In my three years working in the news department at FOX 2 Detroit, I had the chance to see complete packages through from start to finish. Many of the packages below started as creative and thoughtful pitches, working in tandem with a skilled team on the health beat. Consistently I traveled solo with a talented videographer and conducted interviews to create dynamic and creative packages. After writing the scripts, aiding editors and carefully polishing the finished product alongside seasoned producers, the many packages I produced aired in various newscasts throughout the years.
Below, you can find many of the raw scripts. Simply click the headlines for the completed packages.
More writing samples are available upon request. Please visit the "Home" page to get in touch.
[[nats ch 3/4 ]]
31 YEAR OLD NATALIE MADISON IS EXCITED TO GET BACK ON HER FEET. ROLLERBLADING IS NOW ONE OF HER FAVORITE HOBBIES, SHE RELIES ON EXERCISE TO STAY HEALTHY.
AND STAYING HEALTHY HAS BEEN A TOP CONCERN SINCE HIGH SCHOOL, WHEN SHE STRUGGLED WITH AN INVISIBLE ILLNESS.
[[SOT]]
Natalie Madison
11:44:54 It was devastating. It was my whole 11th and 12th grade of high school, so I didn't get to be a regular teenager, I wasn't out going to parties with friends or hanging out on the weekend. 11:45:06
[[DEENA]]
NATALIE WAS LOSING HER HAIR, SHE HAD UNEXPLAINED WEIGHT LOSS, AND HER ENERGY WAS LOW.
DOCTORS COULDN'T PINPOINT THE DIAGNOSIS... BUT FINALLY, AFTER MULTIPLE TESTS AND TREATMENTS, IT WAS DETERMINED NATALIE HAD CROHN'S DISEASE. A RARE BOWEL DISEASE THAT INFLAMES THE LINING OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACK.
[[SOT]]
Natalie Madison
11:45:51 A lot of people, when they think of Crohn's they think of diarrhea, but I didn't have diarrhea I actually had the opposite . . . A lot of people, also, when they talk about Crohn's they talk about pain, or how they felt sick all the time, which I didn't have that either . . . those classic symptoms didn't line up with me 11:46:30
[[NATS TAKING PICTURE]]
[[DEENA]]
NOW AS AN ADULT NATALIE RECOGNIZES HOW HARD IT WAS FOR HER HIGH SCHOOL SELF TO DEAL WITH SUCH A DEFLATING DISEASE.
WHILE HER FRIENDS WERE CELEBRATING GRADUATION AND HEADED OFF TO COLLEGE, SHE STAYED HOME.
[[SOT]]
Natalie Madison
11:53:00 I had gotten really depressed, I had gotten into this state where, when I said I felt like I lost myself, I really did, I was sitting at home one day and I didn't even realize what music I liked to listen to anymore. And that kind of hit me. When you feel like you're just a shell of a person. 11:53:30
[[DEENA]]
FULLSCREEN
CROHN'S DISEASE
-NO CURE
-ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDS
-STEROIDS
-ANTIBIOTICS
-SURGERY
CROHN'S CAN'T BE CURED, AND THE CAUSE ISN'T CLEAR. TREATMENTS INCLUDE ANTI INFLAMMATORY MEDICATIONS, STEROIDS, OR ANTIBIOTICS.
SURGERY IS SOMETIMES NEEDED.
AFTER A COMBINATION OF TREATMENTS, AND A LONG 14-YEAR FIGHT - A YEAR AGO, THE DOCTOR FINALLY TELLS NATALIE THAT HER CROHN'S DISEASE IS IN REMISSION.
[[SOT]]
11:48:41 It was the best feeling you can possibly imagine, I was beyond ecstatic 11:48:49
[[DEENA]]
NATALIE NOW EMBRACES LIFE, SHE'S HAPPILY MARRIED AND HAPPY TO BE ACTIVE. SHE SHARES HER STORY TO HELP OTHER'S UNDERSTAND A RARE DISEASE DOESN'T DEFINE YOU.
[[SOT]]
11:51:05 When you get the diagnosis, it's not like this is it, you can make the best of it and feel like yourself 11:51:15 You will have the days that hit you where you don't feel the best and just want to lay in bed, but that's just one day, it's not your whole life. 11:51:20
[[DEENA]]
SHE SAYS ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT EVENTUALLY GOT HER THROUGH THE DIAGNOSIS WAS GETTING BACK TO THE OLD HOBBIES SHE USED TO ENJOY.
[[SOT]]
11:53:37 It's amazing how a diagnosis like Crohn's can affect you to the point that you forget what normal life is, because that becomes your normal life, but I think it's very important to get back to the things that made you, you before the diagnosis. 11:53:53
[[DEENA]]
SHE PICKED UP ROLLERBLADING AND PHOTOGRAPHY - ACTIVITIES THAT PUT HER BACK ON HER FEET.
[[SOT]]
11:47:20 . . . being able to get back outside and roller blade or take a walk - things most people take for granted, I was lie 'oh, this is awesome! This is amazing!' To go outside and to feel the warm air. So, it really helped me feel more like myself again. 11:47:43
[[DEENA]]
NATALIE SAYS BEING A PART OF TAKE STEPS - HER FIRST CROHN'S AND COLITIS WALK IN 2017 - WAS A MAJOR PART OF HER JOURNEY.
[[SOT]]
11:49:29 The feeling of being there with everyone else that has Crohn's is just like a community coming together that supports one another. 11:49:37
[[DEENA]]
FINALLY AFTER A LONG 14-YEAR FIGHT - THE DOCTOR TOLD NATALIE THAT HER CROHN'S DISEASE IS IN REMISSION.
[[SOT]]
11:48:41 It was the best feeling you can possibly imagine, I was beyond ecstatic. 11:48:49
[[DEENA]]
AS THIS YEAR'S TAKE STEPS WALK ADULT HONORED HERO - NATALIE HOPES EVERYONE CAN TAKEAWAY AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM HER STORY.
[[SOT]]
11:51:05 When you get the diagnosis, it's not like this is it, you can make the best of it and feel like yourself 11:51:15 You will have the days that hit you where you don't feel the best and just want to lay in bed, but that's just one day, it's not your whole life. 11:51:20
[DEENA]]
FAMILY PHOTOSHOOTS... CORPORATE HEAD-SHOTS....SENIOR PICTURES. THESE ARE ALL THE KINDS OF SESSIONS YOU'D EXPECT IN ALLY COHEN'S WEST BLOOMFIELD STUDIO AT FRAME-ABLE FACES - BUT SOMETIMES HER PHOTOGRAPHS TAKE ON A WHOLE DIFFERENT PERSONALITY.
[[SOT]]
Ally Cohen
Owner/Photographer
10:45:13 There's lots of laughing, it's just fun. And once that guards down, that's where the magic happens 10:45:18
[[DEENA]]
WOMEN FROM ALL OVER METRO DETROIT COME TO ALLY TO BARE IT ALL IN BOUDOIR PHOTOSHOOTS.
[[SOT]]
Ally Cohen
Owner/Photographer
10:44:06 It's a really empowering thing for women to do. Especially now, women aren't seeing themselves as sexy - in the way that I see them, as the other people that really know them, see them. Most people are very, very nervous. It's nerve-wracking to take your clothes off or be in sexy lingerie in front of a stranger with a camera. 10:44:39
[[DEENA]]
ESPECIALLY FOR MOMS - THE MOMENT ALONE WITH JUST ALLY AND HER CAMERA IS EMPOWERING.
[[SOT]]
Latoiya Oldham
Costumer
10:57:26 I would recommend Ally to anyone because she was so personable and made me feel comfortable in my own skin - and because of that I feel like it could be for anyone. Just to give women that sense of, when you think you've lost it, when you've had kids and everything 10:57:46
[[NATS ]]
[[DEENA]]
BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY CAN BE A SURPRISE FOR A PARTNER - BUT MANY OF THE WOMEN SAY THAT MOST OF ALL IT CAN BE A GREAT GIFT TO GIVE YOURSELF.
[[SOT]]
Latoiya Oldham
Costumer
10:55:35 I just needed a chance to get out and do something that was for me - it was for him, too - but it made me feel good about me and that's important in a marriage - to feel good about yourself and then bring that into the marriage 10:55:54
[[DEENA]]
JUST LIKE ANY OTHER PHOTOSHOOT - BOUDOIR PICTURES CAN BE USED TO DOCUMENT A SPECIAL TIME IN YOUR LIFE THAT'S WORTH REMEMBERING - LIKE PREGNANCY.
AND WORRIED ABOUT WHAT THE KIDS WILL SAY? WELL - THEY'LL GET OVER IT.
[[SOT]]
Lindsay Mall
Costumer
11:04:30 I'm sure my little boy is gonna look at these and be like 'I'm a little embarrassed by you mom because you were pregnant with me and you look like that' but hey, he's got a hot mom, I'm sorry what am I gonna do 11:04:41
[[DEENA]]
BUT BEYOND JUST LOOKING GOOD - THE PHOTOS CAN MEAN EVEN MORE - ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU MIGHT NEED A REMINDER OF HOW BEAUTIFUL YOU CAN BE... LIKE BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR EMMA.
[[SOT]]
Emma
Costumer/Breast cancer survivor
11:17:18 Having seen myself at my weakest, there's something special about sitting here today and feeling as beautiful as I do and as fortunate to be back in this place 11:17:30
11:17:47 It's more powerful than I think I even realized 11:17 54
[[DEENA]]
THE SHOOTS CAN TAKE PLACE ANYWHERE - AND YOU CAN WEAR ANYTHING - OR NOTHING!
[[SOT]]
10:46:26 Some women are covered up, some are very comfortable in their own skin, some are a happy medium - so it just depends on the woman. 10:46:37
[[DEENA]]
THE PHOTOSHOOT CAN HELP MANY SEE THEMSELVES IN A NEW LIGHT.
[[SOT]]
Emma
Costumer/Breast cancer survivor
11:20:12 I think for myself, it's going to allow me to see myself as sexy, when I've always thought of myself as cute. So to see myself as sexy is exciting. I think for my husband having seen me so deathly ill, to be able to see me - in his shirt - looking fiiiine, I think I'm gonna blow his mind 11:20:44
[[DEENA]]
THE MOST EXCITING RESULT IS HELPING WOMEN FEEL BEAUTIFUL IN THEIR OWN SKIN.
[[SOT]]
Latoiya Oldham
Costumer
10:57:50 Hopefully all women can see it's nothing to be ashamed of or looked down upon, it's to build us up! 10:58:01
[[NATS GUY ON BIKE]]
[[DEENA]]
HE LOOKS STRONG AND HEALTHY NOW- BUT RUDY ESCOBAR SAYS HE WAS YOU SHOULD'VE SEEN HIM FIVE YEARS AGO.
((SOT))
RUDY ESCOBAR
11:25:05 I was a lazy guy, a couch potato, but I decided I'm gonna do it, I had a bike hanging in my garage for years, full of dirt. dusty, flat ties, dusted them off, pumped them up, and started riding 11:25:17
[[DEENA]]
LIFE TOOK A TURN WHEN RUDY DIAGNOSED WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES.
((SOT))
RUDY ESCOBAR
11:23:54 I never took care of myself, I was overweight, lethargic, didn't do any exercise at all. So he said 'you're going on insulin' so I argued with him. I said no I'm not, I'll figure this thing out but I'm not gonna do insulin. That was really the changing point for me, five years ago 11:24:09
[[DEENA]]
THAT'S WHEN RUDY STARTED PEDALING HIS WAY TO A HEALTHIER LIFE.
((SOT))
RUDY ESCOBAR
11:25:24 My legs were burning, they hurt, I almost quit that first week, I almost said I can't do this, nope, it's impossible - but I persevered. 11:25:30
[[DEENA]]
HE STARTED TRAINING FOR THE AMERICAN DIABETES FUNDRAISING CYCLING EVENT CALLED TOUR DE CURE, AND SURPRISED HIMSELF.
((SOT))
RUDY ESCOBAR
11:27:56 Something remarkable started happening in my life, I wind up losing 45 pounds in the first four months, I drop two pant sizes...(cut to ->) My life started getting better. 11:28:17
[[DEENA]]
NOW RUDY IS AN AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION EDUCATOR AND WILL NEVER STOP MOVING RIDING TOWARDS THAT FINISH LINE.
((SOT))
RUDY ESCOBAR
11:26:43 When I crossed the finish line at ten miles, something inside of me clicked. Something happened in me, and when I crossed the finish line I felt such victory, that I said to myself, I'm gonna keep doing this as long as I can for the rest of my life. 11:26:55
[[NATS FROM THEATRE TWO]]
[[DEENA]]
EYE POPPING VISUALS, LASER LIGHTS , A HEART PUMPING SOUNDTRACK,
YOU CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL IMMERSED IN THIS DRAMATIC INTERPRETATION OF HOW THE FORD F-150 IS MADE.
AND WOW - FORD HAS COME A LONG WAY IN 100 YEARS.
[[NATS OLD FILM]]
((V/O))
THE ROUGE FACTORY STARTED OUT AS JUST AN IDEA IN 1915 WHEN HENRY FORD FIRST PURCHASED THE PROPERTY. HE BOUGHT A 2,000 ACRE STRETCH RIGHT ALONG THE ROUGE RIVER. FINALLY IN 1921, PRODUCTION OF THE WORLD'S FIRST MASS-PRODUCED VEHICLE - A TRACTOR CALLED THE FORDSON, WAS TRANSFERRED FROM THE ORIGINAL DEARBORN PLANT TO THE ROUGE.
[[SOT]]
Doug Plond
02:04:09 What it did at that time was that it brought all parts, Henry Ford could have all his parts come to this site, because we're located on a river, so they can come by boat. He had everything come to this facility, which he couldn't do at the Hamtramck plants. So that was something that was innovative at the time. 02:04:28
[[DEENA]]
IN 1927, THE LONG-AWAITED INTRODUCTION OF THE MODEL A TOOK CENTER STAGE.
[[SOT]]
Doug Plond
02:04:47 It took them 72 hours to build one Model A. That's pretty impressive for the amount of effort they had to put through. They didn't have the modernization, but physically, men were pulling them on the boat,. Technology didn't exist at that time. 02:05:15
[[DEENA]]
THE ROUGE WAS SEEING SUCCESS.
BUT THE PLANT'S MAIN MISSION TOOK A TURN AT THE START OF WORLD WAR TWO IN 1939.
[[SOT]]
Doug Plond
02:05:24 World War 2, we switched, we went to war. We made the jeeps and the eagle boats for the war, so we stopped producing vehicles here. And we went right into the public to fight the war. That's when Rosie the Riveter came on board, the women came in and took over for the men, as a lot of men were seized to fight in the war. 02:05:46
[[DEENA]]
TODAY, ABOUT SIX THOUSAND FORD EMPLOYEES WORK AT THE ROUGE. NOW CALLED THE FORD ROUGE CENTER, THE SIX HUNDRED ACRE SITE IS STILL FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S LARGEST SINGLE INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX. PEOPLE FROM NEAR AND FAR TO SEE THE MOTOR CITY MAGIC TAKE PLACE AT THE ROUGE.
[[SOT]]
Doug Plond
02:01:38 It's different that they get to witness the history of the Ford Motor Company, and they get to see the assembly line. And then they get to go into innovation, they get to see the innovation with the truck being built, they get the wow factor. They actually get to see the F 150 being built. So they get a little bit of both of the history aspect, to the current day of what's being produced in the F 150. 02:02:04
[[DEENA]]
TODAY, THE ROUGE CRANKS OUT THIRTEEN HUNDRED F-150S EVERY DAY. BECAUSE OF ITS STATUS AS A FULLY-FUNCTIONING FACTORY, THE HISTORICAL TOURIST ATTRACTION ISN'T QUITE AS PROMOTED AS OTHER VISITORS STOPS.
[[SOT]]
Doug Plond
02:02:08 It is a working factory, we do have stipulations, we just can't have people driving up they have to go on the website and on the Henry Ford bus. 02:02:38
[[DEENA]]
DESPITE THE LESS PUBLIC PRESENCE,THE ROUGE DOES A FINE JOB OF CATERING TO THE THOUSANDS OF GUESTS THEY SEE A YEAR.
[[SOT]]
Doug Plond
02:08:56 We get a lot of international guests, we get a lot from worldwide, we get a lot of local people. In an average year, we average about 140,000 guests a year that come through that door. 02:09:09
[[DEENA]]
STOP BY THE ROUGE ON ANY GIVEN DAY AND FIND SPECTATORS FROM ALL OVER.
[[SOT]]
Veena Yerramalli
01:59:46 My parents are here from India, we thought it was a cool experience, and my dad's an engineer, too. He's interested in seeing how the cars are built. 01:59:54
[[DEENA]]
GUESTS YOUNG AND OLD CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF IT.
[[SOT]]
Gruhigh Yerramalli
01:58:17 I love watching the cars get built 01:58:21
Judie Palacios
01:57:01 I think it's important for kids to know where things came from 01:57:03
((Tag))
AT THE ROUGE RIVER TOUR, YOU CAN WALK THROUGH HISTORY AND ARRIVE IN THE PRESENT DAY TO WATCH F-150 BE MADE BEFORE YOUR EYES. IT'S A CAN'T MISS HERE IN DEARBORN!
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