Freelancer Dan Shepherd at Valencia

By Rachel Masri
Oct. 20, 2008

ORLANDO, Fla. ­– Journalism students at Valencia Community College were in for a treat on Thursday, Oct. 16, when Emmy nominated freelance field producer, Dan Shepherd, came to speak to news reporting students about his unusual career.

Having graduated from Oklahoma University in 1986, Shepherd started small with a job in Tulsa, OK, working for KJRH (NBC), but eventually ended up in Orlando in 1994, marching to the beat of his own drum as a freelancer.

“You have to be ready to go do anything,” Shepherd says regarding freelancing. “It can change on a dime, for the good or the bad.”

Shepherd is a man of many talents, having worked as not only a producer, but a photographer,
tape editor, remote coordinator and camera man. His clients have included NBC News, ABC News, CBS News, CNN, ESPN, Discovery Channel Canada and many more.

Shepherd’s relationship with the networks he works with can be a tricky one. Nothing is set in stone. Sometimes the networks will call on him to cover a story specifically, but the rest of the time it is up to him to unearth and pitch the stories to the networks, trying to find just the right angle to catch a client’s attention..

“It’s a tricky business pitching stories,” Shepherd admits. “When you are talking to guys in they’re air-conditioned offices in New York, it can be difficult to get them to understand when a real news story comes along.”

So how do you get started as a successful freelancer? It’s not easy. “It takes time,” Shepherd says. “Getting your foot in the door is half the battle.” He admits that much of the success of a freelancer is based on word of mouth. “It’s a very small business and people tend to stay in the business for a while. You will find that the longer you’re in it, the more often you will run into people who know who you know. A lot of it is just relationships.”

According to Shepherd, the world of freelancing can be incredibly exclusive, much of it depending on your location. “In Orlando there aren’t a lot of freelance news producers. It’s a good little nitch to have.” He says that the networks tend to have a list of freelancers in each state that they know and trust and will call for photography, producing, or whatever else they are looking for at the time. “Once you get your foot in the door they will call again.”

Shepherd has been nominated for two Emmys in the category of “Coverage of Breaking News during a Regularly Scheduled Newscast”, once for his work on Hurricane Katrina, and the other for his coverage of the 9-11 Terrorist Attack on the World Trade Centers.

Shepherd’s experience in his field of work is evident as encourages his audience. He gives them the highs and lows of his work, attempting to inspire the students while not allowing any false expectations about the challenges of freelancing. “When you get your chance, don’t screw it up,” says Shepherd with a smile. “Just keep pitching; eventually you will get your foot in the door.”

Story Time with Mother Goose

By Rachel Masri
Oct. 8, 2008

APOPKA, Fla. – Preschoolers from all around the Apopka area fill the story room of the North Orange branch of the Orange County Library every Wednesday morning to sing songs and listen to stories preformed by Mother Goose herself.

Lynn Shenefield, professional storyteller, gathers her little “goslings” as she calls them, and welcomes them to story time with her signature “Hello Song.” The regulars in the room enthusiastically join in and sing along to “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” “The Itsy Bitsy Spider,” and several other children’s songs before the storytelling begins.

It is clear from the beginning that Shenefield loves her job. Her wild smile and enthusiastic interaction with the children, making animal noises and sound effects throughout her performance, puts a grin on the face of every child and adult in the room.

“This is like a second childhood,” Shenefield explains, her smile widening. “Can you imagine getting to do this every day?”

Shenefield encourages the parents and grandparents in the room to “lead by example” in their listening and social skills by silencing their cell phones and not carrying on private conversations with their neighbor.

“Mother Goose” starts off the first book by singing and doing sign language to her “I Love It When You Read To Me” song, changing the words of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” so the kids can quickly catch on to the familiar tune.

The two books that Shenefield has chosen for her audience on this particular Monday were written by Audrey and Don Wood. She begins with “The Napping House,” pointing out the illustrations in the story, encouraging the kids to observe the details of the atmosphere and mood of the book. Her voice is animated as she imitates the characters, demonstrating the snoring granny or yelping dog. Shenefield also is careful to explain words that the kids may not know such as “dozing” and “slumbering.”

In the second story, “Silly Sally,” there is a part where the characters play leap frog, and Shenefield encourages the kids to get up and demonstrate, even jumping in at one point herself.

“I love her creativity,” says Shawna Wood of Apopka who brought her daughter to hear Mother Goose. “She is by far our favorite story teller here.”

Shenefield finishes her performance by faithfully singing the ABC’s with the children, signing every letter. Each child walks out the door with a big grin after hugging or waving goodbye to their Mother Goose.

Victoria Booth of Apopka loyally brings her granddaughter Hannah every week to story time. “I brought my son when he was little and now I bring my granddaughter,” she explains. “It’s so important getting them into books and stories when they’re young. We always leave with lots of books to take home.” When asked what part of story time she likes best, 4 year-old Hannah responded “I like the singing. I love to sing.”

All in all, the children and parents in Mother Goose’s audience left the room with a bounce in their step, buoyed by Shenefield’s contagious high spirits.

“In this crazy world, it is so joyful and fulfilling to do this every day.” Shenefield says. “I get to sing and laugh all day long with these kids. It’s absolutely wonderful.”