A recent Point Park grad is the new face of Pens TV!
Recently, our own HC Point Park writer, Brittany Bishop, went to Consol Energy Center to get the inside scoop from Celina Pompeani about working with the Pittsburgh Penguins and more.
HC: How did you get to work with the Penguins?
CP: I auditioned for this job last February to do work on the jumbo tron but never got a call back until this past August! I actually got the call from the Pens while getting my nails done! They were like we’d love for you to come in and to talk to you, we are kind of revamping the video production area and told what they wanted me to do and of course I said yes, I would take the job.
HC: Can you explain your role now with Pens TV?
CP: I have three main things: the first thing is the game day report, after the Pens practice in the morning Sam Kasan (with Pens Inside Scoop) and I will be at our anchor desk going back and forth on what to expect during the game. Then, I do Pens Trends, which is my favorite thing. This is anything anyone is talking about on twitter or any social network regarding the Pens. I also report on any story going on in the community, like when the players go on a hospital visit or go on a turkey delivery. The third thing is a shoot weekly Pens Foundation promos, I talk about all of the good stuff they do then I will write it, edit it and send it to Root Sports and they air them every Saturday.
HC: Do like being with the Penguins in the NHL or did you want to do something else?
CP: I love this job and would love for them to keep me around for a long time! I’m so thankful for this opportunity.
HC: What’s your favorite part about working with the Penguins?
CP: I would say probably going out on all the stories, it’s really cool and really fun. The players are so nice and are so willing to do interviews any time I ask them. They’re really easy to work with. I love going and seeing them do nice things in the community because they actually like helping people.
HC: How do you prep for your Pens TV segments?
CP: Well, every Monday we have a meeting, it’s me, the social media girl- Andi, the producer – Meghan, my boss – Rod, and the marketing guy – James. We meet and gather a list of what are the most trending topics. Then I will write a script Monday and send it to them and just have them approve it and see if they want to make any changes. Tuesday, I come and I make all the graphics and then we’ll tape it, I edit it. Then we posted it today (Wednesday).
HC: How do you put together your outfits?
CP: Well, most of it from my mother actually, I’ll always come home with new outfits on my bed, she’s amazing. I always like to dress professional at work but I like to be fun too. My two favorite websites are ruelala.com and the giltgroup.com and I love Ross park mall of course. I like to dress it up and do big earring along with statement necklaces.
HC: How is important is networking to you?
CP: I think connections get you everywhere. My dad always said it’s who you know that gets you there, but it’s what you know that keeps you there. When I was in college at Point Park, I remember my sophomore year up until senior year I would just keep reaching out to random news directors and anyone to whom I could introduce myself. Send them your reel and just get your name out there a bit. It is really important in this industry to get your name out there because it is so competitive.
HC: What was the most beneficial course you took at Point Park?
CP: A lot of them helped but my favorite was the On Camera Production class with Gina Catanzarite – she’s the best. But that’s really what I needed to be here. Also all the editing classes because I do all my editing by myself.
HC: Do you have any advice for broadcasting majors?
CP: Broadcasting is very competitive, so I would say do as many internships as you can, and get to know everyone there. When I was down at Point Park I would always just rent a camera out Downtown and go do my own stand ups myself and practice, Or my dad would bring scripts home from the newscast and I would read them all like I was anchoring. Just reaching out to a lot of people and having a demo reel, which I was always updating, to sent to that to news directors and tell them I’m graduating in a few months really helped. Start early.
HC Point Park writer, Brittany Bishop, with Celina Pompeani
Keep up with Celina by liking her page on Facebook or following her on twitter, @CelinaPompeani! HCxo!