This last week has been full of posts about various people who have left Erie television stations. This is hardly new nor is it unusual in the broadcast business. It goes with the territory. The old saying goes that “you are only as good as your last (rating) book. " That is true.
Most leave to advance to a bigger market or they leave because they committed a “no..no” at their current station. (Hey, reporters are people too and they make mistakes…big mistakes. Stations, and yes even the newspaper, know how to hide their dirt under the rug.)
But something new is happening in broadcast journalism that hasn’t happened before. We wrote about it many weeks ago. It is called Video Journalism. (VJ)
This is a new cause celeb for some who have left the broadcast nest and others who are thinking about it. A few posts have been written about Jennifer Boresz who recently left WSEE for WTOL in Toledo. (An economy as dormant or worse than Erie but still they have HD)
Let's get the story straight. Jennifer Boresz went to Toledo not because she was recruited and wanted to leave Erie. She left because of the planned move to VJ next year by SJL/Lilly.
To repeat.. VJ is the latest in technological advances that shrinks today’s ENG video cameras to a very small size, light weight while keeping the quality very high. It can allow a two person news team to be cut to one. These latest cameras don’t even use tape… just memory. But is that all good?
The VJ Advantage
If a station had 5 teams of 2 persons crews and you kept all positions, you could have twice the stories being covered. This is a real advantage in large markets with a great deal of news to cover. The reporter is also cameraperson and editor all in one. That puts a great deal of pressure on the reporter to not only get the story with interviews, but also to get it on camera. We talked about the burn-out factor that this is already creating in the field and that it is a real problem. I am sure that weighed on Jennifer’s mind but perhaps for another reason as well.
Is VJ Really CJ?
In Erie and a few other far west cities, the acronym VJ has changed to CJ…Cheap Journalism or Journalism on the Cheap. Some broadcast corporations have turned a technological advantage into another way to reduce costs at the expense of viewers and staff. The goal is not better or more news but better profits or just reducing costs. (Like 40% profit margin is not enough.) Instead of a 5 person two man team…it is just 5 persons.
I don’t really think reporters are against VJ as a tool to cover news, but they do resent it when they are asked to carry the expense and responsibility as well as the camera. They have to make a decison on the spot about the video or the story conent quality. Then hurry up to the next event. Burn-out.
My humble opinion
Many stations are integrating both kinds of journalism. The two man crew goes out on the big stories that require the concentration of the reporter as well as the cameraperson. (I still think a two person team brings twice the brainpower to the story if it is done right.) The VJ reporter covers the quick and dirty events in the community. Perfect for the young reporter who wants to learn and still get some on camera time.
The upcoming introduction of VJ or CJ in Erie could mean that more reporters may leave the Erie airwaves and be replaced by neophytes. (another way to cut the salary load) Not because they want to…but because management has lost its mission with the viewers. They still haven't learned that really serving the viewers with quality content also leads to a greater bottom line. It is all ass backwards.
When we reach this point, we will find better coverage done by the students of the Millcreek and Erie School District. (And that is a compliment to the students)
"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/
Save WSEE News...Write to the station and then ask to inspect their FCC "public" file
Most leave to advance to a bigger market or they leave because they committed a “no..no” at their current station. (Hey, reporters are people too and they make mistakes…big mistakes. Stations, and yes even the newspaper, know how to hide their dirt under the rug.)
But something new is happening in broadcast journalism that hasn’t happened before. We wrote about it many weeks ago. It is called Video Journalism. (VJ)
This is a new cause celeb for some who have left the broadcast nest and others who are thinking about it. A few posts have been written about Jennifer Boresz who recently left WSEE for WTOL in Toledo. (An economy as dormant or worse than Erie but still they have HD)
Let's get the story straight. Jennifer Boresz went to Toledo not because she was recruited and wanted to leave Erie. She left because of the planned move to VJ next year by SJL/Lilly.
To repeat.. VJ is the latest in technological advances that shrinks today’s ENG video cameras to a very small size, light weight while keeping the quality very high. It can allow a two person news team to be cut to one. These latest cameras don’t even use tape… just memory. But is that all good?
The VJ Advantage
If a station had 5 teams of 2 persons crews and you kept all positions, you could have twice the stories being covered. This is a real advantage in large markets with a great deal of news to cover. The reporter is also cameraperson and editor all in one. That puts a great deal of pressure on the reporter to not only get the story with interviews, but also to get it on camera. We talked about the burn-out factor that this is already creating in the field and that it is a real problem. I am sure that weighed on Jennifer’s mind but perhaps for another reason as well.
Is VJ Really CJ?
In Erie and a few other far west cities, the acronym VJ has changed to CJ…Cheap Journalism or Journalism on the Cheap. Some broadcast corporations have turned a technological advantage into another way to reduce costs at the expense of viewers and staff. The goal is not better or more news but better profits or just reducing costs. (Like 40% profit margin is not enough.) Instead of a 5 person two man team…it is just 5 persons.
I don’t really think reporters are against VJ as a tool to cover news, but they do resent it when they are asked to carry the expense and responsibility as well as the camera. They have to make a decison on the spot about the video or the story conent quality. Then hurry up to the next event. Burn-out.
My humble opinion
Many stations are integrating both kinds of journalism. The two man crew goes out on the big stories that require the concentration of the reporter as well as the cameraperson. (I still think a two person team brings twice the brainpower to the story if it is done right.) The VJ reporter covers the quick and dirty events in the community. Perfect for the young reporter who wants to learn and still get some on camera time.
The upcoming introduction of VJ or CJ in Erie could mean that more reporters may leave the Erie airwaves and be replaced by neophytes. (another way to cut the salary load) Not because they want to…but because management has lost its mission with the viewers. They still haven't learned that really serving the viewers with quality content also leads to a greater bottom line. It is all ass backwards.
When we reach this point, we will find better coverage done by the students of the Millcreek and Erie School District. (And that is a compliment to the students)
"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/
Save WSEE News...Write to the station and then ask to inspect their FCC "public" file
81 comments:
Outstanding Topic! This one ought to stir up a lot of heated comments!?
...Let The Mayhem Begin!
Jack, where did you get this information about Jennifer Boresz? Please don't give us the runaround about "hearing about it on the street", or, "rumor has it". Tell us - did you hear this from her? I talked to her before she left and she didn't mention any of this.
Also, aren't photogs considered "photojournalists"? Photogs have been covering accidents, fires, murders by themselves forever. This is nothing new in a market the size of Erie. It may be new in large markets, but it's nothing new here. Photogs and reporters are both journalists, they just use different tools. And maybe they can learn to use each others' tools a bit to get more information to the viewers.
VJ in Erie TV is just as inevitable as voice trax were for Erie radio. As soon as union negotiations are back up, you'll see management demand that. Don’t count on the amount of original news content to double either.
This is a very scary transition that we are in. Traditional jobs in local broadcasting are quickly shrinking. You have to have multiple skills and embrace new technologies to succeed. The upside is that there are many other ways to get work in this field: niche cable networks, video content for web, business and even church/nonprofit video suites. You see quality guys like Scott Wudaga leave broadcasting because they can still pursue their passion and make much more money outside corporate TV and radio (and newspaper) in Erie.
Actually, you can make much more money just by having a good tape and leaving Erie. What keeps people here is strong connections to the community, family, and great work environments. The market is what you make of it. Again I say to those starting out: don’t just punch in the job, go for excellence. Be entrepreneurial with your reporting and producing. Use your degree to go deeper into what story you’re working on. We all benefit when you do great work.
"Let's get the story straight. Jennifer Boresz went to Toledo not because she was recruited and wanted to leave Erie. She left because of the planned move to VJ next year by SJL/Lilly."
Where do you get your "facts" from Jack?? They are WAAYYY off.
I don't disagree that technology will change the way reporters do business. But it shouldn't change the content for the sake of profit. I think we can have both.I never said that camerapersons or photogs where not also journalists. I said that the team works together to bring the best story possible. Someting will still be lost in the new process. You just can't help it. The mind and the hands can do just so much.
I just hope that VF/CJ is not used in every situation. Use it for what it is best intended for. Somehow the station's balance sheet doesn't fit as well with the viewers interest.
As for my source(s). I had two who do not know each other. Reporters dont' tell their sources and neither do I. Also Ms. Boresz, is not longer in this market and so what happens here cannot affect her. She made her decision and it was the best for her.
Other names will stay confidential as they are still working in the market.
If my facts are wrong...then enlighten us all but use your name...not your source.
Yes VJs are the coming thing, especially in a market as small and poor as Erie. One of the stations have already experimented with the concept and was not happy with it. Buts its coming, for better or worse, its coming.
All of the information in this entry about Jennifer Boresz and about SJL couldn't be further from the truth...get your facts straight from both the reporter and SJL before you choose to put them up on the Web.
The facts are straight. But if Lilly/SJL wants to comment, I have always said I would produce a post with their comments unedited (as long as the the language fits). They have yet to take me up on it and so their silence speaks volumes.
Jack, why should SJL respond to uncredited gossip on a blog? You never give sources (reporters from other stations, salespeople, a guy on the next barstool?), therefore, what you report cannot be verified. I'm not saying you need to name names, but at least be a little more specific than "two who don't know each other". Your statements cannot be taken as fact until they can be verified.
I am not going to endanger anyone's job by revealing my sources. Almost on a daily basis a receive a great deal of unsolicited information that I never print because I cannot verify it or that it would harm someone.
I have far more information than I can or want to print at the moment. I am very selective. You can chose to believe or not believe. That is your free choice. What I wrote has not harmed anyone currently in the market. That is one of my self tests.
Seems like someone at SJL/Lilly is a little thin-skinned.
If the story about going VJ is false then why doesn't someone at SJL/Lilly go ON THE RECORD and deny it?
They will not use their names or go on the record because VJ IS COMING! VJ IS COMING!
Jack doesn't have to name his sources.
Did Bob Woodward or Carl Bernstein name their source during Watergate? Didn't think so!
Note: For those of you under 40 Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein were the Washington Post Reporters who uncovered the Watergate Scandal.
Note II: The Watergate Scandal led to the resignation of President Nixon.
Note III: For those of you who think the only President America ever had was Bill Clinton, Richard Nixon was a two-term Republican President.
Note IV: Jack has been nothing short of fair and balanced with how he divulges information.
Note V: Toledo Ohio does not recruit reporters from Erie Pennsylvania. Jennifer went to Toledo because she wanted to go quality work - not haul a camcorder around!
Anonymous (adjective):
- without any name acknowledged, as that of author, contributor or the like.
- of unknown name.
See, there is nothing wrong with posting anonymously.
Okay smartass
Slander(n)
A malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report.
Libel(n)
A false publication, as in writing, print, signs, or pictures, that damages a person's reputation.
Hmmmmm....Better be careful Jack
Ok, under 40 here... actually under 30 for 7 more days and I know who eff Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein were. Slightly insulting of you to insinuate ignorance just because I haven't signed up for my AARP card.
MMMM. I didn't damage her reputation. I just enhanced it by saying she is smarter than the average reporter. She saw the handwriting on the wall and acted in her best interests. Can't blame her for that.
Now if you tell me that WSEE and WICU will emphatically not go VJ/CJ or not remove any photographer positions or reporter positions in the next 12 months. I will delete the entire post. The caveat is that you have to post your name to it or write me at my email address emgr@verizon.net.
Cowardice is not an option.
I was insinuating that most people in this Country do not know their American History.
I apologize if I offended you.
My turn
Cowardice(n)
Lack of courage to face danger, difficulty, opposition, pain, etc.
Kinda sounds like SJL Management
Smart Ass Anonymous should be very careful what they write. He or she always gets more negative attention and they have no idea the interesting people outside of Erie who read this blog. (Try a few potential buyers)
I kinda surprised at the reaction to this topic. Everyone in TV knows WICU/WSEE is going VJ next year.
It's in the budget. The savings have already been booked. I guess if a few neophytes want to believe they are still relevant then so be it.
The beautiful thing about Erie is it is very difficult to keep something a secret. I'm thinking the people that are pissed this got out and posting against it are SJL/Lilly Management.
Try this one
Unctuous(adj)
- Characterized by excessive piousness or moralistic fervor; excessively smooth, suave, or smug.
(See: MacDowell, Kevin)
Amazing how a word can capture the essence of an anchor.
Your Blog Is A Great Big "LIE!"
Lie(n)
An inaccurate or false statement.
Do you pray for forgiveness when you go to Church? Lying is a sin.
This fits
BOMBASTIC(adj)
High-sounding; high-flown; inflated; pretentious.
Sean Lafferty and David Belmondo are "BOMBASTIC" anchors.
This one applies to Scott Bremner
POMPOUS (ADJ)
Characterized by an ostentatious display of dignity or importance.
Wow! That one was easy.
MMMM...
When I go to church, our priest has as pray for everyone who has lost their jobs or will lose their jobs and for their families. It fits here.
Remember, it was a poster here who found the order for VJ/CJ that SJL/Lilly bought. He posted that last month. It's all the truth that's fit to print.
Jack
Whoever is posting the definitions of words please keep it up!
I haven't laughed so hard in a long time!
I love the blog! Absolutely love it! Thanks for the information and a good chuckle (or two)!
PHONY (adj)
An insencere, pretentious, or deceitful person.
The Chief Forecaster was a PHONY.
Would someone tell me what that last post means, Chief Forecaster? Is this about Weather or VJ?
I was taking a shot at the person doing the 6 and 11pm weather on the CBS station.
VJ can work. Look to Sports for the answer. On WSEE Gary Drapcho and K.C. Kanz shoot their own stories.
On WICU Mike Ruzzi and Jay Puskar shoot and edit their own stories. And, of course, on WJET Luke Simons and Bill Toth do the same.
I notice no decline in quality and the editing is crisp and sequential. To worry about VJ ruining the news is premature.
Simply embrace VJ. It can work. It will work!
Look at it another way. There are a couple reporters on air that take 90 minutes to write a story for the shooter to edit. With VJ they may have to actually get off their lazy ass and hustle!
Sports has made VJ work. News can too - if they actually give it a chance. Knowing the bozos doing news in this town they'll try and **** it up just to screw management!
I agree with the last post about VJ working.
The only people bitching about it are probably lazy reporters who would have to get off their asses and do some work!!!!!
VJ can be economical and work. Don't fear it. There are markets in size a lot smaller than Erie where the anchors have to shoot/edit/produce and report their stories.
On second thought, Erie's anchors would probably walk out before agreeing to ever lug an ENG Camera around.
Jack wrote "Remember, it was a poster here who found the order for VJ/CJ that SJL/Lilly bought. He posted that last month. It's all the truth that's fit to print."
Sorry, I can't find that post now (can you please provide a pointer to it ?) I know it's still on the blog somewhere [not trying to insinuate you removed it, rather that I keep overlooking it].
However, my point is: all you know is that the group owner bought some new ENG equipment. (One of the big complaints frequently heard is that they never invest any money in their local stations, so on the surface that order seems like a good thing). How do you know that the new gear won't be operated by a two-person reporter/photojournalist team, just like is done now ? What mandates one-person operation of this equipment which may inded be capable of it but is in no way restricted to operating in that manner ?
And yes, the on-air sports guys have been shooting their own stuff for many years now. Some people might say that shooting a couple minutes of B-roll at a high school football game is very different than producing a two-minute investigative package with interviews at, say, City Hall. Yet "one man bands" (VJ, CJ, whatever you want to call 'em) are working successfully in many larger & more demanding markets....for example, I believe that NY1 News in NYC (and probably other stations too) use them and have done so for quite sometime with no ill effects other than the mandatory teeth-gnashing from the rapidly dwindling union members.
Thanks very much.
The comment was made int he Jekle & Hyde post of a week or so ago. But here it is again as it was written.
"I can say this...SJL/Montecito has placed a large order with Panasonic for the next-generation of "hand-held" portable ENG Cameras. I discovered this on the Panasonic website after about an hour of digging around."
"Loosely translated, look for Scott Cook to become a VJ sometime around May of next year."
NY1 News does a fine job with one man band crews.
If you are ever in NYC take a look at the channel. If you didn't know the station was using reporters as VJ you could never tell the difference.
Investing in the station is good if the result shows up in an improved product. There is noting wrong with VJ and when used in the right context it gives the station great flexibility. Just as long as the purpose is to produce a better product and not a cheaper product.
I would like to hear the views of reporters on this subject. (Anonymously of course)
(As an aside... with so many anonymous posters, I looked in the Erie phone book and couldn't find a single person with that name!)
Thanks for reposting the quote which I couldn't find.
Once again, the first paragraph is factual. The manufacturer announces that SJL/Lilley is buying some of their products. So far, so good.
The second paragraph is, as far as I can tell, pure conjecture. Hardly something to hang your hat on. Yet you seem to imply it is "fact".
Has SJL/Lilley publicly stated or othrwise formally announced that they intend to use the new equipment with a one-person reporter/VJ ?
Otherwise, you are indulging in guesswork. Nothing wrong with that, andyou may very well be correct, but please make sure to idntify it consistently as such.
No different from the "standards" you expect the local newsies to uphold.
I always thought the unions at 12 would prevent one-man bands. Boy, in the old days, the NABET union hounds wouldn't let reporters and talent in AFTRA touch the gear. There was a huge seperation between duties. Has the union gotten mushy in protecting the work of those that it represents?? If so, the guys paying union dues are wasting their money.....unless they look forward to being a VJ.
MMM. I have been waiting fro SJL/Lilly to say anything about digital/HD etc. Please read carefully. I said that the one reporter left because of her perceived decision that SJL/Lilly was going VJ.
However, I have had many confirmations of that from other contacts so don't play games.
I never said it was about the VJ but are you denying that your staff is not upset at the possibility or that photogs may be retired or demoted like the CP at WICU? If you are denying it than come out and say it with your name. I have been fair about posting all opinions even when they don't agree with mine. And my name is on it.
I give you credit. You aren't afraid to post your name to an opinion. Kudos for that!
I remember the old days at Channel 12. If you weren't Union and you flipped a switch you got your ass handed to you on a platter by the union.
Back in the day the WICU Union was probably the most powerful union in the city - if not the country.
Guess the current union leadership is more interested in sucking up to management to save their own job? The hell with anyone else's!!
Back when SJL/Lilly purchased WICU their first General Manager was Gary Sortir. Gary was ok. He was from a station in Texas - Amarillo, I believe.
Gary was forced out because the WICU building renovation went $350,000.00 over budget. Anyway, Gary did something that will always endear him to SJL - he effectively eliminated NABET Local 28 as a source of friction with SJL.
Gary got the Union to make concessions they NEVER would have made to Great Lakes Communications/Lamb Communications.
It's a shame. NABET (Now NABET/CWA) 28 was a very powerful union. I guess you could say Gary Sortir and SJL/Lilly neutered the Union!
What was the magic wand SJL waived to make Union opposition go away?
The Union made life miserable for WICU ex-GM Clarence Paoella (God rest his soul) back in the late '80s/early '90s.
I guess certain people can be bought/intimidated into submission?
Something really stinks here. I guess some people really do have a price?
The Union at Channel 12 was a very good union. Name another station in town where you had some engineers/photographers making $42k/yr!?
That's right..$42k/yr! The Union was very good to us. Mr. Lamb and Mike Csop treated the staff very well. Mr. Lamb passed away in 1986. I believe Mike is still alive and well. SJL should ask him how treat its employees. He would tell them a thing or two.
The Union is weak because the union didn't have the balls to stand up to SJL. I sincerely hope the rumors about payoffs aren't true.
What the hell does the Union have to do with VJ/CJ????
If you can't get along with one another then take it outside! (Looks like there's some nasty backstabbing and ill feelings on Upper State!?)
What this really points out strongly is that the management does not have very good people skills.
There is a right way and a wrong way. As a management person, I handled 117 union employees in 11 offices. I worked with the union closely and learned that paying extra attention to each and every person sometimes avoided a major problem later. If I did have a personnel problem or was introducing and unpopular concept, I took extra time to assure each and every one that technology would not be a threat but would make their job easier.
However, in this situation, VJ is seen as a form of automation that is going to replace people.
From Hawaii, Oregon, Altoona, Erie and etc...Their people skills seem to suck.
No, management does not have good people skills.
If you read between the lines it seems there is tension with the union and between union members.
From what I have heard, the latest reporter hired this week at WSEE was hired as a one-man band...so we'll have to wait and see!
One-Man Band is code for "VJ!"
OK SJL/Lilly, time to tell the truth! It won't hurt - promise! The truth shall set you free!
(edit) People!!!!!!!! Keep it in the house. Don't you realize this blog is being read by people who live outside of Erie? This makes us all look like a bunch of inbred hicks! If you have a problem with management or a coworker then deal with it in-house...this blog is not for knife fights!
I sort of agree with the last poster. Infighting only helps management accomplish its goal.
You can express your hostility about the concept or what it is going to do to the quality of broadcasting, but don't take it out on each other. What was done was done. Now you have to unite and move forward.
"If my facts are wrong...then enlighten us all but use your name...not your source."
unlike you, I CAN reveal my source. It IS JEN BORESZ herself- a friend of mine. Who was recruited to WTOL.
I won't reveal my name, because I've seen what happens when people do that - you have harsh people on this blog.
It's a Bill Clinton Line.. but it depends how you define recruiting? Did she send a resume and a tape herself or did WTOL come calling unannounced? Both of my sources have said they are also friends. What does it matter anyway? She is doing what she wants to do... 2 person team journalism and hopefully a lot less frustration.
Here we go again! I'm glad your source is Jen Boresz, who was recruited to WTOL. Let's get this straight, a Television Station in Toledo Ohio said "We need a reporter...let's see what Erie, PA has?" I DON'T THINK SO! Nice going SJL/Lilly. A clever anonymous post saying that your source and friend is Jen Boresz - clever! Why didn't I think of that before??? Go Back To Fantasyland And Dream Up Digital TV and HighDef for all Of us! Nighty Night Sweet Prince! (If Jen is really your friend have her write to the blog and give her email address and station number at WTOL - where she was "recruited??" We don't like it when people make bull**** claims like you do!) LOSER!
I am a paying member of TVJobs.com
About 1 month ago I saw an ad for WTOL - a reporter position! (Imagine that!)
You have to be a paying member to access the job listings - but it is in there.
Kinda blows holes in the theory that WTOL called up Jen in Erie PA out-of-the blue!
Message to "Friend of Jen": If you are going to make ridiculous claims you should give examples to back them up! Simply saying that you are her friend won't cut it!
Hmmm, "Friend of Jen" is that the same as "Friend of Bill" (Clinton)?
Jack's sources are right on the money on this one. Ms. Boresz' silence (her right) speaks volumes about your "friendship"
Wait a Minute!
Jen is my friend also. Jen told me she left WSEE to go to WTOL because she "didn't want to be a one person crew."
She also told me she saw the ad for WTOL in TVJobs.com
There is MY source!
Keep Jen out of this. She left Erie because she wanted no part of VJ.
She's gone and she wants to be left OUT OF THIS DISCUSSION!
A lot of times stations post jobs after the are filled to satisfy EEOC requirements, or corporate requirements. Secondly, you need an open position to fill one. What happend was a former employer of Jen sent her tape to toledo, and toledo contacted jen. It was not a resume tape, but a tape that jen was asking to be critiqued. She was not looking for a job, and one did find her. Some may not consider that recruiting, but the essence is that Jen was not looking. There are the facts.
I have reason to believe that the second to the last poster is correct in what she says about Jen's feelings.
SoI am going to do something that I have not done before. While you may continue to post your feelings about VJ/CJ to this thread, I will reject any future posts about Jen Boresz.
I think that Jen should be allowed to enjoy her new job in a 2 person team in peace.
I worked in a heavily unionized Erie newsroom back in the late 80s early 90s and hosted a weekly feature.
Back in the "good ol' days" there was no such thing as a dedicated post production editing suite, except for commercial production.
So, if I wanted a polished look to the franchise, I was forced to do an "A-B roll" to execute a dissolve. Simply put, an A-B for those that don't know is the sequencial editing of a story on two tapes with built in black back-timed from the clock that you run through the switcher in post production. Timely yes, but the end the result was good.
I ran into much opposition from the NABET guys...until I told them that if I couldn't edit my own stuff then they would have to learn how. I quickly got a pass to do my own editing and although I didn't need the skill on my next move into a larger market, (a non-union shop), the skill came in handy on days when I could jump in and help edit a show.You would be suprised just how many reporters don't know how to edit a simple VO in major market TV, but I could.
The moral here, the more you can do in TV the more marketable you become.
coming from an outsider in florida, you guys are pretty funny. its good to see the markets ive been to arent the only ones with lots on in-fighting.
as for the vj/one-man-band debate, i cant believe youre all surprised by this. ive seen bigger markets go to one man bands and im shocked it didnt happen to erie sooner. im certainly not saying that its right, only that its not a surprise. in the market im currently in (west palm beach, fl - market 38) our competitor (wpbf, abc affilaite) is going to one man bands with small, digital, tapeless cameras, just like i read above.
anyway, thanks for the enjoyable posts and keep up the good work.
For those that may have seen a certain post here, I had second thoughts about keeping it posted.
This thread was about to turn into a dating service or a sex hotline.
There are other options on the net to tickle your bone. Not here.
Was the post you removed naming names?
The post I removed did use some names but had nothing to do with the subject.
I remember a time when "VJ" stood for Video Jockey. A popular term among the "Early" MTV Generation like myself. MTV? Oh yeah, that channel that used to play music videos. It's now "MPTSRTV" (Music issues, Political issues, Teenager issues, Sexuality issues, Reality game shows - Television.) I really hope that "The Tube" music video channel catches on in smaller markets on cable or on HD sub channels. That could be "In the year 2525" around Erie.
Above post...
That is an interesting observation on how times and terms change in the same business.
I hope everyone understands I am not againt VJ. Like many posts said, it is coming if we like it or not. The trick is to use it wisely and in the right circumstances. A killed reporter is not necessary and skilled photog and visa-versa. But there are times when a story doesn't need an in depth telling and a simple stating of the facts with appropriate pictures is enough.
Even with a two person crew, there is no guarantee you will get more than the basic story. The key is the experince of the crew and the direction of the news director. That is why the newspaper has reporters and photographers on staff. costs more... but the readers gets twice as much info for their fifty cents.
Going back a bit to all the union talk, I think if you have (or think you have) an issue with the union leadership you should talk to them. Thats the only way to find out the truth, not just sitting and specualting on things and starting rumors about payoffs and kissing up. In my opinion its a great thing that the company and the union have a good working relationship...more gets done when the two get along than when they are at each others throats, we all benefit from that.
To above poster, I hate to say it but you may have started another war that I don't want to see.
I wouldn't exactly say from my reading on this post and a few others in the past that "its a great thing that the company and union have a good working relationship." I would hope that it were true. Only the management and employees know for sure.
I sure don't one way or the other.
They aren't rumors. It's true! SJL bought off the union!
At least that is what I think. What would you call it when someone gives someone $10,000 to make something go away??????
LET THE WAR BEGIN!
So it is true! No wonder that certain union leader was able to afford that house.
The union at Channel 12 isn't a union. What good is it if you suck up to management? You just screwed everyone you ass!
You are making quite a serious insinuation about a local union official receiving a large sum of money.
If true, wouldn't it be an investigatable offense under RICO (Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations) act or some other statutory law ? [I am not a lawyer and don't even play one on TV, HD or otherwise] In any case, I think the US Attorney General and Dept. of Labor would be very interested in learning what you seem to know. Have you reported it ?
On the other hand, if it isn't true, then you shouldn't be making such claims even in jest on a blog. That sort of malicious nonsense can ruin people's lives or at the very least cause everyone a lot of problems which are unnecessary.
Well then why did this individual go into a certain office and say, "Whatever you need to accomplish I get help you get it done"????
This is nothing new. A lot of people know about this meeting and the subsequent "benefit" to a certain person. This person loves to rant about "Corporate greed and Arrogance."
Erie is a very small town. At least a dozen people I know of have information on this. Those were the people this individual helped SJL get "rid" of!
(SIGH!) Here we go again!
I see we veered way off topic once again. Someone must have ADHD?
Just once I wish this Blog could go one whole week and stay on point. That may be asking too much. I guess there are some people who work in TV that perhaps should look for a new career?
A few days ago I wrote in a comment that your guys in the union can't keep going over what happened in the past when the future is at stake right now.
Your argueing in this thread only helps your bosses to finish the destruction. You guys and gals have got to pull together. It is the only way to save what is left.
Jack,
Even though you did not publish the union official accusation, you allowed it on your blog. There could be some legal ramifications if this is found to be not true. If I were that offical, I would be talking to an attorney right now! I hope, for your sake, you have proof.
Don't you play thatgame again. Who was the union official that was talked about? Can you find a name? Aren't there more than one union official associated with the union?
If a name had been used in connection with this thread in the subject you are talking about, I wold have edited it out. However, it was not used. I don't even know which station they are talking about since the union is at two stations with the same owner.
The official would have a hard time proving that they were talking about him unless he or she points to himself.
Don't be an ass.
Jack - who's the ass here? Obviously the posters were referring to WICU. They said "SJL" in their posts. Even thought they have the same parent company, WICU and WSEE are not owned by the same company (technically!) ICU is owned by SJL and SEE is owned by Lilly. People who work at SEE don't say "SJL" when they refer to their owners, people at WICU do.
Well since Brian by his own admission, directs both stations, I couldn't tell one from the other. How the employees refer to each of the station's is something only they and you know from the inside.
I see that you have been in the blog 22 times so far today. I just pinged your computer. Interesting. You don't work for a living?
Jack
I wouldn't worry about that last anonymous poster trying to threaten you. There have been so many union officials at WICU and WSEE I lost track so long ago.
I honestly thought the posts were referring to WSEE. Isn't WSEE owned by Lilly - which is owned by SJL. There you go! Don't get scared by someone trying to show he has a big prick! Wait, I think he could be a prick! A real annoying one!
If he threatens you again we will all testify that you were very non-specific. If people get nervous by what was posted then maybe there is a "hint" of guilt?
We've got your back!
Erie Bloggers
Dont worry. A lot of people are not happy at all with their union representation. A lot of people lost their jobs because of SJL/Lilly/Montecito - they change their name so many times makes you wonder if they are in (edit)? What it all comes down to is the union had a chance to stand up to corporate greed. The owners have deep pockets (even though they like to pretend they are piss poor) and want to keep their 30 pieces of silver for themselves. The union knows they did something wrong. The union would have a lot of people say that they lost their job because the union failed to act in its fiduciary duty - the preservation of employment.
Fiduciary(adj)
- of, based on, or in the nature of trust and confidence.
Are we back to the definitions again?
Back To the future!
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