Friday, July 31, 2009

Photog input needed

Okay, shooters, I need some advice.

I have to buy some editing software for a project and would appreciate your thoughts on the stuff you've used. (I have an Apple computer.) The project is more complicated than a resume tape but not a Spielberg film.

Fire your reviews to tvnewsgrapevine@gmail.com

Thanks in advance!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Chicken salad packages

Veterans know what the term means. It refers to being sent out on a story only to find out the story is pretty lame. Reporter or photog calls station, tells ND or Assignment Editor or kid producer that story is lame. Crew is ordered to do story anyway.

And you end up making chicken salad out of chicken you-know-what.

I will never forget being sent to cover what was supposed to be a "major protest." I envisioned picket signs, people yelling, marching, chanting clever slogans. When we arrived there were three people at the location, sitting on the curb. So I called the station. "The story is a bust," I said. "There are only three people here."

The Assignment Editor told me "we have to have a package" and to "shoot it tight." (Giving me orders in italics really used to tick me off.)

When I got stuck with a story like that, I didn't even bother with a standup because I wanted to put as much distance between myself and the bogus story.

As I watch various newscasts and resume tapes, I can actually pick out the chicken salad packages. They usually start with an exciting lead-in from the anchor, then fall flat with no video, no decent interviews, or both. Oh yeah, and no real story either.

So what's the point of my chicken salad rant? That people who never leave the station need to trust the people in the field.

Over the years I've heard producers grumble that, "Oh, they're just trying to get out of doing a package." Hello, McFly! Field crews who run into a story that's a bust are gonna have to find another package. Do you really think reporters want to have to start their day from scratch while out in the field? Trust me, no reporter wants to show up for a story and have it fall apart.

There's a difference between producing a newscast and stacking a show. There's a difference between filling a news hole and putting legitimate stories on the air.

The people in the field are there. They know what's going on, they can see the situation, and unless you've got two rookies on a story, they can usually tell if a story is "package worthy" or not.

So, for those of you who never leave the building, learn to trust your crews in the field.

Otherwise, you'll have enough chicken salad to open a delicatessen.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Political manipulation

These days the term "media bias" is thrown around a lot when it comes to politics. We hear of reporters being "in the tank" and about planted questions and personal agendas.

Many reporters start out being objective and often fall prey to their own personal feelings. And sometimes you just meet a politician who charms you, who makes you feel as though he or she really cares and can change the world.

And most of the time it's part of the game.

I'd like to warn you guys that given the chance, politicians will use you like Kleenex and throw you away if you let them.

Let's turn back the clock back to when I was a young reporter assigned to cover a school board meeting. As we were setting up, one of the members wandered over to say hello. She told us, "When I give you the signal, the (expletive) is going to hit the fan." She then put two fingers on her face in a "V" shape so we'd know the signal.

Sure enough, about halfway through the meeting she gave us the signal. The photog swung his camera around and focused on her just as she unloaded with the best sound bite of the day. Yep, it hit the fan alright, as a great argument ensued between board members. I went back to the station beaming that I had some great stuff and of course focused on the exchange in my package.

By the time I got home I wasn't feeling so proud, as the realization hit me. I'd been used by a politician. She'd gotten exactly what she wanted; not only getting her chosen soundbite on air, but appearing to be a friend of the media by "helping us out."

On another occasion I was a brand new reporter in town and found an invitation on my desk for a "media appreciation dinner." I didn't really read the invite carefully, but several other reporters were going, so I figured it would be fun and a good way to meet the other reporters in town. I didn't find out till later that the dinner had been paid for by a local politician.

After that I got real careful when dealing with any politician. I wanted a reputation of being fair, and tried my best to keep my relationships professional. Over the years I grew to admire one particular politician, but I never held back on tough questions. I think he honestly respected me more for it.

Point is, most of these politicians have only one goal when dealing with the media, and that's controlling it. They'll make life easy for you, act like your best friend, maybe get a speeding ticket fixed for you. Don't fall for it.

When the time comes to ask a question of a politician, ask the toughest one you can think of. They may not like the question, but they'll respect you for it.

And so will the viewers.