What do you remember (or will you remember) from your first day in a newsroom? Bob Morford, who’s retiring as news director at WAFF-TV in Huntsville, Alabama, after 40 years in the news business, has a vivid memory that he shared with his staff on his way out the door. With his permission, we’re sharing it with you.
Memorial Day, 1979. I report for my first day of work after four years of college, excited to be a paid local news photographer. In the newsroom, the reporter looks at me and barks, “Camera’s over there. We gotta go.” And he walks past me headed for the news car.
I open the case he pointed to and there before me is a type of camera I have never seen before. A brand new state-of-the-art ENG camera! Unfortunately, I had been trained on film cameras. Exclusively. So, what to do? Admit the awful truth or do the very best I can? Discuss options with the reporter or stay silent? Over-confidently, I chose the latter path on both questions.
The day proceeds and we get three packages shot because we are the only crew on duty for the holiday. When we get back to the station, the reporter starts scripting and I watch my first professional video.
Every shot is perfectly composed. The shots are sequential for easy editing. The rule of thirds is rigorously adhered to. 180-degree line not crossed. Room left for the supers at the bottom of every interview. ….And it’s all blue. Not tinged blue. A deep ocean blue.
A few stunned minutes later, the reporter comes up behind me, literally gasps, gets angry, and says, in barely contained disbelief, “If you had told
me you needed help, we could have avoided this.” And he walks away, leaving me to edit this disaster and suffer through watching the longest 30-minute Smurfs newscast ever aired.Why this story? Because it really is most everything you need to know about being successful in local broadcasting:
- The team is everything. Some Individuals will get more spotlight, but the truth is there’s always a team behind them.
- Individual players can almost always get back-up from teammates. But, you have to ask and be open to the answer.
- Never think or say or act as if you know more than you do. Be open and excited to learn new things. But, you may have to start by admitting you don’t know something.
You’re going to have bad days. And yes, some really amazing, exciting, important, GREAT Days. (I’ve had many of those too!) So, just take one lesson with you as you leave each day and your growth will be exponential.
For me, being part of our local news team provides purpose-driven, meaningful work. I love what local media does for the public and for our country. All of you come from a justifiably proud tradition created by generations of local media colleagues. Don’t forget to feel good about that. Or that you need to add to it.
Good reminders, all. And if nothing else, remember the Smurfs!
