Colbert Mocks Photog Layoffs

This has been out there, but I wanted to share in case you hadn't seen it.

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Is Your Expert Being Paid to Hawk a Product?

I ran across a disturbing article in the Washington Post (came across it via ProPublica). Basically, the article says some of the experts you have coming on your shows... could have financial interests that compel them to push certain products. The Post highlights the case of one consumer "expert" who was pushing a security product for kids-- when she was being paid by the makers of the security product she pushed. The article is frightening, definitely worth a read-- looks like the practice is fairly widespread.

We know how it happens. You have a 2:00 hole to fill and company XYZ, whose rep is super savvy, offers up a timely, fun --good TV-- segment that's a no brainer to put in your show. But are you asking the right questions when you're setting up the segment? Namely, are you asking the guest: "Do you have a financial connection to any of the products or companies you're promoting in this segment?" Your viewers deserve better than watching essentially a 2:00 commercial. They deserve your extra effort to make sure the product or products being recommended are being done so gratis. Ditto so many of the satelitte interview oppotunities that come across your desk (also mentioned in the Post piece).

The line in TV is being blurred. Many stations have paid programming shows that look an awful lot like morning shows except the guests have paid to take part. At the end of the show, there's usually some disclosure. Disclosed or not, paid segments or products have no place in newscasts. I'm guessing the majority of these just slide by because producers are more and more harried, being asked to do more with less. But there are PLENTY of people who want to be on TV to give their opinions without being paid by some company to do so.

Plagiarism is not the Sincerest Form of Flattery

So here's why you always want to rewrite "suggested intros." Not only because you are producer and it is your JOB... but also because not doing so could land you on Conan. Guessing that's what happened here.

The link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GME5nq_oSR4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Ouch.
(With thanks for the clip to consultant Doug Drew.)

**Update: Someone posted on Doug's FB page that the story was part of a Newspath pkg-- and producers grabbed the script Newspath sent.

If I can rant just a bit further... You see why your future is golden as a producer? So much of your potential competition for that next job won't even rewrite an intro. It is so discouraging to see producers (from how many markets in that clip?) just phoning it in.

Production Crews and Breaking News

I (not so recently-- sorry for being a slacker) received an email from a producer having trouble getting her production crews on board for breaking news cut-ins. Here's the advice I offered her...

Production crews generally didn't sign up for the news aspect as much as the television aspect of things. Does that make sense? What I'm getting at is-- you and I are probably stoked because of breaking news... the thrill is why we got in/stay in. For production crews, there's a different pay-off for their work. Try to figure out what that is and emphasize it. Why do they do what they do? What thrills them?

Also, a lot of crews generally feel under-appreciated. So every time there's breaking news and they've done a good job, I'd make a point to say that. Go around and say thank-you to everyone. Emphasize how much you apreciate their effort and how each of their individual contributions helped make your on air product really work. It doesn't hurt to bring in treats every once in a while either! So maybe if there's been a bunch of breaking news or a particularly hectic week, bring in some treats and say--"I know this week has been killer... just want to say thanks!!"

Finally, I found production crews to be a great resource in a number of different ways. Since many don't follow news minute by minute like those on the editorial side, they can give you a fresh perspective/good feedback on your newscasts. Listen to the comments made in the booth during a show. If they didn't get something or thought something didn't work.. chances are their views are more in line with your viewers. A second great way they can help is.. since many come from a production side of things, they've worked on non-news stuff. That experience can add something to your newscasts. Ask for their opinions about set positions... trying new things.. graphics... etc.

TV News Less Diverse?

There's a new study out looking at share agreements and their impact on TV news. The theory is that if we're all sending someone to get the Mayor's groundbreaking ceremony, why not just send one photog and share the video? How different is that than a courtroom or any other pool?

In general I think these arrangements are a bad idea. The talents of each individual photographer on staff add a lot to make your newscast and product look unique. But I think the horse is out of the barn on this one. These agreements aren't going away so how do you make the best of them? I was out of local news before share agreements became popular. What do you guys think of them.

The study I mentioned was commissioned by a labor group so consider the source.

To Accept Free Stuff or Not to Accept Free Stuff?

Tickets. T-shirts. Meals. In TV, you get a lots of offers for freebies. Should you take it?

Let me start by saying I have a lot of good friends, good people, who disagree with me, think I'm off my rocker. That said, my feeling is this-- avoid even the appearance of impropriety. I don't like to take anything the general public wouldn't be offered. We know you wouldnt do a segment on the gym just because you got a free membership-- but what if you wanted to get an exercise expert, would you feel like you needed to call that gym? Slippery slope. Lot easier to make those decisions without having accepted stuff. 

Case in point. I did dirty restaurant reports for years. Once a month we did a restaurant that got a 100. Since it was usually lunchtime when we shot there, we'd eat there at our expense. One time I overheard a customer-- who saw us eating-- say oh now I know why they are here, implying we did a shoot for a free lunch. We started eating elsewhere after that. 

The media already has a bad rep. Why make it worse ?

East Coast Hurricane Coverage

Day late and a dollar short but... Someone asked whether I thought the coverage of the Hurricane Irene was overblown. I am ashamed to admit that at the start of the coverage, I remember myself saying something snarky like-- a Cat 1 is like a Cat 5 in terms of news coverage if it hits anywhere near NYC. This is because I work in the middle of the country and so I feel the news that happens here often gets ignored. I whine about it all the time. But in the case of Irene, I was wrong. Really wrong. Dozens of deaths, billions in damage and the worst flooding in Vermont's history can't be over covered.

Police Arrest Photog

You guys see this? What do you think?

http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-20110920-fox6-photojournalist-arrested,0,6130946.story

Journalism Conference

This year's RTNDA/SPJ conference in New Orleans looks like a good one. There are lots of heavy hitters speaking and some interesting pre-conference workshops. It's not cheap though-- $275 for early bird registration. But it's a great place (outside of the newsroom) to refresh your skills, learn new ones as well as mix and mingle. Plus, New Orleans is awesome. The conference website is http://excellenceinjournalism.org/

They trust us. A Little.

New Gallup data shows Americans Regain Some Confidence in Newspapers, TV News. Our ranking among American institutions? #11. The military was #1. For what it's worth, we beat Congress at #16.


Americans Regain Some Confidence in Newspapers, TV News

Preventing Mistakes

I received an email from a producer majorly stressing about catching mistakes, errors and misspellings. Here's my best advice...

It helps to build in layers of prevention. For example, if you're worried about bad fonts... have someone, anyone... else look over your fonts a half hour before the newscast. Any set of eyes other than yours will catch mistakes.

Ditto with scripts-- do you have an EP? They should be looking over all of the scripts of your show. If not, maybe look to an anchor or writer as a second set of eyes.

We're all human. You will make mistakes... so as many systems or extra people you can have looking at things, the better. Also, don't underestimate the power of the final readthrough--- after you've approved all scripts, do one final read through, reading everything out loud. Your ears will catch things your eyes won't. Make sure you are reading and consuming a lot of local news. By reading and listening and watching a lot of stuff, you'll catch nit-noid mistakes (wait-- was that 3 cars in that accident? I thought I read 4 somewhere...) My favorite (horrifying) mistake that made air was back when I was a writer-- I wrote that Easter celebrated the birth of Christ. I wrote it in a rush and two other people read it and didn't catch. I still cringe when I think of it today. We got calls. A lot of them.

To do a lot of these preventative checks.. you have to get your stuff done early. This is good practice anyway and allows everyone else time to do their jobs better. So shoot for generally having most everything done about an hour before the newscast. Then you can do your final checks, write teases and wait for the inevitable spot news to blow up your show. By being generally done by an hour-ish ahead of time... you can be free to respond to whatever crisis that pops up.

Do something non work related to make you better able to meet stress. Walk, run, swim-- whatever floats your boat... do something physical to help combat the inevitable irks that come your way. Also, do like I say and not like I did (as a show producer) and skip the 3 Mountain Dew/cheeseburger days. They do not help you stay calm cool and collected. Finally-- get a life outside of work! Join a club, hit a movie with friends. That gives you a better perspective when you do deal with work craziness.

And lighten up! Remember, it ain't brain surgery. No one dies if you screw up. Still, aim to give your best to your viewers and your co-workers each and every day.

Spoiling Your Appetite

Remember when your mom told to not to fill up on a drink or snack before dinner so that you wouldn't spoil your appetite? Similar fine line with intros. We want enough interesting detail to keep people watching but you don't to end up putting everything in the intro and leaving your reporter nothing to report. On the other hand, your intro sets up the story. I remember having an argument with a reporter about him wanting to "save" a key detail for his pkg. But in my opinion, that detail needed to be in intro.

There's no "right" way to do things. I generally used to have pretty quick intros so we could get to the reporters (for pacing) and save big set-up intros for major stories-- or leads. But maybe there's an abundance of good stuff and you want to juice up your intro. I'd let the story drive it. And be sure to be clear with your reporter (early) about what you're doing. Have an open discussion and hear your reporter out. They might have something great that they couldn't use in their piece that you can toss in intro or even a headline or tease.

Show Me the Money

I just received a question from someone looking to make a move to a bigger market. The bigger market wanted her to move for less money than she was expecting-- and also take a writer position (that might turn into producer position). My advice to her-- and my advice to you when you're looking at any new position-- is hold out for what you want. Even better-- ask for what you want. Lots of times we assume that when a prospective employer says "Here's what I got for you" that's really all they got. In reality, when a company or manager wants you, they have flexibility to find extra cash and/or can shuffle things around in your favor. The number they mention can be just the first offer in a neogitiation. Remember, the only negotiating power you really have is when you're coming in to a new shop. An example from my own experience-- I moved up markets and thought I had made a good deal for myself. Then I met and became friends with the gal who did the exact same show across the street at the competition. She was making $10,000 more than me and that was before overtime (did I mention I wasn't getting overtime?). I felt like an idiot and stewed about it. But who's fault is it if you're not getting paid what you're worth?

To that end, I just read a decent TV related money book-- from the co-anchor on "Morning Joe." It's "Knowing Your Value" by Mika Brzezinski. In it, she details her job related money mistakes and offers tips from experts. An even better book is "Women Don't Ask." It's targeted to women, but it can be helpful to anyone. Basically the premise is that women, more than men, don't like to negotiation and that this cuts them out of big bucks. For a sampling of just how much you'll lose if you don't negoitate well, check out the scary sampling of stats on their website.
Here's a teaser:
"By not negotiating a first salary, an individual stands to lose more than $500,000 by age 60—and men are more than four times as likely as women to negotiate a first salary."

Avoiding Cliches

There's a lot of wild weather around-- and maybe it has hit your region. No better time to talk about cliches. Maybe I've been covering tornadoes too long, but I'd like to permanently ban AT LEAST these phrases:

"Tossed like toys"
"Looks like a war zone"

And there are many others. Cliches do your writing and your viewers a disservice. It's a cheap, lazy writer's way to fill a script. When you have truly moving material, look at it and find ways to tell these people's stories in an authentic way. Remember that there's always a family and community behind each obliterated home and block. What's special about them? How can you communicate that without relying on a writing crutch?

Nothing Good Happens on Facebook

You've probably heard about the anchor and producer who got into a fight in Charlotte. In the article below....

Anchor Brien Blakely out at Fox Charlotte - CharlotteObserver.com

...it says the fight started beause of a posting the producer made on Facebook.

A former boss of mine says "Nothing good happens on Facebook."
I love Facebook.
You love Facebook.
We'd sooner cut of a finger than close our accounts.
But please use some sense. Use the rule I learned way back in the dark ages when email was first coming to my newsroom: "Never write anything you wouldn't want the world to read." You may think your privacy settings allow only friends, but some of you have 8000 friends and do you really know them all that well? Always assume there's someone out there you wouldn't want reading your innermost thoughts and act accordingly. Don't post anything embarassing about yourself or others. Pretend a current or potential employer can read your page. Or, pretend your mom can read your page. Better yet- friend her. That will make you think twice before saying or posting something that could come back to haunt you.

State of the News Media

The fine folks at Pew's Project for Excellence in Journalism have released their annual study on the state of local news.

It's not pretty.

On the same website, there's also a fun little quiz about the news from 2010.

The Dangers of Having a TV Tower Near Your Station

Commercial: Boot Camp for Photogs

Thought this was fun...