Well I am so pleased that 6 people are actually interested in my life as a reporter. KT was my first and I will always be grateful for that, thank you.
So, do you know what a "feature" is? Its a story that is not considered hard news usually. A lot of times they are fun to do and they are about everything and anything. You could do a "Feature" story on a bush.
"This bush has seen a lot... As it sits on the corner, thousands of cars pass by and think nothing of it...(sounds of cars driving) You may not think this bush is useful or that it even matters, but think again..." Then you can go on and on...
Anyways, the past 2 days I have done features and I have to say its a breath of fresh air. Yesterday I wrote a feature about the bakersfield dancing Pizza man. Its a story I have been pitching for 7 months and finally I was given the go.
Today, I did a story about Wii being out of stock everywhere. I have to be honest, I didn't like this story and didn't really think it was a story but I was assigned it and made it into a masterpiece, cause thats my job.
As I go, I am learning that its not always about what you report, its about how you tell it. For those of you who know me, you know that I am in this business to report the news and make a difference. Sometimes I think if I don't investigate and report hard news I am not making an impact but what I have realized from two days of features is, I still am. My story last night has generated so much talk around town...facebook pages are blowing up and people have contacted me saying "thank you" while smiling. So the impact I am having may be a little different then when I am reporting a death but its just as important... My stories have made so many people smile... that just may be the most important thing one human being can do for another.
And I love that its my job...
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Another day, another dollar (really just a dollar)
Last night I was in a Yoga class and as always I was towards the back of the room. Two woman in the front were talking about how bad media is and they were "watching the local news tonight and..." Anyhoo they were basically saying that we blow everything out of proportion and we all don't know what we are doing.
I just sat, waiting for the class to start listening to this. I've heard this kind of chat before and I think every time someone talks, its easier for me to just laugh it off. So, I just sat and listened realizing these woman obviously watched another station because they had no clue who I was, or they just didn't see me.
But I know I can learn from people like them. #1- I can learn that maybe they are just the type of woman that think they can do everything better. #2- Or maybe they are just very insecure. #3- or maybe, just maybe we (journalists as a whole) DO tend to lean towards the stereotype of what they were discussing and maybe I should keep this in mind every time I go out on a story. But wait...I already do. Its just another day in the life of a T.V. Reporter.
I just sat, waiting for the class to start listening to this. I've heard this kind of chat before and I think every time someone talks, its easier for me to just laugh it off. So, I just sat and listened realizing these woman obviously watched another station because they had no clue who I was, or they just didn't see me.
But I know I can learn from people like them. #1- I can learn that maybe they are just the type of woman that think they can do everything better. #2- Or maybe they are just very insecure. #3- or maybe, just maybe we (journalists as a whole) DO tend to lean towards the stereotype of what they were discussing and maybe I should keep this in mind every time I go out on a story. But wait...I already do. Its just another day in the life of a T.V. Reporter.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Following a story
So, today I'm in court following a female deputy who is accused of having sex with a convicted murderer in the jail.
When I follow these stories I know they are "Juicy" but I also can't help but put myself in the suspects shoes... How embarrassed she must be and then to have us following her with cameras all over her? How can she deal and not flip out on us? So many do but I wonder, how was she able to keep her cool?
I come back to the station and say, "I kind of feel sorry for her" and then I quickly remind myself that she had choices when she broke the law and people have the right to know what was happening on their tax payers dimes. I hope that these stories make people think before they want to go and do something stupid, I hope they realize that we will be there, maybe it will make them ponder the crime they are about to commit and not do it.
After we air ANY story that gets people talking, phone calls come in. I have been chewed out over the phone SO MANY times I can't even count anymore. Does it hurt? Yes. Do I put on a strong face and just take it? Yes. But I can't lie and say it doesn't hurt. I'm a human being just like everyone else so when people call and chew me out I take it personally but I guess its just part of my job.
I think one of my next posts may be about the "crazy, mean callers"... hmmm, I may have to tell you about some...
Just a day in the life of a T.V. Reporter...
When I follow these stories I know they are "Juicy" but I also can't help but put myself in the suspects shoes... How embarrassed she must be and then to have us following her with cameras all over her? How can she deal and not flip out on us? So many do but I wonder, how was she able to keep her cool?
I come back to the station and say, "I kind of feel sorry for her" and then I quickly remind myself that she had choices when she broke the law and people have the right to know what was happening on their tax payers dimes. I hope that these stories make people think before they want to go and do something stupid, I hope they realize that we will be there, maybe it will make them ponder the crime they are about to commit and not do it.
After we air ANY story that gets people talking, phone calls come in. I have been chewed out over the phone SO MANY times I can't even count anymore. Does it hurt? Yes. Do I put on a strong face and just take it? Yes. But I can't lie and say it doesn't hurt. I'm a human being just like everyone else so when people call and chew me out I take it personally but I guess its just part of my job.
I think one of my next posts may be about the "crazy, mean callers"... hmmm, I may have to tell you about some...
Just a day in the life of a T.V. Reporter...
What this business is "really" about!
Hello Anyone that may be reading this blog. (probably no one but I like to dream.)
I have wanted to write one of these for a couple years now. A T.V. reporters life is a crazy one and the people that watch us see something totally different then what really goes on. So I thought this would be a good way to let people "Inside" a bit.
I have been reporting for about 5 years now... starting off a my college in Southern California then making my rounds in a small market, producing in a bigger market then doing cable in a big market.
Through the years I have learned so much about what this business is about. As many of you probably know, there are so many in this business that are in it for what I call "the wrong reasons"... to be on T.V. Its been a struggle to compete against those people but somehow I am slipping through. I am not tiny, I weigh over 125lbs (shocking in this biz) and I do not shop every other day. I continue in this line of work because I believe in journalism and, as corny as it may sound I believe that knowledge is power and I have an outlet to inform people of whats going on.
So, here's a question I am always asked, or accused of... Something like this, "You people report what you want!, its all propaganda." Here's the answer... Yes, we report what we want and everyday numerous meetings take place to discuss what we will cover. Those meetings are filled with people from all walks of life and more often then not, there are disagreements, red faces and people walk out pissed off because we are covering something they don't think should be covered. The main questions you have to ask yourself is "Is it news worthy?" And will people be affected or interested in the story.
Is it propaganda? No... One thing everyone needs to remember is there are laws and regulations that prevent us from doing certain things.
Throughout this blog there may be days that I talk about what is going on here at the station and there may be days where I rant or rave about my life. I guess the point of this is not only for me to have an outlet to get things off my brain but for others to see another side of broadcast journalism.
I hope someone out there will find this interesting.
I have wanted to write one of these for a couple years now. A T.V. reporters life is a crazy one and the people that watch us see something totally different then what really goes on. So I thought this would be a good way to let people "Inside" a bit.
I have been reporting for about 5 years now... starting off a my college in Southern California then making my rounds in a small market, producing in a bigger market then doing cable in a big market.
Through the years I have learned so much about what this business is about. As many of you probably know, there are so many in this business that are in it for what I call "the wrong reasons"... to be on T.V. Its been a struggle to compete against those people but somehow I am slipping through. I am not tiny, I weigh over 125lbs (shocking in this biz) and I do not shop every other day. I continue in this line of work because I believe in journalism and, as corny as it may sound I believe that knowledge is power and I have an outlet to inform people of whats going on.
So, here's a question I am always asked, or accused of... Something like this, "You people report what you want!, its all propaganda." Here's the answer... Yes, we report what we want and everyday numerous meetings take place to discuss what we will cover. Those meetings are filled with people from all walks of life and more often then not, there are disagreements, red faces and people walk out pissed off because we are covering something they don't think should be covered. The main questions you have to ask yourself is "Is it news worthy?" And will people be affected or interested in the story.
Is it propaganda? No... One thing everyone needs to remember is there are laws and regulations that prevent us from doing certain things.
Throughout this blog there may be days that I talk about what is going on here at the station and there may be days where I rant or rave about my life. I guess the point of this is not only for me to have an outlet to get things off my brain but for others to see another side of broadcast journalism.
I hope someone out there will find this interesting.
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