About me
Anthony Fonseca Jr, better known as AJ, is a secondary school teacher who teaches film and digital design. With a Bachelor’s degree in Film and Multimedia, AJ has been able to dip into different spaces within the entertainment world. From acting to directing to doing standup and even emceeing, there hasn’t been much too intimidating to tackle. Surprisingly, depending on who you ask, AJ’s latest venture takes place in the classroom, but not as a teacher. Instead, AJ will be tackling his Master’s Degree in New Media Journalism, in a pursuit to achieve his long-forgotten passion, hosting his own talk show and writing for Adult Swim. 11/4/25
INTENTION statement
As of October 27, 2025, I enrolled in the New Media Journalism M.A. Program at Full Sail University. As a new Full Sail University student, I’m both humbled and inspired by the road ahead. I look forward to not only strengthening my understanding of digital storytelling and multimedia journalism but also mastering the ever-changing landscape that is modern-day media. Within the next 12 months, my primary focus will be to build a solid foundation of technical skill and creative confidence. I plan to master the tools and techniques used to produce engaging, credible, and emotionally resonant content across various media platforms. Beyond technical expertise, I aim to cultivate my voice as a storyteller—one that connects, inspires, and entertains audiences through authenticity. With the collaboration of my peers and professors, I hope to establish a network of meaningful industry connections that will continue even after this program ends. Upon completion of this program, I hope to have established a strong contact pool of connections in my industry. With the year-long growth in networking and communications, I plan to have built up enough confidence to make my presence known in the industry and create a positive name for myself as I land opportunities in acting, journalism, and entertainment. I'm excited to see what the future holds. So I'd like to thank myself now, because I know my future self will read this and be proud of everything I'm about to accomplish. 11/5/25
InspirAtional post 001
November 5, 2025
My inspirational post is from the Adult Swim series The Boondocks.
"What do you do if you can't do nothing, but there's nothing you can do?" ... "You do what you can" Boondocks (2014)
There's no other saying I'd rather have in my mastery journal as my first inspirational quote. It's both wholesome and powerful, and as a graduate student, it resonates with me deeply. Life's been hard, and the road to mastering my craft and dreams has been nothing short of exhausting; however, even when the odds seem stacked against me and all hope seems lost, I continue to do what I can. And sometimes just knowing I did what I could is enough to keep me going. The underlying point is that in any struggle, you should always try to do whatever you can, because ultimately, that's all you can do. I carry the quote with me everywhere, always; rest in peace, John Witherspoon, a legend in the African American acting space.
Reference: McGruder, A. (2008). The Boondocks / The Hunger Strike. episode, Adult Swim.
INSPIRATIONAL POST 002
November 12, 2025
"Reward yourself for the risks you took today..." - Marco DiGeorge (TruthfulActing)
I was fortunate enough to have enrolled in an acting course before I decided to pursue my master's degree. What I assumed would be a fun exercise to practice my on-camera presence wound up being an enlightening experience that built my confidence and shifted my own personal philosophy. My instructor, Marco, would say this quote at the end of every class, and to this day, I've kept it in my heart. In my industry, it’s easy to play by the numbers and get complacent, so being able to take risks is a skill that can separate me from the pack. To summarize this quote provides me inspiration because the risks I take became less daunting when I reward myself for taking them. No matter the result I should always give myself grace.
4.3 Assignment
Mastery: Personal Development and Leadership
2 Alternative Submissions ( In case the video presentation is too long) 11.22.25
Steps to Accomplish Goals Timeline: NEW MEDIA JOURNALISM MASTERY 1. Research 3–5 target media companies aligned with my specialization (entertainment, gaming, culture, or digital storytelling). (Weeks 1–2) (Examples: Complex, IGN, Vice, Adult Swim, GamesRadar, Rolling Stone’s digital division.) Conduct research on each company’s content style, audience demographics, submission guidelines, and contributor expectations. 2. Build a professional portfolio featuring 8–12 high-quality multimedia pieces video explainers, interviews, investigative features, podcasts, or social media packages) completed throughout my Mastery courses. Expand my portfolio by producing 2–3 new capstone-level pieces tailored specifically to the storytelling tone of my target companies (e.g., fast-paced video essays, character-driven profiles, trend breakdowns). 3. Network with working journalists, editors, and producers by reaching out on LinkedIn, attending virtual media panels, joining Slack/Discord newsrooms, or participating in entertainment journalism communities. 4. Create a polished digital résumé, LinkedIn profile, and media kit (Week 10) that highlight my New Media Journalism skill set, my content niche, and my most compelling work. Draft personalized outreach messages and submit pitches or applications to editors, hiring managers, or internship coordinators at my selected companies. 5. Follow up professionally after each submission and continue pitching at least twice per month until I secure an internship, freelance assignment, or contract position. 6. Promote my published work on a dedicated professional social media presence (Instagram, X/Twitter, TikTok, or YouTube) to build visibility and a personal brand. Reflect on each opportunity and select the one that aligns closest with my long-term goal of becoming an entertainment media journalist. Evaluate offers and accept the opportunity that aligns with long-term career goals in entertainment/gaming/culture journalism 7. Post-Graduation Execution (Within 1 Month) Promote published work on social media and develop personal brand and secure internship or paid freelance role References Mootee, I. (2013). Design thinking for strategic innovation. Wiley. https://learning.oreilly.com/library/view/design-thinking-for/9781118748688/
New Media and Communications:
Mastery Journal Entry
As I reflect on all the lessons I've learned throughout this course, the one that stood out the most would have to be Building a Reputation as a Journalist. That week in particular gave me more clarity on my beat and how to stand out. Having the opportunity to talk to Dr. Chalsye during week 3 was eye-opening for my own personal career prospects. I never would have thought of a journalism career that would want me to cover local concerts until I took this class. Overall, the takeaway for me is to explore joining NABJ and learning how to utilize my student credentials to secure opportunities. The third weeks discussion board entry was necessary for my confidence as a journalist. Learning how to accurately and professionally pitch myself was a cool assignment because it put the pressure on. It made me realize how much vulnerability this career path requires. For my career path, thick skin and grit are key, and in this practice, I have to be my own biggest cheerleader as I put my work out. To summarize, practicing my pitch was an insightful assignment that not so subtly showed me just how essential upselling my beat will be for my career.
12/20/25