The Truth About Producing

We recently had a producer/reporter position open up at my station, and while I haven't been directly involved in the recruiting process, whenever we do bring someone in for an interview I get to kind of assess their potential.

Usually that assessment is pretty standard: they take a writing test, and I describe the duties of whatever job they're applying for. When I'm concluding my quote-unquote interview, I always ask, "Do you have any questions?" If they do, it's usually along the lines of clarification, or they ask about money and where a good place to live would be, maybe about the area if they're not from close by.

Earlier this week I oversaw a writing test and then had some one-on-one time with a potential candidate. The test part typically takes an hour, and the interview part doesn't last more than 15 minutes if that. After I described the job, I asked the obligatory "Do you have any questions?". This is what she asked: What do you find is the most challenging/difficult part of being a producer? My answer probably scared her...

I love producing. Other than magazine layout, it is my dream job and perfectly suited to my talents. With that being said, I truly believe that producers have the toughest job in the newsroom.

As a producer, you are responsible for everything that's in your show, regardless of if you pulled it from the Associated Press, a national news network or one of your local reporters handled the story. If something airs wrong or incorrect information is put out over the air, it falls back on you. Other than your director, who's only looking at the technical aspects of each story, yours should be the last eyes on a story before air time.

Time is your worst enemy. Either you have too much content and not enough time to fit it all in, or you're running out of time to get all of the pieces of your show produced. Deadlines are not flexible. Once you're on the air, you're out of time. And your time management skills aren't the only ones you have to be mindful of -- Reporters can either make or break you when it comes to the actual timing of your show and getting content into your show.

Being a producer means constantly thinking about your overall product. It's being flexible and going with the flow, even when stories are falling apart or something huge blows up right at news time. It's about knowing when to give an extra 30 seconds here and take 15 there. It's about relationships -- with the reporters, anchors, meteorologists and sports guys. It's knowing your audience, their tastes and interests, even those little things that get them all fired up. It's about vision and knowing how you want your show to look on air.

Make no mistake.
Being a producer is stressful.
You either love it or hate it.
There is no in between.

Wedded Bliss

Just a few photos from before and after the ceremony taken by family and friends.

For a sneak peek at my wedding day bliss, check out our photographer's blog post:

http://cherokeespiveyphotography.com/2012/09/ashton-chris-september-15-2012/

Soapbox: Bad News is Good News?

This past week was a rough news week. We've had so many sad and depressing stories, it's nearly impossible not to let them get to you.

In one day alone, we had a multiple-victim shooting, police standoff and a fatal car accident in which the victim was trapped in her burning car.

On that day, I posted a status that read: "Shooting, standoff and now a person is trapped in a car that's fully engulfed in flames. I'm gonna need for this day to end already. Sheesh."

The whole intention of the status was that too many bad things had happened in the day and it needed to end so nothing else horrible would happen. However, not everyone took it that way and I got a kind of condescending comment about how the people involved in all three of those incidents was surely having a worse day than me.

Really? You think I don't know that? As a journalist I am acutely aware of all the bad shit that's happening in my viewing area, not to mention the rest of the country and elsewhere around the world. It's part of my job.

Another day this week, a 4-year-old boy was fatally mauled by a dog. On yet another day, three teenagers were killed in a terrible car accident. In both of those instances, my reporters ran into opposition. I can understand not wanting to talk about it, but is there really any need for rudeness?

What people fail to understand is that these are the type of stories we don't like to cover. The situations are always awkward, and we are well aware of the fact that we're intruding. But it's our job.

There seems to be this idea that journalists thrive on this type of carnage, but that's a misconception. Sad stories about someone's loss are not our idea of a juicy story. The 'bad' news we'd rather cover is corruption, scandal - something that actually takes a little bit of investigative work.

So the next time you blast a member of the media for being insensitive, remember that they're just doing their job and chances are they don't want to be in the middle of this sad situation just as much as you don't want them there.

How Real Brides Accessorize

Shower Fun

I know I've been kinda M.I.A. lately, but there are only 14 days left until the wedding and there's a lot going on ... mostly in the way of showers. Here's a picture summary of my first 2.

My mom and me at the first shower.

 My lovely hostesses.

Coca-cola theme

 

 George was experiencing wedding fever.

My future mother-in-law, me & my mom.

Shower #2

 With my two lovely hostesses.

 My mom and aunt.