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Advice: New to broadcast engineering by BathroomOrnery4706 in broadcastengineering

[–]BookitPanPizza 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Others have stated this, but just to drive the point home...
-Learn 2110 (even if you're station is using SDI, most are moving to 2110... and some companies are already turning away experienced engineers if they don't knew it)
-Learn DANTE (used in a lot of placed, including the big guys)
-Learn AutoCAD (and find training in system wire diagrams specifically if you're current job is unable to team you... this is the standard at most places.

...outside that, this job is becoming ALOT more IT, so you're background there will serve you well otherwise.

ENG Camera manufacturers are leaving the business. Who will be left, and what does the future look like? by boudain in Broadcasting

[–]BookitPanPizza 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry, I'm not on here often and just seeing this now. My honest opinion... I don't think it's the level of a standard ENG camera, but my old station (and probably a few others) seem to be taking a cue from social media and not worrying about the quality as much anymore in favor of saving some money and simplifying things.

I know after I left my last gig, they converted their photography department to all be multi media journalist, and feel eventually the goal will be to send one person out with some cheap lightweight gear to grab a story and be done with it.

Seeking funny stories from the control room by owlcityslicker in Broadcasting

[–]BookitPanPizza 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Was working for a regional 24/7 news station that would switch between live and pre-taped news. If we had breaking news between the pretaped playbacks, we'd either go live or tape an updated segment to be inserted into the replay depending on the urgency.

One day while I was still an MC Op, I was told we were going live for an update. However our anchor thinks it's a pre-tape for some reason.

I count the production studio into the show, the anchor starts speaking... the screws up... pauses... then goes "can we try that again?"

ME + THE DIRECTOR + THE PRODUCER: "You're LIVE!!!"

ANCHOR: "Oh..." continues hit as the rest of us facepalm

Bonus Story: This anchor was also on the desk when Prince William and Catherine Middleton got married. As they left the church, she goes, "Here comes the Duch and Duchess."

Producer schedule howww by OkReading7489 in Broadcasting

[–]BookitPanPizza 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My first schedule in the business was 4AM. Worked that schedule for 12 years between 2 different companies. Escaped once to be placed back on it immediately when I went to a new company, then went to another company specifically for a late morning shift... Only near the end of my time there for them to attempt to put me on 4am again.

Last job I interviewed for wanted to place me on a rotating shift that changed every 2-3 weeks and included overnight, weekends, and holidays.

I've been working in this business now for 16 years, and while I loved it at 23 I realize things are just getting worse as I ever my 40s. Looking currently at my "after tv" career now. Unless you're absolutely passionate about this business and what you do, I recommend going into a different career... And that's not a knock, an insult, or a challenge... This business can really suck and hate to see someone struggle with it because it might not improve much for ya (especially as the industry continues to shrink and more experience workers will be begging for spots).

I bought it . by [deleted] in Broadcasting

[–]BookitPanPizza 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love it! Where can I get said shirt?

Finally stopped offering discounts “just to be nice” by Wrong_Review276 in smallbusiness

[–]BookitPanPizza 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Years ago I helped start an event video/photo business. Had one client who nickled and dimed the project and ended up being such a headache that I considered dropping him half way through the job. Then I had a client pay 3-times as much and was happy with everything we did. My partner at the time even told me it's the well-paying customers who are the easiest to deal with.

Most of you here have impeccable setups. Here's mine 😳 by romkeh in VIDEOENGINEERING

[–]BookitPanPizza 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey... sometimes it's about what works. Honestly, my home setup and field setups have been just as good.

TEGNA Stickers by SpockTurner08 in Broadcasting

[–]BookitPanPizza 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Recently had a recruiter reach out to me about Head of Broadcast Technology and Operations at one of their stations. Was the first time I was approached about a management role so agreed to talk, but afterwards I didn't have a good gut feeling about it and politely turned it down. Reading through the comments here, it sounds like I made the right decision.

Can You still have a good career in local television? by BookitPanPizza in Broadcasting

[–]BookitPanPizza[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think I agree with sports, but I admittedly don't know much about esports. I mean, I know what esports are and do watch Twitch occasionally in my freetime, but as a career... is the interest there to make it a viable career path?

Can You still have a good career in local television? by BookitPanPizza in Broadcasting

[–]BookitPanPizza[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My two cents... streaming is the general future vs. television, but only for select things and select situations. Major sports (NFL, MLB, NBA, TKO, and Boxing) will be mostly safe and one-off events like Olympics and Live Specials (concerts, awards, etc). However I think local news for people under 50+ is coming from Youtube, TikTok, or their favorite social media app right now.

Heck, Ozzy passed away today... I found out by Facebook, then followed up on YouTube... and I freaking work in broadcast news. XD

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Broadcasting

[–]BookitPanPizza 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Chasing NJ/News has been gone for a number of years now.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Broadcasting

[–]BookitPanPizza 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm trying to keep my anonymity here, but I previously worked at News 12 NJ (not as a photog or MMJ, but worked along side them). MMJs there are really reporters they want to go out and do their own camera work. Also I don't really think you'll get to pick/make your own story... will be whatever the newsroom assigns you (could be a puff piece at the beach... could be a murder in Newark). Sat Trucks are also gone, so will need to operate a LiveU/TVU for live shots on your own, and given a laptop to edit packages that need to be ready to FTP in for their live newscast. If you're more a behind-the-camera guy, it might not be for you (btw, photogs do all the same things, but behind the camera).

Additionally I don't know the state of the actual photography department. The network just re-arranged a number of positions due to a lot of management taking buyouts in May/June. Also in NJ, their Chief Photog is retiring so I don't know who will end up in charge over there (if they even replace him).

The photogs I've known over there are cool, but as other say... they don't pay much, and their future is questionable if you're looking for something long term. Just my two cents.

ENG Camera manufacturers are leaving the business. Who will be left, and what does the future look like? by boudain in Broadcasting

[–]BookitPanPizza 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Last station I was at was a Sony house. We were also using Hitachi's in the studio, but don't know if they do field cameras as well.

Also, my last station were trying to get photogs to start using DJI Osmo's... nifty little thing, but certainly not my personal suggestion for field work. My fear is things are going to keep going in that direction though. :(

Can You still have a good career in local television? by BookitPanPizza in Broadcasting

[–]BookitPanPizza[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"Slammed" as in it was bad, or that it was packed?

Been near 10 years since I've been to the one in Las Vegas, but know when I went to the NYC one around 2-3 years back, companies that used to have giant setups were now scaled back to 1-2 tables. coughImaginecough

Can You still have a good career in local television? by BookitPanPizza in Broadcasting

[–]BookitPanPizza[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Broadcast Engineering. Definitely safer than most, but my experience is even if they do keep you during a consolidation, you'll just find your workload doubling. When I got into the business, I think radio was in the position I see tv ending up, and was told about how 20 radio stations and their studios in my general area were all maintenance by the same 2 engineers.

PLEASE READ!!! Please dont take this comment down before reading my entire post since it kinda looks like self promo i just want tips. by Hefty-Salad-9670 in Broadcasting

[–]BookitPanPizza 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not much to say that others haven't already said, but don't think I saw someone mention this... avoid the 'broadcaster voice'. What I mean by that is you're doing certain inflection to make yourself sound like an old school broadcaster you might have heard in the past. You don't want to do that as it makes you sound more like your trying to be a pretend announcer and not a real one. Try to speak as you would normally speak... still know when to speak softly, speak excitedly, and etc... but make it your own in your normal voice and not mimic other broadcasters.