Q. I'm currently a freelance/independent journalist, as well as a part-time studio engineer. I have aspirations of becoming a news producer, primarily in television. Should I place more emphasis on honing my Internet skills, or get more training shooting and editing video? Or is writing news scripts the one thing I need to concentrate on the most?
A. (This question came up during a
live Poynter Online chat about multimedia journalism. I asked Stanton Tang, executive producer at WZZM-TV in Grand Rapids, Mich., for his advice.)
The answer to all of that is yes. Producers are being asked to take on more responsibilities that go beyond just writing and traditional producing. Producers are also expected to edit on their desktops, create maps and graphics, post to the Web and get a creative, high-energy newscast on the air on time with all the breaks. However, it does all begin with writing and producing skills.
Producer-style writing is different from reporter-style writing. Focus on the basics: VOs (voice-overs), VOSOTs (voice over sound on tape) and teases. That's where I would concentrate to get your first producing job. Unfortunately, while producers are usually in great demand, many have been laid off recently and are not finding jobs. So developing those additional skills may give you the edge to land the job you want.
Coming Tuesday: This out-of-work journalist has seen a former employer discriminate on the basis of age. Now, it feels like age discrimination is keeping this journalist on the sidelines.
