Gina (the best editor-in-chief any of us could have asked for), Joanna, Anthony, Brett (good luck next year), Jenna and Sandra. As for Nick, Chris, Jackie, Sarah, Kelly, Kevin and Casey, I only got to know you this past year, but we quickly became friends as the weeks went on and always found a way to strike up a conversation.
Amanda and Chris, you were our big sister and brother, and just like older siblings, I’m sure we annoyed and/or stressed you out plenty, especially me, with questions about articles or lay out. Still, you guided and assisted us whenever we had a problem or question. Plus, I enjoyed our weekly discussion when it came to the zombie drama of “The Walking Dead.”
Sandy and Evelyn, you always kept the office running and looking nice. Sandy, I’m sure you’ll remember me going to your office at least once a week with a computer or printer question. Thanks for always helping me out. Evelyn, we always loved seeing you in the office. Your sage advice and wisecracking humor always had us roaring in laughter every week.
I also want to thank Petra Ludwig, Director of Public Affairs, and Eileen Chapman for putting aside tickets to various performing arts events for my writers whenever I asked.
Last, but far from least, there’s Prof. Morano. For the longest time, I hadn’t met you and had no idea what you looked like. My first year on the paper, I would just hear your name and imagined you as the Wizard from The Wizard of Oz or the man behind the curtain. When I finally met you prior to Writing the Review, I got to see the man The Outlook talked about. While I only took Writing the Review with you, this class helped improve my review skills and gave me the outlet to talk about movies (as well as my other screen studies classes). While I have only seen you here and there, I nonetheless enjoyed talking to you whether it was in the hallway or the office, from movies, tips on looking for jobs or just mentioning a comic article or review that I had written.
I don’t know what the future holds for me as I continue to navigate through the job market, looking for a position where I can utilize my passion for movies, TV and comics. I know that I might not start out that way, but if The Outlook has taught me anything, it’s that if you show enough initiative and drive, you can go far. As I pass on Entertainment to the new coeditors, Nicole and Kevin, I feel good that I am leaving it in capable hands.
One way or another I know I’ll reminisce about The Outlook in the future because as the Uber Morlock in The Time Machine remake told the traveler Alex (Guy Pearce), “We all have our time machines, don’t we. Those that take us back are memories… And those that carry us forward are dreams.” I know that these past three years will always remain permanent coordinates in the time machine of my mind. Goodbye, Monmouth, and hello, world!
