My Resume Tape

[vbwxman]

Hello all... never posted before, but I've been reading for a while. Below is a link to my current resume tape. I've been using it since I graduated in May and haven't had much luck. I am therefore planning on working on a new one in the next month. So, I thought I'd ask for your advice. I apparently need all the help I can get. Thanks for your help. Feel free to PM me as well. Cheers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISnTLe6XLOc

[Red Rover]

I think you have a lot going for you delivery wise. You will be excellent verbally in no time!

Your tape makes you out to be a big fella. What 6'5"-7' maybe? Try not to hunch over. Stand tall and confident. Your posture is very important...you can project weakness with mousy shoulders.

8 minutes is wasteful for a resume tape..ND will watch for maybe 30 seconds, or maybe I should say you have 20-30 seconds to make an impression. If you don't make that impression...the ND hits EJECT.
When you put your tape together hit your home run first.

I think you have a lot going for you, but you must project confidence in your posture.

[vbwxman]

Thank you Red Rover.

[hamdaman23]

I'm in the job hunt right now too so I'm not an expert by any means, but people always tell me to smile more, and I think it'd help you out some too.

[cochy]

2 years in the business, so not SUPER experienced, but here are my 2 cents:

Definitely agree with Red Rover on your posture. Stand up tall! Posture is important and a good posture reflects self confidence. You also can definitely smile more. This is the most challenging thing to do for a lot of starters... you have to overact when you're on tv. Bigger smile. Bigger gestures. If you don't feel like you're overacting, chances are you're coming across as dull. After practicing it for a while, it will become second nature to be friendly and smiley when you deliver weather. A good exercise to do is to look at your video with the sound off... there are times where I sounded perky and friendly, but my facial expression didn't reflect it as much as I thought. Obviously, you don't want to be all bubbly during a tornado, but you get the point.

Another thing I noticed is that you hold you hands together A LOT. It comes across as a little mousy and unsure of yourself. It's ok to do it some, but don't be afraid to move a little and relax your body. It looks a little tense. Try starting out with your hands at your sides or one hand up holding the clicker and the other down. Just look loose and comfortable.

On the plus side, I think you have good delivery. You just need a shot of happy juice and look comfortable in your own skin! Definitely keep in mind that you need a great attention grabber in the beginning. Make it fun. Make it perky. Make it friendly.

[vbwxman]

Thanks for the help... any ideas for good "Attention Getters" at the beginning? Or, any other resume tape format tips? Since I am between school and my first job, I will pretty much be using a local station's weather equipment and will not have the opportunity to cross-talk, as I will not be on air with anyone else. I live in market 42 and don't foresee the anchors helping me out in that regard. Thanks again for all your help!

[Red Rover]

that "Weekend Index"

yeah, I might be stealin' that:whistle:

[tvwxguy]

WOW! You got to work with Dave Price?! :D ;)

[vbwxman]

Only "Little Dave Price" ;)
Thanks again for your comments... I'm still taking more if you have 'em. Be not afraid to be honest... I've heard very bad things before

[vbwxman]

Hello Everyone... Just wanted to ask for advice one more time, as I will be going into work on new material for my resume tape this week. Thanks again!

[Klinger]

Hi there Patrick!

I've been at this for a while and have been watching tapes for a few years, so perhaps I can add a few comments.

First, your overall presentation:

Nice job! You seem pretty smooth and ahead of the curve for being right out of school. I can tell you are comfortable in front of the key, but you do shuffle your weight back and forth, which can be distracting. Also, in the MSU tape, you used your hands too much. Use gestures to accentuate a point...your graphics and your words will do the rest (keep it natural). I felt you were smooth in your transitions to either side of the key, which is tough for a bunch of folks.

As for the overall effect of the weathercast...remember you are a part of a newscast that has a very distinct beginning, middle and end. Producers "stack" their shows and you should do that as well. You have to tell a weather story, so what is of most interest to your viewers for the day? What is your lead story for weather? I know that you are a fellow weather geek, so you ARE allowed to be excited about the weather. I could see some glimpses of it, but I think you then turned your attention to what was next in your show. Tell a logical story and you and your viewers will have a much easier time telling/listening. Don't be afraid to let your love of weather shine through.

I can tell a difference between the MSU tape and the tape done at the VB station...you are more confident, but you disappeared! There were a whole lot of graphics and not a whole lot of you! People want to see you and the weather you are presenting. If you can insert yourself in there do it (move back and forth in the key...you are good at it)! Also, if you don't feel comfortable with how big you appear in the frame, have the camera folks change the framing. Since you aren't on their air you can call the shots (just say please). Also, since you are a guest in your VB station, don't forget to take in some pizza as a thank you. Be realistic about the time you take...your shows should be about 2:30...you may get more time in the real world, but then again you may not.

Also, in severe weather tracking don't just stand there in front of the key and read the warnings. Get in there and show folks the warning, talk about the storm and tell them to take cover. That said, you can still break down that clip that is in your tape and use pieces of it in your montage.

Okay, now for your tape.

Get rid of that desk shot!!! I wouldn't use the MSU tape at all if you have stuff to use from VB. EXCEPT the severe weather tracking...keep that and use only the parts where you are referencing the key and the storms behind you. You can insert these between GOOD clips from a regular weathercast. Perhaps go out with a photog at your VB shop (front yard works just fine) and rip off a few "look live" shots to put in as well. I love the weekend index...see if you can make one with the VB weather computer and use that. I would even start the tape with it because it is creative and important to viewers. Remember, your montage is just clips...

So, do a quick clip montage of no more than :15 to :20 (total) and then get into a full weather cast of no more than 3:00. Remember to have a big lead for your cast and get your mug on camera. Dump the MSU stuff and go for the VB....if you have it, use it! (and don't forget the pizza)

Best of luck to you Patrick...you are going to be fine.

Betsy
(Oh my gosh this is long....)

[vbwxman]

Thank you for your help!