From The Bunker…

Welcome to the 9th edition of Live From the Bunker. For all the day’s news about TV News, go here.

May the 4th be with you….

Later today, I will head over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to stop by Galaxey’s Edge, Disney’s Star Wars land.

It is a day when Star Wars fans gather to celebrate May 4th.

But I need to confess, I have never seen a single Star Wars movie. Not one.

When you walk into Galaxey’s Edge, you get the feeling that you’re on another planet, which is awe-inspiring.

Above is a picture I took on a recent visit.

I’m sure for a big Stars Wars fan, it’s like a trip to the holy land.

I just like stopping in for an hour or two and people-watch. You see people dressed up as Star Wars characters, grown men having lightsaber battles, and everything in between.

I don’t dress up, I don’t pack a lightsaber to the park and I don’t partake in the activities. But, I am certainly entertained and enjoy seeing people having fun.

I’m also impressed with the Disney built such a cool area that makes you feel like you are anywhere but Florida.

I get the same feeling when I go over to Universal Studios and walk through both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. You feel like you are in a part of old London and not in the Sunshine State.

Again, I’m blown away by just how good Universal did at recreating Harry Potter’s world.

And, yet again, I must confess, I have never seen a single Harry Potter movie or read any of the books.

Here is a picture I took of the Hogwarts castle on a recent visit.

Maybe one day I will get around to watching the movies, but more than likely, I will never get to it.

But, I still enjoy looking at the work that both these places did to help their customers live out their fantasies in the real world.

As for me, I’ll just enjoy the people watching.

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Scott Jones, FTVLive.com

Bits From the Bunker

May 4

The TV Conferences Are Coming

As Summer arrives, it is the time of year when the TV conferences will be held. Many of you have asked if it is worth going to these conferences.

I guess it depends on what you’re looking for.

I will let you in on a little secret that the media companies set up at the conferences don’t want you to know.

You’re making their job much easier.

You see, TV stations must keep records of people they have interviewed for jobs to ensure they stay within the EEOC guidelines.

When you sit down at a conference with someone from a media company, you help them check a box.

If you’re a minority, you are really helping them out. The TV station can then say that they spoke to 25 Black males, or 19 Asian females, or 30 Latinos. You get the point.

A TV conference becomes a one-stop-shopping for media companies. They get to do months of work in a matter of a few days.

I have listened to some recent college grads talk while at a conference. I overheard one conversation that went like this, “I just met with CBS and I liked them, but I have an interview set up with NBC after lunch and I think I would rather work there.”

Seriously, this is what a kid was telling his friends.

He wasn’t going to be offered a job by CBS News or NBC News, but he thought he was.

It is very unlikely that anyone will get offered a job at the conferences. That’s just being honest.

So, should you go or not?

I think it is still a good idea to pick a conference and go to it. You certainly don’t need to go to all of them.

The conferences are a great chance to meet people and network, and that might lead to a job offer down the line. The conferences have some good sessions in which you can learn. Yes, some of the sessions are a waste of time.

My advice is to go if it works for your schedule.

But, which conference do you go to?

Any of them is a good place to network. Pick one that is close by, or easy to travel to.

I have been to most of the conferences, and I think they all are worth it. I think NABJ is the biggest, and it is certainly the place where most News Directors can be found,

But a big conference means you could get lost in the crowd. AAJA is smaller, but you get more one on one time and a better chance to make an impression.

RTDNA is a good place to network and meet people, but it does seem to be a bit more cliquey than the other conferences.

NAHJ has a really good mix of strong sessions and good networking.

I think you can pick any conference and you will be fine. Don’t go there expecting to find a new job ASAP, but meet as many people as you can, stay in touch and it is a good bet it will come back to help you in the future.

Also, I should point out, you can go to any of the conferences. You don’t have to be Black to go to NABJ, or Asian to go to AAJA. The conferences are all-inclusive and all are a fun time.

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A Letter to the Sinclair Employees That Got Screwed

I asked ChatGPT to write a letter to the Sinclair employees that recently got screwed over by the company when they decided to shut down your newsroom.

Dear TV News Journalists,

I am sorry to hear that many of you have recently been laid off. Losing your job in TV news can be a particularly challenging and emotional experience, given the fast-paced and constantly changing nature of the industry. However, there are some steps you can take to navigate this difficult time and come out stronger on the other side.

Here are some tips for TV news journalists dealing with a layoff:

1. Stay connected to the industry: TV news moves quickly, and it's essential to stay informed and connected. Follow news organizations and journalists on social media, read industry publications, and attend events and conferences. This will help you stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends and give you an edge in job interviews.

2. Update your reel and resume: Your reel and resume are your calling cards in TV news, so it's crucial to make sure they are up-to-date and showcase your best work. Be sure to highlight your most significant accomplishments and skills, and consider tailoring your reel and resume to specific job opportunities.

3. Consider freelancing or contract work: While it's not the same as having a full-time job, freelancing or contract work can be an excellent way to stay connected to the industry and make some money in the meantime. Reach out to local news stations and production companies, and pitch them some story ideas. You can also look for freelance or contract opportunities on job boards and social media.

4. Network: The TV news industry is a small world, and it's essential to build relationships and make connections. Reach out to your former colleagues, mentors, and contacts in the industry. Attend industry events and conferences, and make an effort to meet new people. Remember that networking is a long-term investment, so don't be discouraged if you don't see immediate results.

5. Consider additional training or education: In the competitive TV news industry, having additional skills and education can give you an edge. Consider taking a course or workshop in video editing, social media management, or journalism ethics. This will not only make you a more attractive candidate for jobs, but it will also help you grow as a journalist.

Remember that a layoff does not define you or your skills as a TV news journalist. Stay positive, stay connected, and keep pushing forward. With hard work, perseverance, and a willingness to adapt, you can find a new job and continue to make a difference through your reporting.

Best of luck to you all,

ChatGPT

It’s the Communications Business

TV News is all about communications, but some time Journalists have trouble communicating.

OTA Talent Agent Natalie Davis has some advice for you to help jump start those communications skills.

Journalists are expected to be EXPERT communicators, and we are! But let’s face it; we get comfy with that prompter or that script we’ve pulled up on our phone out in the field. We’ve written the PERFECT script. We want to get it JUST RIGHT!

My challenge to you:  cut the cord and let ‘er rip! It’s time to take the leap and trust those extemporaneous speaking skills, whether you’re doing a live shot, ad libbing breaking news, or emceeing a community event as a representative of your station.

Prior to my career on the anchor desk, I had years of public speaking experience as Miss Minnesota, a spokesperson for the Miss America Organization, and an advocate for the disability community. Those communication skills served me well as an anchor and reporter. Here are my three tips for becoming an EXTEMP EXPERT:

·        Write bullets. Not QUITE ready to throw out the full script? Try this baby step to start. Bullet points will force you to be more conversational because you are not READING full sentences. You don’t need to read a script word-for-word. You KNOW your story! Tell it like you would to a friend.

·        Script yourself with pictures. This method involves letting go of the words completely. Instead, create mental pictures – or use your physical surroundings – to guide the story. The first job of a reporter, after all, is to show and tell… to set the scene. If you aren’t out in the field, perhaps ad libbing breaking news or giving a speech, imagine the scene. The images that appear in your head will naturally guide what you’re saying.

·        Don’t think.  As a great mentor of mine once said, “You THINK… you DIE.” Public speakers who overthink end up losing focus, speaking in monotone, and having poor eye contact. Then what happens? You LOSE the connection with their audience.

Now go be the best storyteller you can be – confident and off the cuff!

Cheering you on,

Natalie Davis
OTA Talent Agent
Natalie@OTAtalent.com

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