Monday, January 29

Breaking News by Breaking the Ice

Is this an example of going out on thin ice to cover weather or what? (Pun intended!)

I know local stations over react when covering the snow and ice, but this is overkill.

Turns out the live truck operator for a WDJT in Milwaukee lost his way and did some off-road work on Big Muskego Lake. Oops.

One of the other stations in town made a big deal of it even posting raw video on the web as exclusive of the truck being pulled out of the icy water. Not quite the best use of the Internet by a TV station. Small market station NDs beware any great deals on a used live truck.

Thursday, January 25

What Makes You Marketable Outside Your Specialty

06-07 BC Capstone student Aidan M. (our resident squirrel expert... hence the picture of G.I. Nuts) suggested we blog about where our professional skills and experience could take us outside of broadcasting. An interesting idea as few people end up doing what they originally set out to do after college.

So I'm approaching this entry with a list of things I could do in case my I had to find a new career path. I guess I'd finally have time to audition for The Apprentice or The Amazing Race.

Off the top I think having 22-years experience as a broadcast journalist and a masters degree in journalism (and hopefully the Ph.D. someday in Ed) would hurt me rather than help me in any connected communications field (advertising, corporate video, etc.).

I sensed a lack of appreciation for real experience back in my 30s when I moved to Pittsburgh 10 years ago. I'd interview for various positions at one station or another and they were impressed with my resume and experience. The rejections were always qualified by a hearty appreciation for what I can do. But they couldn't afford to pay me what I was worth. It's funny how I never received any offers-- perhaps they assumed my experience would outpace what any news department could pay an intern to do if they moved from "free" to "minimum wage." So with that in mind I think I'd work as a consultant. Or I could become an agent (like many washed up news directors, anchors, etc. often do).

But what was that, Aidan? This blog assignment requires me to take the "broadcast journalism" component out of the equation?

I guess I could always continue to teach-- maybe PR, mass comm theory or public speaking. My skills would also work well in marketing, but I'm picky. Maybe I could work on an election campaign or for a public information office. The last choice might prove difficult with kids and a mortgage-- unless it was a sure thing like a highly re-electable senator.

BC CAPSTONE PRESENTATION SCHEDULE
The class has a tentative date picked out for senior presentations. We're targeting Monday, April 30, 2007. We plan to stage two presentations from 11:45-12:45 (one for Liz and one for Stevi). Everyone else presents from 6-8 that evening. Mike Wolenski wants to develop a twist for his presentation. May I suggest tableau, Mike.

Saturday, January 20

The Other Blog REVEALED

I have a new blog now for my Mass Comm course.
It's my Bloghappy page called "More Than Pictures in My Head...Trying to Navigate Old Meda, New Media and Our Constructed Reality." I'm teaching Mass Comm as a cluster course with Dr. V. Tomlinson's sociology class, Majority/Minority.

The blog will feature the links to the student blogs for that class. It will function as a place to participate in the blogosphere with our exploration of mass communications and issues raised in Majority/Minority.

Now with a second blog up and running for a separate class I'm may become blog savvy?




Monday, January 15

Local News Director Had It With Emmy Snobs

A feud has erupted between WTAE-TV’s news director and the leadership at the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (The Emmys). Channel 4’s News director Bob Longo shot off a letter resigning his position from the regional Emmy chapter’s board of directors claiming the chapter functions as a club for Philadelphia-area television stations snubbing other markets in region. The Post-Gazette has published statements from both sides of this controversy providing blow by blow accounts of the dispute.

"From my vantage point in Pittsburgh, the 'regional' chapter appears to be nothing more than a Philadelphia TV social club," Bob Longo wrote.

"Events, funds, and awards are controlled by and centered on Philadelphia. Other markets within the region, including Pittsburgh, are given token attention and, in my opinion, are ignored. The bias is palpable. When it comes time for awards, entries are encouraged openly, but once in, those awards, and the funds they generate, are put to use running a Philadelphia chapter and annual party."

Longo went on to announce WTAE-TV will no longer participate in the Emmys. He also suggested it’s time for officials from the National Emmy’s to investigate how Philadelphia has captured the regional chapter.

“If time and energy permits, I will petition the national organization to seriously look at establishing a truly regional NATAS chapter that more honestly represents Pittsburgh,” Longo wrote.

Regional Emmy Board President Paul Gluck in Philadelphia has responded with a

written statement claiming Longo never expressed these concerns while he served on the Emmy board.

"We are mystified by his inaccurate perceptions of how our Chapter works, and we would have appreciated the opportunity to have an honest and thoughtful dialogue with him, rather than respond in this public platform that he has chosen," Gluck wrote. "This organization's leadership and administrative staff have made a commitment to engage and include all of our members in Chapter initiatives, and to characterize this organization as a 'Philadelphia TV social club' insults all the volunteers who have given countless hours to supporting the Chapter."

I sense Long's criticism is long overdue. I recall my days at WPXI where management there maintained a steadfast rule of not participating in the Emmy’s. I always thought it was outrageous the regional Emmy’s required a $100 entry fee and the money did seem to come out in a lavish party for the winners. I do not belong to a regional chapter. I have a faculty membership in the national organization in Hollywood where I have more fulfilling resources and benefits as a broadcaster and instructor. I don't see any value in the regional chapter as it does appear to be geared to stroking the media elite in Philly and schools they're invited to as guest speakers in Eastern PA.


Saturday, January 13

Belo Fires DC Bureau Reporters, Hires VJs



Is it synergy between newspaper and television operations driving decisions at Belo or is it a cost-saving move? According to the Washington Post, one-man bands are now part of heavy hitter Belo Corporation. The company, with it's big television and newspaper holdings, has canned it's long time television news reporters stationed in the Washington, D.C. bureau replacing them with VJs to shoot and file stories for television AND newspapers. These folks would file packages and cover events for the 19 Belo stations across the country including some of the biggest and most successful stations in big markets. Wonder when Belo will bring VJs to it's local newsrooms? Is it worth linking their jobs page?

Thursday, January 11

The BC 602 Jumpstart

Before we return for the second semester of BC Capstone, I am reminding students to wrap up their assessment of their senior project. This includes reflecting on my comments to the senior project review documents you turned back at the beginning of December.

Capstone students should also be ready to write and present on the feedback gathered on their projects from an outside professional.

Finally, this is a great time for you to blog about what you've accomplished over break as well as the previou semester. Generate a list of your weaknesses and strengths as a professioanl.

This is another chance to figure out whether you're qualified for jobs now open. Once you've made these lists, then consult your resume. Does it present the experience and skills needed as you head into the job market? It's important for you to look at the details of a posted job description and see how you can sell yourself for that position.