The Real Story Behind the Scenes in TV News
Ever wonder what really happens in the world of TV news? If you'd like to find out, here are two easy ways: (1) Check out my novel, STAY TUNED, available on *AMAZON * for 99 cents & (2) keep reading for this week's Thursday 13.
13. Reporters are paid tons of money! FALSE—Reporters at small television stations are paid a little more than minimum wage. They are also required to have a college degree, and as a brand-new employee–work all weekends and holidays.
12. Reporters get to meet famous people! SOMETIMES—I was fortunate enough to meet Vice Presidential Candidate Geraldine Ferraro and many local senators and congress members. However, I did interview Eliot Spitzer while he was New York State’s attorney general. Now that’s just creepy!
11. Reporters and anchors get lots of perks! SOMETIMES—Reporters do often get sideline tickets and backstage passes to events. However, it’s often a reporter attends only AFTER her or she covers the actual event, which means working for at least the first part of the concert, fundraiser, or dinner.
10. It’s always glamorous! NOT REALLY—Often, reporting took me to crime scenes, car crashes, bad neighborhoods, dairy farms, voting polls, and raging fires. My most unique assignments included reporting on a lost Emu and covering cattle judging at a local fair. In Alabama—try to stay cool and look pretty in 105-degree heat! In Upstate New York, this meant trudging through the deep snow to get a story.
9. If you’re an anchor, people do your hair and makeup! FALSE—In smaller markets, you do your own makeup (MAC is the best!) and hair.
8. Anchors are given fabulous wardrobes — Also FALSE–you bring your own clothes. Sometimes, the television station might give you a small clothing allowance, but a few hundred dollars doesn’t go far when you work 5 days a week.
7. Viewers call in and tell anchors how wonderful they are! SOMETIMES—I admit, I did get some fan mail and it was pretty fabulous. However, most often, people called in to complain about (1) an outfit someone was wearing (which a viewer didn’t like), (2) a story reported on (which a viewer didn’t like), or (3) a story that didn’t get coverage. There was one particular viewer who didn’t like the way I said “Iraq.” (It’s not Eye-rack. It’s Ir-aq)
6. The hardest part of the job is interviewing people! FALSE—I loved that part! I thought it was so amazing to talk to people from all walks of life and find out why they were a farmer, a policeman, or a teacher. I liked asking questions that made people think. Some of the most rewarding stories were health-related (recovery from an illness) or the features about children. The hardest part for me was the shift I worked: 2 am – 10 am. (This meant getting up at 1:15 am every morning!!)
5. You always have to dress up! FALSE—On the weekends, in smaller markets, it’s pretty common for anchors and reporters to wear a formal suit or top, but have jeans underneath and casual shoes (hidden under the desk). I’ve known some sports guys to wear tennis shoes or flip-flops on set!
4. The camera adds ten pounds! FALSE—It’s actually more like fifteen or twenty! People often commented on how short I was or how much thinner I was in person. (Sigh!)
3. As a reporter, you get driven around in the news van and have someone carry all of the heavy equipment. SOMETIMES –But many just-out-of-school jobs are classified as a “One Man Band, ” which means that the reporter carries the camera, shoots the footage, does the interviews, then writes and edits the story. Now, that's a tough job in 100 degree heat!
2. Anchors use Preparation H under their eyes to reduce puffiness!? TRUE—I’ve done it, anyway. When you’re working 2 am – 10 am, there’s only so much coffee and sugar can do!
1. TV News is a crazy, wonderful, exciting business. TRUE–Overall, it was an amazing opportunity to work as an anchor, producer, and reporter at two CBS affiliates. I made some wonderful friends, worked with many talented people, and really enjoyed the experience! I wouldn't have traded it for the world.
I hope you've enjoyed this peek behind the scenes! I'd love to hear what you think about Stay Tuned. Pick up your copy for 99 cents HERE ON AMAZON.
Feel free to email me with your comments and thoughts at laurenclarkbooks@gmail.com. For more about Stay Tuned and the news business, check out my website HERE — http://laurenclarkbooks.com. Happy reading!!
0 COMMENTS
Rita Bay
13 years agoLoved your post and had to share. You looked SO familiar but I didn't connect until you mentioned the emu. Years ago, that emu was lurking near where my family's vacation home. OK until it started chasing people – charged my Dad. Eventually, someone captured him/her and it was adopted into a good home but not before intrepid reporters made their way into the piney woods of south Mobile County to report.
BTW, loved your webpage. Very clean, easy to navigate and communicates your message well. I'm doing a presentation on blogging at the Silken Sands RWA Confernece in March and have added it to my list of examples of exemplary blogs/websites. Rita Bay