411 on Ft. Myers [Archive] - b-roll.net FORUM

Gabounk

09-23-2002, 04:38 PM

Does anyone know about the NBC/ABC affiliate in Ft. Myers, FL? I am looking for info.

JoeSun

09-23-2002, 07:03 PM

They are both owned by Waterman Broadcasting. Kelly Monahan is the Cheif Photographer. Pay is from $18K to $22K
Great place to practice your skills and fine tune them for your next step-Miami or Tampa
Ft. Meyers is a nice place to live I prefer Naples they actually have a Naples Bureau that is the best gig!
The Anchors are nice and have alot of expereince if the pay was better I would probrably still be there. They use SX gear.
Wink is a bad station either and I beleive that they are looking for photogs. Good luck

<gedy>

09-23-2002, 07:04 PM

I just came from the CBS affiliate down there.. WBBH and WZVN is an alrighty station.. they get paid more then the WINK station photojournalist do.. but as for getting better and moving on.... GO.. you will learn a lot and it will enable you to get into a bigger market within a year or so. also.. if they try and make you sign a no compete contract.. hold off for as long as possible until you feel out the station.. but expect to go live a lot and do a lot of work. (and share Video with the other station as Waterman Broadcasting is a Duopoly.
But if your looking for experience with half decent pay.. go for it.. the overtime was awesome at WINK. but Im not sure about WBBH. Good luck.
Ohh they just got a bunk of new reporters in as the turn over rate in this biz is rediculous

Gedy

Gabounk

09-24-2002, 04:13 PM

Thanks for the replies. What is the cost of living down there. The pay rate isn't that different from Duluth, a little better. Right now I have a weekend job to help ends meet.

Raiderfan

09-24-2002, 05:01 PM

Gabounk, are you actually thinking of leaving the Duluth/Superior area? Besides Dan, you are the most senior Photog there. So are you working M-F 9-6 now? How has the transtition been with the new photogs? Do you have Wendy's old rig now?

<Gedy>

09-24-2002, 06:09 PM

They pay is about right 18-22 but with overtime (at least at WINK) you should be able to Clear 30 easy as long as your up for it. Also there is no State Tax so that helps out a little bit. For a one bedroom apt. expect to pay around 540 and up.. but try to get them to throw a washer and dryer in for no extra charge.. (plea the low pay) and sometimes they'll spare you and do it. (check out the beach club apt. Varidion lakes apts, Gulf Stream isles, Brantley Pines,and the Forest apt. (there the better ones in town)

Gedy

<DUO>

09-24-2002, 06:59 PM

great shop to work in!! DONT GO TO FOX OR CBS in that market!! the FOX station shoots on VHS = =thats right VHS ( digital) and the CBS drives escort wagons and pays you about $8.00 an hour.

Kelly M. ( the chief) is a sweet lady = =she loves to buy toys and good equip for the photogs. ( if you are on her good side)

the reporters i worked with there were inexperinced = you will do most of the work.

the news cars and live truck are brand new.

the gear is new == nice internal focus lenses with one piece SX cams.

make sure you wont take less than $25k a year, and prepare to make more than the reporters = =this is the only station in the country that pays the photogs more!!!!

you can live like a king on 25k a year in ft myers = =the rent for a 2 bedroom apt is about 700 a month in a nice part of town. ( no tolls, and no traffic!!)

Overtime is kinda bleak, as the market is NOT run-and gun == more NPPA - -no spot news really.

good luck - -stay 1 year then go to Miami, Orlando, or Tampa.

Good luck.

imported_blank

09-24-2002, 07:40 PM

Originally posted by <DUO>:
DONT GO TO FOX in that market!! the FOX station shoots on VHS = =thats right VHS ( digital)At TVspy I heard from a cameraman at that market shooting for the FOX afil that they shoot on D9 a half inch 4:2:2 - 50mps system that rivals digital-betacam. Saying they shoot on VHS is kind of like comparing the betamax comsumer format to digital betacam. Or comparing Panasonic's DVCpro-50 to miniDV.

Gabounk

09-24-2002, 08:30 PM

Originally posted by Raiderfan:
Gabounk, are you actually thinking of leaving the Duluth/Superior area? Besides Dan, you are the most senior Photog there. So are you working M-F 9-6 now? How has the transtition been with the new photogs? Do you have Wendy's old rig now?I am thinking about it. It looks like a great opportunity in a nice place. Yup, I have the day shift but no vehicle. We all rotate through on call now. We have a good bunch of shooters so the transition has been fairly seamless. How is life down there, Raiderfan?

<Gedy>

09-25-2002, 06:08 PM

Actually the CBS has half a fleet of Escorts and half a fleet of SUV's (escapes, jeeps, etc) and the FOX station shoots on SVHS (actually not much difference from VHS but whatever) life down there is alright.. all old people, no young ladies, and a lot of transiates. But the bars stay open until 2 am and you can buy beer at a 7-11 (not that 3.2% crap either)

Id say go dude. Just not to FOX. but WINK and WBBH would be alright.

imported_blank

09-25-2002, 06:40 PM

Originally posted by <Gedy>:
the FOX station shoots on SVHS (actually not much difference from VHS but whateverAs I said I got my D9 info from a shooter at TVspy.

However after I further investigation I found out that Wabash Valley Broadcasting, owners of network-affiliated television stations (including WFTX) invested over $1 million in JVC's D-9 studio editing and field recording equipment (for WTHI-TV WFTX-TV) to enable its stations to acquire, edit and feed local news in 4:2:2 component digital. The purchase included BR-D40 D-9 dockable field recorders paired with JVC's 3-CCD KY-D29 digital signal processing camera, SDI I/O cards etc.

According to Jim Borgioli, Vice President of Engineering for Wabash Valley Broadcasting "standards for broadcast quality are increasing, ... We investigated every digital format in the market before choosing D-9," ...at one of our stations, WNDY-TV in Indianapolis, we installed Digital Betacam. We could have certainly gone that route again at WTHI and WFTX, but the quality and value of D-9 made the decision for us."

Perhaps someone that actually works for WFTX-TV could clear this up, besides the Vice President of Engineering that is. Perhaps the D9 stuff didn't work out and they went back to S-VHS? That would be horific. Please nooooooo.

09-26-2002, 03:00 PM

I was offered a position at WBBH and turned it down like an idiot! They were offering really nice pay, and the equipment they had was top notch. Kelly M. from what I talked with her was a great chief and wanted nothing but the best for the phtogs their. In which case makes her a great chief!! They shot Beta SX which is nice, and everything they have looks to be in top notch working condition. All in all if offered again, I would go this time around.

As far as Ft. Myers, the place looked awesome! Didn't really stay long enough to acr=tually check out the night life, but have heard that alot of old people roam the swamp lands. But from what I picked up Kelly and BBH like to go out and party a few times.

I would say it is a smart move, plus it's Florida! You can't really go wrong in Florida, plus it may open up to some of the larger markets in Florida if that's your choice.

Josh White

Raiderfan

09-26-2002, 07:56 PM

I am thinking about it. It looks like a great opportunity in a nice place. Yup, I have the day shift but no vehicle. We all rotate through on call now. We have a good bunch of shooters so the transition has been fairly seamless. How is life down there, Raiderfan? That is a good thing that the transition was seamless. How are things with the new tower going? Do you have a new reporter yet to fill the spot vacated by Jana? Life is pretty good. I am enjoying the city of Mad-town a lot. (especially since the UW started school at the beginning of the month) Live shots can be a pain, as I am now having to do a bit of bouncing off buildings, which up there you know, you really don't need to do. I am finally starting to get used to the gear. The non-linear system here is not up to par with what you have up there, but the Live truck makes up for it. Plus I finally got to cut tape on a DVCPro laptop editor. That was cool. So a few more toys to play with.

06-30-2003, 11:24 AM

If you go to WBBH or WINK try to get into the Naples Bureau. Life in Napels is much better than Fort Myers. Fort Myers is really an "arm pit". Naples is much nicer... you will pay more for rent (I paid &900.00 for a 1-bed room).

But I loved it.

You will work more in Naples too... live everyday, but again it is worth it.

WBBH and WINK are both great places and as far as pay it all depends on you, and waht you negoiate.

D-ice

06-30-2003, 07:20 PM

All things considered......
Ft. Myers is a good move for any photogs'
career....
Get in, get out in 2 years.
Have fun and get a tan....
I work here and it's great....
....now if we can just get Bloodgood to stop talking about himself all the time....
Life would be great....
:D

A Step Above Productions

06-30-2003, 09:01 PM

I love it here, I work in the WINK Naples bureau and I have to say life is pretty awesome. I have been in Naples for over three years and am now the “senior” Photojournalist on the staff. I have worked in much bigger markets (Orlando, Tampa, and Palm Beach), and the people here in Fort Myers/Naples are great to work with and are very open to new ideas. From Reporters, Photogs, Management, and Assignment Editors all of them at both stations (WINK & WBBH) are always open to new ideas.

Anyone thinking about moving to the area I would have to say come on down. Whether it is you second job or tenth and you want to come to a market where life is a little slower. Fort Myers/Naples is the place to come.

If you want to make money well you wont get rich here but if you buy a house with the market the way it is you will make more money in two-three years with equity than you would make working in a much larger market. I have made more in the last six months on my house than I will make working all year.

whatsatripod

07-02-2003, 10:05 AM

Okay Dicepick, Now you know you are not going to get away with a smart A@@ comment like that with out any recourse. Don't think I haven't figured out who the heck you are. First of all how dare you drag my name out on a website!! How unprofesional can you get? As far as I am concerned you can bite me, and never expect a compliment on your work ever again you moron.

As far as the market it's a good market to grow in. You will learn a lot. The WINK vehicles are all being replaced. Moving to Suziki RX 7 SUV's. No More Escorts. Pay is low, they pay you in sunshine around here, but the OT is there if you want it.

whatsatripod

07-02-2003, 10:11 AM

D-ice

07-02-2003, 10:21 AM

To: whatsatripod;

Dropping the F-bomb in front of a new employee and telling them I'm stupid is ALSO a)rude
& unprofessional. You get what you put out.

2. Grandstanding in front of said employee by
handing out approval on my work, like i need your
blessing, is so over-the-top in the ego dept.
You need to chill.....

whatsatripod

07-02-2003, 10:29 AM

Attacking my work in front of new employee = unprofesional.
When I was showing IMIX and you make a snide remark expect me to comeback with an equaly snide remark. and lets take a poll around the news room on which photog people would rather work with????
Grandstanding I was not I thought you had a great package one people could learn from. Now that I see your not appreciative of that then fine. It's bad enough we get little recognition on good work figured it's nice to see another photog compliment it. Since you don't want that then I won't do it anymore.

07-02-2003, 06:36 PM

Dicepick,

What's the problem it sounds like "whatsatripod" was just paying you a compliment.

Since when is saying "good job" "grandstanding"?

Is your work so GREAT that you don't need a little praise once in a while?

I have to tell you I am one of the best if not the best Photog in my shop. And let me tell you I love it when I get compliments from my fellow Photogs. I give out the compliments too, in fact I just gave on to a Photog the other day and his stuff is more often than not garbage. But his story was great and so I told him... And you want to know what he told me? He said thanks...

So Dicepick let it go and kiss and make up with whatsatripod.

07-02-2003, 08:57 PM

mr.tripod....

1. Never stops talking about how great he is....
2. Never gives anyone a chance to get a word
in edge-wise...on any conversation...even the
when 2 people are talking and he runs across
the newsroom to join in...
3. ....has been asked, several times over the
past year to not do this.....

As far as who's more "popular"
I don't feel the need to live my professional
life having to be "popular". I refuse to live
my life like it's a junior-high-school
cheerleader-tryout. I'm here to do a job.
When you start to live the life of an adult.
Maybe you won't think it's so importent to
be "popular". Stop pandering yourself.

07-02-2003, 09:22 PM

Dicepick

It sounds as if you are the one with a problem. Whatsatripod was just I guess trying to be nice to you.

And no I don't car who is more popular at my station. But I would care if I were the last person people wanted to work with. If some one does not want to work with you, you must be doien something wrong... either you can't shoot, can't be perfesional, smell, or some thing else.

Its not about popularity but if people don't want to work with you, you're doing somthing wrong.

A Step Above Productions

07-02-2003, 09:38 PM

I work with "whatsatripod" and I have to say he is one of the top Photogs in our shop. Along with me, and one of our other bureau Photogs "whatsatripod" is on top.

Currentchief

07-03-2003, 04:54 PM

You both know who I am. This crap stops. NOW.

Jason Old

07-07-2003, 01:13 PM

Originally posted by Ivan:
quote: Originally posted by <Gedy>:
the FOX station shoots on SVHS (actually not much difference from VHS but whateverAs I said I got my D9 info from a shooter at TVspy.

However after I further investigation I found out that Wabash Valley Broadcasting, owners of network-affiliated television stations (including WFTX) invested over $1 million in JVC's D-9 studio editing and field recording equipment (for WTHI-TV WFTX-TV) to enable its stations to acquire, edit and feed local news in 4:2:2 component digital. The purchase included BR-D40 D-9 dockable field recorders paired with JVC's 3-CCD KY-D29 digital signal processing camera, SDI I/O cards etc.

According to Jim Borgioli, Vice President of Engineering for Wabash Valley Broadcasting "standards for broadcast quality are increasing, ... We investigated every digital format in the market before choosing D-9," ...at one of our stations, WNDY-TV in Indianapolis, we installed Digital Betacam. We could have certainly gone that route again at WTHI and WFTX, but the quality and value of D-9 made the decision for us."

Perhaps someone that actually works for WFTX-TV could clear this up, besides the Vice President of Engineering that is. Perhaps the D9 stuff didn't work out and they went back to S-VHS? That would be horific. Please nooooooo.I inherited the format almost two years ago and I will give you an insider's view on D-9... I am the current Chief here at WFTX and can tell you that when the equipment is working properly and the weather conditions are perfect, the pictures this stuff puts out is pretty darn good. I do believe that a few years ago, the company tried to make a good decision when acquiring JVC's D-9 (digital s-vhs). This format has not performed up to par for us here in Southwest Florida, though. Our gear is constantly in shop and sent out to JVC a lot! We are sometimes down a camera or two for months at a time! We've already had to wash our hands with two units that JVC cannot even fix. It is my belief that these units are not designed for everyday ENG use, especially in Florida. During some newscasts, our video on the air looks terrible with constant digitizing. We lose at least one or two stories every month. The cameras are also very heavy. I have used everything from 3/4", BetaSP, to DVCPro and this format has, by far, given me the most problems. Needless to say these types of problems are not conducive to a happy newsroom. This format might be good for a production type of atmosphere, but not news...
The good news is... We are in the process of changing formats. We will probably be carrying around Sony DVCam the first of the year, 2004. Our biggest improvement, however, will be in the form of editing. We will go all non-linear and air from a server. It seems to me that we're doing everything we can with the money we have been given. WFTX will soon be a "fun" place for photogs to work with the latest new equipment.
As for working for WFTX in general... Emmis is a great company to work for - the best I have ever experienced. They are throwing a lot of money at the news department this fiscal year. I think you can ask anyone in the market what they are paying for benefits and you will find out that Emmis has the cheapest and the best benefits. We have also bumped up photog salaries to match or better the rest of the market. We only have one newscast, which makes for more time to be creative and less stress. I have tried in the almost two years that I have been here to give the photogs all of the toys they want or need. Each photog has his or her own porta-brace run bag and waist bag. Neither of which anyone had before I got here. I've also bought shoulder cases for the cameras and mic stands - again, nobody had these. I'm also working on new tripods for everyone and sennheiser shotgun mics for every camera. This department was grossly overlooked for many years and I'm just trying to give everyone the tools they need to do the job right. I also try to critique everyone on a regular basis, which I think they appreciate. Most of all, I try to be a fair manager and I think if you ask any of my staff, they will tell you that this is true. All in all, I really don't believe that FOX is the dog in the market anymore.

Jason Old

07-08-2003, 11:32 AM

07-08-2003, 11:34 AM

Hey Jason Old...

I hate to tell you but no matter what kind of gear you guys have your newscasts will still look like crap. The pictures may be a little cleaner and crisper, but with the anchors, reporters, producers, and Photogs you have, you will still have awful newscasts.

I turned you down a few months ago... you came looking for me and I told you no thanks.

I watch your newscasts several times a week, and I am sorry it's a joke.

Your Photogs don't know what a sequence is, everything is off the shoulder, and shaky. There are pans, zooms, and pulls for no reason other than to do it. The Photogs don't even seem to know Photojournalism 101.

The reporters and anchors are also terrible... I have watched them interview people and wow, they don't even know how to ask proper questions, they are very “green”.

You guys are a joke... and no matter what type of gear you have and will have you will still remain a joke.

Until you get better Photogs, reporters, anchors, and producers you will be a joke in this market.

whatsatripod

07-08-2003, 01:15 PM

Talk about harsh. Turned WFTX down that was Brutal... Can't we all just get along???

A Step Above Productions

07-08-2003, 04:59 PM

WFTX may not be the most respected station in the market but I have to tell you the stories coming out of there lately are pretty good. Especially considering the fact that most of the on-air people are very new.

Jason keep up the good work over there.

Jason Old

07-08-2003, 05:16 PM

Hey "Turned WFTX Down,"
I don't believe I'm even giving you the respect of replying to your post... But, I do believe that I should stick up for a great station like WFTX...
It's funny - I don't remember ever offering anyone a job that has turned me down. And, with an attitude like that, I'm kinda glad that you, "so-called," turned WFTX down. Although, I'm not sure how it's possible without a job offer.
As for your comments about our station. I don't know who you are and don't really care. You have the right to say whatever you feel about WFTX. I don't really agree with you, though. I do believe that if you really watch our newscasts and compare them to even a year ago at this time, the photographers have taken big steps and have improved greatly. I will admit that we have some green people in the field, but they are also improving day by day. The best part about working at WFTX is the people, though. We've got a lot of great, personable people with great attitudes. The other great things about working at WFTX are: stock options and Christmas bonuses. How many stations have those anymore? Now, I won't speak negatively about the other stations in town, but I don't believe I'd want to work for anyone else in this market for one reason or another.
As for "Photography 101," you seem to be an expert - maybe you can come and give us here at WFTX a seminar. Heck, you can do the whole WFTX newsroom a favor and help everyone out, as it seems you're also an expert when it comes to producing, reporting and anchoring. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, but at least be polite about it.
I think what I'm trying to say is that having a great newcast or being the number one station in the market isn't the most important part of being happy in one's job.
By the way, I think anyone who doesn't have the guts to post as a registered member is (to use your own words) the "joke." This is not a forum to bash each other, it is to help out new photogs, enlighten old timers, talk about a bad day at work, seek advice on a station or new technology, etc, etc...
To: "Turned WFTX Down," a few words of advice... You cannot turn down a job without an official offer. With an attitude like yours, I wouldn't want you on my team anyway. Having the best newscast in the market or most experienced reporters doesn't always make for the happiest workplace. Last but not least: don't judge a book by its cover...

5600K

07-09-2003, 02:46 AM

Originally posted by Jason Old:

The good news is... We are in the process of changing formats. We will probably be carrying around Sony DVCam the first of the year, 2004. Our biggest improvement, however, will be in the form of editing. We will go all non-linear and air from a server. It seems to me that we're...

Jason OldNo!!!! Stay away from DVCAM! You will be regretting it. DVCAM is a horrible format for ENG use. I use it for my side business (I have a Sony DSR-300a), and even for regular production the Florida humidity kills my camera. When I turn the camera on, the first thing that comes on is the "humid" indicator. From then, I usually have to wait 15-20 minutes before I can use the camera, having partially killed the battery. Thankfully, w/ production I can wait for the camera to return to normal. Your news crews will be hating life if they can't shoot spot news. Hold out until the IMX cameras come out, if you can. I would recommend going to SX, but since it seems Sony is not going that route anymore, and DVCPRO is just a cheap replacement, my advice is to wait for the new IMX cameras. I have not been impressed w/ DVCAM.

imported_blank

07-09-2003, 03:30 AM

Originally posted by South Florida Shooter:
I would recommend going to SX, but since it seems Sony is not going that route anymoreActually SX is going strong :D !!! In fact Sony just improved the popular and affordable DNW-7 to DNW-7/2 giving it brand new better Power HAD CCDs. (F 13 @ 2000 Lux) a dream for ENG low light run and gun situations...

http://bssc. sel.sony.com/Professional/webapp/ModelInfo?m=0&sm=0&p=2&sp=11&id=69652 (http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Professional/webapp/ModelInfo?m=0&sm=0&p=2&sp=11&id=69652)

Only 24K - not much more then a top line DVcam.

The other SX models are going strong as well, in fact KABC Los Angeles just upgraded to the Wide Screen DNW-9WS cams, a fine piece of machinery!!!

Also SX will intergrade with IMX just fine, you can actually purchase a card for the studio SX decks that will shoot-out the SX signal in native IMX format.... :D