Houston Texas anyone
- Thread starter jajack71
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Man on the Street
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Hot, humid, no winter, and when it rains it RAINS. Like any place, you get used to it.
Houston is a well-kept secret as far as cost of living vs. big-city ammenities. The fact that we aren't a tourist town helps keep prices down. Homes "inside the loop" are pretty pricey, ($300K+ for 1300sq.ft.), but venture outward a little and you'll find lots for the money, (more like $200K for 3,000sq.ft).
Galveston is a day trip, and while it's far from a pristine beach, it IS the beach! Houston is a good place to raise kids with plenty of parks, sporting and cultural events and a ever-improving zoo.
We have our share of big-time news happen here. I won't bore you with a list, but it seems like the nets are in town at least once a week for something. We are the nation's "energy capital", NASA's main operation is here, we have a mammoth medical center that is the source of frequent medical breakthrough news, a big port, and our current mayor is keeping things interesting by changing the way a lot of things are done in city government. Add in lots of spot news, and there's plenty to report at 5,6 and 10.
I don't think any photogs in town are making less than $35K-$40K, and those would be newbies. Average starting would be $45K-$50. Turnover rarity depends on the station and timing. Right now FOX26 has a pretty unstable photo staff for various reasons, and that could translate into full-time openings in the near future. KPRC, KTRK and KHOU have all been fully staffed for about a year now. You just need to make contacts and strike at the right time.
It's my experience that ND doesn't really affect us all that much, at least not directly. KHOU just got a new one from the Charlotte Belo station, and it's too early to tell for him. KPRC's Nancy Shafron seems pretty tough, but I've never worked for her. Fox's Kathy Williams is a friendly but tough woman who is having trouble keeping her middle-management team and station's direction on track. They have lots of resources but can't decide what niche they should fill.
I have to stop typing and get myself to work. I hope some of this is helpful. Houston is home for me, so that's what drew me here. If I didn't have roots here, I'd also consider Dallas and Denver. Any bigger and the news becomes more crank-it-out than I like. Good luck in your search.
Houston is a well-kept secret as far as cost of living vs. big-city ammenities. The fact that we aren't a tourist town helps keep prices down. Homes "inside the loop" are pretty pricey, ($300K+ for 1300sq.ft.), but venture outward a little and you'll find lots for the money, (more like $200K for 3,000sq.ft).
Galveston is a day trip, and while it's far from a pristine beach, it IS the beach! Houston is a good place to raise kids with plenty of parks, sporting and cultural events and a ever-improving zoo.
We have our share of big-time news happen here. I won't bore you with a list, but it seems like the nets are in town at least once a week for something. We are the nation's "energy capital", NASA's main operation is here, we have a mammoth medical center that is the source of frequent medical breakthrough news, a big port, and our current mayor is keeping things interesting by changing the way a lot of things are done in city government. Add in lots of spot news, and there's plenty to report at 5,6 and 10.
I don't think any photogs in town are making less than $35K-$40K, and those would be newbies. Average starting would be $45K-$50. Turnover rarity depends on the station and timing. Right now FOX26 has a pretty unstable photo staff for various reasons, and that could translate into full-time openings in the near future. KPRC, KTRK and KHOU have all been fully staffed for about a year now. You just need to make contacts and strike at the right time.
It's my experience that ND doesn't really affect us all that much, at least not directly. KHOU just got a new one from the Charlotte Belo station, and it's too early to tell for him. KPRC's Nancy Shafron seems pretty tough, but I've never worked for her. Fox's Kathy Williams is a friendly but tough woman who is having trouble keeping her middle-management team and station's direction on track. They have lots of resources but can't decide what niche they should fill.
I have to stop typing and get myself to work. I hope some of this is helpful. Houston is home for me, so that's what drew me here. If I didn't have roots here, I'd also consider Dallas and Denver. Any bigger and the news becomes more crank-it-out than I like. Good luck in your search.
Your right about the rain. When it rains it rains. Just have good rain gear,and you should be fine. The cost of living is cheap. Traffic is not bad,and if it is you can get on a side street very quickly. Houston is a very large city,and we have alot of spot news. Some stations travel more then others. I know KHOU,and KTRK still have take home suv`s for the staff. At KPRC only a select few take gear home. Everyone has a helicopter. KHOU flys A-star with a very good camera. It seems to be the best picture in the market. KTRK,KPRC, fly Bell longrangers. Fox-26 flys a Bell 407,very nice. But overall it seems that KHOU has the best picture most of the time. The photo staff gear use is- KHOU shoots on sx camera`s. KPRC shoots on beta,sx,and xd camera`s. KTRK shoots on beta,sx, but we here they have 19 brand new xd camera`s. Fox-26 shoots on beta.
KHOU edits with sony system, KPRC,and KTRK edits with new Grass valley system. Fox-26 has some type computer system. Im sure they have avid at some of these stations. For the most part KTRK,KHOU,and Fox-26 have live truck operators. KPRC on the other hand only has a few. That means you will be running your own live truck on some days. Everyone has at least one Sat truck if not two.
I here KHOU has a new ND,don`t know much about him. My friend Andy Benton worked for him in Charlotte,maybe he can tell us something. Don`t know much about the ND at KTRK. Fox 26 has a new team memeber Carolyn Mungo on the team. She is a excellent reporter,and Im sure she help Fox 26 get on track. As far as Nancy at KPRC is. She is very good,and fare with you. If you have an Idea or problem she will listen. Same goes for Rick McFarland at KPRC. I guess you can tell who I work for. KPRC-TV.
As far as pay. You should ask for $45k and up. OT seems to go,and come. It depends on the time of the year. KHOU is Belo,KTRK is O&O,Fox-26 is O&O,and KPRC is Post Newsweek.
Live outside the city,and save. The subs have good prices on houses. Gas here in Houston is over $2.00 a gallon now. Lots of places to eat out,and we have a huge park inside the loop. Memorial park has running,cycle track,and mountain bike trails,golf course,and tennis. Several thousand people go to this park daily.
So come on down to Texas,and give us a try.Good luck.
Wally Crow/ KPRC-TV
KHOU edits with sony system, KPRC,and KTRK edits with new Grass valley system. Fox-26 has some type computer system. Im sure they have avid at some of these stations. For the most part KTRK,KHOU,and Fox-26 have live truck operators. KPRC on the other hand only has a few. That means you will be running your own live truck on some days. Everyone has at least one Sat truck if not two.
I here KHOU has a new ND,don`t know much about him. My friend Andy Benton worked for him in Charlotte,maybe he can tell us something. Don`t know much about the ND at KTRK. Fox 26 has a new team memeber Carolyn Mungo on the team. She is a excellent reporter,and Im sure she help Fox 26 get on track. As far as Nancy at KPRC is. She is very good,and fare with you. If you have an Idea or problem she will listen. Same goes for Rick McFarland at KPRC. I guess you can tell who I work for. KPRC-TV.
As far as pay. You should ask for $45k and up. OT seems to go,and come. It depends on the time of the year. KHOU is Belo,KTRK is O&O,Fox-26 is O&O,and KPRC is Post Newsweek.
Live outside the city,and save. The subs have good prices on houses. Gas here in Houston is over $2.00 a gallon now. Lots of places to eat out,and we have a huge park inside the loop. Memorial park has running,cycle track,and mountain bike trails,golf course,and tennis. Several thousand people go to this park daily.
So come on down to Texas,and give us a try.Good luck.
Wally Crow/ KPRC-TV
Houston is a great family place. Like everyone has said, plenty of things to do, report on, take the kids to, etc... The best thing is that San Antonio is 3 hours west, Austin 3 hours northwest, Lake Charles 2 hours east.
KTRK's ND is Dave Strickland. Very nice guy. Overall, 13 has an audience that is geared towards an older generation. They have the largest newsroom in Houston with over 200 people working for them.
Overall, very stable enviroment, except lately, the faces on air have been chaning quite a bit.
That's my 2 cents.
KTRK's ND is Dave Strickland. Very nice guy. Overall, 13 has an audience that is geared towards an older generation. They have the largest newsroom in Houston with over 200 people working for them.
Overall, very stable enviroment, except lately, the faces on air have been chaning quite a bit.
That's my 2 cents.
commercial hack
Member
Houston is great. It is hot but that's a only a few months. Cost of living is low for a large city. You can leave the snow back in Ohio, I had enough living in Toledo myself. Traffic is improving and the people are very friendly.
BeachBuminCA
Member
If anyone hears of openings in the Houston area, I'd be interested in hearing about it. Thanks in advance!
Man on the Street
Member
KHWB Photog
Edited to learn how to clean up URL's.
[ April 17, 2005, 04:26 PM: Message edited by: Man on the Street ]
Edited to learn how to clean up URL's.
[ April 17, 2005, 04:26 PM: Message edited by: Man on the Street ]
shoot da parrot
Well-known member
Houston is very very flat.. a lot to do there but just remember you would be living in Texas.
Eaglewolf
Well-known member
LETS GET ONE THING STRAIGHT!
WE LOVE OUR LANDSCAPE, HENCE THE ANTI LITTER SLOGAN "DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS" WE CALL IT GOOD LOVIN....AND A SPOT OF JACK OR 7 GOES REAL WELL IN OUR LATTE, THANK YOU. WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH A VOLVO?
NOW THE FIGHT'N WORDS START!!!! WE AIN'T KERRY VOTIN' COMMIE LIBS. WE GOT EM JUST LIKE YOU BUT THEY AIN'T REAL TEXAN.
COME N SEE FER YERSELF HOSS
shoot da parrot
Well-known member
I think i'd rather live in Kansas
BTW, I'll give you that Texas has some nice landscapes. I like west Texas and hill country. As for Houston, if you like concrete, billboards, and uncontrolled sprawl than you'll love it. The one good thing about Houston is cost of living. Don't know what it's like now, but I remember being there five years ago and 175K would get you a really nice house.
Eaglewolf
Well-known member
having lived in just about all four corners of texas for about the sum total of 25 yrs i can tell you that living there is like living in 5 states in one. as far as houston goes....within the heart of the city it can be a little overwhelming with the traffic and heat. if you are adventurous, there are countless get-aways within a 100 mi radius.
Man on the Street
Member
Here's one more thing to love about Houston:
Nugent at NRA
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[ April 17, 2005, 04:29 PM: Message edited by: Man on the Street ]
Nugent at NRA
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[ April 17, 2005, 04:29 PM: Message edited by: Man on the Street ]
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