Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
I picked up this thread via one of my favorite N.C. blogs, Lenslinger’s Viewfinder Blues. You’ll find a lot of anst-ridden questioning here about TV news photography and the teevee news business. These comments are edited for length:
r.manuel
I haven’t been to b-roll.net in a while and I’m sure I’ve missed a few discussions about this very topic, buuuuttttt.
I’m just wondering how many of you guys/girls who do this remember why? I know why I — — USED to shoot, but I’m not sure why I’m still a photographer. I dare not use the term photojournalist anymore because as hard as we all may try I think that forces beyond our control have all but killed “jounalism,” and all we are left with is TV. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I stick to the ethical standards of “photojournalism,” I just don’t think that is what we end up with when you look at story selection in local newsrooms across the country and even (maybe especially) the networks. It’s all gee whiz, let’s tie into the premier of this new “reality” show, if you don’t watch this your children will die and you’re a bad parent whose identity will be stolen and DONT TAKE THAT PILL FOR GOD’S SAKE! nonsense.
Am I jaded and wrong? Or is this thing called journalism really on its deathbed?
newsshooter3
No offence to the rest of the world, but think about your friends (outside of TV, if your fortunate enough to actually have some), and the jobs they do. Probably not very cool. Probably involves a cubicle… YUCK! And, MAYBE they make more than you or I, but who gets to see and do the things that a photojournalists does? Really?!? NO ONE! Granted, some of it we’d rather forget, but we get SUCH a diverse mix of society that rubs off on us and makes us who we are. Complete strangers allow us into their homes and share stories with us. THAT NEVER ceases to amaze me! True, not every shoot is a great shoot, few really are, but there’s always the promise of tomorrow! And, even given a sub-par reporter, YOU have the power the mold a great story. YOU have the power to make yourself happy. YOU have the power to do a story that interests you… on your own time. The station would probably appreciate the effort… hopefully. Above all, do you know what your assignment will be tomorrow? Probably not, but I bet friend “A”, right now, it DREADING having to do that paperwork… in his cubicle!!!
Sprite
I have a bachelors and a masters degree. TV news was never part of my plan… but all that changed when I took on an internship at my college news station. That was 1993. To this day, people look down on me like I’m some sort of a grade school dropout, because I’m behind the camera and not in front of it. I’m not stupid. I’ve won awards for my writing; I attended college on full scholarship. And though I’m not a beauty queen I look better than several reporters in my shop, filthy gear, disheveled hair and all. I did report for a while… and I quit because I didn’t like the person that I was becoming: Snappy. Self-centered. Sound familiar??
I’ve been through a number of broadcast jobs since… from video companies serving the rich (demeaning slavery) to live studio work (laid off) to commercials and corporate work (discrimination) to TV news (bank statements in the negative numbers – I kid you not). AND THIS IS AT THE TOP!!! Everyone else I know who’s remotely linked to the video biz has the same story, or worse. And these are good, talented people with families now. Yes, work conditions are better with the networks, union, etc. and I’ve hobnobbed with the top brass of every successful program you can think of – from talk shows to major programs to the nationals. ***In the end, you’re still trading your physical health and longevity.*** To this date, I’ve never met a cameraman that lived a full life. So I guess it’s obvious that I’m moving on. Of course, TV news has it’s fun, and I will miss those days and that freedom outside of an office. But for me in TV news the negative now weighs over the positive; reporters still take pot shots at you with subtle, necessary insults, despite you best… and you wonder why. After a while, you find the answer — than for every one good person in this biz, there are 5 more that are cliquey, insecure with no great future ahead, have psychological issues and/or their personal lives are a mess and they’re out to give you hell whenever you look like you’re having more fun… while they’re overwhelmed with writing the 6-12 sentences needed for their story. DON’T THINK FOR A MINUTE YOU CAN’T CROSSOVER AND DO SOMETHING ELSE, BECA– — USE YOU CAN.
