In 2008, I was selected to be the Washington, D.C. citizen journalist on MTV’s Emmy-award winning program, Choose or Lose. As a part of a decentralized, mobile press corps, also called ‘Street Team ‘08,’ I submitted weekly videos on political issues that mattered to young people – for a year. Our mission was to “tell the untold stories of the election.”

When I heard that, I realized this was a chance to meet the demand for original content by filling the information gap left when major news outlets cover a story in virtually the same context. What you’ll see below is my approach for how to cover the same issues – environment, veterans, campaigns, education, and a National Convention in my own way. All it took was a backpack of gear, a team that believed in me, and the will to follow my instinct.

A Star, the Pope and Earth Day
Description: At the Earth Day Green Apple Festival where I snagged an interview with Chevy Chase. Picked up by Associated Press.

Face Off at the White House
Description: Protest mount at the White House in light of possible U.S. escalation in Iran. Picked up by Associated Press.

Decision to Desert
Description:  What goes through the mind of a Marine when they decide to desert their post? Lots. Here’s a three part series where I try to find out.

Part One – Undercover at Quantico Brig

Part Two -  The Antiwar Movement in Washington

Part Three –The ‘First Amendment Area’ in Chicago

An Epic Moment: Hillary Clinton Steps Down

Kennedy Endorses Obama
My first video deserves a mention. :)

Anacostia’s Academy
Inside a charter school in the poorest ward of Washington, D.C., these kids are inspired.

Mission Possible
Description: A day in the life of Iraq veterans living in a D.C. group house. Aired on MTV2.

Dispatches from the Republican National Convention
Description: From the seat of my couch in Washington, I decided to buy myself a plane ticket and meet MTV’s crew at the RNC in St. Paul, Minnesota. Once I got there, an epic journey unfolded, including bunking up with young Republicans, airing live mobile-to-web reports (one with Senator Bob Dole) and bonding with the four other MTV Street Teamers as we ran around searching for stories.

Helen Thomas on the Next President
Description: My first formal interview of many with legendary journalist, Helen Thomas.

The Global Clique: Newspapers
Description: At the Washington International School, newspapers are alive and well.

To see all my video archives, click here.

Video Samples

Election Reel

Republican National Convention

In September 2008, I went to the Republican National Convention. I received a Nokia N95 phone to do Live Mobile-to-Web video. Here are two of those clips. To see a highlight video from the week, that aired on MTV, check out Dispatches from the RNC.

Issue Reports

A Star, the Pope and Earth Day, U.S. News and World Report, April 20, 2008

Freedom to Object, Associated Press, September 23, 2008

First two videos in the series: Decision to Desert Part I, Decision to Desert Part II

Dispatches from the Republican National Convention, MTV News, September 10, 2008

Additional Videos

Live Reactions from Young Voters: Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin

GI Bill: Body Armor or Brain Power?

Mission Possible: Iraq Veterans Against the War (Aired on MTV2)

The Campaign for a Rival: Hillary’s New Move

Inauguration Coverage

We’re Live-Blogging from the Presidential Inauguration!, MTV Newsroom Blog

Live From the “We Are One” Inaugural Concert, MTV Newsroom Blog

Volunteers Follow Barack Obama’s Community-Service Lead, MTV Newsroom Blog

Touched by Death, Volunteer Dedicates Day of D.C. Service to Brother, MTV Newsroom Blog

VLOG: Inauguration Kick Off, EricaAmerica

Writing Samples

The Need for Watchdogs in Washington, EricaAmerica, May 3, 2009

The Senator Sets an Example, EricaAmerica, April 22, 2009

Decade of the Underdog: Are Gay Rights Next? EricaAmerica, April 6, 2009

The Gentrified Generation of D.C., MTV, July 15, 2008

Face Off at the White House, MTV, August 14, 2008

In September 2008, I went to the Republican National Convention for MTV. I received a Nokia N95 phone and went on to air dozens of live mobile-to-web videos. I was in unfamiliar territory and was forced to think on my feet… and I had no idea what to expect once the red light went on – and neither did most subjects like Senator Bob Dole.

To see a highlight video from the week, check out Dispatches from the RNC.

REACTIONS TO MCCAIN’S RNC SPEECH

Paula from Texas “the country is itching to be conservative again.” She also told me Obama’s policies are “communist.”

Luke from Massachusetts considered himself undecided but receptive to McCain’s mentions of a modern economy and choice in education.

REACTIONS TO PALIN’S SPEECH AT THE RNC

I got a floor pass and squeezed my way into the very front row next to the stage. I was squatting down in the thick of a dozen or so photographers — some from local outlets and one from AOL and another guy from GQ.

I went back and forth between Twittering, filming with my DV camera and then live streaming to Flixwagon. After the speech I went around to interview peers and ask what they thought of Governor Sarah Palin’s speech. Here are a few.

Kelly from Michigan said, “the women of America will rally” around Vice Presidential nominee, Sarah Palin.

Battleground State Girls pick McCain/Palin over Obama/Biden. Why? Listen In.

Alaskan Supporter Agrees with Palin’s Social Issues

SURPRISE INTERVIEW WITH SENATOR BOB DOLE

I am in some ways, more grown up after spending five days immersed as Press at the Republican National Convention. I watched celebrities, politicians, protesters, and people — like my right-wing roommates, Melissa and Gabby, come hundreds of miles away to take part in politics. I was impressed by the power of a political party — but not deterred from what I was there to do: test out cutting edge technology and cover this controversial Convention in the most unconventional way.

Here are a few of my favorite clips from the week. In no particular order, I give you, dispatches from the ground.

Arrested at the RNC

“Obama is Communist..” and Un-American

“In the Tent With Shepard Smith”

Bob Dole Campaigning for the Republicans

On the Floor – Live Broadcasting!

 “No Compromise” on Life – My Roommate for the Week

Ron Paul Supporters Protest

It was September 2008 | Bob Dole was in the Excel Center, on his way to visit the North Carolina delegation on behalf of his wife, Senator Elizabeth Dole. I caught him right before he walked into the floor pit.  I was alone, a credentialed journalist, with three cameras, an ID, and a pen in my pocket. I was on a mission to find some kind of story, and when I bumped into the Kansas Senator and Presidential candidate, I did. | More after the jump

Here are the basic nuts and bolts of the Live Streaming video process: After I hit “Broadcast”, the clip live went auNokia N95 to Flixwagon, a video sharing network that made it instantly available to anyone.

Instant connectvity. 60 seconds after I ended the clip, my phone buzzed twice. First a huge congrats from my Executive Producer who had watched it live, and my Dad, who called and admitted to having tears in his eyes. “You just interviewed my hero,” he said.

More Videos from the Republican National Convention 2008.