I’m guilty of having reporters stand outside the station to do live shots in blizzards. Given the perspective of time to look back, it probably was dumb. My wife asked me last night if, when I was news director, how I would have handled the reporter after his live shots. The truth is I’m not sure. The station received a lot of national publicity but covering bad weather is serious business that affects people’s lives and should not be taken lightly.
Thanks Dave. They just showed this clip nationally on CBS This Morning. What I often find entertaining is when the live news reporter has a ruler to show 2 inches of snow! Very timely review from you. Merry Christmas!
Yes, it is a waste of time. Dave is correct that there are several better ways to report that have both a reporter and photographer standing outside in hurricane, flood or blizzard. One more idea would be to have several remote-controlled cameras at strategic locations. But I question Dave's assertion that viewers pay more attention to live reports than to journalists in the field. While I'm at it, please stop the silly greetings to the anchors at the beginning of every live shot. You are supposed to be telling us the news not your colleagues at the anchor desks. This annoying format began back in 1976 when every CBS News reporter greeting Walter Cronkite with "Hello, Walter," during the network's special on America's Bicentennial. Let's end this foolishness.
I used to work with Mark Woodley and never knew he was funny! But yes, I agree, it probably wasn't wise to repeatedly gripe about the the gig on the air. Did you hear Mark say that his GM was behind the camera? And no...I didn't make that up 😁
Dave, very well said. Reminds me of a scene in Major League...center fielder runs under a fly-ball and at the last second turns and makes a "circus" catch. Coach greets him in the dugout saying,"nice catch...don't ever do it again". Fun to watch though. LOVE what you guys are doing with this writers group!
Thanks for the explanation. I often wonder if I correctly understood Marshall McLuhan's "The Media is the Message (1964) and its influence. I thought it was responsible for some of what you're talking about (i.e. the house fire is not the story - our video of the fire IS the story). Thus you get a reporter on the street; after all, TV is video, and that video IS the story.
Nevertheless, Mark persisted! A thoroughly engaging take on going live. Now, we need to figure out how you can go live with your column!😀
I’m guilty of having reporters stand outside the station to do live shots in blizzards. Given the perspective of time to look back, it probably was dumb. My wife asked me last night if, when I was news director, how I would have handled the reporter after his live shots. The truth is I’m not sure. The station received a lot of national publicity but covering bad weather is serious business that affects people’s lives and should not be taken lightly.
Thanks Dave. They just showed this clip nationally on CBS This Morning. What I often find entertaining is when the live news reporter has a ruler to show 2 inches of snow! Very timely review from you. Merry Christmas!
Yes, it is a waste of time. Dave is correct that there are several better ways to report that have both a reporter and photographer standing outside in hurricane, flood or blizzard. One more idea would be to have several remote-controlled cameras at strategic locations. But I question Dave's assertion that viewers pay more attention to live reports than to journalists in the field. While I'm at it, please stop the silly greetings to the anchors at the beginning of every live shot. You are supposed to be telling us the news not your colleagues at the anchor desks. This annoying format began back in 1976 when every CBS News reporter greeting Walter Cronkite with "Hello, Walter," during the network's special on America's Bicentennial. Let's end this foolishness.
I used to work with Mark Woodley and never knew he was funny! But yes, I agree, it probably wasn't wise to repeatedly gripe about the the gig on the air. Did you hear Mark say that his GM was behind the camera? And no...I didn't make that up 😁
Dave, very well said. Reminds me of a scene in Major League...center fielder runs under a fly-ball and at the last second turns and makes a "circus" catch. Coach greets him in the dugout saying,"nice catch...don't ever do it again". Fun to watch though. LOVE what you guys are doing with this writers group!
Excellent column and examination of this issue.
Thanks for the explanation. I often wonder if I correctly understood Marshall McLuhan's "The Media is the Message (1964) and its influence. I thought it was responsible for some of what you're talking about (i.e. the house fire is not the story - our video of the fire IS the story). Thus you get a reporter on the street; after all, TV is video, and that video IS the story.
Love this, Dave. The boundaries of professionalism are quickly changing and blurring... perhaps a column i will do soon!