John Blunda (GHS ’96) stays behind the scenes, but many of us see his work every day without even realizing it.
For the past 19 years, as a Storyteller/ Photojournalist/Editor for WCSH-TV, John has helped to shape the Channel 6 news and feature stories we watch daily.
Last November, John was part of the two person team that chronicled the story of 92 year old Maine WWII vet and Pearl Harbor survivor, Robert Cole, as he returned for the 75th anniversary of the bombing. John said it was a massive logistical challenge getting seven to eight large bags of gear to Hawaii.
While there, he and reporter, Chris Facchini, had to shoot the story as it happened, file reports each night, and occasionally do live shots from the island back to the station in real time. The five hour time difference meant they had a limited time each day to accomplish their work as the 5 p.m. Maine news show actually started at noon Hawaii-time. In spite of the challenges, John said, “In the end, you never forget the privilege you’ve been given to tell this man’s story. It’s an experience I will never forget.”
John’s work has been nominated twice for an Emmy, and in 2015, his work with reporter, Don Carrigan, won an Emmy for a piece called “Why They Run.” It explored the personal lives of each of the gubernatorial candidates and examined the motivation that drove them to run for the highest office in the state. John has already set his sights on another “statue.”
Photo credit Lee NelsonJohn Blunda stands atop Cadillac Mountain while filming an Acadia 100th anniversary special.
John earned a degree in Mulitmedia Technology from Southern Maine Technical College (now SMCC) in 1998. He worked at Smith Atwood Video Services and WCSH-TV for two years, gaining experience and refining his craft before returning to school at St. Joseph’s College.
The year 2003 was a big one for graduations in the Blunda family: John earned a degree in Communications/Journalism which allowed him to move into the News Department at WCSH; middle brother, Joe (GHS ’99), graduated from Bowdoin; and youngest brother, Sam, graduated from GHS.
John describes his job as challenging and interesting. “Most people in this field work alone. You have to come up with stories, execute your ideas, and make it all appealing to online audi- ences as well as television viewers,” he said. He has an appreciation for the more technical side of things, finding the learning process to be both challenging and rewarding. While attending SMTC, John took an elective class in Electronics taught by Dick Portwine of Gorham. “The content of that class was extremely hard and frustrating,” said John, “but years later, the knowledge I gained has been important to me.”
Another challenge is the frustration of being in a small job market in Maine. His advice to others interested in this type of work is to look further afield and be ready to leave New England. Another key piece of advice is to surround yourself with the smartest people in the business. “I’ve had many mentors and feel like I’ve been raised by a village of the best in the business,” he said.
John credits his Gorham High School Industrial Arts teacher, Roger Lord, for steering him toward his career path in Videography. “Roger took time out of his insanely busy life to guide me,” he said. His list of mentors also includes Rob Roy, GHS video tech teacher, Don Woodward, Dr. William Yates, and Bruce Glasier. “I wouldn’t be where I am without them,” he said.
All of the Blunda boys have great memories of growing up in Gorham. John loved going to Baxter Library with him mom. He said, “The smell of books was intoxicating and each book was another adventure I hadn’t yet taken.” He became hooked on mystery books which helped him work on his reading and writing skills which have become very important in his chosen field.
Joe had fond memories of playing basketball at the hoop behind Town and Country Cabinets, near their house. Sam still loves seeing old neighbors come by each summer to buy blueberries at the stand, which he still mans, in front of his parent’s house on Fort Hill Road. Boy Scouts was an important activity for all three of the brothers, and each one earned Eagle Scout rank.
John lives in Bowdoinham with his wife, Andrea. His career takes most of his time, “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” said John, but in his rare spare time, he loves to tinker. He is working on low voltage solar power collectors that would make Dick Portwine proud. He enjoys watching TED talks, looking for new video/photo tips and teaching storytelling to whomever wants to learn.
After Bowdoin and working for a few years for Gorham resident Martha Gaythwaite’s law firm, Joe moved to New York City long enough to help the New York Mercantile Exchange go public, then returned to Maine to work for Woodard & Curran on market strategy before earning an international business degree at the Fletcher School at Tufts. He currently advises buyers of aerospace and defense companies, and is forming his own company. Joe lives in Salem, MA. He loves to travel and visit friends and is always following the science and technology stories of the day.
Sam earned a degree in Education at USM in 2007. He has been a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Teacher at Saco Middle School for 10 years and was awarded the Maine Technology Teacher Excellence Award in 2013. Sam loves working with kids and helping them grow academically. The STEM curriculum helps students hone skills as they build solutions to solve problems. Sam loves the outdoors. He and his wife have one child and are expecting a second son.
John, Joe and Sam are the sons of Barb and Pete Blunda.