Phoenix anyone? [Archive] - b-roll.net FORUM

05-02-2003, 01:56 PM

Phoenix is in a mode of transition. Ratings wars are at an all time high. Channel 12 is still the dominate station in ratings, but it is perhaps one of the worst stations to work for in personal satisfaction and quality of life. Photographers have been part of their mass exodus mainly due to their Chief. He is one of the most disliked people on the streets out here. Channel 5 has the best photography staff and I believe the best pay. The ratings are all over the place, sometimes finishing 2nd and then next week finishing dead last. Channel 15 is kind of a joke. Their photo staff is respected though. Channel 10, the fox affiliate is poor and just plain bad. Money is not their strong suit. Channel 3, the Belo station, is perhaps one of the worst T.V. stations in the country, but they fair o.k. in the ratings. Pay here is the worst however, many of the photogs are newbies making chicken scratch. Money is so varied here. It really depends on which station and what you have to offer. ranges from 23,000 to 50,000. Good Luck.

<Hmmm>

05-03-2003, 08:52 PM

Originally posted by <CameraShy>:
Channel 3, the Belo station, is perhaps one of the worst T.V. stations in the country, but they fair o.k. in the ratings. If by "okay" you mean "number one for most of the time they're on the air with news," then, yeah.

LE French

05-04-2003, 12:25 AM

Since it appears someone has an axe to grind with KPNX and it's staff, I would like to smooth the edge. There is no need to bash the other stations because there are great photographers and wonderful people at all of them, and each station in the market brings their own advantanges and flaws to the table. All of the stations are pretty evenly matched interms of resources---helicopters, sat trucks, fleets of live trucks, new cameras and adequate staffing levels.
At KPNX, what most preceive as our deepest flaw is also our biggest strength. You would be hard pressed to find a place where people work harder---we do two packages a day without exception and photographers run their own live trucks. Sounds tough, it is, but so are we. The pace we work at also creates a strong sense of team work between photographers and reporters as well as knowing we can lean on our fellow photogs for support and assistance to get the best stories on the air everyday. Unlike alot of stations the size of KPNX, we do not have that division between the "untouchables" and the grunts. All photographers do special projects, general assignments, sports, features, and pitch in when the editing staff needs a hand. We are presently moving over to an all Avid editing system and tapeless playback. As for the exodus mentioned earlier, a few years ago when KPNX went to the "news of the day" two PKG run the truck style, there was a portion of the staff who was not on board with it and left. Most moved up to larger markets---San Francisco, Houston, LA, Minneapolis. Once you work at KPNX, you can handle anything. We are an undeniable #1 at 10pm and 6pm and the 5 is a coin toss between ch. 3 and us.
Westcoast, if you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at lfrench@kpnx.com.
Lynn French
Assistant Chief Photographer
KPNX-TV
www.azcentral.com (http://www.azcentral.com)

05-04-2003, 03:19 AM

Why does ABC15 always have openings for photogs? What is the deal there? Should I avoid sending a tape?

05-04-2003, 01:24 PM

yes, stay far away from abc 15! alot of people are leaving that hell hole and moving on, thinking there should be about 5 more openings for photogs soon.

05-04-2003, 03:17 PM

PHX market was the bomb. I just interviewed at a station there for the Chief job and I can tell you I was turned off big time.

From the calls I made now only two great photo staffs are in town: KPHO (CBS) and KNXV (ABC). The big nationally known shooters have all left KPNX to move across town to KNXV. Both staffs have top quality storytellers, but sadly the market is moving away from that kind of emphasis on photography. Run and Gun, Breaking News, Infotainment pieces, and countless other consultant crap.

KPHO is running out top photographers to make way for just a run and gun shop with pay in the 30k's. KNXV was heading in the write direction withi doing more people oriented stories and hiring quality photogs. I think only 3-4 now remain only after a year. Why di this happen, from my research it was just poor management all around. The chief has no clue whats going on, he's a yes man to management and only cares about the cake shoots he gets. The station would be better off putting someone with years of experience behind the helm like Julie Jones, Jim Manely, or Gannon Hubler. Said to say, they realize the goings on in the market and at their stations and I wouldn't be surprised they leave.

Yes, from what I have heard from the inside is expect alot of opennings at KNXV and KPHO because the photogs are fed up of beinging over looked, overworked, underpaid, and have great prospects on the horizons out of the market.

Don't go there if you love shooting and storytelling you'll be misserable. Do your research!

05-04-2003, 03:24 PM

KPNX has to bow be the worst station. I also applied for the Asst. Chief job and I was turned off. The CP was just an arrogant mother, who thought KPNX was like it use to be although he did tell me everyone was overworked at the station.

He seemed like a total yes man, infact he wanted this position to bridge the gap from management to staff... to tell them that his hands were tied for everything. Probably a Gannett thing. The job was offered to me and I turned it down because all of the negative vibes.

LEFrench is most likely glad to be a middle-manager and is loving the title for her resume! Stay away from KPNX it's full of smoke an mirrors.

05-05-2003, 01:15 PM

I stand by my earlier posting. It looks like others would agree.

05-05-2003, 07:06 PM

Two words about KPNX: Psycho ND!
It is a "slap it together, put it on air" shop.
Just do it in 110 degree weather.

Winters are awesome

<zebra_bars>

05-08-2003, 09:40 PM

What else can anyone tell me about the Fox in Phoenix? Since it's an O&O, it sort of surprises me to hear that the product is bad or that money is not their strong suit. Aren't O&O's pretty generous about money & resources?
The Fox O&O in Tampa, for example, has 28 photogs last I'd heard.

05-09-2003, 03:50 PM

From what I understand, they are not fixing or purchasing any new equipment....the old stuff is pretty bad. I saw one of their live trucks and it looked like it had been patched together with bubblegum.... there wasn't even any editing equipment in it. As far as salaries go.... I just know what a few guys are making over there....and it's not pretty. Something like really low 30's. Thats tough in Phoenix.... They also do a ton of stories a day (story count). This severly limits the quality of their stories...feel free to disagree with me if anyone knows differently.........

<zebra_bars>

05-09-2003, 06:15 PM

Originally posted by <CameraShy>:
As far as salaries go....and it's not pretty. Something like really low 30's. Thats tough in Phoenix...Not to disagree that low 30's is not a great salary, but it's a lot higher than what I'd imagined. When people talk low salaries, I normally think low 20's. Would low 30's really be tough to live on in Phoenix, or is that just if you have a wife and kids to support? (which I don't).

05-09-2003, 10:34 PM

30k is low. there are sleepers at kpho and knxv who are in the 40k-50k range and they are not just vets... topnotch storytellers. i know someone who just left knxv who was making some bank. as for the stations, from an insider, they don't pay. it's just a sh%t maket, and we all are trying to get out!

05-09-2003, 10:45 PM

knxv is just f-c&!#. they got talent, the best in town, but it's all but gone. don't care if you make 40-50 it's not worth it. they can't keep good talent because they treat them like crap. i left more than a year and a half ago and it has gotten worse. they make you work doubles 2 out of your 5 days, then complain about overtime, don't let you get lunch, and when you get a quaility piece they make you edit it in 10 mins or knock it to a vosot. dosen't sound bad.

the chief just watchs his butt and none of the other photogs. the last hires have been really cheap i heard. one guy was hired fresh out of school... he broke the mast of a live truck... they kept him... and dropped a camera... still there...

but to a quaility photog who was loved by the reporters, and all of his awards... they treat him and others like crap.

beware.

05-22-2003, 12:57 AM

Originally posted by <CameraShy>:
Channel 3, the Belo station, is perhaps one of the worst T.V. stations in the country...That's a pretty strong statement, could you elaborate on that? In what way or ways is it "one of the worst in the country?"

tarzan

05-22-2003, 09:44 AM

Originally posted by <onewhoknows>:
30k is low. there are sleepers at kpho and knxv who are in the 40k-50k range and they are not just vets... topnotch storytellers.What do you mean by "sleepers"?

05-22-2003, 10:09 AM

This totally bits! I am looking to move to either Phoenix or San Diego, so far all of my research has been in Phoenix. I am from a lower market and would not mind a starting salary of low 30k's for starter as long as I can get closer to 40's or 50's with in a few yrs. Where I'm from we work hard and have a good team work ethic between the photogs. So far what I'm reading about Phoenix is very disapointing!

05-22-2003, 02:39 PM

Can someone elaborate on why Channel 3 was described as "one of the worst stations in the country?"

05-22-2003, 03:08 PM

All I can think of is my experience with them. I had been talking to the chief there to go check out the station, I kept in contact with him, the few days before he never responded to my messages and when I got there he basically blew me off so I took them off my list. Part of my job is watching some of the Phoenix news and I can tell ya that some of the morning lives that I have seen from 3TV are not well planned, I saw the photog's shadow one time, another time I saw live shot where the background was a white van, the reporter who was african american you could only see her eyes and teeth, and the interview who was fair skinned looked black. I was surprised since they are market 16 and I am at market 172.
I checked out channel 5, KPHO, they chief there was very coureous and was appolojetic that he did not have more time to show me around. I watched him cut a package then he gave me a small tour, then he had to go to a live shot.

05-22-2003, 07:34 PM

The reason people say channel 3 sucks...is complex.The station has a few good photogs...they work very hard and they are happy in an environment where most are underpaid. The station fosters an attitude that says..."say what you want about my abilities as a storyteller...but f you cos we're number two here and the top indy in the country." I work here in phx and I will tell you that from a serious photojournalist and storytellers point of view the product is horrible...however it works and they kill in the ratings. If you like to help produce and write as well as edit...tough luck. The stellar staff of just out of college editors will be more than happy to cut your pak. You can offer to cut it but you won't be given the time...the station has too much news content to give you ownership. Your live shots will be teched by live drivers so you rarely run a truck. So if you are an okay shooter and are kinda lazy, but want to work in a good ratings shop...go for it. The station does not have an NPPA member I can think of...and while that is not the be all and end all....trust me the storytelling needs help. And another thing...quite possibly the worst staff of reporters this side of Gulfport, Mississippi. Though I will say the chicks on the air are hot....though their storytelling is about as lively as a box of hammers.

Amanda Hugankiss

05-23-2003, 01:05 AM

Originally posted by <Looking>:
All I can think of is my experience with them. I had been talking to the chief there to go check out the station, I kept in contact with him, the few days before he never responded to my messages and when I got there he basically blew me off so I took them off my list. Part of my job is watching some of the Phoenix news and I can tell ya that some of the morning lives that I have seen from 3TV are not well planned, I saw the photog's shadow one time, another time I saw live shot where the background was a white van, the reporter who was african american you could only see her eyes and teeth, and the interview who was fair skinned looked black. I was surprised since they are market 16 and I am at market 172.
I checked out channel 5, KPHO, they chief there was very coureous and was appolojetic that he did not have more time to show me around. I watched him cut a package then he gave me a small tour, then he had to go to a live shot.

Amanda Hugankiss

05-23-2003, 01:34 AM

Why does 3 suck? In my opinion as a photographer, since this is a web site dedicated to photographers not NEILSON is they do not seem to put much if anything into to telling a great story through video that is theyre managements fault I would have to think. As far as the photogs Ive met from 3 theyve all been nice and professional and yes they have hot chicks playing the role as reporter gotta love that...

<hiya>

05-23-2003, 05:02 AM

Why does channel 3 suck? Photography doesn't matter there, and most of their reporters are straight out of Arizona State. Phil Alvidres says "I can teach a pretty girl to report, but I can't teach an ugly girl to be pretty." So basically he cares more about his reporters being hot and blonde than whether or not they can tell a story. Yes their numbers are good, but their storis are crap unless you like wathcing 2:00 on what the hottest new hair style is. The photographers aren't given the time to do anything right, they just run and gun. So consequently, most of them don't even try. Don't get me wrong, there are some great guys shooting over there, and some of them are great shooters when they want to be.

As far as KPNX goes, HEY LYNN!!!!!GET OFF THE HIGH HORSE! Everyone knows anyone that could shoot over there left. Yeah you guys work hard, WAAAAAA! So do the rest of us.

FOX 10, so they're an O&O, big deal. They finally got some new news cars over there last week, after all their fleet was pushing 200k or more. For a while they had 1 working live truck. They started the Beta SX conversion, but after 4 cameras, FOX pulled the plug on it.

KPHO - has the best photogs in the market right now. The chief is trying hard to bring in more talent. They have some real good reporters, good equipment, and the backing from Meredith to try to win in the market.

KNXV - used to have a great photog staff. But the news director and chief have sucked all the life out of it. Most are looking to leave. As far as former KPNX greats Jones and Manley being there now, they're both in special projects and the investigators. Those departments are pretty much seperate from the rest of the newsroom, and never do general news anymore. They're untouchable.

05-23-2003, 09:53 AM

you pretty much hit the nail on the head. thats a good rundown of the phx market.

05-23-2003, 11:41 AM

I can understand the frustration of not being able to do good NPPA-style storytelling, or not being able to edit your own packages, or working with bad reporters, I agree with you all on that,

-but:

Originally posted by <reavie sorey>:
Your live shots will be teched by live drivers so you rarely run a truck.You've got to be kidding, right? Having someone else run the live truck for you on all those stupid gratuitous dog-lick live shots that the ND insists on, is a BAD THING?. I don't know about the rest of you, but I studied television journalism to shoot and edit stories, NOT to run a F___in' live truck. In my opinion, (in that perfect world that doesn't exist), a photog should never have to operate a live truck! Ideally, (again, in a perfect world), TV stations should hire people whose specific title is "live truck operator," whose full time job is to drive, operate, and take care of the live truck. I drive and run live trucks when told to do so, but if I would kill for the chance to work at a station where I never had to drive or operate another live truck for as long as I live. :P

05-23-2003, 03:36 PM

Dude ...never did I say that was a bad thing...I mentioned it as a fact. I would love to have a live driver for every shot. What I was getting at is that three tv is the only shop in the market w/ drivers. While those photogs loaf and smoke cigarettes....the rest of us hump it inour trucks and still put better storytelling on the air...but it doesn't matter cos the place w/ more stuff is in 2nd place....or at least that's the way they spin it. I may have been easy on three in my last post...so let me close by saying that for a top market ...theirs is the worst I've ever seen...you'll see better storytelling in Bend, oregon

05-23-2003, 07:48 PM

3TV is an independent so they have alot of newstime to fill. They have the top rated morning show in the market, and they battle for 2nd and 3rd in the afternoon and evening. They are more style than substance. They care more about what the hot young blonde reporter looks like. Who cares what she says or what the video looks like. The on air product looks like crap. Plus they pay photogs the least and run them to death. Every photog in the market works their a$$ off because its a highly competitive market. I wouldn't call their photogs lazy.

Amanda Hugankiss

05-23-2003, 10:42 PM

The best thing 3 has is truck ops. They not only help in doing the job they can save a life for when your really gunning (by yourself) and you feel you always look up for power lines it only takes one time to forget, that said its nice to have another set of eyes wathing you and your news cruzer at hand at all times for the all important run...The GRUMPY........

05-24-2003, 03:34 AM

Originally posted by <sparkster>:
Your live shots will be teched by live drivers so you rarely run a truck.You've got to be kidding, right? Having someone else run the live truck for you on all those stupid gratuitous dog-lick live shots that the ND insists on, is a BAD THING?. I don't know about the rest of you, but I studied television journalism to shoot and edit stories, NOT to run a F___in' live truck. In my opinion, (in that perfect world that doesn't exist), a photog should never have to operate a live truck! Ideally, (again, in a perfect world), TV stations should hire people whose specific title is "live truck operator," whose full time job is to drive, operate, and take care of the live truck. I drive and run live trucks when told to do so, but if I would kill for the chance to work at a station where I never had to drive or operate another live truck for as long as I live. :P [/QB][/QUOTE]

Shooters at WPLG in Miami are not allowed to touch the live trucks, only edit in them. :D It is a safety issue.

tarzan

05-24-2003, 10:35 AM

Which of the Phoenix stations now have Avid editing?

done

05-24-2003, 06:50 PM

god this is looking like a memphis post, what a bunch of catty bastards...
everyone loves to take shots at kpnx, well when your 10pm is double what everyone elses is everyone has to find something wrong...
and then "the place with more stuff" gets alot of "stuff" talked about them but while you wont get rich working there everyone i talk to enjoys there job over there...
i think most people who posted on this board must think the qualifications for being a good shooter station is you have two or three shooters that shoot everything you brag about, of course you have to brag about your great stories because you are the number eight and nine stations in a five station market...
my terrible bias against fox o&o in general doesn't grant me the correct vision to talk about channel 10... but they put a competitive product on air...
i will say this though, if the shooters at kpnx (and i mean the shooters now) where given the time the supposed "great shops" in this town were given we would really kill... in fact doing twice the workload i would take the day to day pepsi challenge with any other stations product... it comes down to this some people don't like our chief, why, because he expects us to bust our ass and he is not afraid to let people know who is the best in town, we do bust our ass, which is what is expected of everyone at our station, but if your not some huge bitchy egomaniac and actually work for the station and not yourself you get taken care of real well here... i don't shoot on 20 year old technology, i have enough lights to put on a broadway musical, i have a hot-pod, hell i have a lens hood and those seem to be in short suply at the other stations...
it is tough being number one, its alot easier to be number 4 or 5 and talk **** about us...

<CLT>

05-24-2003, 09:43 PM

Originally posted by <More Stuff>:
"They care more about what the hot young blonde reporter looks like. Who cares what she says or what the video looks like. "From this statement, does this mean the photographer doesn't have a say in the story they shoot over at CH.3? So, the reporters can act like primadonnas and pretty much get a way with treating photographers like crap because there is more emphases what the reporter looks like than how the story is told.

05-25-2003, 11:57 AM

i tried to stay off this thread as ong as possible, but it finally got the best of me. i think there are alot of good things going on in PHX. the stations all seem to have something special, all depends what your looking for.

if you after high quality, storytelling, time to craft a piece, intellectual newscast and the BIG J, then kpho or knxv would be the way to go. although i think it would be fair to say time is sometimes 45min to 30min edit. but when you get the jewels they work with getting you the time to put quality on the air. however on a down side they do have alot of turnover, change of looks, and format. in some ways they have become a joke. kpho is digging it'self out of that hole from what i hear and see. knxv is still the same; very sad for a station which used to be #2 and is now dead last.

kpnx, has a lot of history - good talent and as beau said maybe overworked staff. i believe they have the largest staff in town (25-27photogs) other stations are making do with 15-17. so long days and doubles are hat at other stations. kpnx and gannett are one of the granddaddies who always get a 20-35 share and even if all the snowbirds leave. they have a great product, i don't agree with the news director nor the chief photog; they sometimes are towing the company line alittle hard, they should just have fun.

KTVK, FOX10 alot of good people at each station. FOX10 is very FOXY. tons of stingers, page turns, graphics etc.... great look for the valley - not sure it would work in the midwest, but man it looks sweet. there photogs tend to be average around town. all are respected. handheld photography is mostly hits air. lot of axis cross, jumpcuts, sloppy mistakes every now and then.

if i had to do it all again, i would still got to kpho not knxv.
kpnx is not what it once was, look at who left julie jones, jim manely, bill fresh, and the list goes on. it was never my cup of tea to work over there just because i had different priorities.

05-25-2003, 12:21 PM

KTVK is channel 3, not FOX 10

NCM

05-25-2003, 12:36 PM

Botom Line - just go to where you think you will be happy. Phoenix is a good market to work, hot as hell sometimes, but its a good place. All the stations are different but the photogs at all the stations are cool. I worked at KPHO and KPNX and never met one "primadonna". If you think you would like Phoenix, send a tape, give it a shot. If you dont,dont.

05-25-2003, 06:55 PM

I worked at KTVK. My observations:

1. I enjoyed the place and the way I was treated. It was far better than the way most management treats photogs.

2. I liked having truck ops.

3. I shot a lot of spot news and liked that, too.

4. Everyone I worked with seemed to liked the station pretty well. The complained about the job a LOT LESS than the competition's photogs. So did I.

5. I was never told how to shoot or how not to shoot and I was able to edit anytime I wanted to.

6. The reporters, for the most part, did a good job and used the video we had in their stories, i.e., wrote to video.

7. We worked very hard and shot a hell of a lot. But I didn't mind.

That's what I noticed.

Shaky & Blue

05-25-2003, 07:49 PM

I wonder...

Am I the only one who thinks "Penis, Arizona," every time someone mentions Phoenix?

tarzan

05-25-2003, 10:30 PM

Penis, Arizona, that's good, I like that...

I'll post my question again: Which of the stations there now have either Avid or other NLE systems?

Also, which stations have marked news vehicles or which ones have unmarked?

05-26-2003, 02:25 AM

To answer your question about Avid. I was told KPNX switched to Avid this year. They now shoot on Sony Dv format. Im sure the other stations have some sort of system by now. They also mark the cars,at least at KPNX. I just saw the pictures a couple of weeks ago. Pretty wild decals. But to get back to Phoenix ? Yes I worked there,and yes I learned so much with my time in the desert.I came from Austin at the time,and was hungry and ready to learn. At that point KPNX seemed to be a good choice. 1994 was the year when I made my move out west. We were very competitive at that time.NPPA,AP,EMMY,you name it we tried to win it. On Friday`s we had a special called "Frame by Frame" in the 10pm show. We were required to have a story for that slot when it was your time. What a great way to build a photo staff,and push the edge. So you ask should you go out to Phoenix and give it a try. I say go for it. Yes things have changed,but every market has changed one way or another. If you think you will learn something,and become a better photojournalist. Then do it. As far as the other stations, I never had a problem with anyone. We had respect for each other,and yes Phoenix was very competitive. I still have friends that shoot out there,and they still love their job. So as I always say,and learned from my friend in San Diego."Keep the Passion"

Wally Crow/KPRC-TV

<boo-yah>

05-26-2003, 02:25 AM

All the stations have marked vehicles. KPNX and KPHO have "extemely" marked vehicles. The entire units are wrapped with giant stickers. KPNX is converting to AVID editing.

<boo-yah>

05-26-2003, 02:26 AM

All the stations have marked vehicles. KPNX and KPHO have "extemely" marked vehicles. The entire units are wrapped with giant stickers. KPNX is converting to AVID editing.

Amanda Hugankiss

05-26-2003, 11:10 PM

KPHO has been non-linear since the beginning of the year. A very smooth transition due to the chief editor and her staff, as for the other statoins I believe they are there or close.

azbrianhu

05-27-2003, 01:10 PM

<A.Y.>

05-27-2003, 01:27 PM

KPHO is all Avid.

05-27-2003, 02:44 PM

If you want a job in Phoenix,just send a tape. Check out their web sites for job postings. As far as shooting with sticks ? It just depends on the shoot. And if the your desk gives you the proper info for the shoot. Make a tape,and send it.Good luck.

Wally Crow/KPRC-TV

05-27-2003, 05:17 PM

What does Telemundo in Phoenix seem like on air and station wise? I hear they were bought by NBC anyone have any thoughts they can share? Thanks.

05-28-2003, 12:54 AM

I just graduated from college and I am looking for a job in the Phoenix market. I interned in Cadillac, MI. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about open jobs as photogs or editors and also what stations shoot mostly on sticks or off sticks No offense, but Phoenix is not a starter photog market. If you just graduated, you should try a smaller market first. 99.9% of the photogs in this town have been shooting for 5+ years and worked in at least one other market.

05-28-2003, 03:39 AM

What about starting as an editor, like an overnight editor

05-28-2003, 02:33 PM

I know several people that started out as an editor. So yes it can happen. But most of the photographers in Phoenix have worked in other markets. Before I went to Phoenix,I worked in a 150,and 60 market with over fives year behind me. But like I said give it a try,and start knocking on doors. Good luck.

Wally Crow/KPRC-TV

Shaky & Blue

05-28-2003, 02:57 PM

Since this kid asked, please allow me to divert this thread for a moment...

Originally posted by azbrianhu:
I just graduated from college and I am looking for a job in the Phoenix market. I interned in Cadillac, MI. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about open jobs as photogs or editors and also what stations shoot mostly on sticks or off sticksLast things first, most stations don't shoot "mostly on sticks or off sticks." That's usually an individual photographer's preference. You will have a few chiefs who are fanatical about sticks, and you will have a few stations where some idiot consultant convinces the news director that handheld = energy. Those are rare, however. It's usually just up to the photographer, so long as he or she brings back watchable images.

That said, I would strongly suggest you use your sticks whenever possible for at least your first six months. After you get skilled with the sticks, I would suggest you then start seriously developing your shoulder skills.

Now, on the job question, I agree that you need to go to a smaller market first. Starting as an editor in a bigger market is a real gamble. It has been done, but most don't. If you start as an editor, when you make the switch to shooting you'll still be a rookie. It's much better to make your rookie mistakes in a smaller market than a large one. Plus, by the time you get back to the large market level, you'll be making considerably more money than if you start there. In other words, starting smaller gives you more room to grow.

In looking for that first job, the Internet is now one of the best places to find it (other than word of mouth). Most job websites are free, but of the pay sites TVJobs is probably the only one worth the money. Here's a big list of sites with jobs:

Sites geared toward television journalism:

http://www.tvjobs.com/ (worth the $10)

http://www.emmyonline.org/SHList.asp

http://www.talentdynamics.com/jobs/index.html

http://www.journalismjobs.com/index.cfm

http://www.medialine.com/

Production:

http://www.productionhub.com/

http://www.employnow.com/jobpost.htm

http://www.maslowmedia.com/joblist.asp

http://www.mandy.com/1/filmtvjobs.cfm

http://www.showbizjobs.com/dsp_jobsearch.cfm

http://www.entertainmentcareers.net/sbjobs/

http://www.hcdonline.com/jobs/default.asp

http://www.jobsinthebiz.com/

http://2-pop.5thavehosting.com/cgi-bin/discussion/forums/communityjobs.cgi

State broadcasters associations:

http://www.tab.org/job-seekers.html (Texas)

http://www.tabtn.org/jobsearch.php (Tennessee)

http://www.pab.org/jobs.html (Pennsylvania)

http://www.cabroadcasters.org/tvjobs.shtml (California)

http://www.ilba.org/ (Illinois)

http://www.careerpage.org/jobbank/index.html (National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations)

Public broadcasting:

http://www.cpb.org/jobline/

http://www.pbs.org/insidepbs/jobs/index.html

Collections of newspaper help wanted sections (I usually only check these on Sunday or Monday--some interesting local listings here not found elsewhere):

http://www.careerbuilder.com/

http://www.employmentwizard.com/

http://www.al.com/ (packaged for Alabama, but includes newspapers around the country if you specify "other areas")

Note: When searching the newspaper sites, it's often helpful to include "-navy" or "not navy," depending on the search engine's syntax, to get rid of the myriad of listings with which the US Navy floods local papers. Search for "videographer" without excluding "Navy" and you'll get "Navy Navy Navy Navy Navy Navy Navy Navy Navy..." as they try to convince you to enlist.

Just for giggles:

http://www.adultstaffing.com/default.cfm

Be careful whose computer you're using when you visit that last one; it could lead to embarrassment.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread about Penis, Arizona.

05-29-2003, 01:26 AM

Thank you to everyone for your suggestions. Because of my wife I really need to stay in AZ, so I will check out other cities in AZ. Does anyone know how starting out at a production house translates into going into news.

<I-10>

05-29-2003, 01:36 AM

Tried Tucson? Yuma?

05-29-2003, 02:56 AM

Yes, I'v been e-mailing the Senior Photojournalsit at Yuma and there are no openings, but he said he would put me on file. I haven't really looked at Tucson and I think that there is at least a bureau or station in Flagstaff. Thanks for the tip.

05-29-2003, 02:19 PM

For all you crying photogs that complain about everything and have somthing to say about everyone else and other shops why dont you get a job in some small sleepy market where you belong, because obviously you dont understand todays news. Maybe you can go somwhere else and become POY. NPPA would never look at Phoenix for a POY they dont no how to work day to day, anybody could be POY if they had more than an hour to work on something. Another words shut-up and shoot.

05-29-2003, 03:33 PM

Hey nfocus...I got the message, but that was after wading through more spelling and grammar mistakes than the essay contest for the $100 dollar prize at "Darwin's waiting room.com". Dude...please spell and check that syntax...much love...

05-29-2003, 03:56 PM

Okay you're number one...hooray...I gotta say though, your homework is sloppy. All stations do about the same workload in this market. If it isn't 2 paks, it is a pak...anchor pak on yer own, or multiple vo/bites and a pak. Hard work in the heat is not exclusive to the big, bad first place station. Let me also issue a Pepsi challange to your staff...feel free to compare your stuff to other stations when it airs...I think you'll find the other products are slicker, better composed, and feature overall better storytelling. I'm not bashing 12, afterall we all do pretty much the same workload. I know it's two paks or more a day for you...but don't give me stuff you cannot back up. Great, you are the best in town if given the time and workload of other photogs...but yet I have no evidence of this. The only folks that get more than a couple of hours to do a story are spec projects folks and investigators. Nobody here gets all day to do one thing...it just does not break down like that. You are not in Memphis anymore. This market is competitive and features quality shooters at all markets. My shop is strong top to bottom and nobody rides coat tails here...we pride ourselves as being interchangable on most stories. Yeah its hot ...and yeah y'all work hard...but not any harder or better than the others. It's hard being number one...but careful...the fall is long and hard...even moreso for the arrogant who are celebrating the success of a newsroom they have been a part of for about 9 months...Keep your eyes open We'll be gunning for you...

05-29-2003, 04:00 PM

Yeah what'ev Alice and Chains if that is all you can say! than I must be right. Spelling and gramar is for producers and reporters!!!

05-29-2003, 04:06 PM

That's a joke...a pop culture/porn reference...too deep...I guess. I'm sorry my post name is that of a pretty hot looking adult film star. Maybe that makes me a pervert, but your stuff is still tough to read. I get your point though. I loved the band Alice 'n Chains too...but that was the '90's. late

05-29-2003, 04:20 PM

What I really want to say is that everywhere you look people are allways bitching about this bus. if you dont like it get out. There are a ton of other people who want in, so make room they diserve it. And for NPPA what a joke? All POY are coming from places like Mineapolis or Denver markets that are sleepy. so there you have it Allysin... Glad you enjoy that kind of stuff.

done

05-29-2003, 05:48 PM

Originally posted by <Hey Beau>:
...even moreso for the arrogant who are celebrating the success of a newsroom they have been a part of for about 9 months...Keep your eyes open We'll be gunning for you...[/QB]BRING IT, i wouldn't get on this site with my name if i didn't want a little comp... there is nothing wrong with a little trash, so lets see you out-shoot me...

but for everyone else reading this, phoenix is a great place to work wherever you go... i just think 12 is the place to be... so do the viewers...

05-29-2003, 07:53 PM

You don't have to look too far down the dial...I do it every day.

tarzan

05-30-2003, 04:39 AM

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what's POY stand for? :confused:

05-30-2003, 10:47 AM

Photog of the Year.

Tippster

05-30-2003, 01:55 PM

Originally posted by spray_it:
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what's POY stand for? :confused: Nothing important. ;)

But to rebut something said earlier...

Minneapolis and Denver - SLEEPY? Have you ever been there? I'd put the bad parts of those towns up against any hood in the country as far as danger. St. Paul was the residence of the most entertaining politician in the history of this fine country over the last few years as well. Now Yuma (AKA "Yawn"-a) on the other hand...

texshooter

05-30-2003, 02:06 PM

Originally posted by Tippster:
St. Paul was the residence of the most entertaining politician in the history of this fine country over the last few years as well.Jesse Jackson lives in St. Paul?

Tippster

05-30-2003, 02:55 PM

Originally posted by texshooter:
...Jesse Jackson lives in St. Paul?Wrong Jesse... I'm of course talking about "The Gov."

IMHO Jesse Jackson is a pathetic wannabe, the only one worse is Al Sharpton.

05-30-2003, 03:17 PM

Originally posted by Tippster:
quote: Originally posted by texshooter:
...Jesse Jackson lives in St. Paul?Wrong Jesse... I'm of course talking about "The Gov."

IMHO Jesse Jackson is a pathetic wannabe, the only one worse is Al Sharpton.LOL! Correct on all counts!

05-30-2003, 03:36 PM

From the threads I've read about KTVK ch.3 is the photography and the photographers really that bad in the market? I have seen some outstanding stuff from other stations on feeds and on NPPA tapes from Phoenix. Just wondering. I was turn down a job from there and I have a solid tape.

tarzan

05-31-2003, 03:27 AM

Originally posted by <Shotgunmic>:
From the threads I've read about KTVK ch.3 is the photography and the photographers really that bad in the market?Take a look at the video clips on KTVK's site, www.azfamily.com (http://www.azfamily.com)
It's not that bad, I think the other guys are just bitching because it's not agressively NPPA-oriented. Doesn't mean it's a bad station, certainly not "one of the worst TV stations in the country..."

05-31-2003, 11:57 AM

Originally posted by <nfocus>:
And for NPPA what a joke? All POY are coming from places like Mineapolis or Denver markets that are sleepy.It wasn't that long ago that several of the Phoenix stations did good, quality, (*gasp!) work and regularly appeared in the NPPA winner's lists.

12's ****head, L.A.-style news director really screwed up that market from a photography standpoint.

I'm glad I turned down a job there. I would've ended up shooting the bastard.

05-31-2003, 12:06 PM

That would make you POY to a bunch of people.

06-01-2003, 04:24 PM

I think channel 3 KTVK is crap. The photography is remedial. It's like watching poorly shot wedding videos. Anyone can point a camera and take a picture(or so THEY think.) Besides who are you going to have track it? Those moron desert bunnies that Phil hires over there? No one uses a tripod.... they are lazy...and I don't want to hear any crap about them needing to hurry because they put so much news on the air that they don't have time for solid video. They re-que everything and 75% of the show is CNN feeds. They are a diservice to our profession, are the key culprits in keep the market pay low, and their product is wanting in journalistic integrety and good taste. People ocassionally watch them ,however, much like jerry springer and car wrecks. Don't work there if you want a good career in t.v.

06-01-2003, 06:32 PM

Blatherskate, I like your style. Correct on all counts. 3tv sucks...n'uff said.

06-01-2003, 06:51 PM

People ocassionally watch them ,however, much like jerry springer and car wrecks.[/QB][/QUOTE]

Hey, I was looking at the belo web page and as of 5/30/03 it says, NewsChannel 3 is Arizona's Most watched TV Station. People must be watching Newschannel 3 on many occassions instead of ocassionally. If they are the most watched tv station, how come they are not the number 1 station in AZ?

06-01-2003, 06:57 PM

Originally posted by <shotgunmic>:
Hey, I was looking at the belo web page and as of 5/30/03 it says, NewsChannel 3 is Arizona's Most watched TV Station. People must be watching Newschannel 3 on many occassions instead of ocassionally. If they are the most watched tv station, how come they are not the number 1 station in AZ?Many stations who aren't #1 in the news ratings are #1 from "sign on to sign off" (so to speak) and they promote that fact over the fact that their newscasts aren't in first place.

<Jack>

06-01-2003, 08:02 PM

[/QUOTE]You've got to be kidding, right? Having someone else run the live truck for you on all those stupid gratuitous dog-lick live shots that the ND insists on, is a BAD THING?. I don't know about the rest of you, but I studied television journalism to shoot and edit stories, NOT to run a F___in' live truck. In my opinion, (in that perfect world that doesn't exist), a photog should never have to operate a live truck! Ideally, (again, in a perfect world), TV stations should hire people whose specific title is "live truck operator," whose full time job is to drive, operate, and take care of the live truck. I drive and run live trucks when told to do so, but if I would kill for the chance to work at a station where I never had to drive or operate another live truck for as long as I live. :P [/QB][/QUOTE]

Please. Get used to it, truck ops are a dying breed. Some stations are having single photogs running SNG's. Better get that experience under your belt.