"Massive" ABC cuts coming...

Just got the official memo today from David Weston. (it was not marked confidential or internal, and has been quoted in other articles, so I assume its fair game to pull direct quotes)

For now its voluntary for those that want to take severance packages. They are looking to cut 300 (20%). After the voluntary round then it will be layoffs. From what I can tell the offers for union employees will differ from non-union, but it doesn't say how. It also doesn't mention the difference between union and non-union employees in layoffs, should it come to that.

After reading the email it seems Rosenblum (or at least his manner of thinking) has become pervasive in upper management. In the memo it's stated that "with technological advancements such as hand held digital cameras, the news division can now dispatch one person to cover a story" citing that before it would take 4.

"They argue that a smaller news division does not mean a less competitive one." Anyone who has ever worked for a smaller station competing against larger ones within an overall market want to back up that claim? Because its not been my experience or that of anyone I have ever talked to....in any industry.
 
Let's not give Rosie credit for this way of thinking, for the love of God.

When the article talks about "preparing for the future," they're talking about the hit they're going to take when Oprah leaves. Further proof that this is a cost-cutting technique.
 
Alaska_steadicam said:
. . . After reading the email it seems Rosenblum (or at least his manner of thinking) has become pervasive in upper management. In the memo it's stated that "with technological advancements such as hand held digital cameras, the news division can now dispatch one person to cover a story" citing that before it would take 4. . . .
Click to expand...
That memo comment depends on whether it's just for b-roll or getting an in depth story that is better suited for a small ENG crew. If it's the latter, it's probably coming from someone who has never had to do it ALL by themselves and if they have, they should be ashamed.
 
They were citing a story that would have required a correspondent, producer, and a two man crew (I assume shooter and audio, or shooter and grip) So that seems to be a much larger story. Does this suggest they intend to have their correspondents set up their own stand ups? Shoot their own 2 shots?

and yes Chicago, the parenthetical was to distance credit from Mike. More like a acknowledgment that the type of thinking he espouses isn't his and his alone, more that the uniformed or those who don't care could easily come to that conclusion. I just attached it to his type so I wouldn't have to type this long paragraph out.
 
A typical network set up. How many people do you need to do a live shot?

Hint: There are 7 in the picture and 3 more on a food run.
4382682153_42fcabcd7e_o.jpg


We had 2 photogs and a reporter and had to cut packages between hits.

I've always seen lots of excess with the networks. These cuts don't surprise me.
 
code20photog said:
A typical network set up. How many people do you need to do a live shot?
Click to expand...

While it's a nice picture, I don't see what you see. I see two network crews and a reporter. Isn't that what you said in your post? You had two photogs and a reporter! It's all a matter of perspective. In this day and age, network crews feed the monster on several different outlets, all day long. It's sometimes required to have a tape crew and a live crew. I don't mean to rattle any cages, just bring perspective.

That being said, I feel bad for the 300 or so who lost their jobs today. Good luck to you all.
 
iHD said:
Code20photog,

You're right, local stations all around the country have just a photog and a reporter out there turning stories and doing live shots everyday. No reason why the networks can't do the same. They don't need the field producer or audio guy but I think going OMB is a bad idea. The picture you posted definitely shows what's wrong with network news today. This is 2010 but they're operating like its 1960. I see this type of excess all the time at the White House and on Capitol Hill. Depending on how and who they cut, and the process of newsgathering going forward, ABC CAN make big cuts without affecting its product but something tells me they'll get it wrong in the end.

I'd be carefull posting pics like that though. Some of these old dog network guys who aren't used to working very hard will get upset and you might end up on someone's hitlist.
Click to expand...

Well most local stations with just a 2 man crew do not use scrims and reflectors on the average live shot, so I fail to see how it would not affect on air quality. Shouldn't a network live shot look better than a local one?
 
Like him or hate him Rosenblum has always simply spoken the truth. You may agree or disagree that backpack journalists or VJ's or whatever, are a good solution. But all you have to know is they are cheaper than traditional crews and to networks and station groups, that is all that matters. So the only question you have to ask yourself is, are you willing to hang on and hope that being a good photog is good enough or are you willing to adapt to an obvious shift in the industry? I don't like the VJ model but I for one believe we as photographers are the best for the job. Because you can't teach a producer or reporter to have a natural eye for photography or a sense of feel and flow as an editor. But we as photographers are already natural storytellers and experts at multi-tasking, so embrace the change and adapt to it. There will always be a need for specialists at the networks, i.e. photographers, producers, reporters, but those positions will be fewer and fewer and confined to beats like documentary/investigative units or the Pentagon and the White House etc. So start practicing that reporter voice.
 
I feel awful for anyone getting hit by these layoffs now. It's going to be a long row to hoe.

There is the automatic conclusion here that this means that cameramen get fired and producers start shooting. That may well be the case, but everyone here needs to look at the other side of the coin; every one of us needs to start learning to write or write better and produce stories that work for our various shops/clients. The only way some of us will dodge these kinds of cuts is if we are the solution and not just the guy with a couple of HMI's and a silk.

It sounds like there are going to be buy outs for a lot of people which is the only good news. The silent downside (apart from the ghastly notion that 300 jobs just went away) is that the freelance market may get flooded.
 
iHD said:
You're right, local stations all around the country have just a photog and a reporter out there turning stories and doing live shots everyday. No reason why the networks can't do the same. They don't need the field producer or audio guy but I think going OMB is a bad idea. . . .
Click to expand...
I agree, they need to send whatever it takes to get the job done effeciently, no more and no less and NOT at the expense of quality. If that means spending more money, then that's what they need to do. I can't tell you how many PAs I've seen on reality shows and other well funded projects that worked their butts off doing crappy work for crappy pay while considerable money was frivolously spent on other non-critical items or services.
 
TXTechPhoto said:
Well most local stations with just a 2 man crew do not use scrims and reflectors on the average live shot, so I fail to see how it would not affect on air quality. Shouldn't a network live shot look better than a local one?
Click to expand...

While I agree, *most* don't, I do, as do the rest of the guys at my station. I'm not a big reflector fan, I like a 1K light, but I do it alone, every day. It takes only a few minutes to set up. A tip, I like to have most of my equipment ready to go when stowed in the van. Knuckle already on the scrim, 1K light with the cord and a extension attached, already on a stand, sandbags by the back door, so I can get everything set up without trying to find everything when you're crashing.

What you see in that shot is Talent, photog, audio, field producer, and a bunch of people standing around. (And eating) They were operating out of a Suburban, and we never saw them go shoot anything, edit a package, they were doing straight hits. You could easily do exactly what they were doing, with 4 people, maybe 5 and be no loss of quality

stargazer said:
While it's a nice picture, I don't see what you see. I see two network crews and a reporter. Isn't that what you said in your post?
Click to expand...

Actually, I don't see anywhere where I said it was 2 network crews.
 
Are you blaming the decline of revenues at ABC News and the layoffs on unions?

Back that up.
 
This was and remains inevitable.
It's a function of the technology and the fractionalization of audiences and revenues.
A culling is coming, and if you are smart you will get the skill set now that makes you indisposable. That means shooting, editing, writing and producing.
This is going to happen everywhere and only continue.
Sorry.
 
Interestingly, other television markets in the world are not experiencing the same financial problems and layoffs.

And they use the same technology.

Countries like Japan, Thailand, Turkey etc have very healthy and profitable television markets - both free-to-air and satellite/cable.

One reason is that they are more 'relaxed' in their approach and regulations about commercials and product placement than the USA.

For example, there are more ads per hour in many countries in Asia.

And a breakfast show host may have a cup of coffee with big Nescafe logo, a Ford sign on their desk and sign on the weather map from Sony.

Personally - more ads don't bother me if people keep their jobs.

I 'tune out' product placement - and with Tivo more commercials an hour aren't an issue.

I wonder if the people getting laid off at ABC would agree.....
 
iHD,
While I agree in part about unions contributing to this problem I must defend the 2 man crew (Cameraman & Soundman) approach. The Soundman is valuable for many reasons. Try getting clean sound from 2 or more people at the same time, esp if they are in different areas of the place you are covering where the shotgun in your hand can't reach. There's a reason they have a 14th or longer boom pole. The Soundman can also watch your back as you have to backpedal. He can be your eyes and ears as to potential sticky situations about to happen. And yes, they can even help you carry stuff and set it up (though I'm sure they don't want to admit that ;) ).

Warren
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top