Starting my TV career-lookin for some tips

[Slave to the Grind]

First post here-

My name's Kevin, and I'm a Senior at West Virginia University. Monday will be my first job interview for a Producer opening in Lima, OH. It's 5 hours up and 5 back, so I'll have plenty of time to think things over on the way.

On Wednesday, I'll be going down to Huntington, WV, to spend part of the day at WOWK. I met their Managing Editor at a professional day that was held a few weeks ago in Morgantown. He asked for my resume and told me to give him a call about coming down to check out the studio.
I called him about a week later, and he told me he gave my resume to one of the producers who works out of the Huntington office. He gave me her number, and we set up the time for me to come down.

It'll be a pretty busy week, but I should be able to learn quite a bit. I didn't have the chance to intern during my undergrad, so I feel like the only thing I'm lacking is experience in the actual newsroom. I think the trip to Huntington will show me a lot of the day-to-day things that go on in a top 75 market.

Aside from these two things, I sent about 18 tapes/scripts to newsrooms all over the country, mostly for specified entry-level Associate Producer jobs.

Anything I need to know before Monday? Thanks in advance.

-kevin

[Charlie Brown]

Be patient, check your ego at the door, learn to live on a very tight budget...and on your first day, forget everything you learned in college because most of it is irrelevant.

[AutoTranz]

Originally posted by Charlie Brown:
Be patient, check your ego at the door, learn to live on a very tight budget...and on your first day, forget everything you learned in college because most of it is irrelevant.VERY well said. That pretty much sums it all up.

Oh, and whenever you start working, dont use other people's opinions about the station as your own. Work there for a while then form you OWN opinion.

[ April 01, 2007, 09:03 AM: Message edited by: AutoTranz ]

[Order Up]

Huntington may say market 60-something but it acts like a much smaller market. Partly b/c the area is very econmically depressed and money is an issue with many stations there. You could conceivably get a job in that market if you are looking to stay closer to home. And honestly, I would not be surprised if it paid simliar to Lima for an entry level postion. Being smart, showing a willingness to learn, and the ability to take constructive crticism may get you a job at a place like WOWK. It would be more of an AP position or maybe weekend morning assignment editor but it is possible that they have an opening for someone like you.

[The Mockingbird]

Ooh, a graduate of West Virgina!

[Slave to the Grind]

Yea, like we printed the shirts ourselves.

[Marty McFly]

kkinkead, do you know of Tripe Face? She went to WVU... and everybody on here knows it.

[Signature on File]

If you are starting a new TV career....the only tips you will get are those from your second job as a waiter....just kidding...GOOD LUCK! :D

[Slave to the Grind]

I just started reading these forums a couple of days ago, so I don't know anyone here.

[Stack It]

A couple pieces of advice, sell yourself but as Chuck said, leave the ego at the door. Be prepared for a scary salary offer. Getting started in this business frequently requires a meager beginning. People are not joking when the say they lived off Top Ramen and Campbell's Soup.

[MyracleMan]

Originally posted by Stack It:
A couple pieces of advice, sell yourself but as Chuck said, leave the ego at the door. Be prepared for a scary salary offer. Getting started in this business frequently requires a meager beginning. People are not joking when the say they lived off Top Ramen and Campbell's Soup.Campbell's Soup? Woo-Hoo.... listen to Richie Rich over here!

[phil413]

use two cans of water...you get 2 meals out of it..

[Fargin Icehole]

Originally posted by MyracleMan:
]Campbell's Soup? Woo-Hoo.... listen to Richie Rich over here!My thoughts exactly. Store brand all the way (with a coupon of course).

[The Mockingbird]

I can't believe no on has mentioned the holy food...

Mac n' Cheese...

[Clever Login Name]

I thought that was the cop show that Joey Tribbiani got a part in.

[dewlove]

Hi All...Good luck, Kevin. This will be an exciting time for you, though it may take a few years for you to look back and realize it fully.

My tiny bit of advice is regarding this board. You've just outed yourself to anyone at WOWK, in Lima, or at any of the other stations you've applied to that may also read this board. If you come back to tell us how the interview went, choose your words carefully. You don't want to risk ruining an opportunity of beginning your career based on what you thought was an anonymous post.

[Tripe Face]

Kevin,

Ignore that moron Marty McFly, he'll be working for you in about 3 years... if he's not in custody somewhere.

I hope your interviews went well.

My best advice to you once you get your job is to learn everything you can about every job in the place. When people ask you to do something, give it your very best effort and then ask for more to do. Some people consider their first few jobs as "paying their dues" in this business. You should consider it your opportunity to prove yourself. The people you work for now will be the ones who help you get the job you dream of (the kind of job McFly will never get).

PM me if you need some job search help.

Tripe Face
BS Journalism
WVU Class of '84

[MyracleMan]

Of course, I'll tell you what I tell all soon-to-be J-school grads:

Stay in school get a real degree (like an MBA), and you'll be much better off in the long run!

[Slave to the Grind]

Appreciate all the advice so far. Thanks.

[The Mockingbird]

It's always fun to see the new ones before they get spiritually and morally raped by crappy media companies.

"Ha ha!" you're saying, "That Mockingbird is really funny! He's kidding, of course!"

Of course I am. Don't worry about it. You're not one of the 70 percent who will leave the business in frustration in 6 years. No need to worry about spending your prime earning years making 8 bucks an hour!

graemlins/cheers2.gif graemlins/icon_pidu.gif graemlins/iloveyou.gif

[Charlie Brown]

The whole 'never having stepped foot in a real newsroom' kind of bothers me about your experience. Was this because your school didn't promote the internship experience or because you didn't actively seek internships out?

My point here is that every j-schooler who has even the slightest inkling that they might want to pursue a career in broadcasting ought to be interning every chance they get. Spend your summer working in a small market newsroom to get a feel for what it's really like to work in the business. That way you can decide for yourself before graduating whether or not this life is for you.

[Clubbeat]

Learn as much as you can, play nice with the other kids, respect your elders...even if they're full of shiat and do not speak out of turn or ill of yor shop, even if it sucks (what you say could come back to haunt you).

Otherwise much success to you!