San Antonio-Austin Markets

[<jobseeker>]

Any info on the SA/Austin markets, station strenghts & weaknesses, pay, gear, take home vehicles, etc?

[<JalapenoJaque>]

San Antonio--

*All the stations have around the same starting pay (high twenties to low thirties, depending on experience and skill).

*CBS and ABC have the best gear, hands down.

*ABC and CBS have take home trucks (FOX may, as well). NBC doesn't.

*CBS is a solid photo shop. NBC is up and coming (lots of new guys trying to make their mark). ABC was good, but is pretty mediocre lately. Don't bother with FOX).

Don't know much about Austin other than the pay can be around the same as San Antonio (but Austin has a much higher cost of living, so the money doesn't go nearly as far as in SA).

[<ntlz>]

several photogs at the NBC have take home trucks. I heard they are getting new news units in a couple of months, as well as new cameras. dont know for sure though.

[<paper waving>]

The NBC station in SA certainly has an interesting look. They definately are the "FOX FLASSY" style in town.

Rumor has it the consultants have instructed them to NOT use the tripod.

You see every reporter waiveing documents or a money roll in front of the camera for every story.
"We obtained these documents that show...(fill in the blank). Or "It will cost you this much money for (fill in the blank).

Just wondering about that money wad they have: Do you guys have to check that out on an as need basis? No way you have that much in your wallets

[Jimmy]

Rumor is right. Consultants did not "instruct" us NOT to use tripods.

[TXPhotog]

I work in Austin at Fox. It's a well run O&O. The management treats you well. Reporters are understanding and not ridiculous with demands although there are the exceptions like everywhere. They also are willing to help carry equipment which is nice. We are getting DVC cameras in a few weeks. Starting pay is around 25k. There really isn't a definitive #1 station, although I think from the newest ratings the NBC station is at the top, followed very closely by the Fox and ABC station. We are a metered market ratingswise. The CBS station is okay but struggles in the ratings. The Timewarner 24-hour station here isn't very good, nice people but still also struggles for ratings. We don't have take home vehicles and I don't think the others do either but I don't know for sure. Our station is located a block from the capital, the NBC is about 3 miles from the capital, CBS is about 5-6 miles away and I'm not sure where the ABC is located. Hopes that helps a little. If you have any other questions just post them on here and I'll try to answer them as best as possible.

[TXPhotog]

The cost of living isn't as bad as some people think. I live in a 640 sq. ft. apartment and have some utilities paid for $515 a month, it's about a 6 mile drive to work. If you want to live downtown yes it is expensive, it just depends on where you want to live. If you do choose Austin don't live east of I-35, that is considered the "bad part of town".

[Fisher]

Worked at NBC affilate in Austin. Take home gear and vehicle for most photogs. All the OT you can work. Some good shooters and really nice guys. I miss em.

At Fox, ABC, and CBS affiliates they have shared gear and most don't take home gear. No OT at the ABC. All three have some good photogs. I miss the competetion.

Good luck!

[<bad choice>]

Stay away from news 8 austin. Unless you have a passion for shooting strictly vosots and live shots. Juat a word from the wise.

[thru-the-lens]

Its good to hear from Jimmy that it was just a rumor about the loss of tripods. I have to admit I see your photogs using them all the time.

I definitely see alot of "outta da box" shooting ala Kevin Hartfield. The shooting and editing with lots of nats and swish pans

I am curious to see how some of your past NPPA winners over there do in the upcoming contests with the new style.

Now about that "money roll"? I haven't seen it in at least a week so it must have been spent. Hopefully on photog raises :D

Keep up the good work, Jimmy. The lighting efforts stand out and thats always a good thing.

thru-the-lens.

"Racing is Life. Anything that happens before or after is just waiting." --Steve McQueen.

[ November 18, 2002, 11:44 PM: Message edited by: thru-the-lens ]

[<PhotoJedi>]

Originally posted by &lt;jobseeker&gt;:
Any info on the SA/Austin markets, station strenghts & weaknesses, pay, gear, take home vehicles, etc?If you're looking, word on the street is that KENS had a photog give two weeks notice today.

[<mudcat>]

IS KENS A GOOD STATION TO WORK FOR? And what is the pay scale there? Equipment and units??

[<TrackJack>]

Originally posted by &lt;mudcat&gt;:
IS KENS A GOOD STATION TO WORK FOR? And what is the pay scale there? Equipment and units??What's your e-mail address?

[<mudcatbb>]

TrackJack
it is Mudcatbb@aol.com mudcatbb@aol.com

[<in s.a. now>]

T'ain't that bad here in taco town. If your making thirty's your making more than the majority of the folks who live in the city. The city has a really low cost of living. Every station has the basics in toys, and some have a nice equipment list. KENS is almost all SX. Lots of travel, varied story type, lots of spot, good medium market experience.

Oh, and if you like tex-mex food, heaven on earth. S.A. is a tourist town, so there are good eats galore. Woman ain't too bad either.

I pity someone who had to work at every station before getting enough experience to move on down the road. That's gotta suck, no wonder y'all didn't like it here.

[<josh don't know>]

Originally posted by TXPhotog:
The cost of living isn't as bad as some people think. I live in a 640 sq. ft. apartment and have some utilities paid for $515 a month, it's about a 6 mile drive to work. If you want to live downtown yes it is expensive, it just depends on where you want to live. If you do choose Austin don't live east of I-35, that is considered the "bad part of town".the east side of austin is the latino side...not bad just not comfortable for some kids.

[<really?>]

Originally posted by Jimmy:
Thanks for the comments thru-the-lens... we are definatley trying something new over here. We really don't use many swish pans as a whole, but a couple of guys do use them quite effectivly.
I am really excited about the quality of our entries this last quarter... several guys entered some really good stories, and I personally have high hopes for them!
The critique sessions we try to have regularly have definatley paid off! Guys have realized that "there is no box".critique sessions alone? I think some guys had there own style established, maybe?

[<Old Wolf>]

Do these figures include O.T.?

[rexreed]

Originally posted by &lt;josh don't know&gt;:

the east side of austin is the latino side...not bad just not comfortable for some kids.

No the east side is crap with a few exceptions along the way- even the latinos will admit that.

[<Caution>]

Bad news........stay way away from News 8 Austin some pretty good guys but the one-man band is strickly enforced. Say hello to LTO and and vosot patrol.