KRON Veejays

[WildWest]

KRON employees were informed this morning of the general manager's intent to implement "veejays" or video journalists. Basically reporters who shoot and edit or one man bands. IBEW and AFTRA were notified last Friday.

[Buck]

Is that in addition to the 2 person crews?

[A/B roll]

I beleive they're called photojournalists. Don't you have to do it too?

[Jax]

So, what's the union response going to be? And does this mean they're getting rid of phojo's?

[WildWest]

Let me clarify:

KRON in San Francisco in an effort to cut costs is looking to eliminate 2 person (reporter and photographer) crews. Reporters will be given cameras and they will report, shoot and edit. This was not mandated to provide a creative outlet for the photographers but rather to eventually eliminate them.

I don't call this "photojournalism" I call it downsizing and dumbing down our profession.

[Sportsguy]

Originally posted by WildWest:
I don't call this "photojournalism" I call it downsizing and dumbing down our profession. In the end, will the people at home notice the lack of quality? I hope so- but don't bank on it.

[Buck]

Originally posted by Sportsguy:
quote: Originally posted by WildWest:
I don't call this "photojournalism" I call it downsizing and dumbing down our profession. In the end, will the people at home notice the lack of quality? I hope so- but don't bank on it. The people at home don't care anymore. They're all watching cable and you've seen some of the "quality" that is on there. Our industry dug this hole, now how do we get out of it?

[Run 'n' Get 'em]

Originally posted by Buck:
quote: Originally posted by Sportsguy:
quote: Originally posted by WildWest:
I don't call this "photojournalism" I call it downsizing and dumbing down our profession. In the end, will the people at home notice the lack of quality? I hope so- but don't bank on it. The people at home don't care anymore. They're all watching cable and you've seen some of the "quality" that is on there. Our industry dug this hole, now how do we get out of it? Don't put up with crap like this... Anyone work there and care to comment?

[QueenCityHillbilly]

Originally posted by WildWest:
I call it downsizing and dumbing down our profession. Why, because it's soooo difficult to interview somebody and shoot it at the same time?

[Run 'n' Get 'em]

Originally posted by QueenCityHillbilly:
quote: Originally posted by WildWest:
I call it downsizing and dumbing down our profession. Why, because it's soooo difficult to interview somebody and shoot it at the same time? Hey look everybody! Management is here!

[SoCalShooter]

I submit that the viewers can tell the differance between good production values and bad production values. I would go further in saying that the steady decline in viewers coincides with the steady decline in production value at the local news level. Whether they know it or not, people are drawn to pretty pictures. Thats why cable nets like Discovery and TLC have been succesful, good production on other otherwise dull subject matter has drawn viewers. Short sighted and lazy news managers have bought into Sportguys argument that the viewers don't care or notice bad video. That may be true when the poorly shot video is of something blowing up, but viewers will notice bad video on day to day stories and they will tune out.

[ May 10, 2005, 12:13 PM: Message edited by: SoCalShooter ]

[Buck]

I agree that viewers may notice "poorly" shot video. But how poor is poor? I've watched many shows on cable where the video wasn't stellar, but the story subject and the way the stories were put together made up for it.

People are tuning away from local news for a variety of reason. I can hardly watch my stations own newscasts because of the content. That wouldn't change regardless if the video is top notch or not.

[Golden Delicious]

I feel very badly for the Photojournalists that will be cast aside as Kron destroys their T.V. station. There are so- many logistical problems w/ what they are doing that I don't even know where to begin. Their coverage of news will be retarded to the point where they won't even be able to compete w/ local High School Television. The two man crew system is really the smallest you can cut an acurate news gathering team down to. Anyone who has ever been out in the field gathering news knows that. One person is getting info at one end of the scene while the other is gathering the pictures at the other. There is so- much you miss with your eye in a viewfinder and equally there is so much to miss when you never really "see" whats right infront of you. I argue that not only will it look bad, but that you won't make deadlines, break stories, and most importantly serve your viewing public what they deserve: accurate information. In a fast paced large market like the one Kron should be working in, it will degrade their credibility beyond the point of repair. They would be better off removing news internally altogether and get a local station to provide a reliable professional news product for them. Good Luck to all the people that will loose their livelyhoods in the process as KRON figures all this out for themselves the hard way. It breaks my heart.

[Buck]

Originally posted by Golden Delicious:
In a fast paced large market like the one Kron should be working in, it will degrade their credibility beyond the point of repair. Yes, but they'll be saving money. Isn't that what really matters? :rolleyes:

I'm anxious to hear from those inside the situation.

[Golden Delicious]

Yes, but in the long run, they will loose far more than they will ever save with a plan like that.

[Baltimore Shooter]

I guess for some, lessons have to be learned the hard way.

Warren

[Madman]

KRON had been a giant in that market for years. They have been a mighty NBC affiliate. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. It's been in motion ever since they lost their affiliation about 3 years ago. They can't keep their commitments. Commitments to their employees, their viewers, their sales clients, and their shareholders. What a shame.

[satpimp]

That Just Sucks! Sorry to anyone who's about to lose thier job. As to the snide comment about how hard it is to shoot an interview..that is exactly what the cable nets have done to joe sixpack... conditioned them to see news in the context of a bunch of useless talking heads. It is easy to do nothing but interviews with pundits and self appointed/annointed "experts". What about visual story telling? The power of our medium is being leveraged away and sullied all in the name of the bottom line. Yes it's a business, but when the powers that be stop seeing it as a business with a purpose, a power, or a responsibility, they doom us all to a commodity with no clients. Ratings are a target that can only be achieved when there is interewst in our product.

[John M.]

If two-person crews disappear why does that automatically mean that it's the photographer who loses a job?

If a reporter can shoot a story, why can't a shooter report one?

Is it harder to do both jobs yourself? Absofreakinglutely. In one of my freelance jobs (for a statewide sports network), I one-man-band stories so, yeah, I have some idea how much a burden it is to take on the entire task myself.

Ideally, we'd have highly polished teams outfitted with A-one equipment. But if the choice is doing two jobs or no jobs, I know which one I prefer.

[Baltimore Shooter]

The OMB concept is BS in itself. I mean you don't see Eva Longoria lighting her own scenes, do you? Of course not! You don't see Michael Schumacher performing his own pit stops do you, Of course not! DOes Emeral deliver his food products to the stores? Of course not! So why are they expected to report, shoot, edit, etc?

You won't see me doing that, unless I can shoot and be the General Manager of the station too.

Warren

[ May 10, 2005, 11:57 PM: Message edited by: Baltimore Shooter ]

[kutaway]

fyi I am totally against omb fulltime, every once in awhile we all have to go shoot a pkg on our own (alot of the time we do a better job than the reporter, but thats a different thread and time) and I dont mind it, we are all journalist's. but I agree with john m., why is it that the photog has to lose his/her job? in my travels, the photogs at the station have a better sense for the community than the reporter because they've been there longer, made it a permanent home (not worried about climbing market sizes) and know what it takes (video) to make the story visually appealing. "to all you future omb's in san fran, careful in gang bangs things can get really tough out there".......

[WildWest]

Well, I can shoot a nat sound package and have no problem if I'm being asked to do this. But the reality is that this is a "live" market. And doing a nat sound piece is much different than doing a live report on camera.

This is why the photographers will probably lose their jobs over the reporters.

No, it's not easy to shoot good, well-composed pictures and gather natural sound. But I don't think quality video is a concern. Looking well composed on camera is probably more important.

[SAwood]

the news is not about an in-depth story. it's not about community relations. it's not about making sure the employees are happy and have a future in the city they've put roots in.

It's about money. money, money, money, money, money, viewer and employee be damned. People are laid off so the GM can get a fu#$in raise!! If you think for one second that the company you work for gives two sh!ts about your, you are wrong. We are all expendable for higher revenews and that is the truth. I'm sure that even a third place station in a market the size of San Fran makes truck loads of money. when the photogs get laid off, who do you think gets that extra money???

The big bosses don't care about us at all, and they sure as s!@t don't care about steady pictures, sequenced video, or meaningfull nat sound. We do, because it's what keeps us going, and makes the job worth while.

this isn't at all an issue of how tough, or easy it is to be a one man band. this is about corporate greed from the top down to us, the ones who are being screwed every day. We work harder than reporters, gather (in my opinion) more than half the story, yet still don't get the pay or recognition we deserve, and KRON is proof positive of that. I do feel for anyone who looses thier job because some pig executive is looking to buy another goddamn yahcht or house, but you know what, that's the reality.

[kutaway]

wow!...listen you are part right about the downsizing and the bonus....but generalizing like that is wrong..there are stations out there that do give a **** (kmsp-minneap,wtvj-miami) to name a couple..as photogs we can control our own destiny with the right management. the key is earning our respect through our work. what surprises me is that it's happening at an established station like kron.

[imported_blank]

Of course the viewers care about quality.

Cameramen making claims that the viewers don't care are but a few cameramen masking their own incompetence of the craft. That gives them justification of not being "able" to perform - because in their minds, the viewers don't care anyway.

These are the same type of people claiming that the theatre viewers don't care regardless if the production uses multimillion dollar experienced full-film-crews or amateur handicam VJs to produce theatrical releases, But of-course the box office numbers state otherwise - millions and millions of people seeing the real film compared to maybe a few thousand of folks seeing the handycam film.

WildWest, if you're an employee of KRON, my sympathies are with you brother. Knowing well that the hacks frequenting here may slam n flame me for this - I will say it anyway. May the management and consultants responsible for this hackery, may they all burn in hell...

[Wideangle]

Yo Wildwest, next time there's a major news event,
who do you think will get the most viewers..
The one with the great video of the event, or the one with the "well composed" talking head?
It's teleVISION...If I want to listen to a talking head, I'll
go for the radio.

[Rad]

OK, what about breaking news? How does one of these VeeJays get on the scene, send back the video, set-up the truck, get on the air... Think about yesterdays situation in Washington...

[imported_blank]

Originally posted by Wideangle:
next time there's a major news event,
who do you think will get the most viewers..
The one with the great video of the event, or the one with the "well composed" talking head?
It's teleVISION...If I want to listen to a talking head, I'll
go for the radio. Actually the station that has BOTH "the great video of the event" and "the well composed" talking head" will win. That's why most stations pay for first response stringer video AND sent out a staff cameramen to get video AND sent out a talking head. Bonus viewer atraction for sending out the chopper. :D Anyone see the LA chase where the cops fatally shot the bad guy? Freakin great helicopters shots, kudos to the LA area stations for caring enough. Yep, its all competition driven. Ya gotta pay for the choppers, the stringers, the staffer techs and the talking head talent.

OMB my ass! :eek:

[Wideangle]

Ivan, the talking head is a given for everyone...
My point was what would you rather look at, a talking head? or compelling video with a voice
under it?? If we aren't picture driven in this industry, then what's the point? Get your info
off the net or radio...

[American lost in Canada]

In the long run with OMB I hope no one gets hurt. Shortly after WOI in Des Moines decided it would be a good idea to save money by laying off the shooters there was a live truck accident that nearly killed the two OMB'ers that were setting up a live hit. The two reporters injured were very talented people but bottom line is they did not have the right experience to set up a live hit, prepare their scripts, set up the camera, put on their makeup, run the cable, do their hair, and still not get hurt. I knew the people at WOI at the time and this really affected all of them. Especially the Chief who some tried to blame. It was not his fault. That was a situation that could have been different if Managemet wasn't thinking about dollar signs instead of the people who work for them.
Good luck to all those affected at KRON and may mgmt get what is coming to them.

[WildWest]

Actually when I talk about well composed video and good natural sound I'm not just talking about features and general news or talking heads.

I think in a breaking news situation it will be the photographer not the reporter who ends up with the best video. And it will be the photographer who uses the nat sound mic to pick up good audio of the police and fire crews. The type of spot news story that the viewer at home will see or hear and stop what their doing to watch.

I don't think the people at home will say to themselves "Gosh, KPIX has such well-composed pictures. Did you see that great shot of the crime scene? KRON's video is just awful" But they will notice overall quality. KRON's news content has been in decline for some time and the ratings have declined right along with it.

[Baltimore Shooter]

Originally posted by WildWest:
I don't think the people at home will say to themselves "Gosh, KPIX has such well-composed pictures. Did you see that great shot of the crime scene? KRON's video is just awful" But they will notice overall quality. That's been my point w/ the VJ and handycam stuff vs. BetaSP and other high quality video. They'll see an overall difference in quality and that will perceive the HQ one as being better than the low quality one even if they can't put their finger on exactly what the reason is.

Warren

[Noozer]

I talked with someone from KRON who says they encourage something called "clarity" news. The philosophy as it was explained to me is the less use of video, the better. It's basically telling the story with use of graphics, animations, etc.

The company also gives out awards to those who best execute this philosophy. No kidding.

[ewink]

Originally posted by John M.:
If two-person crews disappear why does that automatically mean that it's the photographer who loses a job?

If a reporter can shoot a story, why can't a shooter report one?Well, in my case, I am a visual thinker. I am a good photographer, but not that good of a writer.

I don't have the ability to explain six hours worth of school board in 1:15.

There are some photogs who are great writers and would do a great job as OMBs. I wouldn't not be one of them and there are plenty of other photogs who are great photogs, but wouldn't be g
good writers.

Plus no one wants to see me on TV and my voice is odd. I'd be the first one they layed off.

Thank goodness I have several back up careers!

[Deaf and Blind]

I think you are all looking at this from the wrong angle.
Don't think those fuc@rs are laying off photogs how about, well this could be a new business venture? Go out team up with a blowie (journalist) sound guy and work as a three person team get the good shots, lay down some good copy and cut your own news story then sell it to KRON or any other bay area, CA, or national station on a story by story basis. You can change the charge card to reflect single showing of the story, multiple use, state use or national use.
At the end of the week you divide up the money three ways (or the invoices paid) accordingly.
Initally your going to be poor but once the idea catches on you can become a marketable commodity to any broadcaster nationally. As your freelance your cost to the station is 100% tax deduction.
So you look after your own insurance, medical etc but as the saying goes from small acorns.
I would imagine old Rosenblum is positivly salavating at reading this news ready to put in his training pitch about how versatile the VJ is.
We all know it's total crap and the proof is in the content or lack of.
But it would be sweet irony if you were laid off and them re-employed as a freelance crew charging by the story on a daily basis shooting stories which are actually newsworthy and not just 1.15 pieces of chewing-gum for the eyes.

Think about it, do the math phone around and get feedback. See who would be interested in such a service. There has been flack on pre-cut stories from certain government departments, at least this way you can assure your potentual future clients you have no political or product pressure driving the content it's just news as it happened.

Still think this is a ca@p idea, think of how many stories every day that go un-reported think of how many stories you could shoot and cut then sell to interested parties as A VNR.
Yes that can be political or product related but your pitching to a company or politican not a news service. which means you charge more...

Make a weekly news round up for a cable channel or local station. It's time to make the dollars and cents for your own pocket not some slime ball in management.

When you get rich enough you can buy the station and fire all the fuc!{ wits who p!ssed you off in the first place. Now that is a nice thought.
:)

Remember you saw it here first kids! ;)

[newsdude477]

It will come back to haunt them. End of story.

[AKinDC]

Originally posted by newsdude477:
It will come back to haunt them. End of story. No, it's not the end of the story. It's not even close. I'm surprised by all of the "ostrich" responses on this thread...if we bury our heads in the sand and pretend it's not happening, then it'll fail and go away. One-man banding is not going away. It's just going to be happening more and more in the future. Stations save so much money by cutting half of the newsgathering positions, that they will be willing to sacrifice a little quality. And yes, I so say "a little". Remember, every student graduating from a serious journalism school knows how to shoot and edit, and with news directors getting so many tapes for each position, they will be able to find reporters that can shoot a passable story. Granted, they won't be as good as we could shoot, but they're not going to be the hideous messes so many of you seem to think they will be. So instead of ignoring the problem, we should all be working improving our games. If you don't know how to write, learn. If you you've never been on camera, set one up and practice. In the coming years, we better be able to do more than just shoot if we want to keep our jobs.

[photogtony]

The station I work at right now has a mix of OMBs and two people crews. And I was actually having a conversation with a viewer on wednesday of last week and was asking them if they had a preference and if they could notice a difference between the stations. They told me that they prefer the other stations in the market because overall their video is more consitant, a looks better. I take this as a good sign because it means the viewers can notice the difference and it does matter. I'm going to be very interested in seeing where this all goes from here.

[Mr MoOz]

Stil any word from anyone from KRON? Has this happened yet or is it now shelved?

[addixicon]

Dont know if this has anything to do with anything, but KRON has posted openings for Dir. of News Operations and also an opening for News Director.

[Curves Ahead]

Originally posted by addixicon:
Dont know if this has anything to do with anything, but KRON has posted openings for Dir. of News Operations and also an opening for News Director. So this "VJ" theory may possibly have a rather short shelf life? Hopefully for our photog. brothers/sisters @ KRON this is true.

[Terry E. Toller]

The theory behind this VJ thing is sound. HOWEVER,the content and quality of a video news package will suffer.

I have been working as a one man band for many years. I produced a local TV program that aired monthly for a year and I worked alone. I did many many interviews, by myself.

As a photographer, I made sure that all of the visuals in the story were good. I wrote my own standups and even shot two shots for interviews.

The program was very good and had quite a following. HOWEVER, I know that even with all the effort I put into the program, it would have been much better if I would have had a reporter to work with.

There comes a point when there is just too much to do and think of when working alone. If a reporter is taught to use a handycam, his choice when it comes to cutting corners will be the video. Besides, most reporters don't *think* in pictures like photographers do.

There may be a few VJs who excell in this experiment but I predict that even they will begin to cut corners before long.

Let's face it folks, we are an expense to management. Someone who can do it all is of more value... Even if what they do is not up to standards. The bean-counters don't care, the ND doesn't care, they only care about making money for the owners...

[SAwood]

my point exactly