The Radical Reporter: A New Gig!
Saturday, September 5, 2009 So, the funniest thing happened to me today, and it involves a new project I've been working on. Let's start with the project...
As you know, my background is in television news. I left the news business because it was too structured for me. Sometimes too much structure can lead to things becoming boring and redundant, which I emphatically oppose. However, this new project is bringing me back to my roots, and I'm loving every minute of it.
Basically, I'm a freelance reporter, but I don't work for a news station. I work alongside a group of other trained journalists to provide stories for company blogs. I have an assignment editor/producer who mainly works with the individual companies to develop the story concept. Then, I write the script and blog post, shoot the video, edit it together and upload it to YouTube. Simple, right?
Well, yes and no. Getting the neccessary video for each story can be challenging. For example, I just completed a story focusing on the clinical trials for the H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccine. If I were working for a news station, I would grab video from our national affiliate or CNN, no problem. But, when you don't have rights to that footage, you have to be creative.
The good news is there is a lot of royalty free content on the web. You'd be amazed at what you can find when you start searching through those sites. Also, I've learned to bring my pocket videocamera whereever I go, because you never know when a good opportunity for stock video will take place. This week, I even snuck some video of medical supplies while I waited for my doctor. Yep, you guessed it. This is what makes me the radical reporter.
Getting the footage may take a little extra time, but the trade off is definitely worth it. There's always work available, so I can work at my own pace. I can continue to work at home and the pay is pretty good. I'm actually making as much as I did when I freelanced for the local FOX affiliate in San Diego.
Ok, getting back to my funny story...
So, I was shooting some on-camera footage for my H1N1 story. I purposely chose to shoot early Saturday to avoid cars and crowds of people. I'm standing there, talking into my ittie bittie videocamera that's jerry-rigged to my car via my guerilla pod, and all these people start to gather around me. Apparantly, they wanted to know what "big news" had happened at the pharmacy. At least, that's what the manager eventually told me.
Seriously people? If someone had OD'd at the pharmacy, I wouldn't be the only reporter here, and I wouldn't be shooting with a camera the size of my cell phone! What would have happened if I had actually brought a videographer and live news truck? Wow! That would have been the highlight of their week!
So, it just goes to show... it's not the size of your camera, it's how you use it ;)
Reader Comments (1)
Hey Sunny,
Heard about the site and wanted to check it out. HOLY CRAP!! I always knew you were amazingly talented, but after navigating around here for only a few minutes it plain to see that it's much more than that; you have a total gift, pure and simple. Just thought I'd say hello.
See you soon!
Damian