Grape,
I've noted a few larger markets are hiring people on a freelance basis. What's the deal, and is this a trend?
-Freebird
Dear Freebird,
It's more than a trend, it is a growing trend. I work on a freelance basis as a network field producer, and when I do so I'll bet 90 percent of the crew is freelance as well.
Many larger markets are using more and more freelancers, some five days per week. Obviously it is a two way street... the station doesn't have to pay benefits, and the employee has a good deal of freedom.
This works best if your spouse has great benefits (Mrs. Grape is a teacher, so I'm well covered). But even if you have to buy your own health insurance (not cheap, by the way), freelancing is a foot in the door of a big market. I've had one client start as a freelancer who was put under contract after a few months.
Many people like freelance gigs because it offers you the opportunity to have a very flexible life. Many women who want to do the parenting thing and still have a career are working freelance.
By the way, very often freelance jobs are not advertised. When contacting stations in larger markets, you'll often have to inquire if the station employs people on a freelance basis.
The upside for the station... if things don't work out, they simply stop calling you.
But if they like you they run the risk of losing you to the station across the street, so if you make a good impression you can sometimes carve out a permanent job for yourself.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Wednesday's story ideas
Earthquake insurance. You might be surprised what parts of the country offer this.
Congress agrees to ban potentially dangerous toxins from children's products.
The United States has a "foreign traveler deficit" primarily because it is so difficult for foreigners to enter the country. What's being done to help legitimate vacationers visit?
Lots of people are having problems with artificial knee replacements. Talk to a surgeon and find out what patients should know about the procedure.
Airlines are closing private lounges in some airports.
Restaurant chains are hurting with Bennigan's & Stake & Ale shutting down many of their restaurants. Are all restaurants feeling the pinch of the economy?
Congress agrees to ban potentially dangerous toxins from children's products.
The United States has a "foreign traveler deficit" primarily because it is so difficult for foreigners to enter the country. What's being done to help legitimate vacationers visit?
Lots of people are having problems with artificial knee replacements. Talk to a surgeon and find out what patients should know about the procedure.
Airlines are closing private lounges in some airports.
Restaurant chains are hurting with Bennigan's & Stake & Ale shutting down many of their restaurants. Are all restaurants feeling the pinch of the economy?
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Tuesday's story ideas
Voter registration is way up for what promises to be a record turnout. How are your local registrars handling things?
School will be back in session soon and systems will have to deal with a huge increase in the price of something simple... paper.
There is a shortage of dermatologists who deal with old fashioned skin problems rather than dole out botox shots.
Fruit drinks that are not 100 percent juice can give people a false sense of security that they're drinking something healthy. Show consumers how to read the labels and spot "juice" drinks that are basically corn syrup.
Deaths from medication mistakes (like the one that killed Heath Ledger) are on the rise. What can pharmacists and doctors do to fix this problem?
Can energy drinks dehydrate you? This is a concern of firefighters, who can suffer heat exhaustion very easily. Talk to a doctor and visit your local firehouse.
High gas prices mean the old fashioned foot patrols are coming back for some police departments. Some are mandating that officers spend a certain percentage of time walking the beat.
Feature: How to keep your hair looking good during sweltering summer humidity.
(Thanks to Melissa for those last three ideas.)
Got a story idea? Share it with the rest of the class. Send 'em to tvnewsgrapevine@gmail.com.
School will be back in session soon and systems will have to deal with a huge increase in the price of something simple... paper.
There is a shortage of dermatologists who deal with old fashioned skin problems rather than dole out botox shots.
Fruit drinks that are not 100 percent juice can give people a false sense of security that they're drinking something healthy. Show consumers how to read the labels and spot "juice" drinks that are basically corn syrup.
Deaths from medication mistakes (like the one that killed Heath Ledger) are on the rise. What can pharmacists and doctors do to fix this problem?
Can energy drinks dehydrate you? This is a concern of firefighters, who can suffer heat exhaustion very easily. Talk to a doctor and visit your local firehouse.
High gas prices mean the old fashioned foot patrols are coming back for some police departments. Some are mandating that officers spend a certain percentage of time walking the beat.
Feature: How to keep your hair looking good during sweltering summer humidity.
(Thanks to Melissa for those last three ideas.)
Got a story idea? Share it with the rest of the class. Send 'em to tvnewsgrapevine@gmail.com.
Monday, July 28, 2008
The most important facet of any news organization
It's amazing how many stations use the word "trust" in their news department slogans, yet present news that is so obviously slanted there's really no credibility at all.
And once you've lost credibility with viewers, you've lost everything.
When I was a kid, Walter Cronkite was "the most trusted man in America." He was often asked to run for President. Most people believed what they heard and saw on television back in those days, at least until the Vietnam War made people distrustful of just about everything. As the years have gone by, the level of trust for reporters has continued to decline. Several years ago some organization did a poll and found out that reporters were trusted as much as car salesmen.
Ouch.
An old newsman once told me, "If the viewers have no idea who you're voting for, you're doing a good job." Truer words were never spoken.
On the other side of the coin, there was a young reporter at a station in which I worked several years ago, who stated, "How can anyone work in this business and NOT be a Democrat?" That reporter got a roll of the eyes from many in the newsroom, because despite the "liberal news media" tag we all endure, there are plenty of ultra conservative news people out there.
These days it is more than just providing equal time. Lately I've been paying attention to the body language of various reporters, and the way they deliver their copy. A quick smile here, an animated delivery there, and all of a sudden you know exactly what lever that reporter will pull on election day. Sometimes the way you ask your question can label you as biased. When a reporter prefaces a question with, "With all due respect" then you can be reasonably sure that reporter is voting for the other candidate.
As news people you must not only strive to deliver fair and unbiased coverage, but if you're on camera you must have a poker face as well. You may love the candidate you're covering, or simply despise him, but you can't let the viewers have even a hint of what you're thinking.
Last week we touched on how politicians can "get in your pocket." Once you let that happen, you've lost credibility. Without it, you can't expect the viewers to trust you.
And once you've lost credibility with viewers, you've lost everything.
When I was a kid, Walter Cronkite was "the most trusted man in America." He was often asked to run for President. Most people believed what they heard and saw on television back in those days, at least until the Vietnam War made people distrustful of just about everything. As the years have gone by, the level of trust for reporters has continued to decline. Several years ago some organization did a poll and found out that reporters were trusted as much as car salesmen.
Ouch.
An old newsman once told me, "If the viewers have no idea who you're voting for, you're doing a good job." Truer words were never spoken.
On the other side of the coin, there was a young reporter at a station in which I worked several years ago, who stated, "How can anyone work in this business and NOT be a Democrat?" That reporter got a roll of the eyes from many in the newsroom, because despite the "liberal news media" tag we all endure, there are plenty of ultra conservative news people out there.
These days it is more than just providing equal time. Lately I've been paying attention to the body language of various reporters, and the way they deliver their copy. A quick smile here, an animated delivery there, and all of a sudden you know exactly what lever that reporter will pull on election day. Sometimes the way you ask your question can label you as biased. When a reporter prefaces a question with, "With all due respect" then you can be reasonably sure that reporter is voting for the other candidate.
As news people you must not only strive to deliver fair and unbiased coverage, but if you're on camera you must have a poker face as well. You may love the candidate you're covering, or simply despise him, but you can't let the viewers have even a hint of what you're thinking.
Last week we touched on how politicians can "get in your pocket." Once you let that happen, you've lost credibility. Without it, you can't expect the viewers to trust you.
Monday's story ideas
The Senate blocked a bill this weekend that would have helped low income families pay their utility bills.
We know that more and more students are taking classes over the Internet, but what is it like for teachers who conduct classes without ever meeting their students?
FCC gives go ahead to XM acquisition of Sirius satellite radio. What does this do to service, existing equipment, etc.?
California bans restaurants from preparing food using trans fats. What's coming in your state, if anything?
What's the latest with a la carte cable? Congress has been looking into it, and it would seem to be a clever campaign issue.
Cafeteria trays are disappearing on college campuses for fall, as schools seek to find ways to save energy. They'll save a small fortune not having to wash the things. (Sadly, this puts an end to cafeteria tray snowboarding at many Northern universities.)
A can of cat food now costs more (75 cents to 50 cents) than a can of tuna. Should you just feed Fluffy a can of Bumble Bee? Talk to a vet.
We know that more and more students are taking classes over the Internet, but what is it like for teachers who conduct classes without ever meeting their students?
FCC gives go ahead to XM acquisition of Sirius satellite radio. What does this do to service, existing equipment, etc.?
California bans restaurants from preparing food using trans fats. What's coming in your state, if anything?
What's the latest with a la carte cable? Congress has been looking into it, and it would seem to be a clever campaign issue.
Cafeteria trays are disappearing on college campuses for fall, as schools seek to find ways to save energy. They'll save a small fortune not having to wash the things. (Sadly, this puts an end to cafeteria tray snowboarding at many Northern universities.)
A can of cat food now costs more (75 cents to 50 cents) than a can of tuna. Should you just feed Fluffy a can of Bumble Bee? Talk to a vet.
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