For winter term, I have been producing Lexington, Virginia’s weekly newscast and Web site – The Rockbridge Report. I decided to take the class, thinking it would be the ultimate test of just how “converged” a journalist I actually was. Producing is the capstone class for broadcast majors at Washington and Lee, and as print major with a penchant for broadcast packages and tease writing, I thought I’d slip on those producing shoes, no problemo.
The Rockbridge Report Staff, winter 2010.
As I joke about with my journalism friends (and told a certain Atlanta Journal Constitution editor on a job interview), I like to think of myself as the greatest writer of my generation. Egotistical, I know, but a way to keep me motivated even when the news industry continues to look rough.
But when it comes to teases, that playful exaggeration becomes a huge…er…lie. At the beginning of January, it took me an entire afternoon and evening write all the teases for our 20-minute, weekly show. Now, I can get it down in an hour or two. But you can bet I still lose a couple points on my grades each week because of teases.
Right now, my life is producing for the Rockbridge Report. On weekends, I am constantly checking e-mails from reporters and faculty advisors on story updates. Early in the week, I build the preliminary pages for the Web site or start organizing the rundown for the show. Wednesday nights are marathons of writing RDRS or Web blurbs, editing VO/SOTs and, of course, teases. And Thursdays, don’t expect to see me between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Thursdays are show time!
It’s hard, especially in a liberal arts environment that requires concentration on three other classes a week in addition to producing.
Despite the late weeknights, anxious weekends and draining Thursday afternoons, I’ve really come to appreciate what this Rockbridge Report leadership role has helped me to accomplish as a journalist.
If I felt confident in my broadcast skills before winter 2010, I feel like now, after eight weeks as a producer, they are truly at the level of my print skills. As cheesy as it sounds, I think that I have earned the title “power producer.” Even if I still sweat the teases.
