…and that’s in the news
Growing up, I watched NBC4 and the Today Show every morning while getting ready. Every night, I watched NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. While school is in session, I consume my news through YouTube — mostly the Philip DeFranco show. I love watching VICE news on the weekend for in-depth, international segments. Journalism has always been of interest to me.
As part of my high school’s production crew, we broadcasted live shows every morning for the announcements. I was the producer for two years and as such, I managed an audio technician, prompter operator, graphics, assistant director, assistant technical director, technical director, director, three cameramen, and two anchors. Since my sophomore year of high school, I knew that I have always wanted to go into news.
Job 1: Writer/Producer for FOX, Washington DC
This position allows me to produce news segments for on-air and online content. It combines the two things I want in a job: broadcasting and social media. As mentioned before, I have experience in a traditional newsroom using equipment like a Newtek Tricaster and JVC Studio Cameras. I currently have an internship with the UMBC Athletics Communication Department (Go Retrievers!). We livestream games and provide live updates on Twitter. This is giving me experience in fast-paced environments because anything can happen in sports. I will take and apply this to breaking news segments.
The other part of the job is social media and digital content. My internship uses Twitter sparingly but I am hoping to expand the brand. I can bring what I know about YouTube and Facebook videos to this job. I could use more hands-on practice with social media, especially Twitter and Instagram. I like studying social media and the effects it has on the public so I know what to do in theory but rarely have the opportunity to apply that knowledge.
Job 2: News Producer for Weigel Broadcasting, Chicago, IL
Weigel Broadcasting is a Chicago based company that operates network and independent television stations. This job allows me to work exclusively with
on-air content. The listing requests a producer for both in studio and field productions. I have no experience with field producing but I want to change that. I would rather be on the ground producing news segments from a truck than in a studio. I may not have the experience but I certainly have the drive to learn.
The listing also mentions experience with “editing software is a plus.” I am strongest with Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Premiere Pro but I have experience with Final Cut Pro as well. There are parts of Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Audition, Illustrator) that I have little experience with and want to improve so I can create better, well-rounded content.
Job 3: Producer for NBC News, Washington DC
This job allows me to produce segments for the TODAY show in Washington DC. I would pitch ideas and shoot/edit my cuts. I used to make pre-recorded news segments every week for the live news show in high school. This listing prefers knowledge in editing systems like AVID. I know Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro but have no experience with AVID. Another software mentioned that I have no knowledge of is iNews, an AVID product. These are things I can pick up on the job or through online tutorials.
I need to learn the process of booking and contracts for interviews as well. I do not have experience dealing with the legal side of news broadcasting. Most interviews I have done did not involve booking and contracts. I know how to set up, shoot, mic, and edit an interview but I am unsure of what forms I need signed. Hopefully, I will learn this through my internship with Athletics and later, ESPN3.
If I want to do what I love, I need a lot more experience working in production.
Job Ads:
FOX Television Stations. Job Ad. Writer/Producer. Posted 19 Aug 2017. https://foxtv.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=17000325&tz=GMT-05:00
Weigel Broadcasting Co. Job Ad. News Producer. Posted 1 Sept 2017. https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=23a361fa390565d6&q=news+producer&tk=1bp0evn3fa557fld&from=web
NBCUniversal. Job Ad. Producer. Posted 23 Aug 2017. https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGWebHost/jobdetails.aspx?jobId=379923&partnerid=25354&siteid=5108&codes=AD007
