Oscar Tickle's Backstory
Starting
Since I got my first camera in the 1st grade, I've been behind the camera making short films with my family and friends, but the idea of being a journalist never crossed my mind. I took broadcast media classes in high school. Still, I wanted to be a director and tell stories through cinema, that all changed when I started looking for a major at Louisiana State University.
College
I attended four years at Louisiana State University and got my degree in Broadcast Journalism through the Manship School of Mass Communication. I also recieved a minor in Screen Arts.
The first two years, I questioned my choice in major. That is until I took an In-Depth Reporting class. Focusing on one impactful story for a semester showed me what journalism meant to me. Making an impact, and telling the stories hidden from the everyday person.
Working through College
I worked the entire time I attended LSU. My jobs ranged from Sports Videographer to Marketing Videographer and Editor to Herb Archivist.
I landed my current job with Melara Enterprises through an internship the day after I graduated in May of 2023.
NOW
I am a Creative Services Producer for Nexstar Media in Baton Rouge.
I make station promotions that allow me to travel across the state and capture short stories on what it means to be a part of Louisiana.
I also create commercials for local businesses where I actively push the boundaries of what I know how to edit and film.
Experience (Reverse Chronological)
Multimedia Editor | Melara Enterprises (December 2023 - April 2025)
- This job is a combination of a Digital Editor job Melara offered and the previous role as Multimedia News Producer.
- Shoot, edit, create graphics, and host Melara's YouTube channels: 225 Magazine's Between the Lines and Business Report Magazine's Bottom Line.
- Obtained US Remote-Pilot License for drone operation
- Manage social media - Facebook, X, Linkedin, Instagram and YouTube - for Melara's publications: 225 Magazine, Business Report Magazine, 10/12 Industry Report and inRegister Magazine.
- Upload physical magazine articles online monthly for each publication listed above.
Multimedia News Producer | Melara Enterprises (August 2023 - December 2023)
- Job created as a collaboration with Melara to create a new video department.
- Shoot, edit, create graphics, and host Melara's YouTube channels: 225 Magazine's Between the Lines and Business Report Magazine's Bottom Line
225 Intern (May 2023 - August 2023)
- Wrote articles and captured pictures of stories in the Greater Baton Rouge area for 225 Magazine's daily newsletter.
- Gathered events for 225's biweekly "Things to do in Baton Rouge" article.
Specimen Archivist | LSU Shirley C. Tucker Herbarium (February 2023 - May 2023)
- Catalouged incoming organic specimens from around the nation for the Herbarium's archive.
- Layed out specimens based on classification on archival paper
- Added classified specimens to Herbarium database.
Marketing Videographer and Editor | The W Group, Keller Williams Premiere Partners (February 2022 - January 2023)
- Used drone to take pictures and videos of houses on the market in the Greater Baton Rouge Area.
- Collaborated with realtors, buyers, and sellers to create videos advertising homes. This includes full-length videos, Instagram Reels and TikToks.
- Made videos about the culture of Baton Rouge, and tips and tricks for buying and selling starring W Group Realtors.
Nightside Photographer | WBRZ Channel 2 News (February 2020 - February 2022)
- Shot the nightside of the Greater Baton Rouge area from 2 p.m. - 11 p.m. four days a week including some weekends. This includes 24 hour hurricane coverage and crime scene shots.
- Live streamed press conferences, city council meetings, SWAT team events, drug bust, flooding and hurricanes.
- Edited videos taken by me and fellow reporters into packages to be aired within hours of filming.
- Conducted onsite interviews with first responders, witnesses and government figures.
- Edited videos for background monitors, voiceovers and sound bites.
Videographer | Louisiana Sports Production and Southeastern Conference (May 2019 - February 2020)
- Shot sideline footage, crowd reactions, marketing shots and wide-angle game footage for TV coverage and the video board for LSU home games. This includes football, basketball and gymnastics.
- Communicated with the LSU marketing department and video board booth to bring a captivating and fluid experience to the jumbotron.
- Interviewed players and couches post-game for footage to be used later.