Anne  Johnsos

Lecturer

Anne came to Medill in 2001, but she didn't always know she wanted to teach. She started out in theater after graduating from Yale University. Then -- tired of being judged on her appearance -- she took a job in radio, producing broadcasts of the Cubs, the Bears, an entertainment program and the morning show at WGN. In 1997 she earned her master's degree from Medill and landed her first on-air job in Rockford, Ill., where she reported and anchored ... and found herself, once again, in a field where looks count! She then jumped to Chicago, writing and reporting for WFLD-TV and WBBM-TV. In 2000 she started long-form storytelling at Towers Productions, where she wrote and produced documentaries and docudramas for A&E, National Geographic and The Weather Channel. In 2002 she won a New York Festivals medal for her work on the 10-year anniversary special about Hurricane Andrew. After that her favorite pieces involved modern-day takes on historical times.

Teaching Philosophy

Her first boss at WGN told her, "You're going to make mistakes, but I know you won't make the same mistake twice."She agrees. School is the perfect place to make mistakes -- once. (Did anyone see "Johnny Dangerously?")

Phone

773-960-9647

Email

a-johnsos@northwestern.edu

Course Info

Chicago Broadcast in the graduate program, and Broadcast Writing in the undergraduate program

Research

Until 2006 Anne continued making documentaries while teaching at Medill, but in May she cut back on her hours to have a baby, and now she's happy to spend more time at home and in the classroom.

Awards / Professional Organizations

New York Festivals Medal, 2002