4th exciting episode of "Student Writer at Work"

If you haven't followed the hilarious saga of my student worker writing titles and descriptions for some of our materials you really must check them out. 

1st episode

2nd episode

3rd episode

Background Info:

I put a twenty-something intern in charge of writing titles and descriptions for some images that we were going to put up online at the end of this month. I give him the same instructions and training that I give everyone that will be writing "metadata" for us. These instructions usually include the words: "describe and title the item as you see it and be creative. Just not too creative because we don't want to offend anyone that might be still alive or make the university look bad."
No one to date has had a problem with these instructions.

Until now:

Title: Looking Good

Description: Picture of a famous man.

Really? Do any of you recognize this man? Seriously? I've never seen him before. To me he looks more important and less famous but what do I know.

Title: First ID Slides

Description: One of the first (and worst) ID slides on first ETV station included dim view of Ezekiel Cullen Building, lower left, where KHUT studio was located in former radio studios in attic.

There is so much wrong with this I can't even begin. The worst? In who's opinion? In 1953 television wasn't very sophisticated so it is little wonder that the slides were basic. The station wasn't really in the attic, it was more on the top floor. He got one thing right...that is the E. Cullen Building.

 Title: Mr. Rogers

Description: A mathematician (supposedly Mr Rogers) demonstrating his knowledge to the audience.

Uh..Yeah.  Number one; I don't think this is Fred Rogers. This man's name could be Mr. Rogers but he doesn't look like THE Mr. Rogers. Number two; this was an educational television station. This gentleman could very possibly taping a segment for a math course. But nice try.

Title: Taking it back
Description: KUHT filming a in a old western cowboy setting.

The description is not half bad but how does the title relate?

 Title: The Sailor
Description: A Sailor and his partner posing for the camera.
This one could have been much worse.

 Title: Snack Time
Description: The KUHT staff enjoying a nice snack.
There is nothing like a nice snack with the crew.

That's all the time we have folks. See you around for another exciting episode of "Student Writer at Work". Same Bat time, same Bat station.

Love,

M

PS: I'm heading to Portland, Oregon later today and I'm not taking my computer *horror*. I am taking my camera so be afraid, be very afraid. I'll be around to visit sometime next week. 

3rd exciting episode of "student writer at work"

Many of our photographs come to us with no information. No title, no description, no names of individuals, no dates, nothing. One of our jobs is to make up titles and descriptions and try to find names and dates if possible, so that they can be indexed correctly in our database. This basic information is called metadata (loosely translated; data and data). We're all fancy and official like that. 

More often than not we train students how to do the basic metadata. That includes title, description, names (if possible) and dates (if possible). Most take this job seriously because, believe it or not it is pretty serious business. This metadata gets passed along for the life of the photograph. If this photograph is still in exsistance (and it's my job to make sure that it is, no pressure now) the titles and descriptions we give them now will be what they will be in the future. See why we have to take it seriously? 

I must not have made this fact clear to student writer though because never in the history of our student workers has one been more creative, humorous, and snarky than the one that did our KUHT project. He is awesome! And has provided me with blog fodder for several weeks. He also caused us 3 extra days work but I'm calling it worth it.

Title: In Deep Thought

Description: Two African American men in deep thoughts.

How does he know that these men were thinking Deep Thoughts? They might have been discussing their lunch order. I can't believe I just said that lunch didn't require deep thoughts. I love lunch. I love food.

 Title: An Oriental Touch

Description:  KUHT spicing up its programming with some Japanese performers.

I'm speechless. You guys got anything?

 Title: Open Discussions

Description:  Three men in open discussion about something in particular.

Vague much?

Title: With Age comes Wisdom

Description: An man in his later years posing for a nice shot.
Um...yeah, not sure this is what I was looking for. I blame myself. 

 Title: Snoozing Along
Description: A young student dressed in her pajamas taking a little snooze.
My first thoughts were: are those prison issue cowboy boots? Is it any wonder crackerjack student came up with the titles that he did. I should blame myself. Than again I might have thought it but I didn't write it down. 

  

Weren't those fun. I've got a million of them. Okay, not a million... 328 to be exact. 

Did you miss the other episodes? They are here and here. Enjoy!

Have you got suggestions for alternative titles for any of these? 

Love,

M