Mailbag

Hey grapevine,

I sent out a bunch of tapes for openings I saw a few weeks ago and have heard nothing. No calls, no emails, nada. Not even a rejection. What gives?

-TapeMan

TapeMan,

Patience, Grasshopper. First, you sent tapes out during sweeps, which probably means the ND is just getting around to looking at them. And try to keep in mind that a ND doesn't come to work and spend every waking minute trying to fill an opening. If they want you, they'll call. Send your tapes & fuhgeddaboudit.


Dear Grapevine,

My News Director is just mean to everyone. Is this typical?

-Lisa

Dear Lisa,

Your news director is a cylon. They have a plan. There are many copies.


Grape,

How much "wiggle room" is there when negotiating a contract? When a News Director says "that's what's in the budget" does that mean the offer is written in stone?

-B. L.

Dear B.L.,

Ah, you should have spent some time with my dad in a car dealership. The man knew how to haggle.

Seriously, the first offer is rarely the best one, but don't push too hard if you're young and don't have any other offers. News Directors can be creative with accounting and find a few dollars here and a few perks there. Just remember that when you ask for more, ask politely.


Grapeman,

How do I get someone to go on camera who probably doesn't want to go on camera?

-Laurie

Dear Laurie,

Well, if this is one of those knock-on-the-door-to-get-a-soundbite type stories, it is best to show up without a photog first and just talk. Ambush journalism generally gets you nowhere. People are likely to be more relaxed if they open the door and just see a reporter standing there, rather than a camera, microphone and blazing lights.