“Hey — it’s hump day!”
As a part-time reporter at WXIA, I would occasionally utter this out loud among my full-time colleagues. I would do it on Tuesdays, just to annoy people. It worked. My part-time work week went from Monday to Wednesday typically.
But during much of that time, the BL and I had been having periodic chats about upgrading my employment status to full-time. She finally roped me in this month. She did it, in spite of output like this:
Vodpod videos no longer available.When I left the news biz in 2007, I did it because I thought I no longer liked it. Turns out, I’d only gotten it half right. I liked the news business a lot. I just needed a change of scenery.
WXIA has its problems. Staff buyouts and such have strained the newsroom’s ability to do some basic things efficiently. Technologically, it’s got issues, to put it mildly. Some of those issues will get addressed this summer when its ten year old Avid editing system is replaced.
Jennifer "Jaye" Watson and Ellen Crooke, WXIA
I’ve preached a bit on this site about what I consider to be some of the mind-numbing shortcomings of local TV news. WXIA’s philosophy happens to address a lot of that. In my experience, management treats its staff like adults. They trust the experience of their veteran people, and they appear to respect the talents of individuals in the newsroom. It’s civilized. It’s humane. It’s spirited. Compared to much of my previous experience, it’s very refreshing.
As a part-time guy, I was unable to devote myself sufficiently to my video production business, nor to the news profession. It was logical to choose one or the other. I chose news.
Now hump day comes a day later. I consider myself fortunate.
Enjoy the cool aide!
I hope you’ll still keep LAF going.
http://tinyurl.com/27jvhxw
Hmmmmhhh,
Does your photog not monitor his audio?
Yikes! That was painful to hear.
That cupcake looks mighty tasty. Can I have one?
What system will replace the Avid?!
Doug,
I’ve been following your blog for a while and enjoying it. I was a Fox 5 intern 10+ years ago and have always appreciated your wit.
I’m a wanna-be that sold out. Been working in corporate for years. Never did news and as much as I tell people it’s BS I still wonder “what if” and catch myself going from ESPN to local at 10P.
Personally, I’m glad you chose news over the slow but lucrative death that is video production. It’s in your blood, and the WXIA experiment is a worthy one.
It’s great to have you on the air full time now. My family looks forward to your first report of the next Live Apartment Fire. My 11 year old appreciates your writing and wit, he added you never forget the who, why, where, what and how. Plus, you keep it entertaining and informative. Geez, I’m starting to sound like a promo producer from the 90’s.
You aren’t drinking any kool-aid over there, are you?
Per that Leno vs. Conan thing: That is a race between sucks and stinks. Conan as “smart” humor? Conan was good in the beginning until about 2001 or so. Then he went downhill.
If I’m up late enough, only Ferguson is worth the time.
As to the rest, Doug, congrats. You’re about the only good thing about local news. You and keeping tabs on Ken Cook’s plastic surgery.