Working As A Team

[cadencefilm]

the reporters i've had the most respect for have been the ones that think of our collaboration as a team from beginning to end. shooting, writing, fleshing out the story. . . and braving the elements.

last night around 1am while covering that winter front crawling across the country, i found myself standing on the side of a dark county road up to my ankles in water that was starting to crust over into ice on top and sleet pelting my face while i pointed my camera at the latest fatal wreck.

my reporter sat snug in the live truck with the heat blasting text-messaging friends as to what bar to hit once her shift was over.

am i just being petty? i understand and accept that our job requires us to stand in miserable conditions some times. i'm cool with that given that those experiences are balanced with the access we're given to more favorable things we'd never get the chance to see in any other job.

does anyone else have reporters that regularly suffer with you when the weather turns to sh!t, or do the majority run for the shelter of the live truck?

[servo]

Reporter should have been gathering info. at the scene and trying to round up some sound while you shoot. I sometimes tell the reporter they can stay in the car and stay dry/warm if I'm just grabbing some b-roll. I play nice so they'll buy me lunch.

[2gigch1]

Be sure to shoot video of the reporter in the car text messaging friends. If the reporter has a problem with being videotaped then likely they are the ones who are behaving inappropriately.

[goodfoot]

Much like carrying the gear, standing outside of the car while getting these kind of shots is always appreciated....but not expected. I WILL ask a reporter to step out and watch for traffic if I feel it is a safety issue, but if I am just getting real estate I wouldn't expect them to be cold and wet just because I am. It's part of the job.

The best reporters I have ever worked with have all been next to me while I was in a difficult situation, and it has always made the story better in the end. Maybe because they can write to the video from first hand experience...or maybe because it makes the process feel like more of a team effort and there is a true colaberation between two people.

It has been my experience that reporters are under far more criticism from managemant about the end product. They are also the face of the story for the general public. If they get a fact wrong or tell the story in a way the subject doesn't like, they hear about it...immediatly. I get to anonymously go home, enjoy my time off, put it behind me and do it all over again the next day. They are also under a contract that may or may not be renewed depending on how some corporate guy likes how they look, sound, or maybe they want to hire someone younger for less money who doesn't mind shooting and editing their own stuff!

I keep these ideas in my head whenever I get discouraged that they make more or do "less" work. (physical)

[Dave.B]

I've honestly never quite understood the mentality of so many photogs that seem to think that reporters are an overall waste of space.

Yeah, I've definately worked with some that are...but then, I was green at one time too and I'm sure that the reporters that I worked with didn't think I was worth my weight in salt either.

I guess the big difference between the two respective jobs is the fact that most photogs want to grow in their craft while some of the reporters are only interested in "face time".

I worked with one gal who had nothing on her mind except for impressing her friends with the fact that she was on tv. She was the one who voiced a package at the station while I set up a live shot...brought me the tape then directly went to a friends to drop off a birthday gift. She got back to the live shot with about five minutes to spare only to find out that she was too stupid to actually voice something on her own and had given me a blank tape.

Those are the type that I definately have a problem with. However, if they have gathered their information, then there's no reason for them to stand out in the cold or rain just because I am. That's my job and sometimes I have to suffer through the elements to get it done.

[svp]

When I was in OKC, nearly all the reporters wouldn't get in the truck until I could on those cold nights. They didn't have to stand out in the cold with me but when I told them to get in and get warm, they'd tell me it isn't right for them to sit inside in the warmth if I couldn't. Needless to say, I always respected that and, even on my worse days, wouldn't give anything less than 100% on my stories because I knew the reporters deserved that from me.

[NEWSSHOOTER3]

Yeah, that kinda sucks. But, as with most any "team" situation, it is my job to gather compelling pictures and meaningful natural sound. However, in most cases involving a "team'' effort, it is NOT my job to gather information. That is the job of the reporter and should be left up to them. If I do my job, yet the "team" comes back with nothing to write to my pictures with, that is NOT the responsibility of my half of the "team", nor my problem. :cool:

[Shootblue]

The problem isn't the team. It's her being selfish and worthless. And it sounds like mostly worthless.

[shade]

if im out on the side of the road shooting b-roll then he/she better be out watching my back for traffic.....as for other situations its up to them but if they miss sound while sitting in the truck, then its not my gig. for the most part i have encountered very few that are like the ones newsshooter's talking about...

[cameradog]

The way I always saw it, part of a reporter's job is to look good on camera, and part of my job was to make them look good. To that end, I never saw any point to the reporter getting out of the truck just to be outside. I had to get out in it. Why should a reporter ruin her hair or his suit just so I don't feel lonely in the rain? Why get all cold and end up sniffling or with a red face during the live shot or standup later? That's stupid. Sure, there were times when the reporter really needed to get her ass out there and gather information, but as long as she had done what was necessary, I had no problem with her waiting in the car.

It's not like they could help me much, and truth be told, it was easier for me not to have to look out for them or keep track of where they went. On such occasions when the ones who felt guilty would get out, I would usually express my appreciation and then order them back into the truck.

[cadencefilm]

. . . is how i'll explain most of my motivation in creating the thread. you guys are right: there really is no good reason for them to step out in the rain if the information has been gathered, other than maybe to watch out for traffic or help stop something at a scene you might otherwise miss.

thanks for the well needed recalibration of philosophy.

[ewink]

Easy solution. Take the keys with you. :)

[NEWSSHOOTER3]

...for the most part i have encountered very few that are like the ones newsshooter's talking about...

Thankfully, me either... :)

[A Step Above Productions]

Most reporters and producers I have worked with “suffer” with me. And those are the ones I send back to the truck telling them they don’t have to be out there if they don’t want to. Most stay out with me to part of the team.

It’s the ones who stay in the truck with out saying a word that drove me crazy. What I would do in those situations is take the keys with me, and if it were cold I would open all the windows and doors. If it were hot I would take the keys and close up the truck.

Then I would walk as far away from the tuck as possible – this way if the reporter wanted the keys they had to hunt for me. If they called my cell phone I simply would say I got the keys come get them.

Now if the reporter asked “do you mind if I stay in the cat?” Then I have no problem.

Don’t get me wrong I don’t mind if they stay in the truck – especially if they are setting up our next interview and gathering info. I don’t expect them to be by my side at every moment – just be part of the team.

It is my job to get the pictures. And I want them to sty clean and dry, it is their face on TV.

It is just a respect thing - respect me and what I do, you don't have to get out just to get out, but ask if I need a hand outside - most often I don't and I want then in the news truck.

[ADOG]

I worked with one gal who had nothing on her mind except for impressing her friends with the fact that she was on tv. She was the one who voiced a package at the station while I set up a live shot...brought me the tape then directly went to a friends to drop off a birthday gift. She got back to the live shot with about five minutes to spare only to find out that she was too stupid to actually voice something on her own and had given me a blank tape.

How did you all come though on this situation? Did the ND find out?

[fotofinish]

It was mid August, just after Hurricane Charlie savaged Florida, we did our morning live shot at a mobile home park that was flattened. As the day progressed, we headed to a local elementary school that received considerable damage. The temps were in the 90's with very high humidity. You step outside of the live truck and you would be drenched. It was nasty hot. I told the reporter to wait in the truck while I got B-Roll. She said, "Hell no. How can I see what you shoot if I am not there with you?" Wow, I thought to myself, a reporter who gets it. Unfortunately she left for greener pastures in PR. M-F and 9-5, with a better salary. I miss her.

[AlexLucas]

Was it really, really cold?
Were they having a bad day?
How many bad days have you had?

Remember, we're all human, and we're trying to get along.
Also, when people get cold, it is demoralizing. It's downright horrible. It makes them utterly miserable. These things happen.

Wanting a reporter to suffer with you is well, intellectual selfishness. If they can't help you, they can't help you. Better that they be warm and happy.

Remember to be a good person above all. It's not always easy thinking the best of your fellow man, it actually takes effort to not go negative, and you will be dissapointed, a lot, but this is the only way to make friends, and be one too.

[shoot da parrot]

The worst is when a random stranger comes up to the two of you as a team and says to the reporter "I don't know how you do it being out in the weather all the time." I have to bite my tongue. Like they were out in the weather......only for the 1 minute they were on air.

[B&T]

This is why covering hurricanes are fun. It's the one time the reporter is standing out in the elements and the photographer is inside shooting out.:D

[Dave.B]

How did you all come though on this situation? Did the ND find out?


Actually, she left soon after for selfish reasons so it didn't make much difference in the long run anyway.

[SeattleShooter]

I hate to say this...but all those times when I was out shooting when the reporter is keeping warm in the truck...I dont care. It got to me a long time ago but I just gave up caring. I would rather stay cold then move in and out of a warm truck. Because each time I get out, it feels colder. So...if she/he wants to stay in the truck...I dont care. I just do what I need to do to get my job done with or without the reporter. (that is the VO part. SOTs better be with the reporter.)

[Shooter in the Ville]

I like to take the keys to the car with me. Not because I want the reporter to suffer, but because when an interview subject comes along and the reporter jumps out of the car but doesnt want he purse stolen, she or he hits the lock button. Then I ask said reporter, "did you get the keys out?" The answer will be "NO". Then we both suffer in the cold and rain while the truck runs and we are locked out waiting for someone to bring another set of keys.

[Turdpolisher]

I always tell my reporters to stay in the truck. I don't need them holding my hand on the scene. Besides, I do enough bitching for the both of us. Somebody's gotta have a clear head when the live shot hits.

[SeattleShooter]

I like to take the keys to the car with me. Not because I want the reporter to suffer, but because when an interview subject comes along and the reporter jumps out of the car but doesnt want he purse stolen, she or he hits the lock button. Then I ask said reporter, "did you get the keys out?" The answer will be "NO". Then we both suffer in the cold and rain while the truck runs and we are locked out waiting for someone to bring another set of keys.

On my lanyard I always have attached the second keyless entry doodad (FOB I think its called). Then, if the truck is on and locked, I can get in it.

[Shooter in the Ville]

We don't have nice things like second keyless entry doodads for our live trucks. Just the key.

[ShootinNewz]

Doesn't bother me at all because we photogs do the same but don't even notice it. Theres been plenty of times I as well as others (i'm sure) have sat on ours while the reporter went into a sheriffs office to get info, or knocked on a door while we waited in the car as they were pelted with blowing snow. Come on, I don't expect a reporter to freeze their @$$ off alongside me in a blinding snow storm because I have to shoot something thats pisses me off like a CAR WRECK, either should anyone else! Maybe your just pissed because they make more $$$$, aren't we all!

Turn the tables, would you do the same? Hmmmmmm, I would, LMAO

Its nothing to loose any sleep over or pop Xanax for.....

Happy Holidays peoples!