19 Sep UW student picked for AOL 'reality' show
Madison, Wis. UW-Madison freshman Sarah Whiteaker of Milwaukee is one of six first-year college students from across the United States who will be featured in America Online’s “Project Freshman,” a new documentary series that will be Web cast on AOL RED for teens starting Friday, Sept. 23. New episodes will air every Thursday. The primary audience is 13- to 18-year-olds.
The students were given digital video cameras and were trained in their use. They will film their own diaries about the opening months of campus life.
Whiteaker, who moved into her residence hall on Aug. 26, plans to major in communication arts or possibly English. She was involved with the film society at Pius XI High School in Milwaukee.
“The whole idea of getting to work with cameras and production interested me,” she says.
“Throughout high school I worked on several short movies, and I think participating in the show will help enhance any skills I have learned and help me to grow in this area. I think doing the show also will help me practice time management and keep focused on school,” she told AOL.
Asked what she thought of reality TV on the Web, Whiteaker told AOL she thinks it is the next big thing.
“One day people all across the world will be surrounding their computers, begging for the next episode on the Web,” she says with tongue in cheek. “No, really I think Web TV is a great way to get information and entertainment out to people who may otherwise not have access to the program.”