Need the 411 on WINK

[<looking in Flordia>]

Can someone tell me about WINK in Ft. Myers,FL. The pay gear etc. Why is the a great turnover there? Thanks

[PhotogFromFL]

the turnover is so high b/c we're situated in between 4 medium-large to large markets and wink has a good rep with many stations as producing good, creative photogs. the pay from what I've heard is last in the market. management is starting to shell out some money for new gear and other amenities(i.e.--new lights, steady bags, new vehicles) we use panasonic DVCPro cams with canon lenses. we just got a new chief a couple of months ago. other than that, the weather is great, there's lots of recreational activities around. nightlife stinks, but Tampa, Miami, and Orlando are 2 hrs away. hope this helps and if you have any other ?s send me an e-mail.
dswhitehead79@yahoo.com

[Currentchief]

No longer a formerchief, I am now the chief photog at WINK. The photog above (Hi Darren!) is correct. New gear, SUVs, cases, shotgun mics, light kits, etc. are arriving every week.

I'm doing my best to attract talented photogs from around the country. I'm realistic enough to know that most will move on to larger markets and I'm dedicated to helping my photogs do just that. All I ask is that they bust a** for me while they are here.

You can call and ask for any photog for further info, e-mail Darren or e-mail me @ rhansen@winktv.com.

BTW, we are looking for photogs :D see our website for details.

[<EXWBBH>]

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE MONEY GO TO WBBH.. THEY WILL GIVE YOU THOUSANDS MORE, AND YOU SHOOT ON SX CAMERAS AND DRIVE BETTER NEWS VECH'S = =SUV'S

WBBH HAS THE SAME REP FOR PHOTOGS AS WINK.

DON'T WAIT FOR WINK TO START "SHELLING" OUT MONEY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS.

YOU WILL BE DOOMED, I WORKED IN FT MY MYERS AND MY BUDDY IS THERE NOW.

GOOD LUCK.

WBBH IS A GREAT STATION, I LEARNED SO MUCH THERE!

CRAPPY REPORTERS IN THE WHOLE MARKET THOUGH, ESPECIALLY WBBH. SO GREEN THEY ARE YELLOW.
:cool:

[<WPALM>]

Originally posted by &lt;looking in Flordia&gt;:
Can someone tell me about WINK in Ft. Myers,FL. The pay gear etc. Why is the a great turnover there? ThanksWEST PALM IS A BETTER STARTERS FLORIDA MARKET.

CHOPPERS , GOOD GEAR, LIVE TRUCKS, OK REPORTERS, BETTER PAY. :cool:

[jbone]

I had a job offer from wink about 5 years ago and to my understanding and from what i was offered they try to pay you in sunshine. Just wondering if that is still true. How is the chiefs at all the stations in this market do they really help in the growth of there photogs, are there sessions with all the photogs or do they take you one on one??? what is the policey on sending people to the nppa workshop or do you need to have already attended. i am still in a smaller market and i am starting to find its hard to learn more creative ways in shooting, yeah i know mabey its time to move but i guess i am looking for the right place to go. thanks

[<Chief's Reply>]

WBBH is a fine station and no one will go wrong going there. They do pay more, I guess that's true. I'm not saying WINK is Heaven's gift to photogs, but it is a pretty good place. As to some of the other things:
- We have SUVs too: Jeeps, Escapes and Suzuki XL-7s. The remaining Escorts will be replaced in the near future.

- We have a Sat/Live truck, 3 other live trucks and a Helicopter.

-We are #1 in everything but mornings and that's improving, too.

- We do not pay for NPPA seminars, but we do pay for membership.

- About 5 days ago, I completed reviewing packages given to me by my photogs for assesment and comment.

- I have been here for 6 weeks and I am continuing to try for improvement in my staff. It will take some time. Six months from now, i expect to look back and see that improvement.

Lastly, anyone who wants to know more about WINK can e-mail me (address above) or call ANYONE at the station, producers, photogs, reporters- anyone at all.

Is WINK perfect? No. But I have worked in four separate markets in my 12 years (#140, 87, 13 & 31) and I preferWINKabove them all. In fact, Iworkedhere for nearly 4 years in the early 90's and I came back after turning down offers in larger markets.

There are much worse stations than WINK, but not many that are better.

Could we pay more? Sure, I guess. But WINK has little problem attracting good talent and less of a problem sending them to large markets 2 or three years later.

[<looking in flordia>]

What is the starting pay scale for someone that has been shooting for 15 yrs. I am looking for a place that is good to me and my family. I am not looking for a night life and all that. Just a place where I can make a good living and wife and kid can be taken care of.

[<FM Photog>]

The pay for the market is somewhere from $23K and up. wink pays the lower range and WBBH and the Fox pay higher ($25k+?). Cost of living is pretty low and the area is family friendly. But, you will not make a "good wage" here unless you are an anchor or mgt.

A better bet would be Tampa, Orlando or Miami or Jacksonville.

good luck. :)

[<looking in florida>]

Then tell me about Tampa. Who has an opening that is a good station to work for?

[<FM Photog>]

I don't know. Check the websites or call the stations. All the stations except for WFTS seem pretty good.

pay is around $37-40k/year to start. that's a guess, though.

good luck!

[<Sunny>]

I heard Jacksonville doesn't pay munch higher than Fort Myers. Isn't Fort Myers one of the fastest growing Markets? You're market 70 now. This was a mid 80's market a few years ago. What is the DMA projection in the next couple of years?

[<EXORLANDO>]

Originally posted by &lt;FM Photog&gt;:
The pay for the market is somewhere from $23K and up. wink pays the lower range and WBBH and the Fox pay higher ($25k+?). Cost of living is pretty low and the area is family friendly. But, you will not make a "good wage" here unless you are an anchor or mgt.

A better bet would be Tampa, Orlando or Miami or Jacksonville.

good luck. :) Stay away from Orlando, they are starting photogs at 28k now!! Cost of living is way too high in O TOWN!!

Apts run $700-800 a month

Tolls on every freakin road

Gas is pricey

Everyone needs to strike Orlando untill the market will up the pay!

Tampa isnt much better either! You still have to run live trucks in Florida "Largest" market!!

Come on man!! Shoot for Miami if possible - ( Just not WSVN) the pay there is the same as W Palm.


Good station start photogs at 50k plus OT and you dont have to mess with live trucks.

[<mk>]

I worked at WINK in the mid-90's and it was the best thing that ever happened to my career. I worked there two separate times under two different chiefs, and there is something about the place that helped to develop a love for shooting, and I learned more there than anywhere else I've worked. Yes, the pay isn't great, but if you're looking to move on, the money will be there when you move up, which is easy to do. WINK has a great reputation nationwide, and if I'm not mistaken, they were the first to try out the IMIX Cube non-linear editing system in the country. Great place to work, definitely recommend it...

[<wrong>]

you are wrong about tampa
fox 13 wtvt has truck ops
so there is a mix
you don't always have to run your own truck
if your on the big story you will have help

for you others
the pay could be higher but the cost of living
is MUCH cheaper than miami

[yensidone]

I have worked for both WBBH/WZVN and WINK... I like WINK much bettter. I am now the "senior" Photog on the WINK-News staff.

We as Photojournalists get more respect at WINK... The Naples/Fort Myers market is great though. You can't go wrong by coming here.

As far as gear goes WINK has the best in the market and it is getting better...

In the last month I recieved (and all I did was ask) a new steady bag, run bag, molded IFB, and Rycote softie.

The new toys are coming in by the truck load.

Like I said you can't go wrong wht the market... if you have a choice go to WINK&gt;