Dear Grape,
I am a first year reporter in a 180 plus market in Colorado. As you know the DNC will be held in Denver this August. My station originally wanted to send two reporters to cover the event, as much as we could: working out of another stations SAT truck and working with limited credentials. I was fortunate enough to be selected to cover this event. However, the other reporter scheduled to go can no longer make it. My ND says he can't get more credentials on such a short notice. My worry now is, how do I go about covering such a huge event as a one man band with limited experience in the area? I started cutting DNC related articles and putting them in a folder as well as watching every news story I can on the topic. Any advise?
Sincerely,
Worried at the DNC
Dear Worried,
Honestly, there is nothing more fun that covering a national convention. I did both the Democratic and Republican conventions in 1988, and looking back those were probably in the top five experiences I had as a reporter.
Of course 20 years ago, there were a lot more people covering these conventions. I remember when Mike Dukakis was confirmed in Atlanta, they dropped a ton of balloons. The news people were so crammed together that the balloons piled up on our heads as they were unable to hit the ground.
I remember one young reporter who came up to us one day holding a videotape. She told us she was a college student about to graduate, and wondered if the photog would be so kind as to shoot a standup. He was so impressed by this little bit of spunk that took her tape and shot a few standups for her. (Wish I'd gotten her name, as your letter made me wonder what ever happened to her.)
You should try the same. Photogs are by and large a friendly lot and usually willing to help young people who ask politely. (Ask for help with your camera and you'll really win them over.) And if you can get one shot in a skybox, well, those are always lit perfectly.
You should also take a ton of business cards and make as many contacts as possible. This is the Super Bowl of News; people love working events like this and it's a great opportunity to network and show people what you're made of. You definitely need to be "old school" at the convention, as many people who work it will be veterans. Your jaw will drop as you see network household names and broadcasting legends at every turn. They are real people, so don't be afraid to chat them up for advice.
And you'll need to do some legwork before the convention, though it sounds like you've already started. Touch base with several of the delegates and politicians from your market so they'll expect to see you in Denver. Get there early, find out the lay of the land and how to get to your delegation. Get all the cell phone numbers and hotel info for these people. Time is precious at the convention, and you don't want to waste it having to track people down.
And bring a still camera. You'll want some pictures for your scrapbook.
By the way, Hollywood celebrities love going to the Democratic convention. That's how I got to meet Wonder Woman (Lynda Carter.)
Meanwhile, your question means this week's "movie of the weekend" is "The Best Man" with Henry Fonda and Cliff Robertson. Yes, it's old and in black and white, but its a great look at political conventions.
Grape,
I would love to hear your take on online reels. I don't feel comfortable posting my reel on youtube. I have tried photobucket, with their semi private accounts. Do you think anyone ever sees these, or is it a waste for time?
Signed
UnrealReel
Dear Unreal,
A lot depends on the person doing the hiring. It never hurts to post online, as many managers like the convenience. But remember, when you post online you tell the whole world that you're looking for a job... including your current boss. I used to visit online sites just to see which members of my staff were looking. A lot of small and medium market managers as well as agents troll the online services to see who's out there.
These days it pays to keep as many hooks in the water as possible. Don't think that because you post with an online service that you're covered. You still need to send tapes and DVDs the old fashioned way.
Oh, and one word about DVDs. While I don't mind getting them, you guys need to set them up so they play immediately. Putting a menu system on these things just frustrates people who don't have time to figure out how to get the disc to play. When your DVD is placed in a machine or a computer, it should roll immediately.
Grapevine,
Can I trust anyone in this business?
-Jaded
Dear Jaded,
Sure, but it is just like being arrested. Anything you say can and will be used against you.
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