Jeff Spicoli
Member
We know you hate them and don't think that they will EVER do as good a job as an NPPA & Poynter "traditional" team.
But do you HONESTLY think that this concept is going to go away? (I'm talking about in everyday local TV news...not production houses or networks.)
I don't.
The J-schools are flooded w/the "journalists" (I use this term loosely) who know how to capture video, download it, and get it out on the web...or to servers. They're doing it NOW...and when they graduate (as have their forebearers over the past five years or so) they'll be out in the small markets, practicing their VJ thing. Soon, they get to mid-markets (actually, many jump right to the upper levels). What makes you think this will all go away?
I'm not trying to be mean or sarcastic. But I'm seeing what's been going on...and this runaway train ain't gonna stop. Shops nowadays are cutting PAST the bone (as our station GM solemnly told us at a staff meeting last year: "We're doing marrow-cuts now"). IF this economy ever turns around to what it was like before, the beancounters are NOT going to sink their money back into the old style of TV news.
This VJ thing is here to stay. I got out seven months ago because I know I'll never be able to write like a reporter AND continue shooting my excellent video. I got out because I choose not to play the game under the new rules now. No bitterness...no burned bridges. I left knowing the time had come. Thankfully I had the foresight to pursue a teaching credential over the past four years. I'm now a 2nd-grade teacher. The good news is, the teaching profession is STARVING for male teachers. The bad news? Because of the economy/budget cuts...I don't know if my job is safe beyond this Spring.
But do you HONESTLY think that this concept is going to go away? (I'm talking about in everyday local TV news...not production houses or networks.)
I don't.
The J-schools are flooded w/the "journalists" (I use this term loosely) who know how to capture video, download it, and get it out on the web...or to servers. They're doing it NOW...and when they graduate (as have their forebearers over the past five years or so) they'll be out in the small markets, practicing their VJ thing. Soon, they get to mid-markets (actually, many jump right to the upper levels). What makes you think this will all go away?
I'm not trying to be mean or sarcastic. But I'm seeing what's been going on...and this runaway train ain't gonna stop. Shops nowadays are cutting PAST the bone (as our station GM solemnly told us at a staff meeting last year: "We're doing marrow-cuts now"). IF this economy ever turns around to what it was like before, the beancounters are NOT going to sink their money back into the old style of TV news.
This VJ thing is here to stay. I got out seven months ago because I know I'll never be able to write like a reporter AND continue shooting my excellent video. I got out because I choose not to play the game under the new rules now. No bitterness...no burned bridges. I left knowing the time had come. Thankfully I had the foresight to pursue a teaching credential over the past four years. I'm now a 2nd-grade teacher. The good news is, the teaching profession is STARVING for male teachers. The bad news? Because of the economy/budget cuts...I don't know if my job is safe beyond this Spring.