By Chris Campbell
Suburban Journals
January 17, 2009
http://suburbanjournals.stltoday.com/articles/2009/01/17/jefferson/news/0118ndj-fischer0.txt
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Andrew Jansen Photo Kim Fischer was a finalist in a national contest sponsored by YouTube and the Pulitzer Foundation. |
Kim Fischer made it to finals
Kim Fischer started in Crystal City with a video camera and an idea.
A few months later that idea led to her sharing dinner with television reporter Jon Sawyer at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
A sometime wedding videographer without any journalism experience, Fischer stumbled across a national contest sponsored by YouTube and the Pulitzer Center.
The contest asked for video entries from aspiring reporters detailing stories of critical importance.
Fischer's first video, "You Are Not Alone," detailed the work of Barb Dorris, a tireless advocate working with the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP). Her video earned her a berth in the semifinals, narrowed down to just 10 applicants.
Her second submission, which advanced her to the finals, detailed the controversial decision by the Crystal City City Council to permit construction of a $1 billion iron smelter in that small residential community.
Both videos dwelled on deeply controversial issues that had the power to touch viewers emotionally, and both accrued tens of thousands of views on YouTube.
Her third video was a heart-wrenching examination of the affects clergy abuse had on four individuals who shared their story with Fischer.
After enduring multiple rounds of eliminations, Fischer got the call - she was one of five finalists culled from applicants across the country.
Last week she joined Sawyer and Emily Pulitzer for dinner at the National Press Club in advance of the awards ceremony.
Along with dinner, the group was treated to a tour of the Google (owner of YouTube) offices, and Fischer's videos were exhibited on the campus of American University.
"It was pretty cool," Fischer said. "I really enjoyed talking with everyone and mingling. The Google offices were really neat. Very high-tech and they had game rooms where employees could play guitar hero, ping pong and foosball."
After the tour and meet-and-greet ended, it was time for the ceremony.
Battling a slight case of nerves, Fischer saw the name of a competitor, Arturo Perez, called out to claim the grand prize.
Fischer reacted with gratitude and grace.
"He did a great job," she said. "His story was about a camp for the mentally disabled in California."
Despite the near miss, Dorris said she couldn't be more proud.
"I'm thrilled," she said. "Her video reached thousands of people. Many may have been abused and now they know they are not alone."
She may have missed the $10,000 fellowship, but Fischer received invaluable experience.
She intends to continue to work in the field and has assembled a group of contacts that would be the envy of any veteran journalist.
Not bad for a local videographer.
"I never thought it would happen," she said. "I was a total amateur."
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