Shoot, report, edit: The new TV newsroom
In the irresistibly titled post “Mama Don’t Let Your Photogs Grow Up To Be VJ’s,” WKRN-TV general manager Mike Sechrist tells us about the transformation going on in his newsroom in Nashville, Tennessee:
We began VJ training in July of last year. Four VJ’s and two trainers for six days of hands on work usually lasting from ten to twelve hours. Each class was mixed with two reporters or anchors matched with two photographers or editors. This was done so the reporters could help the photographers with their writing and the photogs could help the reporters with their shooting.
As the VJ’s graduated they returned to the newsroom and four more took their place. This went on for eight weeks.
There’s a nice silver lining, if they see this as a dark cloud:
One of the first questions asked by photographers, and it’s a legitimate one, is what about my salary. Am I going to be treated like a reporter now that I have these additional duties? The answer is, yes. Last week all former photographers who are now VJ’s were offered two year PSC’s, the same contract offered to reporters and anchors. We outlined how their raises were calculated and what their increase would be for the second year. We also made these contracts optional, meaning they did not have to sign them and could continue to work without contracts and would still get the salary increase.
Your back gets a break too:
What makes this system work is the equipment. Small Sony Z-1’s compared to the larger and weightier SX cameras used by most traditional photographers.
Tip o’ my hat to Regina for the link.
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