Fox Sports moves from Chyron to Vizrt on NewscastStudio Blog

Fox Sports moves from Chyron to Vizrt on NewscastStudio Blog

High Maintenance is for Movie Stars...

...not local tv reporters.  This week, the fill in managing editor was running in and out of the graphics room, like a chicken without a head.   He made a comment referring to the reporters as being high maintenance.  Uum...yeah...

the newsroom

Welcome to graphics!  We deal with these reporters everyday, and their crazy cock-i-maney ideas.

the control room crew

Everyday, there is something.  They really have no idea how we create a graphic, ..nor do they care... or should. It should not be their concern.  But when they have these ideas, and suggest how we create them, then throw a so called high maintenance tantrum-because we say it won't work......well, it becomes somewhat frustrating to deal with.  I think sometimes they are worse than 2 year olds  throwing a fit.  Yes,  I  know their faces are on the big tube, but really,???  when it comes down to it, it's their job... they chose that profession. A profession to report the story. 
I don't get being a reporter, or understand what it's like to be a reporter, or the stresses that they are under.  But then again, the reporter has no idea, what stresses we are under trying to get their graphic to air.  Most of them think it takes 5 minutes to build a graphic, in reality, it takes a bit longer. Average graphic takes about 15 minutes, and if they want those fancy so called "grow" graphics...animated in graphics term.  It could take up to a hour.  No need to explain to them, because they are like deers looking into headlights. That blank stare, means they have no idea what the hell you just said.
It's all about team work. Each one of us has a job to do to get that story to air. It's a production line, from a managing editor, to graphics, to editors, to the controlroom. No one is any more important than the other.  In the scheme of things, we are ALL just a number in a big corporation, A BIG corporation who has to answer to it's shareholders.   So unless you are a shareholder, or  J Lo, no need to throw that diva act.

Dog Days of Summer...

..are just about fading to black.  Where did those so called lazy days go?  In Canada it is a slow few months, unless you live in the eastern part of the country, there's hardly any work out west. A couple of football games, but that will only buy you, MAYBE a nice pair of Louboutins. But in the summer, all you need are flip flops.

Fonting AB Days Live from Winnipeg

My summer has been quiet. The only work I had was a summer solstice concert in Winnipeg for APTN.  I've been working this concert for the last three years. I love working on this gig.  The people at APTN are so nice to work with, the locations are an experience and the talent exceptional. This year being in Winnipeg was a chance for me to be back home.
See some friends, family, and enjoy being with friendly Manitobans. It was long 18 hour days, but so worth it.  I hope next year I get the call, I'd be there in a heart beat.
Now that the hot days are windling down, and the cold ones approach, so does the work. I received my hockey schedule a few weeks ago. The schedule is busy, and busy is good. I get to be back in an element I love being in...stressed and rushed...but it gets my blood flowing, and that mean your heart is pumping your passion.  Now as Vancouver braces a heatwave, I really should enjoy them as training camp for the Canucks starts in a couple weeks. Oh the cold days of winter!

ps...I'm off to Amsterdam for IBC for my summer vacation.!!
http://www.ibc.org/