Where Are They Now? - Rick Jackson

We have so many alumnists from Channel 3 that we want to get caught up on a few more of those who have moved on and been quite successful. As you may know, WKYC has always been an excellent stepping stone for those making their way to either the NBC network or other larger market cities. In fact, WKYC was often considered a training ground for the network stars of tomorrow.

Rick Jackson is one such person who has done very well for himself since leaving the station. Rick is a friend of the Director's Cut blog who asked him to take a few moments and reflect on his career so far, in his own words.

THE PAST:

I reported news at WKYC from September 1983 until April 1986, serving as a general assignment reporter and as the substitute morning news anchor whenever the inestimable Del Donahoo took time off from his morning duties.

During the second half of my tenure, I was paired with Tom Beres in what were called "Greater Cleveland" beats. Neither of us ever did stories inside the city, but worked the suburbs exclusively. I was positioned, and even promoted as; "The Greater Cleveland East" reporter.

As for memorable stories, I loved traveling to Washington and Chicago for a special series I worked on in 1984 that (correctly as it turned out) predicted the rise of the personal computer and the surveillance that computers now allow all across the world. Wish I'd had the foresight to actually invest in what I was reporting about.

I also enjoyed accompanying the Cleveland Force to Chicago in 1986 when they competed in the MISL playoffs, lead by Kai Haaskivi (Who remembers 'that' Cleveland sports legend, eh?)

THE PRESENT:

I've been back in Cleveland since 1999, having left for 13 years. I moved south, became a main anchor at WCNC in Charlotte, North Carolina, then moved on to a four year stint as anchor of the overnight CBS News Program, "Up To The Minute," broadcast live Monday through Fridays from New York City.

I am now a program host and producer at Ideastream, the PBS Television and NPR radio outlets which broadcast from Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland. I am the face of both ideas, our news and public affairs TV show, and of NewsDepth, the news program written for 3rd through 8th grade students which is broadcast statewide and seen in thousands of school classrooms. You can also hear me almost each day on WCPN radio - delivering news reports and newscasts.

THE FUTURE:

Broadcasting is a way of life, and something I hope to continue doing, but I have other interests as well. I've thought of returning to college to teach, and I've considered, but so far rejected a few opportunities to leave the field for other types of writing. I still hope to inspire future reporters to continue to learn and practice JOURNALISM, a category which I separate from much of which permeates the airwaves today under the guise of news.

Trivia: WKYC TV Trivia

Time for you to play "WKYC TV Trivia" which focuses on all things WKYC, STO, WKYC.COM and Weather Plus. We'll have a new question every week along with the answer to the prior week's question and how many people guess correctly.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION & ANSWER

Go ahead, take a shot at this week's question:




LAST WEEK'S QUESTION & ANSWER:

Week of 5/12/08

The Question: When did "Today in Cleveland" with Del & Tom sign off the air?

a) June 1997 (82%)
b) August 1998 (18%)
c) November 1999 (0%)
d) January 2000 (0%)

The Answer: (a) June 1997 is when Del & Tom said goodbye to their viewers after 16 years together. Tom Haley retired at the same time. Del continued at the station until last year when we retired and started working on specials for MetroHealth Hospital. Though, Del's folks classics can still be seen on WKYC with Del's occasional appearance on the weekend morning news.

News: The Countdown has begun....

50 Days

....and counting.

Will you be here when the time comes?

May Sweeps: A Look at Stories We Air This Month

We take you behind the scenes of Channel 3 News with a look at some of the big stories we are featuring during the month of May.

Stories That Have Aired:

Biotherapy For A Better Life - Would you let creepy, crawly critters climb all over you? If they could possibly save your life you would. Senior Health Anchor Monica Robins explores how mother nature's healing power works in modern medicine.

• To watch Monica's story: CLICK HERE

Long Road Home - Akron Canton Newsroom Chief Eric Mansfield examines how the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have created more than 800,000 new veterans, including thousands across Ohio. Many are trying to readjust to the lives they left behind in Northeast Ohio. See how they are coping, or not in this special 5 part series.

• To watch Eric's story: Part I - CLICK HERE (Aired 5/12)
• To watch Eric's story: Part II - CLICK HERE (Aired 5/13)
• To watch Eric's story: Part III - CLICK HERE (Aired 5/14)

Teeba's Journey - (Aired 5/8) - Senior Health Anchor Monica Robins brings us the touching story of an Iraqi girl horribly scarred by a bombing in her country. Witness how a Cleveland couple's compassion has brought Teeba hope and restoration.

• To watch Monica's package - CLICK HERE

2100 Club - (Aired 5/7) - Tom Meyer "The Investigator" reveals one location that's placed over 1,000 emergency calls in the last year. Calls some say are more like crying wolf than real emergency. Learn what Tom hads to say about this story by watching this video.

• To watch Tom's package - CLICK HERE

Strip Searched - (Aired 5/5) - Tom Meyer "The Investigator" finds another victim - a Stark County woman tells Tom she was told to remove all her clothes inside the Stark County Jail after deputies made several off-color remarks. This after another woman tells a similar story weeks ago.

• To watch Tom's package - CLICK HERE

Jessica's Story: Life or Deaf - (Aired 4/24 & 4/25) - Senior Health Anchor Monica Robins journeys with a woman with Neurofibromatosis - a genetic disorder that affects children and young adults, causing them to grow tumors throughout their body. It's causing a Michigan woman to make a life and death decision.

• To watch Monica's package Part I - CLICK HERE
• To watch Monica's package Part II - CLICK HERE

Medical Malpractice - (Aired 4/30) - Tom Meyer "The Investigator" looks into local medical malpractice victims who are owed millions from lawsuit victories. And guess who's keeping it from them. The state of Ohio. Find out why and what's being done.

• To watch Tom's package - CLICK HERE

Assaulted with Acid: The Recovery (Aired 4/24) - Senior Health Anchor Monica Robins revisits a woman minding her business on a bus who gets acid thrown in her face by a complete stranger. When many thought she wouldn't make it, she's fighting back.

• To watch Monica's package - CLICK HERE

Dangerous Lots: (Aired 4/24/08) - Tom Meyer "The Investigator" finds out just how dangerous it is to park downtown for work, special events, or any reason you are downtown. It's a "must see" eye-opening investigation.

• To watch Tom's package: CLICK HERE

Cell Phone Users Beware: (Aired 49/08) - The Kuykendall family is terrified. Someone is hacking into their cell phones. It was true. Find out how in this exclusive Channel 3 News special report.

• To watch the package: CLICK HERE

Other Features Airing:

30 Days, 30 Ways to Save: (Starts Thursday, April 24th at 6 PM) - In today's economy, we're all trying to cut costs and save money. Well WKYC Channel 3 News is here to help with a new series "30 Days, 30 Ways to $ave".

• To watch "30 Days 30 Ways to Save: Slash your grocery bill": CLICK HERE
• To watch "Hey Coach! Put me in the garden": CLICK HERE
• To watch "Making homemade cleaning products": CLICK HERE
• To watch "Kids clothing that break your budget": CLICK HERE
• To watch "Make homemade baby food": CLICK HERE
• To watch "Beauty at a Bargain": CLICK HERE
• To watch "Sell Your Gold": CLICK HERE
• To watch "Save the Compact": CLICK HERE
• To watch "Gas Myths": CLICK HERE
• To watch "Cutting Healthcare Costs": CLICK HERE
• To watch "Turn your stash into cash on eBay": CLICK HERE
• To watch "Second hand stores": CLICK HERE
• To watch "Cell phones": CLICK HERE
• To watch "Grocery store comparison": CLICK HERE
• To watch "Making your hobbies earn money": CLICK HERE
• To watch "Leasing or buying a car": CLICK HERE
• To watch "Top five summer travel tips": CLICK HERE
• To wtach "Second-hand stores": CLICK HERE

Go Green - WKYC Channel 3 News kicks off a year long project called "Go Green" which will be featured in all newscasts and specials.

• To watch the on-air promo: CLICK HERE
• To watch Obie Shelton's Green Adventure: CLICK HERE

Live on Lakeside: WKYC opens up the summer season a little early with special Friday concerts by local musicians who perform live during Channel 3 News Today from 5 to 7 AM each Friday morning.

• To watch video of the latest weekly concert series: CLICK HERE

News: New Romona's Room Blog

As part of the WKYC Information Center, several of our staff members are taking a cue from the popularity of the Director's Cut Blog to do a little bloggin' of their own.

Here is another new blog to check out when you get a little web surfing time.

• Romona's Room - a blog by WKYC Anchor Romona Robinson as she discusses where she has been, what's on her mind and she answers your questions.

For more blogs from the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center: CLICK HERE. We also have a list of our favorites in our right hand menu under "Favorite Sites."

Many of our staff members also have profiles on Facebook. You can sign up for a free account and then join our groups and interact with many of us online about the station and the news stories we cover. Just search "WKYC". To join Facebook: CLICK HERE

News: NBC updates schedule

The following is a revised schedule from NBC regarding programming for the Fall 2008, Winter/Spring 2009 and Summer 2009 Primetime schedules:

NBC Fall 2008 Primetime Schedule

Monday: Chuck, Heroes, My Own Worst Enemy
Tuesday: The Biggest Loser/Families, Kath & Kim, Law & Order: SVU
Wednesday: Knight Rider, Deal or No Deal, Lipstick Jungle
Thursday: My Name is Earl, 30 Rock, The Office, The Office, SNL Election, ER Final Season
Friday: Crusoe, Deal or No Deal, Life
Saturday: Dateline NBC, Knight Rider Encore, Law & Order: SVU Encore
Sunday: Football Night in America, NFL Sunday Night Football

NBC Winter/Spring 2009 Primetime Schedule

Monday: Chuck, Heroes, The Philanthropist
Tuesday: The Biggest Loser/Couples, Kath & Kim, Law & Order: SVU
Wednesday: Knightrider, Deal or No Deal, Law & Order
Thursday: My Name is Earl, 30 Rock, The Office, The Office Spin-Off, ER Final Season/Celebrity Apprentice
Friday: Deal or No Deal, Friday Night Lights, Life
Saturday: Dateline NBC, Law & Order: SVU Encore, Law & Order Encore
Sunday: Dateline NBC, Merlin, Medium, Kings

NBC Summer 2009 Primetime Schedule

Monday: American Gladiators, America's Toughest Jobs, Dateline NBC
Tuesday: Most Outrageous Moments, America's Got Talent, Law & Order: SVU Encore
Wednesday: Shark Taggers, America's Got Talent Results, Law & Order Encore
Thursday: The Office Encore, The Office Spinoff Encore, Last Comic Standing, The Listener
Friday: Chopping Block, Dateline NBC
Saturday: Drama Encores
Sunday: Dateline NBC, Monk, Nashville Star, Kings Encore

Director's Notebook: TV Stories Making News on the Internet

(Updated Weekday Afternoons - Stories are archived for 10 days)

Stories about NBC, Gannett & WKYC

• Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi plan to marry, AP is told (5/16)
• Fremantle picks up NBC series (5/15)
• NBC'S "Gladiators" gets fed to the lions (5/13)
• NBC experience gets mixed buyer reviews (5/13)
• NBC teams up with General Motors (5/12)
• Jimmy Fallon headed to NBC "Late Night" (5/12)
• NBC launches digital health network online (5/12)
• Seacrest parents NBC's "Momma's Boy" (5/12)
• Big "Deal" not paying off for NBC (5/8)
• "Ellen DeGeneres Show" to go high-def from new home (5/7)
• NBC Local Media builds out New York hub (5/7)
• WSJ: Super Bowl Ads to costs $3M in 2009 (5/6)
• NBC to stop airing USA's "Monk" and "Psych" (5/6)
• "Deal or No Deal" hits Monday bottom (5/6)
• NBCU sells content online via Zune (5/6)

Stories about digital & high definition television

• MSTV, Motorola clash over white spaces test (5/16)
• NAB to NTIA: Fastrack Wilmington DTV boxes (5/16)
• Groups say converter boxes will be obsolete (5/15)
• Harris to introduce mobile TV platform (5/15)
• Circuit City wants out of digital TV fines (5/14)
• HD newsgathering inches closer to reality (5/12)
• LPTVs seek $450 million in DTV aid (5/12)
• Orlando stations to conduct DTV tests (5/8)
• Samsung wWins LCD dogfight for Q1 (5/8)
• DirecTV earnings rise on HD subscribers (5/8)
• FCC sets Wilmington, N.C., as digital-switch test market, sources say (5/7)
• Cable Ops wants retrans "Quiet" after February '09 (5/7)

Stories about other interesting television matters

• Thte latenight battle for younger viewers (5/15)
• Savvy stations are thinking vertical (5/14)
• Reid to set vote on FCC-blocking resolution (5/13)
• NAB: FCC understated new disclosure burden (5/12)
• Networks sweating out the Map Sweep (5/7)
• Comedies having TV rataing's last laugh (5/7)
• TVB study finds TV is America's top medium (5/7)
• NAB to FCC: Stand strong on crossownership (5/7)
• Actors, Companies break off labor talks (5/7)
• Microsoft to offer TV downloads (5/6)
• Viewers seem to prefer Couric in the A.M. (5/6)
• Hill wants FCC to investigate DOD "Experts" (5/6)

Director's Alert: WVIZ & WKYC to build & share new transmission tower

We couldn't divulge this secret until it was official, but since Ohio Media Watch and FCC datbase are both reporting it, we'll making a quick mention of it.

WVIZ is indeed going to making a move of their broadcast location from the WNCX tower in North Royalton to the WKYC facility in Parma later this year.

After a long running dispute between WVIZ and CBS Radio, their current tower owner, the station has come to terms with WKYC owner Gannett about working with WKYC to build a brand new tower that will support both station's digital broadcasting antennas. WKYC's old tower will be razed after the February 17, 2009 transition date according to WKYC Director of Engineering, Mike Szabo.

This will finally give viewers of WVIZ-DT a much clearer signal since the station has been broadcasting from a mini tower on the old studios on Brookpark Road.

As we have told you in the past, WKYC will be busy this year building out another new digital transmission facility that will move WKYC-DT from digital channel 2 to digital channel 17 by February 17, 2009.

This will eliminate many of the problems over the air viewers are currently having with reception of WKYC-DT 2. However, we will not be able to make the channel switch until a station in the Canton area moves to their new digital home in early 2009.

More on this as construction begins for both stations.

Additional Information:
To read more about WVIZ's plan to the FCC: CLICK HERE
To read the application permit to the FCC: CLICK HERE

Director's Alert: It's Official - Jimmy Fallon taking over "Late Night"

As we first told you on the Director's Blog 2 weeks ago, NBC has indeed tapped Jimmy Fallon to replace Conan O'Brien on "Late Night."

Here was the offical announcement made today by NBC:

NBC has identified the last piece in its late night succession plan, naming Jimmy Fallon as the new host of "Late Night" when Conan O'Brien moves to "The Tonight Show" in 2009.

The announcement was made today by Marc Graboff and Ben Silverman, Co-Chairmen, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, at a press conference at the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center.

"We couldn't be happier to have Jimmy back on NBC and to have our number one-rated late night team fully in place for the future," said Silverman, "Jimmy is more than just a likeable guy and a great comedian, he is genuinely interested in what people have to say."

"Jimmy's proven track record and personality make him a natural for this important role that will bring a new generation of fans to "Late Night," said Graboff. "He will put his own distinct mark on late night humor just as he did on "SNL" and in his other creative endeavors."

Added Rick Ludwin, Executive Vice President, Late Night and Primetime Series, NBC Entertainment, "Simply put, Jimmy has all of the qualities for a late night host -- in addition to being funny, he loves talking to people on and off camera, he's a talented comedy writer and his time at "SNL" demonstrated not only his ability to entertain, but also the work ethic and dedication it takes to succeed at hosting a nightly show."

A recognized comic talent, Fallon has demonstrated an ability to deliver versatile, standout performances while always staying grounded in his stand-up roots.

Fallon first garnered attention in 1998 when he joined the cast of "Saturday Night Live" and quickly became an audience favorite for his memorable recurring characters and spot-on impressions and in 2000, Fallon became the co-anchor of the "SNL's" signature segment "Weekend Update" alongside Tina Fey.

Fallon ventured off into other television roles, including Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg's Emmy award-winning miniseries "Band of Brothers." A favorite among the MTV audience, Fallon hosted the MTV Movie Awards twice and hosted the MTV Video Music Awards in 2002. Fallon made an impressive turn guest hosting "The Late Show" for an ailing David Letterman in 2003.

Fallon made his feature film debut in Cameron Crowe's "Almost Famous" and went on to appear in numerous films including Woody Allen's "Anything Else," "Fever Pitch" opposite Drew Barrymore and the indie "Factory Girl."

The premiere date for "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" will be announced at a later date. Lorne Michaels is executive producer. "Late Night" is a production of Universal Media Studios in association with Broadway Video. NBC is America's Late Night Leader with the number one-rated "Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," "Last Call with Carson Daly" and "Saturday Night Live."

Meet the NBC All Stars: Lester Holt

Lester Holt is the weekend anchor for the flagship broadcast "NBC Nightly News," and is also the co-anchor of the weekend edition of "Today." In addition, Holt serves as fill-in anchor and correspondent for "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams" and the weekday "Today" program. He also contributes to MSNBC, NBC's 24-hour cable news network.

Holt has reported from many of the world's hot spots. In 2006, he reported from the front lines in Lebanon on the war between Israel and Hezbollah and from London on the terror threat to U.S. bound-airliners from the UK. In 2005, Holt was on the ground for Hurricane Katrina covering events both in Louisiana and Mississippi, and later that fall covered Hurricane Rita in Texas.

Before becoming co-anchor of "Weekend Today," Holt anchored "Lester Holt Live," a daily news show on MSNBC in which he covered breaking news and provided news updates and analysis. Holt has also served as the lead anchor for daytime news and breaking news coverage on MSNBC. He has served as a primary anchor for MSNBC's coverage of the biggest news events of the last several years, including Operation Iraqi Freedom and the war in Afghanistan, and he was the lead daytime anchor for MSNBC's coverage of Decision 2000. Holt also served as anchor of "Countdown: Iraq," a nightly news telecast concentrating on the latest developments surrounding the war with Iraq, from October 2002 through March 2003.

The award-winning broadcast journalist came to MSNBC from WBBM-TV in Chicago, where he spent 14 years. His duties at WBBM-TV included anchoring the evening news. Holt not only worked at the anchor desk in Chicago, but he also reported extensively from trouble spots around the world including Iraq, Northern Ireland, Somalia, El Salvador and Haiti. He has contributed to the CBS News broadcast "48 Hours," earning a 1990 Robert F. Kennedy Journalism award for his work on "48 Hours: No Place Like Home."

Previously, Holt worked as a reporter at WCBS-TV in New York City from 1981-82. In 1982 he transferred to sister station KCBS-TV in Los Angeles as a reporter and weekend anchor and returned to WCBS-TV a year later as a reporter and weekend anchor.

Holt majored in government at California State University in Sacramento. He resides in New York City with his wife and family.

Courtesy: NBC

News: WKYC winner of Ohio Excellence in Journalism Awards

WKYC Channel 3 News has won a number of awards for outstanding work by several of our staffers for their work in 2007.

The Ohio Excellence in Journalism Awards is a statewide competition sponsored by The Press Club of Cleveland. More then 1000 entries were judged this year. The awards ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 13, 2008

Congratulations for the following WKYC staffers for the work:

Spot News (T-1)

• First Place: Danielle Fink & Vic Gideon for "Strip Mall Fire"
• Second Place: Danielle Fink for "Warehouse Fire"

General News (T-2)

• Second Place: Dave Summers & Mike Leonard for "Ice Rescue"

In-Depth Coverage (T-7)

• Second Place: Dave Summers for "Amish After Dark"

Human Interest (T-8)

• Second Place: Dave Summers & Mike Greene for "Winnie the Watch Pig"

News: WKYC Weather Plus planning special 2009 calendar

We get such great photos from our viewers that the WKYC Weather Plus Forecast Center has decided to expand that program and do a nice, high quality weather calendar for 2009.

Visit NortheastOhioWeatherCalendar.com to see how you can submit your weather-related photo.

What we are looking for:

Landscapes, wildlife, skyline shots, mammals, flowers, insects, weather scenes, storms and dramatic sky shots, clouds, sunsets, atmospheric phenomena and seasonal themes.

Each chosen will have a photo credit and a get a number of calendars for their very own.

News: Ohio TV stations unite to spread word about digital

Ohio television stations hope to make it hard for viewers to escape the message that the switch to digital broadcasting is coming.

More than 40 Ohio TV stations say they'll run public service announcements about the transition at the same time: 7:58 p.m. Wednesday (tonight).

On Feb. 17, 2009, major U.S. TV stations will stop broadcasting their traditional analog signals and go all-digital, which means a much sharper picture and better sound. But viewers who use an antenna will need a newer TV or a converter box to receive the digital signals.

This is the kind of information explained in the public service announcements.

TV station general managers are meeting at the Ohio Statehouse on Wednesday to discuss the digital changeover with lawmakers.

Spotlight Feature: Finding a TV Job - Part II: How to get a job

by Frank Macek

In part one of our feature, we discussed the state of television for those of you who may be interested in getting a job in the business. We had tremendous response to our article and received numerous emails from those who read the Director's Cut blog.

The second half of this "Spotlight Feature" will focus on how to impress those who do the hiring whether it be working for the news or engineering departments which employee the vast majority of our staff. There are also plenty of opportunities on the sales side as well.

For this article, we'll focus on what I'm most familiar with - and that's daily news operations.

Jobs in the news department include producers, associate producers, assignment editors, reporters, editors, photojournalists, web producers and managers including News Director, Assistant News Director, Managing Editor and Executive Producers.

Reporters have the most difficult time in getting jobs because these jobs have unique and very competitive requirements: talent, good looks - and more good looks. Plus, they must be capable of solid storytelling and writing for multi-platforms including on-air, web and mobile TV.

The criticism about those with good looks having no talent do arise from time to time, but is good fodder for another time.

The other news department positions have their own special skill levels and requirements and some of are becoming interchangeable as the business evolves including backpack journalists who shoot, edit and track their own work for air.

How do you get your work noticed among the stacks of resumes and phone calls the station gets on an almost daily basis for any of these positions?

I asked WKYC News Director Rita Andolsen what she looks for in potential hires. "This is a very competitive business, so it's important that you get the attention of a prospective employer. A short, succinct, well written and sincere cover letter works best. Briefly state what makes you different and what makes you stand out from the rest. I am big on work ethic and experience. Tell me that you paid your way through college while maintaining a great point average. Outline your intern experience. Tell me what you bring to the station," says Andolsen.

"If you are still in school, work on your writing and the skills that will make you versatile. Web is huge and the more knowledge you have of current and emerging technology, the better. Internships are critical Think about what you can do during your internship that gives you something tangible when it is completed. If you’re just out of school, all you have is your body of work completed in school and your internship."

Meantime, engineering positions are those that deal with the behind the scenes functions of a television station including robotic cameras, master control, satellite & live feed acquisition, tape ingest, technical director and audio engineer - among others. These people do great work that you see, but rarely see them on the air.

For those of you interested in this part of the business, I asked WKYC Director of Engineering Mike Szabo the same question. Mike tells us, "I don't know that there is anything specific that I would look for in an individual. I will say however, that I think honesty is important. Don't try to bluff your way in the door by trying to come off like you know everything there is to know. You can generally see through someone who is trying to impress you about how much they know about the business. If you are not familiar with something let the person know and state that you are willing learn. As you know, being able to learn and expand into new areas is important in this business today. Once you give up the willingness to learn the business will pass you by."

So to conclude, it's a very tough business to work in. But having the right attitude, networking and being persistent are your best bets to be successful.

I welcome your feedback about the article or if you care to share your stories about how you got in the door. You can always email me directly: fmacek@wkyc.com


To read Part I of our feature: CLICK HERE

Disclaimer: The thoughts in this article are mine and do not necessarily reflect those of WKYC or Gannett.

News: WKYC phone bank keeps experts busy

Jay Seaton, president of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Cleveland says tonight's phone bank at Channel 3, in which he and 4 other experts from his service are answering debt - related calls, could be the busiest he has ever participated in.

For two hours, Channel 3 viewers are being invited to call with their debt or credit related questions, so that the free service can give them advice and help get them started on the way to solving their problems.

As soon as one call was completed the phones instantly started ringing again. In fact, during our live shot at 6 p.m., the phones rang continuously as Jay and Dick Russ did a live interview on the air.

An ominous sign of the times...

Spotlight Article: Thou Shall NOT Cut-In to the Kentucky Derby!

For our longtime readers, you'll remember this story from last year. If you are a new reader to the "Director's Cut" blog, I invite you to share a story that will forever haunt me about the Kentucky Derby ---

Originally posted: 5/2/07

This Saturday is the big Kentucky Derby...a day that brings back some wonderful memories of how NOT to do a breaking news cut-in.

As a cloud of black smoke drifted over downtown, we thought we were onto a big story. Could it be a major fire... an explosion... something crashed and blew up? We were convinced we were onto something big. Really big. The smoke was getting thicker and the adrenaline became to flow.

The producer alerted me and the crew to stand by to do a breaking news cut-in.. The control room crew all raced into position. We were ready to go. The only problem was that the Kentucky Derby was still on and we didn't dare to cut-in.

So the decision was made to wait until the winner crossed the finish line...then we'd go.

We waited and waited...and finally - down the stretch they came... and over the line.

The producer says go - so we went...

To my horror, two very bad things happened... one was the reporter on the scene came on the air and told us that a junkyard was on fire... a "tire fire" as it became known. Who cared...

The best part of the story was that after the horses crossed the finish line, there was a controversy that ensued and we missed showing it to the viewers because we weren't really listening to the show, just watching the video at the time before we did the cut-in.

The phone lines rang non-stop for HOURS...every manager's voice mail was filled...there were plenty of meetings the next day...and let's just say, some folks moved on in their careers.

It's a fun directing story that I think about every year about this time.

NEVER....NEVER cut in to the Kentucky Derby.

Enjoy the Kentucky Derby this Saturday. For more info: www.kentuckyderby.com

News: February Sweeps moving to March for 2009

Nielsen, the tv ratings firm, has announced that the February sweeps period in 2009 will move from February to March next year.

With the move from analog to all digital TV on February 17, 2009, Nielsen feels that keeping sweeps during the same month might be an inaccurate assessment of a local station's performance.

Also, Nielsen will begin to test ratings collections on digital-only stations this December.

To read more from Broadcasting and Cable: CLICK HERE

Spotlight Feature: Finding a TV Job - Part I: The State of TV

by Frank Macek

About a week ago, I had the opportunity to talk with a blog reader who wanted to be find a job in TV. This individual worked in radio, like myself, and thought making the transition to television would be interesting - inspired, in part, by what he hears from reading our Director's Cut Blog.

I also find myself talking to students from Kent State University and Cleveland State University who are in the building as part of their studies to learn from us.

I've wanted to do an article on my thoughts about this and think the time is appropriate, with a little thought.

While I don't discourage anyone from getting into this business, I do offer some caution to those who wish to work in this field. Television is evolving and becoming more and more difficult to survive in.

I first saw this trend about 12 years ago when the FCC issued the Telecommunications Act of 1996. This single act was the death sentence for radio. Shortly afterwards, major corporations like Clear Channel, AMFM, Radio One, Educational Foundation and plenty more began to gobble up every station they could find - and thus the Clear Channel monster was born. Fortunately, Clear Channel might not survive.

Television on the other hand didn't find itself in that position back then. I think the huge cost of stations prohibited massive consolidation. Today, there are some large broadcast companies, like Gannett (WKYC's parent company) but these companies are limited to ownership caps that this and other TV companies have been fighting for years. Recently, some legislation allowed cross ownership between TV and newspapers in some markets under the right conditions.

We haven't seen much change so far other than the Tribune deal with Sam Zell.

The bigger threat for TV has been the internet. You have heard me say time and time again that TV must evolve to compete with the web and co-exist with it. While broadcast TV won't go away anytime soon, the dynamics are changing in today's newsrooms.

Basically, think WEB first. It's where the growth potential is - and where the big advertising will wind up. Advertisers are no longer spending freely on broadcast TV like that have in the past.

What does this mean for people wishing to get into the business now? You must be flexible, versatile and web knowledgeable. Journalism programs like Kent State's drive home the point that producers will write for multi-platforms, each requiring a specific set of skills and talents. Directors will switch, direct and work on the web...as well others in each department.

And don't expect to get rich working in the business anymore. The high paying jobs are becoming as extinct as high paying jobs in manufacturing. They aren't being outsourced - they are being given to younger people entering the business at much lower rates of pay than their predecessors. Only talent continue to make the dream money. And even that dynamic is changing as stations tighten their money belts during tough economic times, like now.

The business is not all doom and gloom. It certainly has its perks...great people to work with, new technology to tackle, and a media that is evolving into something unknown really. No one quite knows where broadcast TV will be in 5 or 10 years.

So think carefully about the pros and cons of committing yourself to a career in TV.

In Part II of my feature, I'll share some thoughts about how to get noticed by the managers who do the hiring.

Disclaimer: The thoughts in this article are mine and do not necessarily reflect those of WKYC or Gannett.

Video: News you can use about Digital TV from a specialist

On Tuesday, April 29th, DTV specialist Jon Gensel stopped by the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center to discuss a little about television's transition to all digital broadcasting by February 17, 2009, on Good Company Today, our weekday morning show at 10 a.m.

If you are still a little uncertain about what to expect, please take a moment and watch the interview to learn more.

We also have a complete section here on the blog about DTV: CLICK HERE

VIDEO FEATURE:
*To watch Jon discuss DTV: CLICK HERE

Video Feature: Director's Cut Interview

This afternoon, my good friend Eric Mansfield was here in the Channel 3 Newsroom and had his trusty flip cam with him, so he stopped by my desk to ask yours truly a few questions.

One of the fun parts of this business is that you never know when someone is going to throw a camera in your face...and want to know the inside scoop on folks here at Channel 3 News.

After all, that's why you read this blog.

Well, I'm not sure Eric got any good stuff today...but feel free to check us out on his blog "Have I Got News For You."

To see me being interviewed by Eric: CLICK HERE

Enjoy!