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Rick Portier Writes MMJ Handbook

Kevin — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 20:32:41 +0000

Editor note: Rick “Turdpolisher” Portier is adding a second book to his library. Not the second one he’s read… the second one he’s written! Here’s the background he shared with me…

Just wanted to hip you to the new guide I just finished.

A consultant friend (I bet you never thought you’d see me use those two words together.) and I were talking the other day. We just so happened to both be working the Carnival Triumph’s return to Mobile, Al. (He’s also a freelance producer.) We were lamenting the the changes in the business, young producers telling veterans what to do, young reporters with no understanding of story principles, and the rise of the MMJ.

That last one has been a boon for his business. He works mostly with reporters in their first couple of jobs. We were talking about the MMJ trend moving from smaller markets all the way up the chain. Although there are lots of tools and reference material out there for reporters and anchors, there’s nothing out there that boils down the essence of what TV news photographers into a simple to use guide.

It got me to thinking about how I train the MMJ’s at my station and the tips that form the foundation to solid news videography. Sixteen pages later, I had a guide that he and I felt covered all the basics to get MMJ’s and new photographers on the road to shooting successful stories. The guide covers basic camera settings and care, shooting one-man interviews and stand-ups, basic composition and shot variety, sequencing, and beginning lighting. None of the tips are earth-shattering. They are the things veteran photogs do every day. Hell, I stole most of them from the photogs who trained me through the years.

The guide won’t make anyone a superstar overnight, but is available in a downloadable ebook form that MMJ’s and photogs can save in their phones or tablets and reference in the field. Right now, it’s available for Kindle at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Broadcast-Journalism-Checklist-photographers-ebook/dp/B00BIIZSLO/ref=sr_1_27?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1361716302&sr=1-27

I hope to have it on Barnes and Noble soon. (That site is being finicky) It is also in all formats on Smashwords.com. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/287433

Northern Short Course in Elizabeth, NJ – March 8-9, 2013

Kevin — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 22:26:20 +0000

NSC TV Program 2013
Elizabeth, New Jersey

TV News is changing fast. How it is delivered and what constitutes news is changing with it. How will you adapt to new technologies, new audiences, and new demands on your skills. Get a fresh perspective on the building blocks of TV news storytelling and learn how your professional peers are surviving and thriving. Come watch outstanding stories by great photojournalists. Learn some new tricks. Diversify your skills to be a better job candidate and team leader in today’s newsroom. Join us for great workshops and wonderful TV storytelling at the NPPA’s Northern Short Conference, March 8-9 in Elizabeth, NJ.

The TV program starts on Friday night, with tape critiques and welcome, starting at 8 PM. The Saturday TV lecture series offers a full day of sessions with the best TV storytellers in the business. In addition, the still photojournalism and multimedia training workshops run Thursday and Friday in basic storytelling, Final Cut Pro Editing, audio, lighting and business practices. This is excellent professional development for a great price.
Pre-registration is preferred, walk-ins are welcome.
https://nppa.org/training/northern-short-course

TV Program

Trust Yourself, Reward Yourself, Turn It Around
Oliver Janney, CNN Photojournalist
CNN Washington

We all have those days: This story is ridiculous…It isn’t going to make the air or the top spot on the website…It isn’t worth my time…I have better places to be. This is the wrong path. You need to turn around the story and your attitude to win.

Former WBFF editor and WJZ photographer, CNN DC Photojournalist Oliver Janney has found success. He will share his essential tips, tricks, and strategies that crews at one of the largest and business news networks in the world utilize to meet the most demanding assignments. No matter what level of the business you’re operating in, you need to turn a stagnant situation into an opportunity to succeed every day. Make a difference in your work and your future.

The Whole Package from Concept to Live
Scott Broom
Reporter/Photojournalist, WUSA9

Scott Broom is often asked, “How the heck can you do anything that passes as legitimate TV reporting if you’re busy driving, shooting, editing and posting to the web?” Broom has learned to find the balance in today’s digital age and will share some of what he has learned managing the workload of an assignment desk, producer, photographer, editor and correspondent while getting it all done on tight deadlines. “The crew is gone,” Broom explains, “I work alone, shooting and editing my own video. I write and deliver content on all platforms all the time. I file text, video, and photo updates to the Internet throughout the day via wireless broadband.

WUSA’s Digital Correspondent Scott Broom is a new breed of electronic journalist. After 26 years as an Emmy Award winning traditional “coat and tie” TV reporter, he is now tasked with accelerating the television news industry’s shift from traditional broadcasting to high-volume web-based, video, and text communications. As a ”One Man Band” he has reported single-handedly in the most challenging environments including from Port au Prince Haiti in the wake of the 2010 earthquake. Scott is an expert in how digital media are changing the local TV news landscape. His work is now featured at the Newseum as an example of the dramatic changes occurring in the media business.

Excellence in an Hour
Mike Schuh, Journalist
WJZ Eye Witness News, Baltimore
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/personality/mike-schuh/

It’s easy to fall in a rut, chasing story after story with the pressure of unforgiving broadcast deadlines. It’s easy to keep your head down and just do as your told, but if you want opportunities to tell great stories you have to make them happen yourself. Mike Schuh has mastered the art of hot to be excellent when you only have time for mediocre. Mike will share his experiences and his tips on how to rise above the deadline and win awards in the same amount of time that most crews struggle just to get on air with.

Before joining CBS O&O in Baltimore in 1993, Mike told stories in Cape Girardeau, MO, Louisville, and Indianapolis. Mike Schuh has worked for about a dozen general managers and news directors, all who have very different thoughts about what news should look and sound like. He has successfully adapted what he’s learned here to keep his bosses happy while at the same time producing stories which keep his excited about his job. He is happy to discuss survival techniques.

Discovering a Story’s Magic
Michael DelGiudice, WNBC-TV
michaeljdel@aol.com

Many people ask Michael how he ”pulls off” NPPA storytelling in a market that doesn’t really favor that style of shooting and editing. Talent, hard work and the right attitude has brought success in this market that leaves time for no one. Like many, Michael is in the business because of the people he is lucky to meet. People are the magic ingredient in his stories, whether in a daily turnaround or a longer form project. He will show us how to personalize a story, making the most of the people out there in front of your lens and notebook. He will show how attention to detail in the field combined with great editing brings out the best in a story.

Michael DelGiudice is a photographer and editor at WNBC-TV in New York City. Prior to that, he worked for News 12 Long Island for almost 20 years. His hard work and storytelling skills has earned him prestigious awards, most notably two National Edward R. Murrow Awards,10Regional Murrow Awards and over 50 Emmy Awards from the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Mike is a 6-time National Press Photographers Association’s Regional “Photographer of the Year” award winner. He has also received over a dozen NPPA “Best of Photojournalism” national awards for TV Photography and Editing. In 2006, he was named a national “Ernie Crisp TV News Photographer of the Year” finalist.

Your Dime Their Time

What can you do to be more efficient in the edit bay? How do you find stories on your own that the station wants to cover? How does your reel stack up to the competition? Is there anything you should change to make your resume more appealing? How do you monitor a scanner, listen to news radio, and talk to the assignment desk by phone while eating fast food, taking notes, and driving. Bring your reels, resumes, and any questions you ever wanted answered about the news business or anything else. This panel of some of the best in business is all ears, and eager to offer their suggestions, advice, and maybe even witty quip or two.

TV Story Critiques

Bring your stories and a willingness to learn from each other and the best in the business. Join the Friday evening critique session and throughout the conference on Saturday. Arrangements will be announced at the start of the program.

Please bring all stories on DVD format or digital files only. NO TAPES!

Contact Bob Davis at Davisb@wcax.com for any questions. Or call 802.343.7197

Questions?

Bob Davis- TV Program Co-Chair, WCAX-TV, (802) 343.7197, davisb@wcax.com
Sean Filburn- TV Program Co-Chair, RTTV-Washington, 202.942.7445, sfilburn@gmail.com

DC Inauguration b-roll.net NIGHT

Kevin — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:05:16 +0000

Since we have crews from around the country and around the world converging on Washington DC next week, why not have an impromptu b-roll NIGHT.

If you’re a DC photog or just playing one for the inauguration, stop by for a brew and a chat!

Saturday, January 19, 2013
6:00 pm to ?
The Queen Vic
1206 H Street NE, Washington, DC

Keep up with the latest (and share with your friends) at

http://www.facebook.com/events/407900872624372/

Cameragod Checks out the C300

Kevin — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 12:00:32 +0000

Everyone loves playing with new “toys.” New Zealand based “Cameragod,” Stephen Press took a fully outfitted Canon C300 for a spin. The apparatus looks wild – hopefully we can get his opinions on it soon.

Last Week’s View From the Floor

Bryan Frank — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 18:45:00 +0000

It came as a pretty big surprise that I was going to have a nearly front row seat to the main event at the RNC in Tampa.

The passes to have access to the main floor were limited and we had talked about the possibility, but I didn't know it was going to happen until we were given the passes.

This trip was all about logistics and getti on TV trumped nearly everything else. No matter what we were doing, we had to drop it when it came time to do the live shots.

The timing was right for us to be on the floor right in the thick of the delegates. I was there for the infamous Clint Eastwood speech, but never actually saw the chair until later.

The chair helped the speech make better sense, but it still didn't make it any more effective.

I wish I had a better angle for getting still shots, but that was secondary to getting my job done for the news.

Romney did his thing and we got the balloon drop that I'd been looking forward to all week.

The crowd cheered and seemed to be in full agreement with the platform that Romney laid out in his speech.

It was an exciting event to witness, but I found it to be geared more towards the party faithful. I had the opportunity to shoot interviews with several well spoken republicans during the week.

There is a huge difference between what I heard in the one on one interviews and the mudslinging crap that normally passes for political discourse.

Neither side is without blame.

I look forward to having the perspective of attending both conventions.

The election season is in full swing and I'm going to try to not get too wrapped up in or put off by the process.

For me, it's an educational experience and it's a valuable opportunity to witness a small part of history.

No, I'm really not getting a lot of sleep, but it's rock and roll time.

If I close my eyes, I might miss something.

Posted with Blogsy

Photogs at the DNC

Kevin — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 02:41:42 +0000

After a wonderful vacation in Italy, I’m now in a hotel room in Charlotte, NC… prepping for the DNC.

Granted it was hard to leave views like this (http://www.flickr.com/photos/altvis/7873906424/), but I’m looking forward to seeing some great photog friends amongst the crowd… Keep up with us at @b_roll_net (http://twitter.com/b_roll_net) and check out the local twitter handle https://twitter.com/DNCtvphotog.

Post up here if you’re here!

See ya at the convention…

kev

KOMO Seattle Anchor dies after Long Battle with Brain Tumors

Kevin — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 01:34:13 +0000

From the KOMO News Website

Kathi Goertzen, died today, surrounded by her loving family. The long fight against the tumors that have ravaged her brain is over. She is at peace now, comfortable and surrounded by all that is good.

The worldwide TV community mourns there loss. All the best to her family and friends.
Read more at KOMOnews.com