We are a variety of working broadcast professionals, offering advice & guidance to people interested in tv, online & radio broadcasting broadcasting
TV News: Commonly Asked Questions…
I’ve literally screened hundreds of applicants and prospective applicants for jobs over the years. Here’s a list of some of the questions I’m most frequently asked: Q: What would you like to see on my tape? A: I want to see a quick montage, followed by an example of several types of stories: 1) hard [...]
First Jobs: Before That First Job…
photo credit: o5com I have three major regrets from my college days – and, thank goodness, none of them have to do with drugs or alcohol. I regret not studying abroad. I regret only taking one history class. I regret taking zero business classes. A semester spent in a different country could have provided valuable [...]
News Writing: Story Lead-ins
I recently came across this YouTube clip of a lead story I did at WSB-TV in Atlanta, and thought it would be a great example to help illustrate a few basic points I wanted to make this week about crafting story lead-ins. In the above clip, long-time veteran anchors John Pruitt and Monica Pearson pitch [...]
First Jobs: Work Flow
A friend is applying for a job titled “multi-media journalist” – which launched an hour-long discussion between the two of us about this growing trend – sometimes called the multi-platform journalist, the backpack broadcaster, or (rather irreverently) the one-man-band… photo credit: stevendepolo We talked at length about the best ways to approach that position, and manage time efficiently. Setting [...]
First Jobs: OMG, LOL!
This may seem like a no brainer to some. It may be an OMG moment for others. Clearly, there is growing confusion… You’d be surprised by the number of broadcast journalism interns I’ve worked with who use textspeak in work-related email – I’ve seen some even use it when writing news script! LOL! (actually, I [...]
First Jobs: Decisions, decisions…
// Check out this video from one of our own BiB members, Archel Bernard! It’s been less than a year since we last worked together, and I am thrilled to showcase her progress here on Breaking into Broadcasting. From getting big interviews, to knowing how to ask the right questions, Archel is clearly getting the experience she’s [...]
First Jobs: I was a “Photog”…
A “photog.” I let people call me that for years. It was kind of cool starting out, especially since I saw my colleagues seemed ok being called photogs. I was just happy to be a part of a bigger picture; a part of a team. I remember seeing my first story air live on tv, [...]
Internship Applications: Students Getting it Right
I really liked Tai’s last entry and wanted to add some great examples of students getting it right when applying for internships (followed by my gut reaction when I read them): “I am fluent in Spanish and English, with some knowledge of Korean and Mandarin Chinese.” That’s just cool, no matter what you’re trying to [...]
First Jobs: Applying for Jobs
A number of people have asked me if there is a right way and a wrong way to apply for the job. I can’t speak for everyone, but there are a few universal truths you should know. Among them: Be clear: Don’t make me have to read six paragraphs to find out why you’re applying. [...]
Being Green-Take One : Your Guide to Getting an Internship (BiB ebooks)