VJ Newsrooms [Archive] - MediaLine's Open Line Forum

Scotch On The Rocks

Apr 4th 2007, 07:19 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Scotch On The Rocks:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Rosenblum:
They narrate as they watch the cut in real time. This technique, by the way, works very well and makes the read really resonate with the pictures. Try it.Is there a "dummy audio track" laid down first to edit around?[/QUOTE]Generally prefer not to.
Generally prefer to cut to pictures first, then lay in bites, then when that is done, create nararration.

Conventional method says write script, track and cut pictures to audio. This tends to result in wallpaper pix. If you lay in shots first, this tends to build much more visual stories.[/QUOTE]I see that, but I'm not sure I like it. I would think that a writer would have to either create a longer track to fit the hole, or a shorter one. Could stifle creativity.

What I do is log my video and audio, then from that log I choose my bites and best video. This way I can write at my desk while "inserting" the video I'm writing to right into the script. (in parentheses)

When I go to the edit bay, it's just a matter of tweaking, or creating a final draft.

But I like the idea of creating a narration track to edit around, then going back and doing it live. Thanks for that idea.

The Mockingbird

Apr 4th 2007, 07:21 AM

http://www.sysprog.net/borg.jpg

They are happy here, too.

LunchPenalty

Apr 4th 2007, 07:22 AM

In my further research, I've uncovered a photo of the News Director of the above posted newsrooms. Here he is, in the flesh...Rosie!!!!!

http://pieceoplastic.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/messiah.jpg

LunchPenalty

Apr 4th 2007, 07:25 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
The "average" VJ in the stations shown above probably make around $70k a year.Damn...and I thought I'd make more if I went to a larger market like San Fran.

Rosenblum

Apr 4th 2007, 07:58 AM

Many of the VJs in the larger markets do make more. Some considerably more.

Signature on File

Apr 4th 2007, 08:21 AM

God Help This Business!

The Mockingbird

Apr 4th 2007, 08:23 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
Many of the VJs in the larger markets do make more. Some considerably more.Those are the ones that haven't been forced out yet.

Ralphie the buffalo

Apr 4th 2007, 09:48 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
In response the the Mary Tyler Moore shot from last week, I thought you might be interested in seeing what the VJ-driven newsroom I have designed look like.This thread is a classic case study of how Rosie operates. He takes a kernal of truth and then embellishes upon that foundation in order to twist things to suit his needs.

I am the one who posted the Mary Tyler Moore newsroom. So, who better to speak to why it was posted? That picture showed a television newroom as depicted on a comedy series from the era in which Rosie last worked in a televison newroom. Chicago Dog was spot on.

Correct me if I am wrong Rosie, the last time you worked in a newsroom was in the 1970's isn't it? That was half a lifetime ago, huh?

In no way was I comparing the MTM set to the VJ newsroom. That idea was totally manufactured by Rosie in order for him to have a peg to hang this thread from.

The VJ newsroom looks more like a TEMPORARY workroom set up for tv crews at major sporting events, like a basketball tournament. Yeah, I've seen a few of those rooms in the past month. I've actually worked in them. Long tables are crammed with people working elbow to elbow and the equipment is jammed anywhere it will fit. It is fine for TEMPORARY work, but it is not easy to do quality work under those conditions over the long haul. At least there is free food and drink in a room down the way, so we all tolerate the working conditions at these events.

I'll drop another tv comedy analogy on you: The VJ newsroom looks more like a M*A*S*H and not hospital.

And another thing: 70K in SanFranSicko is NOT a great salary considering the cost if living. I have a higher standard of living in the Heartland on less than that.

[ April 04, 2007, 10:53 AM: Message edited by: Ralphie the buffalo ]

Mr. Pratfall

Apr 4th 2007, 10:12 AM

The third picture does look like a hotel conference room.

Stack It

Apr 4th 2007, 10:19 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
The "average" VJ in the stations shown above probably make around $70k a year.That's nothing at KRON. There are full-time writers at other stations in the market that make more than that. You can barely survive in San Francisco making that kind of money. I wouldn't be bragging about KRON as a success if I were you. Take a look at their ratings. Welcome to the real world, sunshine.

Rosenblum

Apr 4th 2007, 12:06 PM

Dear Ralphie
I feel compelled to answer:
The last time I worked in a newsroom would have been this morning. Since I was in a newsroom that I am a part owner of, I would call this work, wouldn't you? My income depends on the success of the newsroom.
Sometimes if I really like a project I will take an equity position, so yes, I work in newsrooms pretty much of the time.

I also like the open platform. Of course, many of our VJs are encouraged to take their laptops and work from home. As broadband gets better this will become more and more common. In the meantime, I find that most conventional newsrooms look more like insurance offices - cubicles, flourescent lights, aluminum desks than like creative enterprises. As well, in most newsrooms the 'crew' is buried in the basement or God only knows where - the edit 'suites' are down the hall and far away. Everything of importance is buried. Everyone is separated - not conduicive to creativity at all.

As far as salaries are concerned, from what I read here and other places, my ~VJs and others seem to make far more than most conventional newsroom employees. But thanks for the heads up Sunset.

Stack It

Apr 4th 2007, 12:20 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:

As far as salaries are concerned, from what I read here and other places, my ~VJs and others seem to make far more than most conventional newsroom employees. But thanks for the heads up Sunset.Most conventional newsroom employees don't work in San Francisco. There's this whole larger the market, the more you make thing. In SF, that average of yours is substandard. Producers make more. Writers make more. Freelancers make more. Try again. 70k is nothing to proud of when folks around you make more doing a lot less. Try again.

[ April 04, 2007, 01:20 PM: Message edited by: Stack It ]

Rosenblum

Apr 4th 2007, 12:23 PM

I did not say VJs in SF make 70K. I said that's what VJs across the spectrum (small stations included) make on average. Get it?

Stack It

Apr 4th 2007, 12:30 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
I did not say VJs in SF make 70K. I said that's what VJs across the spectrum (small stations included) make on average. Get it?Oh I get it alright. You posted the average for the 3 stations you listed as 70k. So are the folks in Europe getting hosed and the folks in SF picking up the slack...

Rosenblum

Apr 4th 2007, 12:36 PM

Do you really think that a young reporter at a small station getting 70k is getting 'hosed'? Just out of curiosity, where do you work and what do you make?

McCovey Cove Returns

Apr 4th 2007, 12:47 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:

These are:

KRON/San Francisco
RTV West / Netherlands
BBC Newcastle

Those are "small market?" graemlins/eusa_shifty.gif

Rosenblum

Apr 4th 2007, 01:06 PM

I cannot speak for what others pay. I cannot even tell you what they pay at KRON, as this is not my station and I am not privy to contracts. I can tell you what I pay VJs at places where I do have some measure of control. At very small markets (and I mean small - not KRON and not even Newcastle), entry level VJs with almost no prior experience get 30K. I often have to train these people as they are right out of school. This is a first reporting job. Top VJs who work for me on the top projects earn close to 200K. Based on what is around in the market, I think these salaries are both fair and competitive.

The mythology that VJ is some kind of $5 an hour job is simply not true.

The Fedora

Apr 4th 2007, 01:07 PM

Mike,

Your office is not a daily turn newsroom, it is essentially a production house. That's fine but it is not a news operation, you do documentaries.

As to the working from home... Since sending the finished work back to the station will use enormous amounts of bandwidth you will be building the cost of high-speed service and equipment for every VJ's home, right? So... Say 50 VJ's using the top tier broadband service at $100 a month comes to and additional $5,000 per month.

Whoops. Another added expense.

Go away mike... no converts here except your plants.

foxravens

Apr 4th 2007, 01:07 PM

I really REALLY think I'm gonna have a cerebral hemmorage.

Rosenblum

Apr 4th 2007, 01:08 PM

If you can close down part of your office overhead for 5k a month, its a bargain. And I am not talking about my production company. I am talking about news operations. And, of course, I don't really need 'converts'. I don't care if you buy into it or not. It is coming anyway. smile.gif

[ April 04, 2007, 02:11 PM: Message edited by: Rosenblum ]

McCovey Cove Returns

Apr 4th 2007, 01:21 PM

Rosenblum, your future is the web. That's the perfect medium for what you do.

Places that need a web-journalist would benefit from this.. otherwise unless I'm in an absolute pinch, I want a photographer working with a reporter.

[ April 04, 2007, 02:26 PM: Message edited by: Soon to be ex-News Vampire ]

The Fedora

Apr 4th 2007, 01:21 PM

Not at Stations or broadcast companies who give a crap about the content they put on the air it won't, only those looking to save a buck.

Speaking of that. that 5k per month is an added expense. On top of what the stations would have to pay on top of the services at the studios.

Look mike, I understand that you put all of your eggs in this basket, and the evidence that it's failing must disturb the hell out of you, but to come on here and keep pushing it to us shows that you have a pathological need to be abused. Why is that? You will not convince us.

Oh, I do have a question. Which American market specifically is paying 30k for an unexperienced VJ?

Rosenblum

Apr 4th 2007, 01:28 PM

It is what I start my hyperlocal community reporters at. Applications open, by the way.

The Fedora

Apr 4th 2007, 01:33 PM

Nope.

I am VERY happy working for my ND who used to be a Shooter and Chief Photog...

Know what that means? No VJs. He laughs at the stunt.

VJs belong on the web, not on a HD TV.

By the way, that wasn't an answer. I said, specifically which American TV market.

[ April 04, 2007, 02:34 PM: Message edited by: The Fedora ]

Stack It

Apr 4th 2007, 01:42 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
Do you really think that a young reporter at a small station getting 70k is getting 'hosed'? Just out of curiosity, where do you work and what do you make?Where in the US can I find a small market reporter that makes that kind of cash? I don't want generalities, I want markets or cities.

I'll tell you this. I work in a top 10, behind the scenes, and I make more than the average you posted.

Produce man

Apr 4th 2007, 01:47 PM

I think I'll just keep working in a real newsroom.

Stack It

Apr 4th 2007, 01:51 PM

Originally posted by Produce man:
I think I'll just keep working in a real newsroom.Don't worry, he'll convince you your real newsroom will be VJ-ing in no time.

Bureau Chief

Apr 4th 2007, 02:04 PM

I'm sure that the loud rumble of multiple phone calls, multiple people all tracking audio, numorus people all trying to talk over each other and the click clack of computer keyboards are conducive to creativity and rational thought. It will some day lead to mass shootings as overworked VJs become frustrated and go "creative" on their fellow workers.

Mike, you got me converted as far as believing that VJ is the coming thing, like it or not, but those "newrooms" look more like sweatshops.

Rosenblum

Apr 4th 2007, 02:07 PM

Having been in all kinds, they are actually very conducive to good work. Think of Mike Milliken's famous X-desk for traders in the 80s. Open spaces where everyone can talk to everyone, walk around, see everyone's work in process, ask opinions makes for a much better workplace and a much better product. Try it on a small scale and see.

Produce man

Apr 4th 2007, 02:11 PM

I prefer to have enough room between co-workers that I can't smell what they had for lunch.

That's just me.

workin for the man

Apr 4th 2007, 02:44 PM

It is what I start my hyperlocal community reporters at. Applications open, by the way. Those small market hyperlocals being the new one in DC? Thats really a tiny market, and I'm sure you VJ's are happier than a pig in a bucket to be raking in a whole 30K a year. Don't pretend like VJing especially through your company is where the money is. Your a bottom-line kind of guy, and regardless of where the project is, you find a way to lowball em. 30k in DC, you know thats unlivable.

The Mockingbird

Apr 4th 2007, 02:58 PM

Originally posted by workin for the man:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />It is what I start my hyperlocal community reporters at. Applications open, by the way. Those small market hyperlocals being the new one in DC? Thats really a tiny market, and I'm sure you VJ's are happier than a pig in a bucket to be raking in a whole 30K a year. Don't pretend like VJing especially through your company is where the money is. Your a bottom-line kind of guy, and regardless of where the project is, you find a way to lowball em. 30k in DC, you know thats unlivable.[/QUOTE]30k is like 14 and a half dollars an hour, or 575 bucks a week.

With that kind of money, you could barely afford a lovely apartment at Belmont Crossing (406 square feet).

$30,000 in DC is the equivalent of $18,804 in Pocatello, ID, a relatively common starting market.

Rosenblum

Apr 4th 2007, 03:03 PM

First, these hyperlocal nodes are going to be placed in the suburbs for the most part. Second, from what I see other local news operations paying first job employees, this is in fact high. One person who used to work for me went to work at the ABC affil in Talahassee as a reporter and started at 17K. 30 does not seem so onerous for a first job.

Spike

Apr 4th 2007, 03:07 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
One person who used to work for me went to work at the ABC affil in Talahassee as a reporter and started at 17K.So, after working with you, the best this person could get was a $17K job in market 109?

That doesn't say much for your training, Michael.

McCovey Cove Returns

Apr 4th 2007, 03:10 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
30 does not seem so onerous for a first job.In DC? Send my mail to the local Salvation Army or homeless shelter.

News Is Broken

Apr 4th 2007, 04:01 PM

http://www.thewe.cc/thewei/&/&/images5/india/r2245637255.jpe

This location also has no cubicles or edit suites. A veritable cornucopia of creative synergy awaits! Just look at these hard working and happy folks!

OK seriously, I would Mike's set up to be distracting and counter productive. If I were a VJ, I'd probably track my stuff while sitting in the car or something and then just hook up to the network to upload and go get a snack or something. I need space to do my best work and prefer not to have a bunch of my coworkers blabbering on around me while I do it.

Chicago Dog

Apr 4th 2007, 05:30 PM

This is basically all you need to know about Michael Rosenblum:

1. If you ask a question he refuses to answer, there's your answer.

2. If you find two (or more) of his statements contradict one another, you're in for some backpedaling when you bring it to light.

3. If you disagree with him on a regular basis, you're antisemetic.

I'm sure there's more, but is it really worth it? The guy can barely get dollar amounts down without making himself look like an ignorant jackass.

workin for the man

Apr 4th 2007, 07:07 PM

First, these hyperlocal nodes are going to be placed in the suburbs for the most part. These nodes are in the suburbs? Which DC suburb can 30K support any life style? Unless you are talking about 50-100 miles outside of the city, that comment is rediculous.

My favorite part of the comment was: "for the most part" -- so lets say you are taking this hyperlocal to the top cities, New York, LA, Chicago, Dallas, DC etc ... which of these if any "major" city will 30K be enough?

Trying to reason that, that is a fair salary is crazy.

LunchPenalty

Apr 4th 2007, 07:55 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
First, these hyperlocal nodes are going to be placed in the suburbs for the most part. Second, from what I see other local news operations paying first job employees, this is in fact high. One person who used to work for me went to work at the ABC affil in Talahassee as a reporter and started at 17K. 30 does not seem so onerous for a first job.There you have it friends. The leopard has shown his spots. Not only does this man want to take your job, but if he allows you to keep it, you'll do so on a vastly inferior wage, working in cramped conditions while being told you are making good money. All the while his pockets continue to be filled.

30K is good in your opinion? What did your W-2 for '06 say Rosie?

Roy Hobbs

Apr 4th 2007, 08:49 PM

Colonel Saito says...

http://www.filmsite.org/speeches/bridgekwai.jpg

..."be happy in your work!!!"

The Fedora

Apr 4th 2007, 10:17 PM

30k in Rockville? Manassas? Frederick?

you've got to be kidding.

Hope you like ramen.

Stack It

Apr 4th 2007, 11:20 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
First, these hyperlocal nodes are going to be placed in the suburbs for the most part. Second, from what I see other local news operations paying first job employees, this is in fact high. One person who used to work for me went to work at the ABC affil in Talahassee as a reporter and started at 17K. 30 does not seem so onerous for a first job.Onerous? That's an insult in Washington, DC. You should know better than to put TV on par with working at a McDonalds. 30k is pretty good if they live way the hell out in the middle of nowhere.

Rosenblum

Apr 5th 2007, 02:53 AM

If you don't like the offering for the entry level job, don't apply. I could care less....
Does not seem to be stopping many others.

If you have the qualifications for the higher paying jobs (which ... I doubt), apply away. Love to see your reel.
This is a free market.

The Mockingbird

Apr 5th 2007, 03:39 AM

Thanks, but I think I'll stick to my six-figure one.

It's easier to pay the rent in Dulles that way.

Spike

Apr 5th 2007, 07:48 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
If you don't like the offering for the entry level job, don't apply.The fact that you think Washington, DC is an entry level market just further demonstrates your ignorance.

LunchPenalty

Apr 5th 2007, 07:53 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
If you don't like the offering for the entry level job, don't apply. I could care less....
Does not seem to be stopping many others.

If you have the qualifications for the higher paying jobs (which ... I doubt), apply away. Love to see your reel.
This is a free market.So if none of us would qualify, why do you hang around here? Why don't you do us all a favor and troll someplace else?

Stack It

Apr 5th 2007, 07:59 AM

The problem Lunch is we're all over qualified and would break the bank.

Rosenblum

Apr 5th 2007, 07:59 AM

Originally posted by Spike:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Rosenblum:
If you don't like the offering for the entry level job, don't apply.The fact that you think Washington, DC is an entry level market just further demonstrates your ignorance.[/QUOTE]For someone so ignorant, I seem to be doing OK. My entry level job was in NY, by the way. You can start anywhere..

wxgeek

Apr 5th 2007, 08:04 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Spike:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Rosenblum:
If you don't like the offering for the entry level job, don't apply.The fact that you think Washington, DC is an entry level market just further demonstrates your ignorance.[/QUOTE]For someone so ignorant, I seem to be doing OK. My entry level job was in NY, by the way. You can start anywhere..[/QUOTE]You seem to be doing ok, but the stations you "help" aren't.

The Fedora

Apr 5th 2007, 08:24 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Spike:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Rosenblum:
If you don't like the offering for the entry level job, don't apply.The fact that you think Washington, DC is an entry level market just further demonstrates your ignorance.[/QUOTE]For someone so ignorant, I seem to be doing OK. My entry level job was in NY, by the way. You can start anywhere..[/QUOTE]not on air you didn't. that's what he means.

I'm from DC mike, 30k isn't going to get you far at all. You'd have to live with your parents.

foxravens

Apr 5th 2007, 10:28 AM

Originally posted by LunchPenalty:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Rosenblum:
If you don't like the offering for the entry level job, don't apply. I could care less....
Does not seem to be stopping many others.

If you have the qualifications for the higher paying jobs (which ... I doubt), apply away. Love to see your reel.
This is a free market.So if none of us would qualify, why do you hang around here? Why don't you do us all a favor and troll someplace else?[/QUOTE]Hear hear!
All Rosie does is hang around and invite abuse.
Very few of us are in sympathy with what he's attempting to do to our business, yet he continues to haunt this board...maybe he's a masochist or something.

Oh yeah, Rosie....what the HELL is a "hyperlocal node"??? (try real english...it works...everyone understands it and everything!)

[ April 05, 2007, 11:30 AM: Message edited by: foxravens ]

Ralphie the buffalo

Apr 5th 2007, 10:51 AM

Originally posted by foxravens:
....what the HELL is a "hyperlocal node"??? A publishing analogy: A community newspaper that is very locally focused compared to the city daily to covers a wide region. Except it is internet and cell phone driven video news.

Straight from Rosie's press release:

"The concept: To build a chain of small, VJ-driven hyperlocal news ‘nodes’ unique to the FiOS system. We would place these nodes within the community and young VJs could go out and find stories really of interest to the community. At the same time, they would become magnets for the burgeoning ‘citizen journalist’ movement. http://rosenblumtv.wordpress.com/2007/03/30/hyperlocal-news/

Gee, now intead of watching someone's vacation videos you can see them create a news product. Kinda like cable access news on a neighborhood basis. Citizen journalist is code for low or no-pay and poorly or untrained. Sounds compelling to me...NOT.

And what is a "hyperlocal node"? http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/003297.html

Rosenblum

Apr 5th 2007, 11:10 AM

You can find out more about this, and other stuff - as well as raise your questions in person. I am speaking twice at RTNDA/NAB. First on the opening panel on Sunday at 4PM and then again on a separate VJ panel on Tuesday morning. I look forward to meeting you all in person.

foxravens

Apr 5th 2007, 11:39 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
You can find out more about this, and other stuff - as well as raise your questions in person. I am speaking twice at RTNDA/NAB. First on the opening panel on Sunday at 4PM and then again on a separate VJ panel on Tuesday morning. I look forward to meeting you all in person.Given that very few of us are news directors, I would doubt that there's much of a chance of that.
Good luck with your brainwashing, though.
I'm sure you'll have quite a receptive audience.
After all, even though you are bent on destroying a structure that has served our industry well for many years, you MIGHT be able to save management a few bucks, even though quality will drop dramatically.
They'll LOVE you.
Unlike most of us.

McCovey Cove Returns

Apr 5th 2007, 11:57 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
You can find out more about this, and other stuff - as well as raise your questions in person. I am speaking twice at RTNDA/NAB. First on the opening panel on Sunday at 4PM and then again on a separate VJ panel on Tuesday morning. I look forward to meeting you all in person.I highly suggest figuring out who the hell you're talking to first at RTNDA since it's very apparent you have no clue who you're blabbering at in here.

I'll say this, your VJs are perfect for places that push the web or podcasts. ;) I have seen the future, the question is have you?

[ April 05, 2007, 01:17 PM: Message edited by: Soon to be ex-News Vampire ]

Chicago Dog

Apr 5th 2007, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
You can find out more about this, and other stuff - as well as raise your questions in person. I am speaking twice at RTNDA/NAB.Given the fact that:

1) ... your last job in daily, local television news was almost thirty years ago,

2) ... you've never shadowed a field crew -- even though they're the focal point of the OMB/VJ "restructuring,"

3) ... one of your previously-OMB/VJ stations is returning to traditional crews,

4) .... you've got an out-of-control urge to randomly accuse people of being antisemetic,

I doubt you'll have a remotely worthwhile, intelligent audience.

[ April 05, 2007, 03:02 PM: Message edited by: Chicago Dog ]

Produce man

Apr 5th 2007, 02:05 PM

Again, I think I'll just keep working in a REAL newsroom.

foxravens

Apr 5th 2007, 02:20 PM

Originally posted by Produce man:
Again, I think I'll just keep working in a REAL newsroom.Wow, do we actually AGREE on something?

Stack It

Apr 5th 2007, 03:37 PM

I think a vast majority of us agree on the same exact thing. In a nutshell, don't hand the newsroom a one gallon jar of vasoline in the daily news gathering process.

We can't agree on politics, but we can sure as hell agree on the right way of doing things.

I'm pretty sure Rosenblum LOVES Ignite.

NYC Street

Apr 7th 2007, 03:52 PM

Sheesh.

He's still peddling his "it's coming" stuff, when everywhere it's been tried, it isn't coming, it's going. Why?

Because it (still) doesn't work. So far, Rosenblum's kiddie TV fantasies have made bean counters happy, and put audiences to sleep.

Hyperlocal? That gives you a tiny potential audience. So expect your salary to match.

Sure, a small minority of those who start out hyperlocal may one day graduate to real television news...just as a few people have escaped the quicksand of NY1 and News 12s to get jobs in the majors.

But I'd bet those people would get there faster and have better experience by going the traditional route of learning the process in smaller markets.

If and when MR has any success in this country, somebody please send me a PM. Otherwise, the tired, repetitive rhetoric is just boring.

Spike

Apr 7th 2007, 04:41 PM

Originally posted by NYC Street:
Sure, a small minority of those who start out hyperlocal may one day graduate to real television news...just as a few people have escaped the quicksand of NY1 and News 12s to get jobs in the majors. An observation about that:

Over the years I have worked with several reporters who got their starts in low budget cable operations in large markets. These were the ones who could not get in with the bigger guys in town. Instead, they had to drop down (significantly) in markets in order to come back up to increase their salaries.

But almost every one of them had been damaged by the experience of having worked in those big markets. They usually had picked up not only all the large market bad habits, but also the low budget working methods. They had been allowed to cut corners to "compete" because it was the only way to get their jobs done, and they didn't know how to work otherwise.

At the same time, because they had worked in a large market, they felt they had something to prove to the small market types to justify their large market background and mitigate the loss of face in having to drop markets. As a result, they were generally unwilling to unlearn their bad habits and relearn better ways to do things. The majority of them actually left the business and went into PR instead.

I foresee a similar sad fate for Michael's hyperlocal journalists. Many of these people will become convinced that they are qualified to do real television. They'll try to move up in these large markets and will fail. They'll try to go to small markets and will fail. Oh, you'll have a few who succeed, and Michael will trumpet their successes to the heavens while ignoring the majority who end up working in bookstores.

[ April 07, 2007, 05:42 PM: Message edited by: Spike ]

Chicago Dog

Apr 7th 2007, 04:49 PM

Originally posted by Spike:
Oh, you'll have a few who succeed, and Michael will trumpet their successes to the heavens while ignoring the majority who end up working in bookstores.Speaking of, how many of the "thousands" who have "graduated" from his "OMB/VJ boot camp" actually hold worthwhile jobs in television now?

Rosenblum

Apr 7th 2007, 05:28 PM

Thanks for your comments boys. It will have a big impact on my future thinking......not.

Spike

Apr 7th 2007, 05:43 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
Thanks for your comments boys. It will have a big impact on my future thinking......not.Of course not. Because you don't give a sh*t about the people whose lives you're ruining, but only your own wallet. If it makes a dollar for Michael Rosenblum, ***** everybody else.

markminn

Apr 7th 2007, 05:49 PM

Fearmonger

Apr 7th 2007, 09:44 PM

I hate the idea of working at a large crowded table because it would drive me to distraction.

I think learning this kind of newsgathering and reporting is absolutely necessary. I’m not eager to see this in the Los Angeles market but they do such a crappy job here it would not get any worse. The quality of the product put forth in the Phoenix market is far superior to what they do in L.A. any day.

I want to be able to do this VJ thing as good as it can possibly be done if for no reason but to improve my blog. I want to do stories in the L.A area for other markets that need them. I’ve got a media pass for the Phil Spector trial and would be happy to feed anyone who needs someone that understands murder trials, criminal law and a little inside information.

Maybe Mike can suggest a cheap PC based video editing package for my new laptop. I have Adobe Premier Elements and Ulead 10 installed now. Should I be shooting 16X9 or regular?

I know I should be using an Apple laptop with Final Cut Pro but I’m too cheap to spend the money and I’ve got what I’ve got.

I shoot with a canon XL1S with two lenses and Sennheiser mics both wired and wireless. Of course I have lights and gels too.

Who’s holding classes I can sit in on in L.A.?

Vulcan

Apr 7th 2007, 10:10 PM

Originally posted by Soon to be ex-News Vampire:
Rosenblum, your future is the web. That's the perfect medium for what you do.If that's the stance, point goes to Rosie.

Everything is moving to the web - including television stations (and newsrooms) that recognize their power is with their BRAND, no longer just with their FCC license.

Rosenblum

Apr 8th 2007, 01:38 AM

Originally posted by Spike:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Rosenblum:
Thanks for your comments boys. It will have a big impact on my future thinking......not.Of course not. Because you don't give a sh*t about the people whose lives you're ruining, but only your own wallet. If it makes a dollar for Michael Rosenblum, ***** everybody else.[/QUOTE]I am trying to tell you what is coming but you don't want to listen.

Your choice.

As Vulcan and Fearmonger comment, this is indeed what is happening. You can shoot the messenger (or try), but it will not change things.

The smart money sees what is coming and gets ready. There are enormous opportunities for those who prepare themselves for this. Enormous. You have some of the skill sets before anyone else.

For those who resist to the end, it will be ugly.

Your choice.

In so far as editing platforms are concerned, my own pref. is for FCP, but anything will do. Keep to 4:3 for now. The video online market in LA is probably pretty viable. Look at TMZ. Just the beginning. Lots of opportunities here.

I am putting together prof. classes. The Discovery deal is for amateurs. We are assembling the first working pro ad hoc groups. If you wanna get in (and I will do them anywhere in the US as soon as we get a critical mass of 12 together), send me an email info@rosenblumtv.com.

[ April 08, 2007, 02:40 AM: Message edited by: Rosenblum ]

The Fedora

Apr 8th 2007, 06:55 AM

It may be coming mike... But not to quality news departments. Only to ones who want to slash budgets or the local cable companies looking for additional programming.

News managers who give a crap have caught on to the stuff you are selling, they ain't buying. They don't want to see their ratings drop like a stone after the quality decreases overnight.

I don't have a problem with a OMB/VJ in a remote bureau, that does make sense, but converting an entire newsroom will lead to disaster. It already has in Nashvegas and the Bay area. That's why KRN is dropping the system and reverting back to 2 person crews.

When most people think of VJ's, they think of that idiot on the 5th element. At least I do anyway... :D

Rosenblum

Apr 8th 2007, 07:16 AM

You know.. it will go where it goes. If you look at newspapers, you will see they are adapting to it with great rapidity and in many cases putting more cameras on the streets every day than local tv news stations. European broadasters have adapted this with great rapidity and success. You now see, and will see more of former phone companies like Verizon and ATT getting into this space as well. In the end, everyone will migrate to the web. How all this shakes down is anyone's guess, but my instincts tell me I am not so far wrong.

[ April 08, 2007, 08:17 AM: Message edited by: Rosenblum ]

Spike

Apr 8th 2007, 08:18 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
How all this shakes down is anyone's guess, but my instincts tell me I am not so far wrong.You've been wrong for twenty years. Why stop now?

Rosenblum

Apr 8th 2007, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by Spike:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Rosenblum:
How all this shakes down is anyone's guess, but my instincts tell me I am not so far wrong.You've been wrong for twenty years. Why stop now?[/QUOTE]Yes, of course. Business has never been worse... sure... ha ha ha. You give me a good laugh on a Sunday Spike. Keep it coming! smile.gif

TVShootist.

Apr 8th 2007, 11:15 AM

The VJ system will not become a main stay in newsrooms, you people are flipping out and Michael is getting plenty of laughs out of it. Face it, the only newsrooms that will use it are ones that are so cash-strapped to compete, they'll have no choice. It's logical in small markets or in places where the owners plain and simply can't afford a regular staff. Outside of that, it's best suited for the newest emerging field, web journalists. There are a number of TV stations that are pushing the web and podcasts. A VJ could certainly fill that need while the main operation keeps chugging along. Hire yourself a couple of VJs and have them post stories strictly on the website. The advertising and sales numbers along with web-visits have shot up dramatically the last few years.

Michael is the kind of guy you'd bring in if this is your objective. I think you'll be able to draw you own conclusions from this post, since so many of you seem to know where this industry stands.

[ April 08, 2007, 12:16 PM: Message edited by: Launching Pad ]

Vulcan

Apr 11th 2007, 05:33 PM

Lord knows I don't get along with Rosenblum completely - and I've been aggressive about forcing him to see the holes in the model.

TRUE: Beancounters love to exploit the VJ concept and reap the cheap front-end rewards.

TRUE: Rosenblum has yet to show how he can keep his Utopian vision of VJ implementation from being corrupted by short-term thinking.

FALSE: Two-man crews will always be the industry standard. The shift is coming, and when it does it won't be a trickle. It will be an avalanche. Viewership is declining, other technologies are lining up to compete with distinct cost advantages. There will come a day when enough news consumers eschew the traditional Broadcast-J model that the perceived ratings bump from the supposed "quality advantage" will be not worth the extra hassle.

Looking into my crystal ball, here's how it breaks down:

Urban centers get away from the traditional model the first. They have the size to make a niche product profitable for a company to take a venture. It may be a traditional news entity, or it might be a startup. Look for it in places where iPod (or equivalent) technology reaches a 35% penetration. (Think BIG commuter populations, who would like fast news on-demand)

Mid-markets will see it come next, but only following the models and formulas that show the most promise in the urban centers. Ownership groups would extend the models to mid-markets, possibly in cooperation with existing news brands (newspaper, teevee, or radio - whomever has the best brand to peddle.)

Small markets will be next to impossible to crack. Even with minuscule production and delivery costs, there won't be enough population to make the margin worthwhile. It is here - in the smallest of the metro DMAs - that you'll see the last of the two-man crews. Some of them will be doing fantastic work, because they won't have any bigger markets to move up into without learning the new skillsets.

Rail as much as you'd like about the loss of quality. The consumers don't care. VJs can do an admirable job of following Larry Birkhead around, or whatever else is masquerading as important for the moment. You're arguing about the best way to make buggy whips, and ignoring the truck that's bearing down on you.

Is Rosenblum profiting on this? I hope so. Somebody's gotta make a buck.

Has Rosenblum been wrong about a lot of his blathering? Yes. And Michael, I stand by that word because I've seen you shift positions as you go along.

Is Rosenblum right about the general direction? You bet. And no amount of personal attacks will change that.

If we went back in a time machine and got a young Rosenblum interested in ice sculptures instead of cameras, would we still be having this discussion? Yes. New technologies change the status quo often, and with effects the inventors never foresaw.

Killing the messenger won't make VJs go away. And don't pretend that his profiting on this makes a difference. If he was doing it for free, none of you would say nice things about him. (Probably would call him an idiot for not trying to make a buck.)

Rosenblum

Apr 11th 2007, 11:04 PM

Dear Spike
I hear you have a passion for visual story telling.
Why don't you take a look a this 'vj' site and tell me what you think.
http://mediastorm.org/
seriously

Another side

Apr 11th 2007, 11:22 PM

Vulcan: Excellent post. You make the critical point that Rosenblum has made ad nauseum but others -- photographers -- refuse to accept: Viewers don't care about quality, at least, not when it's close. Maybe the photogs will believe it because you, rather than Rosenblum, said it ... maybe not. But it IS the critical point.

cameragod

Apr 11th 2007, 11:53 PM

No. Repeating it doesn’t make it true.
Industry truism: If the content is good enough then viewers will accept lower quality.
So why do so many people think they can ignore the first part of that and just cling to the last? Oh yeah, money.

Spike

Apr 12th 2007, 04:14 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
Why don't you take a look a this 'vj' site and tell me what you think.I think there was some good work there. But I also think that has nothing whatsoever to do with local news, and bringing it up is another desperate attempt to distract from your failure at the local level.

Edit to add: As I've mentioned in the past, I don't really care for the narrated slide shows. That's not video and doesn't play to the strengths of video.

[ April 12, 2007, 05:19 AM: Message edited by: Spike ]

Rosenblum

Apr 12th 2007, 04:31 AM

This is the work of photojournalist moving into video. Whether it is local news or global is immaterial. You can apply the same visual sensability if you are in Parsippany or Paris. Does not matter. What it interesting is the visual power, and as both television and print move to the web, it bespeaks a new kind of visual story telling - something I thought you were interested in.

Spike

Apr 12th 2007, 04:42 AM

Originally posted by Vulcan:
FALSE: Two-man crews will always be the industry standard. The shift is coming, and when it does it won't be a trickle. It will be an avalanche. Viewership is declining, other technologies are lining up to compete with distinct cost advantages. I think you're mistaken on your prediction. I think there certainly will be an attempt to shift toward this. But I think that there will also be a recoil away from it for two reasons.

First is the cost. I do not believe that it actually saves money, and when these companies try it, they will realize that they have degraded the quality of their product (overall, not just in picture quality) for no appreciable gain. VJs simply are not as efficient as two man crews. WKRN's news director so much as admitted that making them turn one story a day leads to burnout, while most of the stations at which I've worked had reporter/photog teams doing a minimum of two stories a day, usually with accompanying VOs and VOSOTs. VJs will never be able to generate the volume that two man crews can generate to fill all the space, either on television or on the web, that will need to be filled. To get the same volume, VJs cost as much or more than traditional crews.

The other problem is with the assumptions around convergence. Everyone assumes, rightly so, that television and the web will eventually converge. But nobody seems to be thinking about the conditions necessary for a full convergence. To get full convergence, you'll need internet delivery at full television resolution. Why watch television on a computer screen when, to be able to get it to stream properly, you have to have the little window reduced to 4" across?

So this much anticipated convergence will happen when bandwidth and delivery methods can compete with over the air and cable television to deliver full sized, full resolution video in real time. But when that happens, this manufactured excuse that an inferior quality product is "good enough for the web" will go away. From a picture standpoint, people watching from their computer on big HD monitors are not going to be satisfied with YouTube quality.

But even before that, they're not going to excuse poor storytelling techniques just because it's coming from the internet. When the volume of television on the web reaches the level that people are assuming will cause VJs to make sense, it will make MORE sense economically to produce that high volume of material in a more efficient manor, i.e. with traditional crews able to crank out more material in less time for less money overall.

What you'll see isn't a wholesale shift to VJ newsgathering. What you'll see is television stations and internet news outfits using VJs to do certain feature style franchises, often in longer form, while traditional two person crews continue to collect and process the primary news product.

And finally, even after there's a full convergence, I don't expect the actual television news product to change that much. Wading through pages of offerings to find your news for yourself is too much work for most people. The whole reason television has been so popular for the last half century is its ability to entertain without much work on the part of its audience. People will still want to sit down and passively accept material collected and presented to them. Thus, even when television news moves to the web, it will still resemble its current form of half hour blocks of stories collected and presented by friendly anchors while the viewer sits back on the couch and vegetates. The only differences will be that the television newscast will probably come with links to more information on the same screen, and the viewers will be able to watch all this on demand instead of at a specific time. Neither of those differences call for inefficient VJs.

Spike

Apr 12th 2007, 05:29 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
What it interesting is the visual power, and as both television and print move to the web, it bespeaks a new kind of visual story telling - something I thought you were interested in.I heard that you were interested in saving 15% or more on your car insurance.

http://upwithcavemen.com/caveman.htm

Rosenblum

Apr 12th 2007, 05:59 AM

Have you seen this one?

http://www.cavemanscrib.com/

Really interesting web application.

Vulcan

Apr 12th 2007, 02:08 PM

ATTN: Rosenblum-haters

More proof that the world is changing. The frame is moving (http://rising.blackstar.com/are-you-ready-for-the-decline-of-print-publications-2.html), and if you stay where you are now, you won't be in the picture.

Spike

Apr 12th 2007, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by Vulcan:
ATTN: Rosenblum-haters

More proof that the world is changing. The frame is moving (http://rising.blackstar.com/are-you-ready-for-the-decline-of-print-publications-2.html), and if you stay where you are now, you won't be in the picture.So we end up with more people trying to make television who don't know how. Once the convergence has actually happened, I think it's going to be funny to watch these people try to compete. When television has moved entirely to the web, why would a viewer watch an inferior product on a newspaper site, made up mostly of narrated slide shows, when he can watch a real television product with better production values on a teevee station site, made by people who actually know how to make television?

The storytelling won't change. The dire warnings that everything will have to be done differently are actually wishful thinking from people on the other side who hope to make money from it.

Rosenblum

Apr 12th 2007, 02:45 PM

Photojournalists can become some very impressive and powerful video story tellers. Bill Gentile (newsweek), Susan Meiseles (magnum), PF Bentley (Time) and Dirck Halstead (Time) all went through my vj bootcamp. Gentile and Meiseles won emmys for cinematography. Bentley did VJ stories for nightline many times. Halstead founded Platypus and teaches vj classes for nppa. These people know how to shoot and know how to tell a story. And they know how to work on their own.

Vulcan

Apr 12th 2007, 02:54 PM

Originally posted by Spike:
Why would a viewer watch an inferior product on a newspaper site, made up mostly of narrated slide shows, when he can watch a real television product with better production values on a teevee station site, made by people who actually know how to make television?

The storytelling won't change. The dire warnings that everything will have to be done differently are actually wishful thinking from people on the other side who hope to make money from it.Spike, why do you watch one channel over another?

If you've got two choices - a station that touts itself as "no chit-chat" and no packages over 40 seconds, or one with fewer stories and in-depth coverage - which is it?

You have that now. And there's no rule that says every rational viewer is going to come to the same conclusion. Expand that out to many localized choices, and the slices get smaller. The niches get more defined.

I'll go to that newspaper site that does "poor teevee" because they have more bodies on the street gathering actual information. If I want to see the "professional teevee" version, I can wait a few hours for the traditional broadcasters to play catch-up.

Effective. Well-documented. On time. Pick two.

Yes, there will be an audience for traditional news. Just not as many stations providing it. And the traditional teevee newsroom paradigm is in for a world of hurt.

Crews are now staffed and scheduled to meet the newshole. (And no - your news director is not a "newshole".) This works fine as long as news remains "appointment television." But the next time a Reginald Denny gets his ass beat on camera, I don't know how many people will insist on waiting to watch it on the big screen, when they can see most of what they want in a little window, and WHEN THEY WANT TO.

I'll step out on a limb here. Two-man teevee news crews will survive, but only in places where the storytelling becomes longer-form. In the mythical Denny-beating I lay out above, you WILL tune in to see reaction and context related to the hows and the whys. Television news will have to stake a claim to becoming the "news of record." It will only occur if storytellers are allowed to routinely turn the kinds of stories that people CAN NOT FORGET. DAILY. With the full support of management and ownership.

In other words - traditional teevee newsgathering only survives to the extent that it evolves and 1) makes itself relevant again, and 2) creates a market for its strengths.

Spike - deep down, you and I both know that the industry is going in the exact opposite direction. If it was committed to the Utopian ideal I describe above, we'd still be working in the industry. And probably at the same shop. And most likely working together, and at each other's throats until the piece is done - then off for a beverage.

And we'd be damned good at it too. But the ideological war about what broadcast news ought to be was won by the *****ers with the money, because we rolled over and let it happen. We lost. Don't blame Rosenblum for being a war profiteer... the war was over before he strolled onto the battlefield. We got beat by a combination of rapidly affordable technology and our own hubris. Rosenblum thinks he's figured out a way to beat those weapons back into plowshares.

Yeah, I've mixed metaphors all over the place. I just felt it was time to explain more of it than a simple "Don't shoot the messenger." (Especially with a camera held at waist level.)

News Is Broken

Apr 12th 2007, 03:31 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
Have you seen this one?

http://www.cavemanscrib.com/

Really interesting web application.LOL!!! All differences aside, this is really quite funny. Good find.

Chicago Dog

Apr 12th 2007, 04:14 PM

I'm trying to figure out how anyone pro-OMB/VJ can feel comfortable predicting anything about "the future" when it comes to newsgathering. The self-proclaimed "messiah" feels it necessary to claim "success" before he even gets a foot out the door.

Of the stations that have decided to go the OMB/VJ route:

1. None of them have posted gains.

2. All of them have lost knowledgeable (and thusly, valuable) employees.

3. One of them is going back to two-person crews.

Yet, those who are in favor of the OMB/VJ newsroom feel comfortable making more predictions? How is that even possible?

Vulcan

Apr 12th 2007, 04:57 PM

Dog...

I have no financial stake in this. But let's put your statements in context:

Originally posted by Chicago Dog:
1. None of them have posted gains.As a whole, traditional broadcast news isn't posting gains either. The numbers as a whole are sliding, and those that are gaining at their competitors' expense can NOT be universally attributed to quality.

Originally posted by Chicago Dog:
2. All of them have lost knowledgeable (and thusly, valuable) employees.This happens every time a new news director walks in the door, too. I'd be willing to bet that the majority of those walking out do so because of a pre-conceived notion about what it to be.

Originally posted by Chicago Dog:
3. One of them is going back to two-person crews.The fact that the model didn't work at KRN is not proof that the model will never hold a distinct advantage in a future economic climate.

Originally posted by Chicago Dog:
Yet, those who are in favor of the OMB/VJ newsroom feel comfortable making more predictions? How is that even possible?The same alarmists who are cashing in on "Global Warming and Climate Change" have a track record equally as bad when it comes to predictions.

Seriously, though, I am not in favor of VJs. I just don't hold a static view of the news landscape. There are too many rapid changes happening at once, and none of them appear to be slowing down. And if I am wrong, I'm wrong.

JoinUsForCake

Apr 12th 2007, 05:51 PM

I wish Vijay all the best in the newsroom. He was a good tennis player, hopefully those talents will translate in the news department, too.
http://www.britishcouncil.org/india-connecting-north-330x270-vijay-amritraj-wimbledon.jpg

cameragod

Apr 12th 2007, 07:02 PM

I'll go to that newspaper site that does "poor teevee" because they have more bodies on the street gathering actual information. If I want to see the "professional teevee" version, I can wait a few hours for the traditional broadcasters to play catch-up.

Effective. Well-documented. On time. Pick two. What you mean to say is pick none. Time and time again we see that although acationaly the VJ model can work ok on a feature piece 2.5 days after the event but is hopeless at fast turn around.
So content and quality at speed, VJ’s just don’t cut it.

[ April 12, 2007, 08:03 PM: Message edited by: cameragod ]

Produce man

Apr 12th 2007, 07:06 PM

"acationaly"?

Chicago Dog

Apr 12th 2007, 07:45 PM

Originally posted by Vulcan:
As a whole, traditional broadcast news isn't posting gains either. The numbers as a whole are sliding, and those that are gaining at their competitors' expense can NOT be universally attributed to quality.I'm not talking about "traditional" broadcast. I'm talking about OMB/VJ-specific newsrooms. None of them are posting gains.

As anyone who's read Rosenblum's rhetoric can tell you, OMB/VJ newsrooms were supposed to radically swing opinion in local news coverage to the other end of the spectrum. Alas, they obviously did not, and those OMB/VJ newsrooms that exist remain in a pitiful state, much worse off than when they were before they went OMB/VJ.

Originally posted by Vulcan:
This happens every time a new news director walks in the door, too. I'd be willing to bet that the majority of those walking out do so because of a pre-conceived notion about what it to be.And, after everything was said and done, were those people wrong about their "pre-concieved notion?" No, not really. The OMB/VJ "movement" is simply a pretty buzzword facade used to save money. We've yet to see proof otherwise.

While I agree that a new ND walking into a newsroom will create tension and shake-ups, I don't agree that your analogy is correct.

Originally posted by Vulcan:
The fact that the model didn't work at KRN is not proof that the model will never hold a distinct advantage in a future economic climate.Exactly. It is, after all is said and done, "economic." The only "distinct" advantage this system holds is economic. The only thing the OMB/VJ system has proven is its ability to fleece the newsroom and send worthwhile, knowledgeable employees to other stations -- even stations across the street.

So far, no station that's introduced the OMB/VJ system into their newsroom has done anything past saving a few bucks.

Originally posted by Vulcan:
The same alarmists who are cashing in on "Global Warming and Climate Change" have a track record equally as bad when it comes to predictions.I'm not sure I understand with whom you're trying to make that assocation.

Originally posted by Vulcan:
Seriously, though, I am not in favor of VJs. I just don't hold a static view of the news landscape. There are too many rapid changes happening at once, and none of them appear to be slowing down. And if I am wrong, I'm wrong.I don't hold a static view of it, either, but I'm tired of Rosenblum's lame-ass analogies that have nothing to do with one another. I'm tired of Rosenblum claiming he can put Joe Shmoe through a two-week VJ boot camp and have him crapping Emmys by the time he's done. I'm tired of reading Rosenblum's same lame lines over and over again. "This is coming, adapt or die, blah, blah, blah."

Some dumbass manager decided to sign a nice, fat check over to Rosenblum. As a result, his bank account has him believing he's right. I can't figure out who the bigger jackass is.

Most people in this business know technological advancement and its role in the world of broadcast journalism; the others were dumb enough to hire Michael Rosenblum.

[ April 12, 2007, 08:46 PM: Message edited by: Chicago Dog ]

Spike

Apr 12th 2007, 08:35 PM

Originally posted by Chicago Dog:
As anyone who's read Rosenblum's rhetoric can tell you, OMB/VJ newsrooms were supposed to radically swing opinion in local news coverage to the other end of the spectrum. This is true. Rosenblum wrote way back in the summer of 1995 that WKRN would see increases in ratings by January of 1996. This was supposed to get WKRN well on the way to leaving last place. Then it didn't happen.

Originally posted by Chicago Dog:
So far, no station that's introduced the OMB/VJ system into their newsroom has done anything past saving a few bucks.I remain unwilling to concede the point that they have saved any significant amounts of money. At first glance it looks like it would save money, because the manager assumes that one person will be doing the work of two. But in practice one person does the work of 2/3. You get more work out of traditional two person crews than out of VJs in the same time period.

I am convinced that this is the reason WKRN is making the shift back to two person crews. The timing is too perfect, coming just after they had four consecutive quarters at full VJ strength to analyze and compare financial reports with previous periods. They already knew the VJs had hurt their product, both in quality AND quantity. But I suspect that when the numbers didn't show the 60% savings Rosenblum had promised them, THAT is when they decided it wasn't good enough any more.

Other outlets will figure this out. Right now the newspapers are doing this with loose deadlines and not even attempting it with daily news. When the pressure is put on to produce news on a daily or even hourly basis to keep up with a round the clock news cycle, even some of the newspapers will see the efficiency in teams of specialists.

Rosenblum

Apr 12th 2007, 08:51 PM

what makes you think KRN has dropped the model? Because one former employee posted something on b-roll? Not really the case, says GM Mike Sechrist. http://www.wkrn.com/vjs?from=10

The Fedora

Apr 12th 2007, 09:28 PM

mike, that link was to the bio page. huh?

And... it's widely known on the street that the shift is swinging back the other way in the newsroom. At least that's what I've read, and been told by people who are there. And they say the folks in that newsroom are thrilled.

But hey, they're just the little people in the big picture right?

cameragod

Apr 13th 2007, 12:50 AM

Originally posted by Produce man:
"acationaly"?Being a dyslexic cameraman I write everything in word then spell check cut and paste. Sometimes the spell check throws me a word that looks ok until I post it… you may notice numerous edits of my post as I spot the mistake.
Of course now everything I have ever posted has been discredited because I am a bad speller so obviously a lesser human being…
:D

Rosenblum

Apr 13th 2007, 02:49 AM

Originally posted by The Fedora:
mike, that link was to the bio page. huh?

And... it's widely known on the street that the shift is swinging back the other way in the newsroom. At least that's what I've read, and been told by people who are there. And they say the folks in that newsroom are thrilled.

But hey, they're just the little people in the big picture right?I tell you what. I am going to see Sechrist tomorrow at NAB. I will ask him and let you know. How's that?

The Fedora

Apr 13th 2007, 05:01 AM

sounds good.

but do you think you'll honestly come on here and tell us that they are abandoning the idea? c'mon mike, that'd be a chink in the armor.

Chicago Dog

Apr 13th 2007, 05:14 AM

Originally posted by The Fedora:
but do you think you'll honestly come on here and tell us that they are abandoning the idea? c'mon mike, that'd be a chink in the armor.Exactly. Even if Mike does ask (which, he won't), he'll do one of two things:

1. Lie: remember the time that newspaper journalist claimed you called yourself a "messiah?" Remember how you swore up and down that you didn't?

2. Dodge the question: why did you call me antisemetic, Mike? When's the last time you actually shadowed a news crew in the field, Mike?

Tell you what: use your "saviour OMB/VJ system" while you're asking Sechrist. You just go right ahead and stick one of those itty-bitty cameras right in his face and pop a less-than-professional mic right down his throat, and then ask him.

It wouldn't add any crediblity to what he says, but it would be funny to watch.

[ April 13, 2007, 06:19 AM: Message edited by: Chicago Dog ]

Rosenblum

Apr 13th 2007, 06:42 AM

Originally posted by The Fedora:
sounds good.

but do you think you'll honestly come on here and tell us that they are abandoning the idea? c'mon mike, that'd be a chink in the armor.I will give you an honest answer. In my career I have had plenty of setbacks...trust me. No one gets anywhere in this world without their share. Anyone who tells you otherwise is full of crap.

Produce man

Apr 13th 2007, 11:50 AM

Originally posted by cameragod:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Produce man:
"acationaly"?Being a dyslexic cameraman I write everything in word then spell check cut and paste. Sometimes the spell check throws me a word that looks ok until I post it… you may notice numerous edits of my post as I spot the mistake.
Of course now everything I have ever posted has been discredited because I am a bad speller so obviously a lesser human being…
:D [/QUOTE]Not at all. It just looked like a pronounciation, not a misspelling. The dyslexia explains it, and it doesn't make you less of a human being.
smile.gif

Clever Login Name

Apr 13th 2007, 12:22 PM

Being a photog does that.

Oh, come on, it was a JOKE, people! Yes, I'm an anti-photite. Or something. Is it time to go home yet?

cameragod

Apr 13th 2007, 04:22 PM

s'ok I was laughing.
Wish I'd thought of a Clever log in name… I was going for cameradog but now it’s been taken :D

[ April 13, 2007, 05:24 PM: Message edited by: cameragod ]

Spike

Apr 13th 2007, 07:48 PM

Originally posted by cameragod:
I was going for cameradog but now it’s been taken :D You mean by this guy?
http://www.b-roll.net/forum/customavatars/avatar7688_1.gif

cameragod

Apr 13th 2007, 08:39 PM

Yes but no…

Chicago Dog

Apr 16th 2007, 06:37 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
I will give you an honest answer. In my career I have had plenty of setbacks...trust me. No one gets anywhere in this world without their share. Anyone who tells you otherwise is full of crap.So! I've seen Mikey's name show up in the "recent visitors" heading a few times already. Should we really be surprised that it's been two days and Mr. "My Blackberry Roolz!" hasn't given us an answer yet?

:rolleyes:

[ April 16, 2007, 07:40 AM: Message edited by: Chicago Dog ]

Rosenblum

Apr 16th 2007, 07:09 AM

Normally I don't answer you, but in this case, Sechrist is not here yet and does not arrive until tonight. I am having breakfast with him tomorrow and as I said, will deliver my answer. Meanwhile, why don't you take get in touch with RTNDA and ask for a link to the video of the opening panel. You might learn something....if that's possible.

Chicago Dog

Apr 16th 2007, 08:49 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
Normally I don't answer you...Yes, because I understand how difficult it might be to back up your harsh, inappropriate claim that I'm antisemetic, or even -- God forbid -- apologize for it.

Nice job.

By the way: when's the last time you shadowed a crew in the field?

[ April 16, 2007, 09:52 AM: Message edited by: Chicago Dog ]

foxravens

Apr 16th 2007, 11:41 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
Normally I don't answer you, but in this case, Sechrist is not here yet and does not arrive until tonight. I am having breakfast with him tomorrow and as I said, will deliver my answer. Meanwhile, why don't you take get in touch with RTNDA and ask for a link to the video of the opening panel. You might learn something....if that's possible.So...not only are you bent on laying waste to a time-honored news gathering system that still works VERY well, and are acting out some kind of masochistic fetish by even coming on this board, now we can add arrogance to your long list.
You must be a real joy to know. With any luck, Sechrist will stick you with the check.

2:30

Apr 16th 2007, 06:55 PM

Not likely. Sechrist's bosses gave Rosie one hell of a check. Funny that they'd waste cash that way, considering they're close to not having enough money to write anyone a check.

What annoyed me was Barbara Cochran, who should know better, referring to the panel with Rosie on it, without qualification, as a view of the future. Then again, it *is* the RTNDA... where the view of the past and/or a scotch bottle is traditionally all anyone can see.

Diplomat

Apr 16th 2007, 07:07 PM

WKRN has some good people but this VJ thing isn't working. The photography is often bad and some of the newer VJs have no business in a market the size of Nashville or possibly even in the business itself.

Rosenblum

Apr 16th 2007, 08:51 PM

Originally posted by 2:30:
Not likely. Sechrist's bosses gave Rosie one hell of a check. Funny that they'd waste cash that way, considering they're close to not having enough money to write anyone a check.

What annoyed me was Barbara Cochran, who should know better, referring to the panel with Rosie on it, without qualification, as a view of the future. Then again, it *is* the RTNDA... where the view of the past and/or a scotch bottle is traditionally all anyone can see.You should come by and say hello. I am doing another session tomorrow on the VJ thing. 10:45 Ballroom E.

Chicago Dog

Apr 16th 2007, 09:11 PM

Originally posted by 2:30:
What annoyed me was Barbara Cochran, who should know better, referring to the panel with Rosie on it, without qualification, as a view of the future.During the Q/A session, did anyone ask Rosie why he feels he can "restructure" a newsroom when his local newsroom experience is almost thirty years old and he's never shadowed a field crew in his life?

I'm pretty sure I'd pay to see that captured on video.

2:30

Apr 17th 2007, 02:48 AM

At RTNDA?

Puhleeze.

Most of the NDs haven't shadowed a crew in 20 years.

Another side

Apr 17th 2007, 10:17 AM

And you could say that about most managers in most other professions or businesses.

Chicago Dog

Apr 17th 2007, 11:00 AM

I'm not concerned about NDs so much; they've got their jobs in the newsroom just like I've got mine.

However, I am concerned when otherwise-"professional" organizations invite some percentage-spouting jackass in to speak about revamping crews in the field -- when he's never even been in the field himself.

If I were to head out and get my car fixed, I'd be a little concerned if the mechanic told me the pistons, spark plugs, and seals are the problem without even popping the hood.

Edit: still waiting to hear about your conversation with Sechrist, Mikey. I already know you won't tell us what he says (if you even ask him in the first place), but it's fun to badger you with stuff that makes you look more ignorant than you already are.

Speaking of which, why'd you call me antisemetic?

[ April 17, 2007, 12:02 PM: Message edited by: Chicago Dog ]

Rosenblum

Apr 17th 2007, 11:28 AM

Just finished RTNDA session in which Sechrist was invited to join the panel. To answer the question that started this: Nashville has indeed rolled back from a 100% VJ station to an 85% VJ station, keeping 2 man crews for some very specific needs and the lives, which technology has not caught up with yet. I don't mind a mixed economy and many stations will go this way. From the response in the room and the follow ups I would say that many stations are going to adapt this as a next step.

foxravens

Apr 17th 2007, 12:12 PM

Surrrrrrre they will...
As soon as donkeys fly over the frozen wastes of hell.

Chicago Dog

Apr 17th 2007, 12:14 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
To answer the question that started this: Nashville has indeed rolled back from a 100% VJ station to an 85% VJ station, keeping 2 man crews for some very specific needs and the lives...How do you roll from 100% to 85% when it wasn't 100% to begin with?

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
... which technology has not caught up with yet.Spin, spin, spin.

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
I don't mind a mixed economy and many stations will go this way. From the response in the room and the follow ups I would say that many stations are going to adapt this as a next step.Really? You mean, more stations will go the same road? Just out of curiosity, when will that be? I mean, you've been spouting the "this will happen, this is coming" for years.

Either there's a ton of planning going into this -- or it's not really happening.

Can I take a guess?

Spike

Apr 17th 2007, 03:03 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
I don't mind a mixed economy and many stations will go this way.That's a big backpeddle. It wasn't so long ago that you were saying that in order for it to work, the stations had to go full VJ, including the producers and desk.

And it seems as though you just cut off your own escape route. If you're now accepting partial conversions, when they go to crap you can't excuse it (as you've tried in the past) by claiming that you're not responsible for the failure because management didn't follow your recipe.

2:30

Apr 17th 2007, 06:00 PM

keeping 2 man crews for some very specific needs and the lives The "very specific needs" are covering actual news. Flower shows? Features on spiders? VJ territory/amateur hour, still.

foxravens

Apr 17th 2007, 06:27 PM

I gotta admit...this clown can take a punch and get right back up.
I have asked this question dozens of times: why does he keep coming back here?
I still say he's a masochist.

Spike

Apr 17th 2007, 07:20 PM

Originally posted by foxravens:
I gotta admit...this clown can take a punch and get right back up.He's designed that way.

http://www.clown-ministry.com/images/bozo-the-clown-bop-bag.jpg

Rosenblum

Apr 17th 2007, 09:32 PM

I'll reprint this from today's Broadcasting and Cable. You can read it for yourself.

By Michael Malone -- Broadcasting & Cable, 4/17/2007 5:00:00 PM

Traditional and nouveau media bumped heads during “The New V.J.s: Are they Just Another Way of Saying ‘One-Man Band’ Or Are They the Future of News Gathering?” in Vegas.

Panelists representing television and newspapers spoke of arming reporters with handheld video cameras and ordering them to come back with stories. But someone in the audience questioned the quality of a segment that’s shot and edited by an inexperienced camera person with a premium on a quick turnaround. “I think it’s telling that you haven’t showed us any of these reports,” charged one skeptic.

That prompted moderator Chip Mahaney, managing editor of KDFW Dallas, to cue up a video segment shot by a reporter covering a youth spelling bee.The clip had the entire room laughing (except, perhaps,the aforementioned skeptic), and its quality seemed to be on par with anything shot by a seasoned crew.

Panelist Michael Rosenblum, founder of Rosenblum Associates, told the naysayers to change with the times, or risk having their jobs taken by eager video journalists. “You guys got to get your act together,” he said. “It’s not either/or.” He also questioned whether one of the naysayers were true reporters, or merely actors.

The panelists spoke about how they’re increasing the amount of news they’re producing, and that promoting video journalism was a relatively inexpensive way to fill inventory. They also pointed out that they’re quicker to encourage V.J.s to chase after stories that might not pan out, seeing as the cost and time commitment involved with digital media wasrelatively low.

it's over. You lose. go home.

[ April 17, 2007, 10:33 PM: Message edited by: Rosenblum ]

Chicago Dog

Apr 18th 2007, 06:46 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
I'll reprint this from today's Broadcasting and Cable. You can read it for yourself.

By Michael Malone -- Broadcasting & Cable, 4/17/2007 5:00:00 PM

Traditional and nouveau media bumped heads during “The New V.J.s: Are they Just Another Way of Saying ‘One-Man Band’ Or Are They the Future of News Gathering?” in Vegas. ...This is a spectacular summary of everything that happens in the forums.

Yet another weak attempt to prove newsroom value with a lame-ass fluff piece. Whoopie crap. Anyone in the business can do one of those crappy fluff pieces, given enough time. I find it hilarious that you're questioning journalists' job integrity when you can't even show a story worth any journalistic value whatsoever.

Why didn't this reporter cue any spot news up? Where were the hard-hitting stories? Where were the stories that would make you willingly tune to a OMB/VJ station? You know -- all the news that these OMB/VJs will get steamrolled on? The spelling bee is right on par with the world's largest onion story. Somewhat entertaining, but absolutely no real news value.

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
He also questioned whether one of the naysayers were true reporters, or merely actors.Oh, I bet you were itching to just call them antisemetic!

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
it's over. You lose. go home.I don't really understand what article you're reading, but a brief summary involving a spelling bee story and a relatively lame quip describing your demeanor on message boards is really nothing new.

[ April 18, 2007, 08:06 AM: Message edited by: Chicago Dog ]

2:30

Apr 19th 2007, 03:10 AM

a video segment shot by a reporter covering a youth spelling bee.The clip had the entire room laughing I was unaware that the goal of a newscast was to have the entire room laughing. But, a spelling bee? That sounds about right for a vj.

Real news? Forget it.

Rosenblum

Apr 19th 2007, 05:25 AM

bye bye....

2:30

Apr 19th 2007, 06:54 AM

It's going...it's going...

Produce man

Apr 19th 2007, 11:40 AM

It's a good time to NOT be a reporter.

jama

May 1st 2007, 06:17 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
Just finished RTNDA session in which Sechrist was invited to join the panel. To answer the question that started this: Nashville has indeed rolled back from a 100% VJ station to an 85% VJ station, keeping 2 man crews for some very specific needs and the lives, which technology has not caught up with yet. I don't mind a mixed economy and many stations will go this way. From the response in the room and the follow ups I would say that many stations are going to adapt this as a next step.I see that Sechrist just left WKRN to work for you?

Spike

May 1st 2007, 07:45 AM

It seems strange that Sechrist would resign if the VJ thing is so successful at WKRN.

And the timing is interesting as well. WKRN got through an entire fiscal year with VJs, then made the decision to phase two man crews back in. WKRN got through one more quarter after that, and now the GM is "resigning."

I wonder how much of this has to do with a promised 60% reduction in costs never actually materializing.

Union Label

May 1st 2007, 10:07 AM

Originally posted by jama:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Rosenblum:
Just finished RTNDA session in which Sechrist was invited to join the panel. To answer the question that started this: Nashville has indeed rolled back from a 100% VJ station to an 85% VJ station, keeping 2 man crews for some very specific needs and the lives, which technology has not caught up with yet. I don't mind a mixed economy and many stations will go this way. From the response in the room and the follow ups I would say that many stations are going to adapt this as a next step.I see that Sechrist just left WKRN to work for you?[/QUOTE]I guess this is one of those setbacks (http://www.wkrngm.com/) mentioned earlier. I'm curious to know what the retention rate for employees at stations that have gone the V.J. route is. Anyone know how many of the original crop at KRON have lasted and are still employed there today?

[ May 01, 2007, 11:51 AM: Message edited by: Union Label ]

Rosenblum

May 1st 2007, 10:44 AM

Originally posted by jama:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Rosenblum:
Just finished RTNDA session in which Sechrist was invited to join the panel. To answer the question that started this: Nashville has indeed rolled back from a 100% VJ station to an 85% VJ station, keeping 2 man crews for some very specific needs and the lives, which technology has not caught up with yet. I don't mind a mixed economy and many stations will go this way. From the response in the room and the follow ups I would say that many stations are going to adapt this as a next step.I see that Sechrist just left WKRN to work for you?[/QUOTE]I think that "work with me" would be more appropriate.

News Is Broken

May 1st 2007, 11:06 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
it's over. You lose. go home.You've got to be kidding me. This is your triumph? A spelling bee?

Mike, if it was truly "over", WKRN would not be phasing back in 2 man crews, Young Broadcasting would be operating in the black and every station from market 1 to 100 would be 100% VJ shops. The truth is that traditional journalists are not shaking in their boots - they're laughing in your face.

You keep shouting "The internet! The internet!" as an excuse to throw the baby out with the bathwater but the real future landscape of news is not all VJ nor all traditional, but a mix of the two, with the newbie college grad, ramen salaried VJ's being sent out for fluff and filler while seasoned traditional crews and news helo's gather the hard news of the day. You tell me which story is gonna get bumped, a fully loaded passenger plane making an emergency landing with no nose gear, or your VJ's spelling bee?

I'm still not convinced Mike. Not even after YEARS of listening to you run about like Chicken Little holding a chunk of the sky in your hand proclaiming the end of the business as we know it. Predictably, it hasn't happened - and despite all the messageboard posts in the world, it isn't going to.

To say we've lost requires proof that you've won, Mike. It's a basic principle of any game. And I see the recent moves over at WKRN, espcially Sechrist's departure, as a loss for you. Not for us.

You really should just stick to creating low budget reality TV. You're actually very good at that, and you yourself have said there's alot more money in it. Leave the news business to those of us who care more about the product than the profits. If you truly care about the business like you say you do, that is.

Clubbeat

May 1st 2007, 01:34 PM

Hey Mike...I have students here who we train to to the one-man-band thing. (or VJ or whatever term you want to use).

We also train them on how to work as reporters, photog's editors, producers etc.

Where are the markets in the US that you are paying non-experienced VJ's 30k? I know many of my students wouldn't mind making that kind of bread as a VJ right after graduation...again, our students have plenty of training.

I prefer a combo of sorts. Those who are good omb's, and don't mind doing the job mixed with some experienced reporters/shooters-editors.

Good luck with your experiment.

workin for the man

May 1st 2007, 01:53 PM

Hey Clubbeat,
I know you are speaking for your students, but part of the point that you should make to your students is that 30K sounds like a lot of money, and is a great first job salary, but in the "markets" that MR is expanding to, 30K wont be enough for even a kid to live off of noodles. 30K= roughly 1600 a month after taxes .. try finding an apartment, paying for utilities, and real life on 1600 in a market like lets just say DC, one of the places MR has started. If you are going to propose this to your students, please try and give them all the information

Clubbeat

May 1st 2007, 02:03 PM

Originally posted by workin for the man:
Hey Clubbeat,
I know you are speaking for your students, but part of the point that you should make to your students is that 30K sounds like a lot of money, and is a great first job salary, but in the "markets" that MR is expanding to, 30K wont be enough for even a kid to live off of noodles. 30K= roughly 1600 a month after taxes .. try finding an apartment, paying for utilities, and real life on 1600 in a market like lets just say DC, one of the places MR has started. If you are going to propose this to your students, please try and give them all the informationThanks for that but I am really trying to get them to see that this is an option they need to consider.

And if Mike is paying 30k to entry level vj's in major markets, then it aint gonna fly. They way he made it sound is that he's offering that in middle and lower markets (although I find that hard to believe since most mid to small markets don't even pay theur anchor talent well.)

I am also not sure this is the way the bsuiness is going to go. There is a quality issue and eventually, viewers will stray away from 'youtube' styled news and want to get something with quality and substance. (not to say all of the stuff on 'youtube' is not of substance and quality but from what I've seen, I wouldn't bet the farm on any it).

Rosenblum

May 1st 2007, 02:12 PM

Originally posted by Clubbeat:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by workin for the man:
Hey Clubbeat,
I know you are speaking for your students, but part of the point that you should make to your students is that 30K sounds like a lot of money, and is a great first job salary, but in the "markets" that MR is expanding to, 30K wont be enough for even a kid to live off of noodles. 30K= roughly 1600 a month after taxes .. try finding an apartment, paying for utilities, and real life on 1600 in a market like lets just say DC, one of the places MR has started. If you are going to propose this to your students, please try and give them all the informationThanks for that but I am really trying to get them to see that this is an option they need to consider.

And if Mike is paying 30k to entry level vj's in major markets, then it aint gonna fly. They way he made it sound is that he's offering that in middle and lower markets (although I find that hard to believe since most mid to small markets don't even pay theur anchor talent well.)

I am also not sure this is the way the bsuiness is going to go. There is a quality issue and eventually, viewers will stray away from 'youtube' styled news and want to get something with quality and substance. (not to say all of the stuff on 'youtube' is not of substance and quality but from what I've seen, I wouldn't bet the farm on any it).[/QUOTE]Clubbeat,
I am always looking for young talent who can shoot, cut, write and produce on their own. If they are really interested they should get in touch with me through my website www.rosenblumtv.com. (http://www.rosenblumtv.com.) I have a number of projects for them, the hyperlocal stations being only one of many. Needless to say, if they can put quality and creativity on the screen, I am more than interested.

Chicago Dog

May 1st 2007, 08:29 PM

Do you guys remember that thread in which there was a $13,000 award for first place, provided it was done by a VJ?

Strangely, the topic seems to have disappeared (http://www.medialine.com/ubb/NonCGI/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=000581#000000). ..

Rosenblum

May 1st 2007, 09:49 PM

The competition is still open, we are collecting entries and the award is still there. Please feel free to compete. You can also read here about the work of successful VJs around the world:

http://theconcentra.org/en/news/

Union Label

May 2nd 2007, 08:26 AM

Originally posted by Union Label:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by jama:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Rosenblum:
Just finished RTNDA session in which Sechrist was invited to join the panel. To answer the question that started this: Nashville has indeed rolled back from a 100% VJ station to an 85% VJ station, keeping 2 man crews for some very specific needs and the lives, which technology has not caught up with yet. I don't mind a mixed economy and many stations will go this way. From the response in the room and the follow ups I would say that many stations are going to adapt this as a next step.I see that Sechrist just left WKRN to work for you?[/QUOTE]I guess this is one of those setbacks (http://www.wkrngm.com/) mentioned earlier. I'm curious to know what the retention rate for employees at stations that have gone the V.J. route is. Anyone know how many of the original crop at KRON have lasted and are still employed there today?[/QUOTE]Hello...Bueller?...Anyone?...Bueller?

2:30

May 2nd 2007, 08:27 AM

I am always looking for young talent who can shoot, cut, write and produce on their own. Anybody got the number of the EEOC?

Ralphie the buffalo

May 2nd 2007, 09:22 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by jama:
I see that Sechrist just left WKRN to work for you?I think that "work with me" would be more appropriate.[/QUOTE]It appears to me that you are buying his silence.

[ May 02, 2007, 10:23 AM: Message edited by: Ralphie the buffalo ]

Union Label

May 2nd 2007, 09:30 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
Clubbeat,
I am always looking for young talent who can shoot, cut, write and produce on their own. If they are really interested they should get in touch with me through my website aka: young and dumb

Clubbeat

May 2nd 2007, 10:51 AM

Young and dumb maybe, but they way we're going, the business seems geared more towards saving money by hiring the young and very inexperienced. Is many cases, it's done under the guise of trying to lure younger viewers (who, as we know, are not watching broadscast news anyway) but the real deal is it's about the bottom line. Vj's no doubt saves a news operation money but...sacrificing quality?

From what I've read here and on other blogs on this, the jury is still out one if these VJ's can get the job done, and the product not suffer.

So we teach our kids how to handle it, knowing that some of them will wind up in positions like this at some point early on in their careers. Not all, but some.

Rosenblum

May 2nd 2007, 11:12 AM

What I am looking for is young, smart and aggressive. You can be old smart and aggressive if you like. Lemme see. David Halberstam in Vietnam at the age of 25. Young and Dumb? I don't think so.

Rosenblum

May 2nd 2007, 11:46 AM

Originally posted by Ralphie the buffalo:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Rosenblum:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by jama:
I see that Sechrist just left WKRN to work for you?I think that "work with me" would be more appropriate.[/QUOTE]It appears to me that you are buying his silence.[/QUOTE]Perhaps one of the dumbest things I have read here.

Spike

May 2nd 2007, 11:58 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
Perhaps one of the dumbest things I have read here.Then you obviously haven't been reading your own posts.

Ralphie the buffalo

May 3rd 2007, 06:37 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Ralphie the buffalo:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Rosenblum:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by jama:
I see that Sechrist just left WKRN to work for you?I think that "work with me" would be more appropriate.[/QUOTE]It appears to me that you are buying his silence.[/QUOTE]Perhaps one of the dumbest things I have read here.[/QUOTE]Why is it dumb?

Sechrist was the GM of one of two stations in the USA that are basically doing field R & D of the total VJ newsroom for your company.

I don't know the exact circumstances of his departure form WKRN, but let's assume that some of it had to do with the failures your product.

Wouldn't it be wise for you to hire him to keep his loyalty and silence. Otherwise, he would be able to speak freely about the shortcomings of the total VJ newsroom to anyone who who might publish those views. And you know journalists will want to talk with him about the WKRN newsroom experiment. Better to keep him on your team where you can control his mouth.

Yeah, makes perfect sense to me, Rosie. You are a pretty crafty fellow, just a little ham handed.

Spike

May 3rd 2007, 07:00 PM

Originally posted by Ralphie the buffalo:
Better to keep him on your team where you can control his mouth.And this is a standard Rosenblum tactic. How do I know? Because at one point Rosenblum actually told me he wanted to sit down with me to talk about my future as a consultant.

I think he has given up on that idea now...

Roy Hobbs

May 3rd 2007, 09:33 PM

Originally posted by Spike:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Ralphie the buffalo:
Better to keep him on your team where you can control his mouth.And this is a standard Rosenblum tactic. How do I know? Because at one point Rosenblum actually told me he wanted to sit down with me to talk about my future as a consultant.

I think he has given up on that idea now...[/QUOTE]Hmmmmm. "Told ME." A consultant mandated phrase if ever I heard one! ;)

Ralphie the buffalo

May 5th 2007, 02:30 PM

No comment from Rosie?

I guess we hit a nerve on this one and he isn't going to talk about his newest hired hand.

Rosenblum

May 5th 2007, 05:44 PM

Ralphie
What is to discuss?
Sechrist was a major hit at RTNDA. He has a stellar resume. We have had lots of inquries. He carries a lot of weight as a GM and ND and has worked in and run newsrooms all his life.
Also, he is a great guy personally. Everyone likes him.
I am looking forward to a very successful relationship.
But thanks for your continued interest!

[ May 05, 2007, 06:46 PM: Message edited by: Rosenblum ]

2:30

May 5th 2007, 07:10 PM

The thing about NDs is that they can live almost forever on a success.

Only a consultant could call WKRN successful. And if Sechrist were such a hit at RTNDA, it seems unlikely that he'd now be a consultant.

Rosenblum

May 6th 2007, 12:06 AM

why dont you call me when you become a GM... or ND... or anything.

Chicago Dog

May 6th 2007, 02:51 AM

Originally posted by 2:30:
Only a consultant could call WKRN successful. Originally posted by Rosenblum:
why dont you call me when you become a GM... or ND... or anything.Consider that nerve hit!

Why don't you call us when Verizon's FIOS project is up and running. The website's already behind in its launch schedule by a month. Is this another one of those "by this time next year" things you love to spew?

If Sechrist were as good an asset as you're claiming him to be, he'd still be GM at WKRN, not on your payroll. There's more to that story, and you're foolish to think folks here are reading it as, "He got bored and wanted to move on."

Please. He's taking the fall for the project just like everyone at the station took the fall when they switched over to the OMB/VJ system in the first place. It's nothing more than your "system" claiming yet another professional career.

I find it funny that this entire thread was built upon Rosenblum's inability to recognize the sarcasm in a Mary Tyler Moore reference.
:rolleyes:

[ May 06, 2007, 03:58 AM: Message edited by: Chicago Dog ]

Rosenblum

May 6th 2007, 04:14 AM

and why don't you call when you get a real job...

2:30

May 6th 2007, 06:35 AM

Insults are the last refuge of the incompetent. They come right after becoming a consultant.

Rosenblum

May 6th 2007, 07:06 AM

These are not insults, 2:30. These are statements of fact. In my experience it is always those who do the least who complain the most. Look inward my friend.

Union Label

May 6th 2007, 07:17 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
and why don't you call when you get a real job...Like this guy?

http://www.quizwiz.biz/biz/samquiz/QQpics/snake-oil.jpg

Rosenblum

May 6th 2007, 07:40 AM

No... maybe like this guy:

http://rosenblumtv.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/adam-at-berlin.jpg

2:30

May 6th 2007, 08:31 AM

Your experience in the last 20 years appears to be limited to consulting. And that *is* an insult.

Rosenblum

May 6th 2007, 08:42 AM

I have actually produced more than 300 hours for television, including some very successful cable series; was both founder and President of NY Times Television; and done a bunch of other stuff. Consulting actually came fairly late. But why don't you educate yourself instead www.rosenblumtv.com (http://www.rosenblumtv.com)

Spike

May 6th 2007, 08:51 AM

Originally posted by 2:30:
Your experience in the last 20 years appears to be limited to consulting. And that *is* an insult.No, Rosenblum actually does have experience making television. A lot of it is bad television, but occasionally he does something watchable. After all, even a stopped clock shows the right time twice a day.

What he doesn't have real experience with is local television news. That's the problem I have with him, is that he purports to be an expert on local news without any clue how it actually works. He proposes "solutions" that either don't fix the problems he identifies or for which the problems don't actually exist and are simply concocted to help him sell his snake oil.

If he stuck to bad low budget cable television, which is really his forte, I doubt anybody would have a problem with him at all.

Rosenblum

May 6th 2007, 09:29 AM

Thanks Spike,
That was very kind.
Be sure to tune into the premier of "What's Your Trip" with Anthony Bourdain. May 21st at 8PM on The Travel Channel.
I think its kind of interesting.
http://rosenblumtv.wordpress.com/2007/05/02/whats-your-trip/

Union Label

May 6th 2007, 09:41 AM

Originally posted by Spike:
No, Rosenblum actually does have experience making television. A lot of it is bad television, but occasionally he does something watchable. I think there are many among us who can lay claim to that pronouncement. By no means does one person have a corner on that market. The cause for bad television is the decision makers who put it on the air for the public to see.

Chicago Dog

May 6th 2007, 11:49 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
and why don't you call when you get a real job...That hurts -- coming from someone who inexplicably accused me of being anti-semitic. Frankly, I don't know which one of your assumptions about me is more hilarious.

Listen, chief. Your typing is as horrid as your consulting practice. Folks would probably take you a little more seriously when you get past a third grade typing level.

Until then, keep that poor syntax, those sentence fragments, those orphaned paragraphs, and -- most importantly -- those hilarious assumptions comin'!

2:30

May 6th 2007, 01:16 PM

Sorry. I spoke imprecisely. His *NEWS* experience is limited to consulting. Sure he's made some crap for cable. Who cares?

Rosenblum

May 6th 2007, 01:44 PM

You have not done your homework. (probably not the first time). I was a producer for CBS News. That, I think, constitutes *news* experience. As a freelancer, I also reported for MacNeil, Nightline and others. I think that also constitutes *news* experience.

Spike

May 6th 2007, 02:45 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
As a freelancer, I also reported for MacNeil, Nightline and others. Say, about that, I used to work with a guy who regularly contributed to MacNeil. He told me they never actually aired the piece you sold them, but instead ended up sending conventional crews to reshoot the story to be fronted by someone else.

Is that true?

Rosenblum

May 6th 2007, 02:49 PM

No. Not true. There were two pieces, one both from Gaza - one on Beach Camp and one on ID cards at the Erez Check Point. I was reporter and voiced both, as well as shot them. Later I did a piece from Cambodia with photojournalist David Kennerly on the elections and Khmer Rouge, and another also with Kennerly on Cambodian refugees. so, no, not true.

[ May 06, 2007, 03:52 PM: Message edited by: Rosenblum ]

Spike

May 6th 2007, 02:57 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
No. Not true. There were two pieces, one both from Gaza - one on Beach Camp and one on ID cards at the Erez Check Point. I was reporter and voiced both, as well as shot them. Later I did a piece from Cambodia with photojournalist David Kennerly on the elections and Khmer Rouge, and another also with Kennerly on Cambodian refugees. so, no, not true.I have no doubt you shot them and voiced them. My question is whether what you produced actually aired on MacNeil's show, because that's what my former colleague seemed to be disputing.

Rosenblum

May 6th 2007, 02:59 PM

No, they aired. Call them for transcripts if you like. It was 1988 or '89. Or get in touch with Les Crytal (if he remembers). He was running the place then and still runs it now.

[ May 06, 2007, 04:03 PM: Message edited by: Rosenblum ]

2:30

May 6th 2007, 06:08 PM

No, Mr. Rosenblum, you haven't done your reading. I said "in the last 20 years" - and your brief stint was not only outside of local news, but in a magazine-style show, Sunday Morning, back in the Kuralt days, if I recall...

That, despite your lack of experience, you're trying to tell current local NDs what works is, at best, typical for a consultant. That any local NDs believe you is a testimony to their ability to accept what some bean counter would like to believe.

Chicago Dog

May 6th 2007, 06:25 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
You have not done your homework. (probably not the first time). I was a producer for CBS News.If you want to get specific, Mike was actually an associate producer (information straight from the horse's mouth), and his "experience" was almost thirty years ago.

This is the part where someone else posted a reference to Mary Tyler Moore (which Mike didn't understand).

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
In response the the Mary Tyler Moore shot from last week, I thought you might be interested in seeing what the VJ-driven newsroom I have designed look like.And now, we've come full circle.

I'm not quite sure how people can take the consulting advice of a man who types at a third grade level and has a problem picking up on sarcasm. There really must be a sucker born every minute.

[ May 06, 2007, 07:27 PM: Message edited by: Chicago Dog ]

Rosenblum

May 6th 2007, 06:30 PM

No actually I was a producer for Sunday Morning, not an Associate Producer. I was an AP for WCBS. And since we are doing resumes, you should now admit that you don't work in any newsroom at all, but that you are a part time freelance overnight cameraman.

[ May 06, 2007, 07:31 PM: Message edited by: Rosenblum ]

2:30

May 7th 2007, 05:10 AM

Even as an overnighter and a freelancer, that means he actually works in local news.

On the credibility scale that puts him far above a consultant who hasn't worked in the field for 20 years.

Chicago Dog

May 7th 2007, 07:22 AM

It took a dialogue of three private messages at B-Roll.net for Mike to understand this relatively simple question:

"What did you do in local news back in 1979?"

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
I was an AP for WCBS.Now, it's going to take another dialogue for Mike to understand that we don't care about cheap cable programming or magazine-style news shows. We're talking about local news.

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
And since we are doing resumes, you should now admit that you don't work in any newsroom at all, but that you are a part time freelance overnight cameraman."Resume?" Did you mean résumé? For someone who's so intent on pointing out that I used the wrong vowel in "anti-semitic," you could at least make an effort to practice what you preach.

What's funnier: you expect me to believe you were a producer? I'm going to take a wild stab-in-the-dark here: were you fired for your (lacking) writing skills? Is that why you've got such a chip on your shoulder?

By the looks of it, you could learn quite a few things from 2:30.

[ May 07, 2007, 08:26 AM: Message edited by: Chicago Dog ]

News Is Broken

May 7th 2007, 12:19 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
No actually I was a producer for Sunday Morning, not an Associate Producer. I was an AP for WCBS. And since we are doing resumes, you should now admit that you don't work in any newsroom at all, but that you are a part time freelance overnight cameraman."And I'm his FINANCIAL ADVISOR!"

http://us.ent3.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/dreamworks_skg/shark_tale/crazyjoe.jpg

Ralphie the buffalo

May 7th 2007, 02:54 PM

I wonder what the resignation notice for Sechrist read?

The usual, "He is leaving to pursue other interests"? That's code for: we don't want him here anymore.

I feel for the guy though. He was put in an unwinnable situation by corporate. And now he gets some hush hush money from the guy who helped put him out of work. Talk about conflicted.

interloper

May 9th 2007, 02:01 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
No, they aired. Call them for transcripts if you like. It was 1988 or '89. Or get in touch with Les Crytal (if he remembers). He was running the place then and still runs it now.There is a very valid television news saying.

"Time in this business means nothing. You're only as good as your last story."

1988 "or '89" is a long time ago and I find myself in agreement with our friend from Chicago. None of your experience, nor the many failed experiments of your VJ theory in local US TV newsrooms is something you can use as proof of knowledge or ability on your part.

I suggest you buy yourself a calendar. The '80s are long gone.

Rosenblum

May 9th 2007, 02:40 AM

You must be kidding.
Go read my resume at www.rosenblumtv.com (http://www.rosenblumtv.com) if you are so interested.
I have been doing this for 20 year, long after I gave up being an 'employee'. (this seems to be the distinction you apparently can't understand).
I have been working in newsrooms all over the world from London to San Diego, where I will be again next month.
I even have an equity position in a few (this means I own part of them and so am at risk). Believe me, this constitutes working. OK?

[ May 09, 2007, 03:43 AM: Message edited by: Rosenblum ]

Another side

May 9th 2007, 04:11 AM

To a fairly disinterested observer (I'm no longer in TV news) some of the remarks on here are pretty silly.

And some -- like Chicago Dog's petty cheap-shots about typing skills and sentence structure -- spell pure desperation.

You don't have to have the much-ballyhooed "experience in the field" to look at the raw numbers and conclude that WHATEVER they're doing in the field isn't working. Hell, people with tons of "experience in the field" have been tinkering with the product for years and still haven't come up with a way to plop the viewer in the seat and keep him there, when it counts.

So along comes Rosenblum with a fresh approach -- and yes it may cost some of you whiny, insecure photogs your jobs -- and, yes, it may not work.

But at least it's an idea. What's yours? As one poster said (though unintentionally making Rosenblum's point)-- The 80s are over. Viewership is in a free-fall.

You wonder why some of the corporate folks listen to Rosenblum? I'll tell you why: He's the only one talking.

As I said --I'm no longer in local TV news -- I don't even watch it. It's the same crap on every channel, and some of you folks thinks that's the way it should remain, because (a) that's the way it's always been and (b) you can't come up a new approach of interest to those who sign the paychecks. What do you expect the bean-counters to do ... continue with the status quo so your dream of life-long guaranteed employment doing what you're doing will bear fruit? In your other dreams.

I get my news from newspapers and local websites -- and I'm 60. So do many of my friends. (Interestingly enough, and Fearmonger, pay attention: Most of us seldom watch the video on local news websites -- we just want the story and the facts. Stills are just fine.)

Vulcan has said it and I'll repeat it: whatever else you might think of Rosenblum and his ideas, one thing is certain: change is coming. It has to. And it's got nothing to do with sentence structure of typing skills; it's got everything to do with the right idea at the right time, at the right price.

And at least Rosenblum is out there swinging, while some of you simly sit around and *****, and have been for years, if your b-roll references are accurate ... years.

I thought my wife was a nag at times, but some of you folks have redefined the word.

2:30

May 9th 2007, 05:56 AM

Next shoe drops: the ND at WKRN is out.

That VJ stuff, it's working!

Chicago Dog

May 9th 2007, 06:38 AM

Originally posted by Another side:
And some -- like Chicago Dog's petty cheap-shots about typing skills and sentence structure -- spell pure desperation.You want "pure desparation?" Check this out:

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
get back to your trailer park you illiterate anti semite.He refuses to explain what brought on that harsh (and completely incorrect) accusation. I've sent him quite a few messages asking why he thought I was anti-semitic.

Eventually, Mike responded to my PMs asking why he called me anti-semitic. Instead of offering up an explanation, he pointed out that I was using an incorrect spelling: "anti-semetic." I corrected my typing and continued asking him why he so harshly (and incorrectly) accused me of being anti-semitic.

I'm merely pointing out the horrible communication skills of a supposed "former producer" of Sunday Morning. It's a completely valid point. Why should I believe he held a job as a producer for a news magazine show back in the day if he can't even type with skilled accuracy on an internet forum? Given what you've seen of his writing ability, what makes more sense: he left his position to "pursue other interests," or they canned his incompetent ass?

That aside, if someone called you anti-semitic, wouldn't you demand an explanation, too?

News Is Broken

May 9th 2007, 09:11 AM

Originally posted by Another side:

But at least it's an idea. What's yours? As one poster said (though unintentionally making Rosenblum's point)-- The 80s are over. Viewership is in a free-fall.
Here's my idea, shut down the news department entirely and run syndicated reruns such as the Simpsons or Mr. Belvedere. That's a great idea isn't it? It's similar to Rosenblum's idea except it cuts out the "long-slow-painful-death-and-degradation-of-the-product" phase and jumps straight into the eventual implementation of alternate programming that will actually keep the viewer tuned in - on slow news days at least.

AS, you seem to fail to grasp that a bad idea is a bad idea regardless of the thinker's good intentions. The war in Iraq is a good example of this - great intentions(oust Saddam, bring democracy to the Middle East, secure a nice supply of cheap oil, etc. etc.) but still a very bad idea and many now agree that we don't belong there and should never have gone.

Now lets look at the VJ idea as it exists today at WKRN: Ratings? No significant gains. Quality of the product? Poor to fair, at best overall. Morale of the staff? Dumper. Turnover? Extreme (including top members of management). So on and so forth. It doesn't take a Harvard Business Degree to tell you that these are all signs of an obvious failure. Should we ignore these facts and praise Rosenblum for trying a really lousy idea despite the overwhelmingly negative response from folks who have worked in this business their entire careers? I think not. That would be like rebuilding the Titanic and sending her thru the North Atlantic in winter at full speed while shrugging and saying "Could it happen again? What are the odds?"

Interesting too that you add the facts that you get your news from newspapers and are in your 60's. Not exactly a demographic that I as a station manager would be very interested in catering to in the long term. No offense, but statistically speaking, you're more likely to be asleep at 9pm than you are to be watching anything and if you are awake at that time, I figure it's because you can't sleep and you'll spend your time doing the crossword in that newspaper of yours (I have parents and other relatives your age, and these are their habits, so my opinion is not without some observational data to back it up). I know you're just trying to live up to your moniker and provide an alternative viewpoint, but it's you, not guys like Chicago Dog that are grasping here. (Newspapers... ROFL!!!)

Thanks for the chuckle.

Vermont Neighbor

May 9th 2007, 12:10 PM

Interesting too that you add the facts that you get your news from newspapers and are in your 60's. Not exactly a demographic that I as a station manager would be very interested in catering to in the long term. The flip side here is that attractive young demos are relying on new media, which is a problem for more than just print.

IMO, there are flaws and strengths to both models: the traditional departmental-style news with its overhead and costs and the idea of securing quality VJs to create consistently relevant content. Technology isn't stopping for anyone and that's why the struggle between old and new will continue.

Another side

May 9th 2007, 03:07 PM

Originally posted by News Is Broken:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Another side:

But at least it's an idea. What's yours? As one poster said (though unintentionally making Rosenblum's point)-- The 80s are over. Viewership is in a free-fall.
Here's my idea, shut down the news department entirely and run syndicated reruns such as the Simpsons or Mr. Belvedere. That's a great idea isn't it? It's similar to Rosenblum's idea except it cuts out the "long-slow-painful-death-and-degradation-of-the-product" phase and jumps straight into the eventual implementation of alternate programming that will actually keep the viewer tuned in - on slow news days at least. [/QUOTE]Nah. It's nothing like Mr. Rosenblum's, and it's pretty sloppy sarcasm. It's just another variation of "It won't Work! It Won't work!" without offering any substantial suggestions to treat the ills of local TV news of your own. More nagging, that's all.

AS, you seem to fail to grasp that a bad idea is a bad idea regardless of the thinker's good intentions.Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. But we won't get to vote on it; it's not up to us. All that matters is butts in the seats. If quailty suffers -- and you have a better idea that would preserve quality AND put the butts in the seats, now's the time to speak up. If you don't, you can expect the bean-couters to take a look at VJs.

The war in Iraq is a good example of this - great intentions(oust Saddam, bring democracy to the Middle East, secure a nice supply of cheap oil, etc. etc.) but still a very bad idea and many now agree that we don't belong there and should never have gone.I understand your war sentiments and agree with them -- I just don't see the comparison. Anger and resentment fueled our foray into Iraq; profits are behind the interest in VJs.

Now lets look at the VJ idea as it exists today at WKRN: Ratings? No significant gains.OK ... any significant losses?

Quality of the product? Poor to fair, at best overall.I understand quality is important to you and I honestly respect that. But does it matter to the viewer, and do they define "quality" the same as you do?

[/quote]Morale of the staff? Dumper. Turnover? Extreme (including top members of management). So on and so forth. It doesn't take a Harvard Business Degree to tell you that these are all signs of an obvious failure.[/quote] All of which can be expected when radical change occurs. There are jobs at stake, jobs in flux, and people aren't expected to like it. Some good people will go elsewhere; others will get out of the business. But corporate knows this and you can bet it factored into their decision on whether to give VJs a try.

Should we ignore these facts and praise Rosenblum for trying a really lousy idea despite the overwhelmingly negative response from folks who have worked in this business their entire careers?I agree they're hard to ignore -- for us. But not for those tending the cash register. They KNOW how most veterans feel about it. But what the veterans are used to no longer works. In their eyes, and I usnderstand it,it's time to find something new. Rosenblum's VJ proposal is part of that search.

Interesting too that you add the facts that you get your news from newspapers and are in your 60's. Not exactly a demographic that I as a station manager would be very interested in catering to in the long term. No offense, but statistically speaking, you're more likely to be asleep at 9pm than you are to be watching anything...[/quote]
No offense taken. If everything goes right,I WILL be asleep by 9 p.m. (Of course, I get up between midnight and 1:30 a.m., so maybe I can get a little slack there?) and I understand I'm not on any news director's short list of important viewers ... having said that, you're not under the impression that the majority of younger consumers in your market are watching your 10/11 p.m. news, are you?

I know you're just trying to live up to your moniker and provide an alternative viewpoint, ..." No, no, no. I don't even know how I came up with such a stupid, er, moniker. For the record, I believe, right or wrong, what I write.

But it's you, not guys like Chicago Dog that are grasping here. (Newspapers... ROFL!!!)

Thanks for the chuckle.I'm not sure how I'm "grasping" and I'll say this: I cna pick up the newspaper whenever I want ... not just at 5,6 and 10 ... but at my leisure, and catch up on the news, and the stories will be more complete, more varied, and I can pick and choose without clumsily fighting with a remote to click away from stories I'/m not interested in -- and then try and click back in time for a story that may have some relevance. Watching TV news can be prosterous exercise.

TV still rules in terms of breaking news,and is right up there with radio in terms of breaking weather news ... but newspapers STILL provide the most varied, complete coverage of any of the three.

Rosenblum

May 9th 2007, 03:55 PM

You may find this interesting
It was produced by KGTV - a 'behind the scenes' look at the VJ project. We are going to San Diego in June for phase 4. Meanwhile, take a look:
http://rosenblumtv.wordpress.com/2007/05/09/kgtv-vjs-how-does-it-work/

2:30

May 9th 2007, 04:12 PM

Phase 5, the failure, will follow.

Rosenblum

May 9th 2007, 04:17 PM

What exactly do you do in the news business?

Chicago Dog

May 9th 2007, 05:17 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
What exactly do you do in the news business?What difference does it make what 2:30 does, Mike? Interns do more for a newsroom than you.

[ May 09, 2007, 06:18 PM: Message edited by: Chicago Dog ]

Another side

May 9th 2007, 05:25 PM

Originally posted by Chicago Dog:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Rosenblum:
What exactly do you do in the news business?What difference does it make what 2:30 does, Mike? Interns do more for a newsroom than you.[/QUOTE]I wish the hell you would grow up. The man just asked a question.

Vermont Neighbor

May 9th 2007, 05:33 PM

Originally posted by Another Side

TV still rules in terms of breaking news, and is right up there with radio in terms of breaking weather news ... but newspapers STILL provide the most varied, complete coverage of any of the three. Like you say, newspapers provide the coverage. Also they're portable. The biggest difference for me is the content and quality. Newspaper avoids the sensationalism and non-stories that really get tiring to sit through. More depth, less fluff.

As for radio, whew! Side, you're in the midwest where AM stations still put a premium on weather info and news departments. (Beefed-up news departments, compared to the music formats which are mostly on autopilot. No one's there to intro breaking news or coordinate coverage. Shadow or Metro at most.) Even during the VT crisis, a number of national shows were still airing on a time delay. So fires, explosions, anything urgent -- radio is just not the place to go for breaking news -- unless it's a news/talk station.

VJs have a place for participation, because it's basically the equivalent of bloggers: get the news out and gather sources on the way. With the feedback here, I would think fortifying a news dep't with VJ work makes sense, but the training and experience to cover a story quickly and thoroughly has to be done by a pro. That doesn't exclude one from working alongside the other; and it certainly doesn't exclude management from shaving jobs and delegating.

interloper

May 9th 2007, 05:51 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
You must be kidding.
Go read my resume at www.rosenblumtv.com (http://www.rosenblumtv.com) if you are so interested.
I read it.

For more than 18 years, Mr. Rosenblum has been on the cutting edge of the digital ‘videojournalist’ revolution. During this time, he has lead a drive for videoliteracy, and the complete rethinking of how television is made and controlled.

His work has included: The complete transitioning of The BBC's national network (UK) to a VJ-driven model, starting in 2002. The complete conversion of The Voice of America, the United State’s Government’s broadcasting agency, (and the largest broadcaster in the world), from short wave radio to television broadcasting and webcasting using the ‘VJ” paradigm (1998-present). The construction of NYT Television, a New York Times Company, and the largest producer of non-fiction television in the US. Rosenblum was both the founder and President of NYT TV, (all based on the “VJ” paradigm – 1996-1998). The President and Founder of Video News International, a global VJ-driven newsgathering company, with more than 100 journalists around the world. (1993-1996).

He has also designed, built and implemented VJ-driven newschannels around the world, including Time/Warner’s New York 1, Associated Newspapers (UK) London based Channel 1, Young Broadcasting stations in the US, Switzerland’s largest commercial TV broadcaster, TeleZuri, as well as a host of smaller projects such as Eritrea’s ERI-TV and Sri Lanka’s SLBC. His consulting clients include The BBC, TV-24/Germany, TV4/Sweden, Oxygen Media, BBC, KBC, TVL, Danmarks Radio (DK), TV-3 Sweden, Norway & Denmark, Tokyo Broadcasting, Korea Broadcasting.

As a producer, Rosenblum has produced or overseen production on more than 300 hours of programming for both network and cable. His shows have included the long-running Trauma:Life in the ER, Paramedics, Police Force, Labor and Delivery, Science Times. These series have aired on TLC, Showtime and National Geographic. He has also produced for ABC, CBS, Oxygen and the BBC. Most recently his groundbreaking 5Takes series for Discovery has completely rewritten the production paradigm. The company currently has more than 50 hours in production for this year alone.

He has conducted his unique VJ training classes all over the world, from Thailand to Marrakech, and has lectured extensively both overseas and in the US. He is an adjunct professor of communication at New York University, where he teaches “Television and the Information Revolution”, a course of his own design, and at The Bauhaus in Germany. His Brussels based Rosenblum Institute trains European journalists to work as vjs. He is the author of Videojournalismus (Germany).

Not one success to point to when it comes to local television news in the United States. Sure you worked some places and tried. Then failed.

Your track record is consistent!

Seems pretty clear to me what you can and can't do.

Chicago Dog

May 9th 2007, 06:21 PM

Originally posted by Another side:
I wish the hell you would grow up. The man just asked a question.When "the man" can answer my very valid question (as to why he incorrectly accused me of being anti-semitic), I'll take your suggestion.

Until then, sorry to disappoint.

Originally posted by interloper:
Not one success to point to when it comes to local television news in the United States. Sure you worked some places and tried. Then failed.

Your track record is consistent!

Seems pretty clear to me what you can and can't do.That write-up was incredibly difficult to read. It was funny watching him write in the third person, though.

[ May 09, 2007, 07:25 PM: Message edited by: Chicago Dog ]

Rosenblum

May 9th 2007, 06:37 PM

Dear Dog
I did not ask what you do in the news business. I already know that you do not work in the news business at all.

2:30

May 9th 2007, 06:45 PM

I produce news broadcasts, Mr. Rosenblum.

And I've seen consultants like you come and go...along with the NDs and GMs who hire them. Each one makes big promises, because they "really understand what the audience wants" and can "re-engineer the department into the newsroom of tomorrow."

Not one of them is worth one tenth of what they were paid. I'd rather have an extra truck or crew for a shift than have the all the great advice about graphics, music and touching the news that I've heard over the years from the self serving dorks who've failed in the business but are oh so convinced they know it all now.

Make everyone a VJ? You've demonstrated perfectly that it's a really dumb idea - something that just doesn't work. Please kindly go away before any more bean counters buy into your patter.

Rosenblum

May 9th 2007, 06:51 PM

What do you mean by produce? That term covers a very wide spectrum. And in what market?

Spike

May 9th 2007, 06:58 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
What do you mean by produce? That term covers a very wide spectrum. The fact that you don't know the answer to this question further demonstrates that you have no idea how local newsrooms work and shouldn't be trying to reinvent something you don't understand.

Ralphie the buffalo

May 9th 2007, 07:02 PM

Here is something you won't read from Rosie's bio on his webpage. The story of how his his self-appointment as VJ "expert" began. It is an interesting read. His own words from another message board.
http://www.b-roll.net/forum/showthread.php?t=17888

"Many years ago, I was running around the world with a little camera (because I could not afford a big one) and making stuff on my own. No different I am sure than you. But I ran into a very interesting guy named Jan Stenbeck. He was a self made billionaire and the 2nd richest man in Scandinavia. He met with me and I explained what I did. Then he did something very unusual (as I was living in a walk up shared apartment in Brooklyn at the time). He invested $1 million (which was a lot of money then.. and now) and set up a company with me and gave me 30% equity. He told me 'From now on, you are the 'world expert in videojournalism'. I said, I was just some guy with a camera. he looked at me. He said, "always take the highest ground. let others say you're not if they want." And that was good advice. From a self made billionaire."

[ May 09, 2007, 08:03 PM: Message edited by: Ralphie the buffalo ]

Chicago Dog

May 9th 2007, 07:09 PM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
I did not ask what you do in the news business.Funny -- but I think you inadvertently did:

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
And since we are doing resumes, you should now admit that you don't work in any newsroom at all, but that you are a part time freelance overnight cameraman.And, no. I'm not an overnight part-time freelance "cameraman." Nice try on the baitwork, though. It was not-at-all obvious! Seriously!

By the way -- why'd you call me anti-semitic?

2:30

May 9th 2007, 09:20 PM

Why do you need to know, Mr. Rosenblum? Want to call my GM or ND?

It's not personal. It's your ideas that are under attack.

I know you've seen this before, from any number of people on any number of boards.

Don't worry about who's saying the emperor has no clothes. Worry about the emperor. He's naked. And, I might add, very unattractive.

[ May 09, 2007, 10:21 PM: Message edited by: 2:30 ]

Rosenblum

May 10th 2007, 01:35 AM

boys, boys boys...
We could go on like this forever....
Alas, I have to go to work.. .and I have been here before, (entertaining though it is).
The reaon I ask you what you do (and the reason you don't answer) (PS, I have seen 'producers' who produce the coffee)... Is because I think most of your are either on the beach (nothing personal Shaky, I know that you took your cameraman job very seriously and I respect both you and that), or you are the grumbling trogoldyte in the basement. In either case, IMHO, unless you are in play, or were once, your opinions don't really count for much. You certainly have em, but you know what? who cares....

I am in continual dialogue in this business with people who have real jobs, or once did, who understand this business and who may not agree with me, but whose opinion I respect.

I think that here, that is clearly not the case.

Sorry.

[ May 10, 2007, 04:08 AM: Message edited by: Rosenblum ]

2:30

May 10th 2007, 04:41 AM

Lucky you added that "or were once."

Folks here know what I do. Some even worked with/for me. One still does.

Basement? {VBG} not.

Chicago Dog

May 10th 2007, 06:25 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
In either case, IMHO, unless you are in play, or were once, your opinions don't really count for much. You certainly have em, but you know what? who cares....Mike, Mike, Mike. Watching you claim we're the folks that don't know what we're talking about is hilarious.

Let's review:

Much to your dismay, the system has not started rampant changes across the United States. You've claimed it would over a year ago. Everytime someone said it would fail, your response was: "By this time next year..."

We've already pointed out the complete failure of the OMB/VJ system at WKRN. The GM? Gone. The ND? Gone. Most of the staff that was there to see the transition? Gone.

Even the Verizon project touted to start major changes has yet to launch. It was supposed to come to fruition over a month ago. When asked about it, you instead throw up a smoke screen of (badly produced) stories elsewhere.

Did you ever stop to think that you are the one with the problem? Of course not. You've got an ego you could only fit through a loading dock garage door. You refer to yourself as "the messiah." You casually toss accusations of anti-semitism at those who disagree with you.

The truth is, Mike: you haven't had experience in a local newsroom in nearly thirty years. You have never shadowed a traditional field crew, neither then and most certainly not now. So, in reality, you have absolutely no idea what you're trying to "improve." None.

The truth remains, Mike: most newsrooms in the United States understand technical advancement and understand its applications in the newsroom. A wide range of them are making leaps and bounds nowadays -- not only with the cameras, but the editing systems and transmissions. And guess what? They're doing it without you, and they're doing it without your paltry OMB/VJ "system."

I don't really understand why you think technological advancement is only limited to OMB/VJs. Thanks to technological advancements, your OMB/VJs are getting and will continue to get steamrolled -- not the other way around.

I know you can't see past your own pocketbook, and I know you don't care to. You don't even follow up on your clients past what you read on various profession message boards. So, take any claim that you "truly care about the direction the news business is heading" and shove it straight up your archaic ass.

You're not genuine. To hear you claim otherwise is a slap in the face to those who truly care about their craft and find you to be nothing more than a laughably inexperienced consultant. I feel sorry for anyone who buys into your tripe.

Rosenblum

May 10th 2007, 06:30 AM

dog, dog, dog
Why don't you post some of your 'work'?
The problem is, of course, you can't
because there isn't any.

SpxGrunt

May 10th 2007, 07:05 AM

This is awesome. I took a sabbatical from this board, but like a crack addict, I had to come back. I remember how this discussion started on this and other threads. It's gone from Rosenblum trying to defend his ideas to Rosenblum calling out other people (i.e. Where do you produce? What market?!? What does that mean, produce? You're an overnight freelance cameraman!!! You smell like poopie!). Jesus, that's desperation.

2:30

May 10th 2007, 07:23 AM

This is getting laughable.

Mr. Rosenblum says Dog is bad because he can't post any of his work...he "doesn't have any."

Mr. Rosenblum's work is evident for all to see.

Not having any would be an improvement.

Union Label

May 10th 2007, 07:51 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
boys, boys boys...
We could go on like this forever....
Alas, I have to go to work.. .and I have been here before, (entertaining though it is).
The reaon I ask you what you do (and the reason you don't answer) (PS, I have seen 'producers' who produce the coffee)... Is because I think most of your are either on the beach (nothing personal Shaky, I know that you took your cameraman job very seriously and I respect both you and that), or you are the grumbling trogoldyte in the basement. In either case, IMHO, unless you are in play, or were once, your opinions don't really count for much. You certainly have em, but you know what? who cares....

I am in continual dialogue in this business with people who have real jobs, or once did, who understand this business and who may not agree with me, but whose opinion I respect.

I think that here, that is clearly not the case.

Sorry.You come off as a major arrogant condescending jerk who can't seem to make a post without some sort of spelling error or grammatical mistake. There is no doubt in my mind why you've ingratiated yourself with so many given your polarizing attitude. Please lead forth and allow us troglodytes (note spelling) to hold court in your absence.

[ May 15, 2007, 06:32 AM: Message edited by: Union Label ]

Chicago Dog

May 10th 2007, 08:28 AM

Originally posted by Rosenblum:
dog, dog, dog
Why don't you post some of your 'work'?
The problem is, of course, you can't
because there isn't any.Why don't you tell me why you incorrectly labeled me "anti-semitic?" I sent you another PM, offering to talk about this over the phone. I already know why, but I'd really love to hear you say it.

Why not come out and say you incorrectly accused me of being "anti-semitic" in hopes that such a harsh label would worry me and make me retreat?

What a completely irresponsible, offesively juvenile thing for a fifty-something who should damn well know better. I'm quite appalled that you'd use such a harsh term for some little social game. Do you have any idea what that word means? I'm not talking dictionary definition.

Let me give you a little insight, Mike:

A few days after the Virginia Tech shootings, I was reading an article about the victims. Because of your ill-concieved accusation, one of them in particular caught my interest: Professor Liviu Librescu (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liviu_Librescu).

I invite you to read through that Wikipedia entry. Spend a few minutes of your "busy schedule" to get a feel for what this guy did. He's a very noteworthy man, and he's accomplished much in his life -- especially when it came to the cost of his beliefs.

The end of his life was not pleasant, but he did everything in his power to make sure others would live:

April 2007, held the door of his classroom shut while Cho was attempting to enter it. Although he was shot through the door, Librescu was able to prevent the gunman from entering the classroom until most of his students had escaped through the windows. He was struck by five bullets, with a shot to the head ending his life. Of the 23 registered students, one, Minal Panchal, died.

A number of Librescu's students have called him a hero because of his actions. One student, Asael Arad, said that all the professor's students "lived because of him."I would imagine many, many people respected this man. No elaboration or analogy I can come up with would do this gentleman any justice whatsoever.

After reading this article, I couldn't help but be awed by this guy's personal sacrifice. Who, if anyone, would've done the same thing?

I remembered what you'd tossed in my direction: some self-serving, incredibly ignorant accusation. Some jackass consultant who -- because he's so concerned about his image on an internet message board -- decides it would be a good idea to label someone "anti-semitic" in an effort to shut him up.

The level of disrespect and carelessness displayed by your accusation speaks volumes about you.

You claim to be an "educated" businessman. But, to think: you so willingly throw around that label without actually having any idea what it actually means is almost more offensive than the accusation itself.

You're an embarassment to yourself and your associates. I feel sorry for you.