New Media General graphics

[Slave to the Grind]

So, we just upgraded to a new graphics system this week. We're told that each MG station will have the same look, with in-house capabilities outsourced to Richmond (company HQ).

Got a chance to use this new "vertigo" a few times this weekend, and it pretty much sucks.

Graphic names have been swapped out for code numbers, so we have a sheet to help us translate- i.e. "H10740" is a Phoner with 1 line of information. I guess it was too hard to just write it as "Phoner 1 line".

There is a "proxy view" that let's you see the graphics instead of the code name. It doesn't really help though; it's hard to distinguish individual graphics without maximizing the window.

Additionally, there are no slots for super times on the two-liners. The mos channel font is the same color as the copy. There is also no way to see the full graphic information without double clicking it.

We no longer have in-house graphic production capabilities. Whenever a new graphic is needed, we submit a "work order" to the centralized crew in Richmond. So far, the service has been pretty fast, but they have to work for every other MG station as well.

Visually, the graphics are alright. The lower thirds look great, though the plasmas and OTS's are lacking. We are also contracted to do a show for the local FOX station each night and we don't have our old art completely imported yet.

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Financially, the move doesn't make any sense... yet.

I think 21 people were hired to work in this new graphics department. That means that a total of 22 jobs would need to be slashed to make a profit from this outsourcing. I know we're only contributing one job cut, so the other media general stations have to slash 20 jobs to break even.

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I'm not a high maintenance person, but if it ain't broke, don't touch it. We had unique graphics with in-house capability, and now we've been tossed into the cloning vat with numerous other southeastern stations.

As a producer, I think the interface is clumsy, and the changes are completely unnecessary. We had great looking graphics that were easy to use.

[Who Cares???]

That explains how the CEO came up with a 2 million dollar bonus recently... all the while a lot of my friends and former associates are now out of work.

[AutoTranz]

As clunky and dangerous as this is, it's probably going to assist in bigger profit by streamlining operations.

In that sentence, the only 3 words that a sleazy TV executive sees are: 1. Profit. 2. Streamlining. 3. Operations.

No matter how dumb an idea, if it makes money, it makes sense to them. I say let em do what they want. But the moment the station (or God forbid...the COUNTRY) has a temporary internet breakdown, call Richmond and laugh in their faces.

Some things are better handled locally. Never forget that.

[scoast]

WCBD just started using the updated graphics today. they look good, however they did have difficulties during their noon broadcast.

[DoneThatToo]

Ask FLA how many folks get released.

[djboy]

I am glad Media General doesnt own our local CBS station anymore!!! They sucked majorly!! There Graphics always sucked also! Now that they are owned by someone else their graphics and over all look are starting to improve slowly.

[!]

This has been tried before with other groups and hasn't worked.

[NiftyNews711]

We started using these a few months back. Maybe I've just gotten used to them, or maybe they actually do get better. Our graphics package looks a lot better than our old one, so we were excited about that.

As far as the title of each fullscreen and graphics go, the Richmond guys told us the titles can be changed in Vertigo to whatever we want. So ours are titled "FS Multi Take" or "FS Phoner" or "FS Lake Levels", etc. All of our "stingers" are specifically labeled also. That would drive me nutso if they were just labeled by code names!

And our Lower 3rds are a dark maroon color...? I wonder why yours is not a different color? That may be something else they can change.

They've been pretty accommodating to special requests for us, albeit it might take a little while and/or take them a few tries before they finally get it right. But I guess that's kind of understandable given the situation.

We, of course, also had to lose our graphics guys. I hated that was the case, but I guess it's the way of the biz these days.

[Who Cares???]

I've heard tha one of our local (Media General) stations has the new graphics package, and it won't interface with the new Grass Valley "Ignite" system.

The thing is... sombody sold them a system that just doesn't work. They also let go more than half the station staff before they even tried the system on air... now they have no backup.

Talk about a waste of money.

[AutoTranz]

I've heard tha one of our local (Media General) stations has the new graphics package, and it won't interface with the new Grass Valley "Ignite" system.

The thing is... sombody sold them a system that just doesn't work. They also let go more than half the station staff before they even tried the system on air... now they have no backup.

Talk about a waste of money.

That's what happens, man.


That's what happens.