Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Interview with a VJ

Okay, once again I will tell everyone that I like this vj thing. I recently sat down for an interview with myself and I have included it in this post.
VJ- Did you ever think you would be a reporter?
TD- I never had a desire to report or be on camera at all so I never would have guessed I would be a reporter. I was really content being a news photographer because I enjoyed my job and the creativity that came with it.
VJ- How do you like reporting?
TD- I really enjoy it so far. I think it is cool to start with an idea and then see it become a finished story that goes out on the news.
VJ- What is the hardest thing about being a VJ?
TD- For me the hardest thing about being a vj is writing. I never enjoyed writing because I'm not a very good writer. Writing the story is definitely the longest part of the process for me. The next hardest thing is coming up with story ideas.
VJ- What is your favorite part of being a VJ?
TD- My favorite part of being a vj is the size of my camera and support gear. I went from a 28 pound camera to a five pound camera and I love it.
VJ- Some people would say the quality is not as good. Want do you think?
TD- I can notice a difference in the quality sometimes but other times I can’t tell a difference and I have no desire to go back to the heavier gear.
VJ- What about editing?
TD- I edit my stories on a Dell laptop computer and really enjoy it. I’m getting better on the editing software we use. It is called Pinnacle Liquid 6. If I had my choice, I would have preferred to edit with Final Cut Pro but Liquid 6 is a close second.
VJ- I understand some of the employees are leaving. Is that true?
TD- Yes. We have had quite a few people leave. I think it is a good thing in a way. I have always said if I’m working at a place were I’m not happy then it's time for me to move on. Working somewhere I’m not happy is not good for anyone. I wish people would have stayed but I certainly cannot fault anyone for moving on. I would like to see people replaced quicker than they have but I don’t know anything about that process.
VJ- How is the vj process working?
TD- I think it has been working well. I have a beat that I cover and I am slowly starting to get story ideas from the contacts I have made. I think the key to doing the stories I want to do is to bring my ideas to the daily meetings.
VJ- Is there anything you were told to expect that hasn’t happened yet?
TD- I was told the producers would take an active role in my stories and actually help me produce them but that has not happened.
VJ- You seem to enjoy your job but what is the mood around the station?
TD- It seems to be pretty good. I don’t think there is any more complaining now with the vj system in place than there was before the vj system. There is always some complaining no matter what because it is just human nature.
VJ- I have one last question for you. It seems like you are doing more work now than before, so have you gotten a pay raise?
TD- Not yet! I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I would like a pay raise just like anyone else but for now I'm just concentrating on improving my new skills.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Best of luck in your next job. Honesty like this won't sit well with the suits at 2.

Working up your own stories...no production help...extra work for same pay. This was management's objective from the getgo.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, Todd. The suits at News 2 would never stand for criticism from one of their own.

/end sarcasm

Anonymous said...

Sabato.

You'll be hearing from him soon.

Anonymous said...

Hey Todd,

I just watched your "purple heart ceremony" piece on the website...nice job...your voice delivery has come a long way.

One question...if you can answer without getting into trouble...I noticed that most of the stories shot/reported by your station's VJ's are features....are the hard news pieces still being handled by two-person crews? Just curious...

Mike Ross

Todd Dunn said...

We still use two person crews for news and the VJ's do a mix of hard news and feature stories.

Todd

Unknown said...

I like it....Interview with a VJ by a VJ, THE VJ. It's the ultimate in use of resources. Cool!

Anonymous said...

So the VJ concept has turn humble photographers into arrogant talents?

Why did you interview yourself?
Why not just talk in third person?

I think what the photogs and editors like best about the VJ system is that their little faces get to be on tv now instead of stuck in the production rooms.

Overall, the One man Band or VJ system has been around for a long time. No surprise that a larger market has started the same thing.

**** NOW I'M BEING POSITIVE ****

Best of luck. If anything the VJ system will make you a more attractive canadate if you ever choose to move on because you will have a better understanding of the entire process.

email me back if you want to.
slingshot52@gmail.com
Bobby