Spotlight Feature: Newsrooms working with less, Expecting more

By Frank Macek

Over the weekend, I had a chance to read an excellent article by Hillary Atkin in NewsPro Magazine that takes a look at the current state of television news and how we got to this point. I thought I'd share some of my comments on the general points made by Ms. Atkin.

The bottom line is cutbacks by television stations are having an enormous impact on the overall quality of television news, including here in Cleveland. All our stations locally have been hurt financially in 2009. However, we doubt that few, if any, local station managers would admit their product isn't what it used to be because of staff reductions. They would probably argue its been multi-faceted.

One of the biggest reasons for cutbacks is diminishing profit. Since the great economic downturn that started in late 2007 and 2008, stations have been under extreme pressure financially. Advertisers aren't spending as much money and local television stations are now competing for ratings and revenue from cable, satellite and the internet (including mobile) - in ways we have never seen before.

The owners initial reaction was to cut back, and cut back fast. Then figure it out later. And many broadcast companies did just that.

The first folks in television to go have been high priced talent. Those who were at the top tier were jettisoned early on through non-renewed contracts or buy outs. In many cases, these people were some of the most experienced and most seasoned professionals in the business. Their knowledge and ideas were assets to newsrooms, particularly during times of crisis. Now, stations are relying more on younger and less experienced people to help re-invent the product. We fear the next time there is a major regional disaster and how well we will be able to cover it.

The recent California wildfires was one example Ms. Atkin used after the Los Angeles stations were highly criticized for lack of coverage - mainly because it was on the weekend when newsrooms are barely staffed.

Also, local stations are replacing higher priced syndicated programming (which costs a lot of money also) with an increase in daily news programming. Stations are actually doing MORE news, not less in their economic climate. The increased news does not cost stations more, it actually saves money going to syndicators with the same staff and resources.

No one where has this more apparent than with Fox affiliate stations. This fall, many stations added an extra hour of news from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. to replace the cancelled "Mike and Juliet Show." That included WJW who feels more news is a cheaper option than paying for another syndicated show. They are right.

Regardless of how much news a station does, all news departments are expected to do more with less. This includes providing fresh content not only to your television screen, but to the web and through social media - like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. WKYC has been highly involved in this area for well over a year now as we reach untapped audiences.

Also, talent are now anchoring multiple newscasts. Producers are expected to spend more time working on the web before and after their newscasts. Reporters are becoming one man bands of photojournalists, editors and reporters or "MMJ - Multi Media Journalists". And control room staffs are being nibbled toward automation where crew of 5 or 6 are whittled to one or two.

Those who will survive in this new media environment are the ones who can do it all, don't mind long hours and accept lower pay than folks they've replaced. Television ownership knows they have the upper hand, as more people are looking for fewer available jobs. This allows stations to choose those who best fit their future needs.

Your blogger has found it very hard to encourage those in college wanting to work in television. In today's environment, the committment one must have is deep and very personal. The satisfacation one gets working in television or broadcasting must come from within and benefit you as much as it does the company.

Journalism is far from dead. But the new opportunities are going to created by entrepeneurs who can use new technology as their new platform rather than the newspaper, or television station or radio talk show. The power of the internet is waiting to be tapped.

Those opportunities are there. The true challenge is figuring them out.

Behind The Scenes: Pre Show Production

Producer Jon had the digital camera in his pocket tonight and whipped it out in the WKYC News Control Room to capture your blogger (left at the switcher) and my boss, WKYC Production Manager, Al Wohl (center) doing a little pre production for the 6 p.m. broadcast.

This is when we tape certain aspects of the show to roll in during the live newscast.

Let's just say it took a while to get it just right - but the end result was worth it.

Behind the Scenes: Your Blogger Directing the 6 PM Show 7/17/09

My quick camera friend, Producer Jon, snuck behind me and caught a shot of me switching and directing the 6 pm newscast this evening.

I seem so lonely in that control room!

Behind the Scenes: 6/10/09

For those of you who love a sneak peak at "behind the scenes", here are a couple of pictures from today taken by my directing colleague Matt Babb.

Romona Robinson hard at work preparing for tonight's 6pm newscast. You can see a bit of Jim Donovan in the background getting ready for tonight's sportscast:



Producer Carrie Young and Director Frank Macek are discussing a couple of ideas for tonight's 11pm edition of Channel 3 News. Does this look staged?:



To See More Photos:

• Photogallery 1 - CLICK HERE
• Photogallery 2 - CLICK HERE

Director's Cut Does "Twittering"

A reminder for our new blog readers that we are available on "Twitter" with real time updates posted as soon as we write them.

You get breaking news and weather from the Director's Cut Blog, the Fair Weather Fans Blog, and wkyc.com as it happens.

Plus, we occasionally jump in with other fun updates live from the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center about the local television industry and entertaining newsbits from the wonderful world of television.

Just click on the picture to find our Twitter page where you can sign up to follow us at absolutely no cost. Knowledge is power, so be the first to know. You'll also find us on Facebook and MySpace. Those links are posted in the hand column of the blog.

Behind the Scenes: A Promo You'll Never See Again

As you know, we like to have a little fun here at the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center and our flip cams we use to shoot "web extras" like our daily news promos.

So, my fellow director Matt Babb decided to go behind the scenes of Mike O'Mara who went behind the scenes of me shooting our nightly promo with Producer Dan Stadler.

Slap stick comedy you'll never see again - for good reason.

Spotlight Feature: Celebrating 20 years in Cleveland Broadcasting

You may have seen the countdown to July 5th that I was giving here on the Director's Cut Blog. Well, the time has come. It's finally here. July 5th officially marks my 20th year as a Cleveland broadcaster.

It was July 5th, 1988, that I opened the microphone at little 1,000 watt country music station WLND-AM in Cortland... It was 6:05 a.m. and time to say those most memorable words: "Good Morning, I'm Frank Macek with your WLND News..." I was so scared, I trembled at first. But that soon passed.

Although my tenure at WLND was only to last the summer of 1988 before college started in the fall, it was a memorable time at the little station at the corner of St. Rts. 305 and 88 in Cortland in a building shared with a dentist office. Owner Nancy Hoffman (whose son Chris Hoffman once worked at WKYC) and station manager Jay Michaels gave me that big break after I contacted them about wanting to do the weather forecast for their station. Instead, I got to do the weather AND the news.

I also got to spin those little 45 records on the turntable playing those "All Hit Country" favorites. Meryle Haggard, George Strait, Eddie Rabbit and Crystal Gayle were the big name stars at the time.

In the fall of 1988, I started at Cleveland State University when Sandy Kish Jordan offered me an internship with WDOK and WWWE on the 2nd floor of Reserve Square in downtown Cleveland. I was so impressed with their studios. I felt like I was in the big time now.

While my first job there was in promotions, I quickly moved into other areas and found myself playing the weekend hits on WDOK...all your "Soft Favorites" which was the positioning the station took at the time under PD Sue Wilson. Even though it was the overnight shift on the weekend, I still got the chance to crack the mic and do the weather. But, hey that was cool I thought.

At WDOK, I can remember first using what we called "carts" - a professional version of "8 track-type" tape that music and commercials were recorded on. That replaced the vinyl in the late 80s and early 90s.

I also got to work with Gary Dee, Bruce Drennan, and a cast of other characters who followed them around inside the studios of our sister station, WWWE. In fact, I actually was on the Gary Dee show one day talking about the apathy of college students regarding world affairs. I guess it was a VERY slow news day. Plus, Gary's regularly scheduled guess didn't show up. But hey I can say I was on the "Gary Dee Show" for what it's worth. Not much.

After a station swap, WDOK became sister stations with WRMR and "The Music of Your Life" penetrated my blood. Program Director Jim Davis gave me a shot at a shift on the AM 850 frequency. I was playing the music of my grandparents - Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey and more. But I didn't care. I loved it.

Soon I was hired full time as assistant program director for WRMR and did regular on-air shifts alongside Carl Reese, Bill Randle and Ronnie Barrett. For several years, I produced and engineered Ronnie's "Saturday Night Swing" Show which found a new home on WRMR after being booted off WQAL where I remember listening to Ronnie on Saturday nights.

Also during this time, CDs were making their debut and I was buying up as many as I could. I had a huge collection of everything you could imagine. My basement was filled with Sinatra and other "Music of Your Life" artists. I was hooked.

Then came the rough times. Tom Embrescia, the station owner, was getting ready to sell his stations as the lead up to the big Telecommunications Act of 1996 that ruined the industy. Soon, I was out the door. And it hurt. I was fired for the first time in my career.

Almost without a beat, another fantastic opportunity came along - the wonderful world of television. And I found myself two weeks later inside the studios of WKYC at E. 6th and Rockwell.

At first, I worked here as a technician. My first duties were on the morning show "Today in Cleveland" with Del Donahoo and Tom Haley. I remember watching them each morning as a kid before catching the bus to school at 7:10. A very dear old man, Hank Zybreski, taught me how to be a good audio man. Hank soon retired and passed away a few years ago. He was one of the best audio men in the business.

Around the same time, in January 1995, Steve Hibbard - program director of Smooth Jazz 107.3, The Wave - brought me in for an interview and I joined the station for almost the next decade.

I would work TV all week, then radio on the weekends. Somedays, I would do both. It was something that a person in their 20s could do, but not any more than I'm nearing the big 4-0. Those days were brutual and best left behind.

Later in 1995, I was given an opportunity to start directing news at WKYC thanks to then Programming/Production Manager Rich O'Dell. I knew he wasn't sure I could do it, but gave me the chance anyways. I proved him I could. In 1997, I was hired full time to replace retiring director John Oven who still resides down in sunny Florida running his own little video production company and having fun I hear.

Meanwhile at the Wave, I found myself transitioning from playing CDs to the dreaded automation system that basically replaced most of the disc jockeys in the radio business over a very short period of time. Clear Channel bought up all the main stations and now stations could voice track entire shifts without anyone being in the studio. It was hard to accept, but I knew the time had come to call it quits.

So, in January 2005, I decided to hang up my headset and focus full time on Channel 3 - and to have a life once again.

Fast forward to July 2008, TV is at a crossroads. Some say it will die, others feel it will always be around. I feel broadcasting will evolve, but not go away. Only the delivery platforms will change.

Even here at Channel 3, we are all being replaced with computers and automation. As you know, our technical director and director positions are being combined into one. Today, I direct and switch my own newscasts in a control room that has gone from 5 or 6 people to only a few.

The time will come when I, too, am no longer needed. And that will be okay. Because over the last 20 years, I know I have always given my all to the product. When one door closes, another one opens.

So, thanks to all who have believed in me over the years and given me the opportunity to be a Cleveland broadcaster. Here is hoping for another 20 years in Cleveland broadcasting.

PHOTOGALLERY:
To view more of my career in pictures on my Facebook page: 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!

Spotlight Feature: The Birth of the Backpack Journalist

By Frank Macek

The dawn of a new day is beginning in newsrooms across America - the birth of the backpack journalist.

These folks are not amateurs. They are not the most experienced. But backpackers are becoming specially trained people, selected from a pool of qualified candidates, whose job it is to cover stories that may not necessarily lead the 6 pm news. In many cases, their materials will become web exclusives or interesting sidebars in the burgeoning world where broadcast television migrates to the internet.

Armed with relatively inexpensive digital cameras, cell phones and light weight laptop computers, these one man bands of reporters head into the field to shoot their own video, write their own stories, take their own pictures and edit their own footage with editing software that's plentiful and easy to use.

From remote locations, the final products are fed back to the home station via broadband or other upload venues like satellite or fiber optic (where available) for air. Other backpackers will shoot in the field, then return to the station with their reports in hand.

How did we get to this point?

In the "Golden Age of Television," shooting video required sending an entire crew out into the field. You needed a cameraman, an audio man, a lighting assistant, a producer and talent. The sheer weight and amount of equipment made it necessary to employ many people in this process, each with their specialized talents. As you can imagine, this was rather expensive.

Those days are gone in the world of big media giants who have consolidated people into a more efficient work stream. The advance of technology has put ALL those talents into the hands of one person.

A backpack journalist also has the advantage of being able to get into areas where a large camera crew would either be prohibitive or in case of investigative reporting - revealing.

In Iraq, for example, backpack journalists are moving around the war zone bringing you stories - mostly for the web - about what is happening inside the country, outside the capabilities of the mainstream media.

One of the best known backpackers is Kevin Sites (see photo) - who has travelled to every war zone imaginable to bring viewers a unique view of conflicts and how the lives of those people are effected. You can read more about his travels on his blog: CLICK HERE

Some experts worry that these backpack journalists will degrade journalistic integrity as more newsrooms go to this type of process. For one, backpackers may be less experienced in reporting the facts. These backpackers, sometimes called "sojos" - for solo journalists - will likely be the only involved in putting together a report. Will this mean a lack of oversight or multiple eyes on a project? Not likely, as newsroom managers will still be carefully watching what they are putting on their airwaves. If nothing else, managers will want to ensure the stories are timely, interesting and meet the objective - high ratings.

More seasoned, professional journalists are also nervous since they feel they are being replaced by backpackers. The threat is always there in this business. But so far, backpackers are being used to supplement, rather than replace, the true journalists in the industry. Most watchers agree it will take quite some time before backpackers are the mainstream - if ever.

Gannett, the parent of WKYC, has been one of the leaders in this process. With 90 daily newspapers, nearly 1,000 non-daily publications and websites, and 23 TV stations in the United States covering 20 million households, the company already sees the vision of this future.

Television and newspapers newsrooms all across our company are actively hiring people who have the right attitude to undertake the challenges of being a backpack journalist. In some cases, they are re-training current employees in these new positions.

At WKYC, we are beginning to use backpack journalists as our newsroom transitions to the concept of being an "Information Center" - we will no longer be a newsroom....or a television station. We will become a center where information is transmitted on multiple platforms - over the air, on the web, to your phone and to other platforms as they evolve.

In the coming months, we'll share with you more about the concept of the "Information Center" as we implement it here in Cleveland. For example, I am not only a director of newscasts - but also write various blogs (like this one), produce stories for the WKYC.COM and am involved in our weather product on the web. This will become the norm for all employees, not the exception.

In the meantime, our backpark journalists are hitting the field across Cleveland to bring our viewers new angles to interesting stories regarding news, weather and sports. Soon, you'll begin seeing more and more of their reports on the air.

Gannett has professional backpack journalist program that holds recruiting and training sessions from time to time. Our first one began successfully in February 2007 under the training of award winning journalists Harvey Mars and Lane Michaelsen. If you would like to read more about our Gannett program: CLICK HERE

I'd like to hear your feedback about what you think about backpack journalism. Send your emails to me at: fmacek@wkyc.com

News: 60,000 & Counting!

Just a quick note of thanks to all our readers of the "Director's Cut" Blog.. The numbers are in for October and our blog has now surpassed the 60,000th reader mark since launching in January.

October was a huge month for us in several ways, with expanded coverage of the SuccessTech Academy shootings, the announcement of our morning show team of Mark Nolan and Abby Ham & our regular features: "Where Are They Now?," "Get to Know Team 3" and classic Channel 3 Promos.

In the coming weeks, we have plenty of new and fresh material coming thanks to your ideas and suggestions. A reminder, you can reach us anytime at fmacek@wkyc.com or on Facebook and Myspace for on-line extras.

Again, thank you for reading the "Director's Cut" Blog. Be sure to tell your colleagues to stop by and visit.

News: Director's Cut on Facebook

You can now join me and the "Director's Cut Blog" on Facebook as we continue to expand our internet presence from the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center.

Feel free to send me your questions and comments, chat with me while I'm getting ready for newscasts, add me as a friend and network with me & other TV professionals from around the world.
I'd like to share ideas, talk about the TV industry and find new and exciting ways to bring viewers compelling programming like our HD special "Lake Erie: Beyond the Surface."

To reach us on Facebook, click on the following logo:

Spotlight Feature: 10 Years of Directing at WKYC

Please excuse a little shameless, self promotion this week as I reach a personal milestone in my career. It's an exclusive "behind the scenes" look at this special time for me.

This month marks my 10th anniversary as a full time director at Channel 3.

Former WKYC Production Manager Rich O'Dell (now GM at Gannett station WLTX in Columbia, SC) hired me as a part-time, weekend & fill-in director in 1995 after spending my first year here working as a studio technician.

Initially, I was assigned duties as the weekend 6 & 11 PM and fill-in director on the newly expanded morning news. Plus, I often directed the "Tom and Del" or "Del and Tom" Show (Those two always fought over whose name would come first.)

In 1997, long-time WKYC Director John Oven retired and moved to sunny Florida - and I was promoted to full time status. John's favorite phrase when something went wrong, was always "don't worry - it's on its way to Mars, men." That has always stuck with me as funny - but true.

These past ten years have been fabulous here at WKYC. I have worked with so many talented people - both on-air and behind the scenes. Honestly, there are some folks who will always be difficult to work with, but it makes you much stronger as a professional. You know you've reached a milestone when people's negative criticisms of you no longer matter.

Before I came to WKYC, I worked for numerous Cleveland area radio stations. Next year will mark my 20th anniversary in Cleveland broadcasting. I have to thank Sandy Kish-Jordan & Sue Wilson for giving me my "big market" break. Tom Embrescia, Jim Davis, Joe Restifo, Carl Reese, Ronnie Barrett and Bill Randle were just some of the great radio professionals who supported my endeavours in one way or another in radio. Later, Steve Hibbard and Bernie Kimble at Smooth Jazz 107.3, The Wave, opened other doors for me to keep my radio career going until I finally called it quits in 2003. It's a decision I don't regret.

As the radio business started to head downhill, I was laid off from WRMR in 1994 as they station was trimming up to be sold - which immediately opened up the opportunity I had been waiting for - WKYC. Marla Nelson, Andy Hitchcock, Rex Rickly, Rich O'Dell, Brooke Spectorsky, Ned Tate, Al Wohl, Terry Moir, Rita Andolsen, Kathy Williams and Dick Moore are just some of the great people who I'm indebted to for their help in being successful over the years.

So, thanks for celebrating this special time with me - and for your continuing support of the "Director's Cut" and "Fair Weather Fans" blogs. We are fast approaching our 50,000th visitor since launching this blog in January - and appreciate your interest in both my work and my colleagues work here at WKYC.

Here are some extra features to peruse if you are interested:
*To view my radio and programming credits: CLICK HERE
*To get in contact with me and say hi: fmacek@wkyc.com
*To view the following pictures of my radio and TV career so far, click the individual photo for a larger look.
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Frank's Exclusive Photo Gallery

Frank (left) with former WKYC News Director Dick Moore (right)
WKYC Newsroom - 2007



Frank (center with hat) directing "Indians On Deck"
SportsTime Ohio Control Room "B" - 2006
Others pictured: Front Row - Jim Murphy (left), Jim Dungey (right)
Back Row: Jeff Yakawiak (back left) and Julie Arnold (back right)



Frank with Former WKYC 6 PM Producer Elisa Fowler
WKYC Control Room A - 2005



Frank preparing for a 6 pm newscast
WKYC Newsroom - 2004



Frank on the air at Smooth Jazz, 107.3, The Wave
On Air Studio - 2003



Frank (left) on the set with the Weekend Anchor Team & Studio Crew
Old WKYC Building - 1995
Others pictured: Front Row: Steve Miles , Monica Robins, Mike Zaremba
Back Row - Chris Riethmiller, Heather Gedeon, and Eileen McShea



Frank (left) with the other "Music of Your Life" On-Air Staff
WRMR AM 850 Control Room, One Radio Lane - 1993
Others Pictured: Fred Embrescia, Carl Reese, Chris Daniels, Jim Davis



Frank on the air at Soft Favorites, WDOK, 102. 1 FM
Reserve Square Studios - 1989



Frank on the air at WCSB 89.3 FM (Cleveland State)
Rhodes Tower Studios - 1989



Frank on the WEWS "Eyewitness News" Set
My visit with former Meteorologist Dan Maly - 1986

Frank Macek Broadcasting Credits

Frank's Radio Credits:
Radio Stations Worked For: WLND/830 AM (Cortland), WRRO/1440 AM (Warren), WCSB/89.3 FM (Cleveland), WDOK/102.1 FM (Cleveland), WWWE/1100 AM (Cleveland), WRMR/850 AM (Cleveland), WOBL/1320 AM (Oberlin), WKNR/AM 1220 (Cleveland), WEOL/930 AM (Elyria), WNWV/107.3 FM (Cleveland)

*Marconi Smooth Jazz Station of the Year Award (On-Air Staff) – 1995, 2001
*Sunday Soundscapes (Host, Producer) – 1997 to 1999
*Showtime Memories (Producer, Writer) - 1998
*Return to the 40s (Host, Producer) - 1994
*Those Fabulous 50s (Host, Producer) - 1994
*When There’s Cancer in the Family, Kids Count Too! (Producer) - 1993
*Treasure Chest of Bargain Show (Host) - 1988

Frank's Television Credits:
(Note: Here is a list of shows I have worked on since beginning at WKYC in 1994. Obviously, I did not direct or do technical work on every single broadcast...but have directed many of each show listed)

*Channel 3 News @ 5 - 7 AM, 11 AM, Studio 3, Noon (Director) - 1995 to 1997
*Channel 3 News @ 6, 7 & 11 PM (Director) – 1995 to 2007
*Channel 23 News @ 6:30 PM & 10 PM (Director) – 2001 to 2005
*Akron Canton News @ 6:30 PM & 9 PM (Director) – 2005
*Akron Canton News @ 6:30 PM & 10 PM (Director) – 2006 to 2007
*Today in Cleveland @ 6:30 AM to 7:00 AM (Director ) – 1994 to 1997
*Great Lakes Auto Show (Control Director) – 1995
*’Tis the Season (Audio Engineer) – 1994 & 1995
*'Tis the Season Control Director) – 1996 & 1999
*Cleveland On Ice (Audio Engineer) – 1994 & 1995
*Cleveland Revco Marathon (Audio Engineer) – 1995
*Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Opening (Audio Engineer) – 1994
*Travel Ohio (co Producer/Director) – 1998
*Art, Arms & Armor (Control Director) – 1998
*Angels in the Allen (Control Director) – 1998
*Channel 3’s Golden Years (Researcher/Contributor) – 1998
*Golden Opportunities (Director) – 1998 to 2004
*Browns Playback with Chris Palmer (Studio Director) – 1999 & 2000
*Inside the Huddle with Butch Davis (Studio Director) – 2001 to 2004
*The Point After (Director) – 2005 to 2007
*Browns PreGame Huddle (Director) - 2007
*Friday Night Fever (Director) – 1998 to 2006
*Sports Tonight (Director) – 2000 to 2004
*Browns Tonight (Director) – 1999 to 2004
*WKYC’s Olympic Zone (Director) – February 2006
*Spring Fever: Indians 2006 Special (Director) – 2006
*Indians On Deck Pregame Show (Director) – 2006 to 2007
*Talkin’ Tribe (Director) - 2006 to 2007
*A Salute to Our Armed Forces Parade (Producer/Director) – 2001, 2002
*Key Bank American Legion Christmas Parade (Producer/Director) – 2002
*State of the City (Mayor Jane Campbell) – (On-Site Director) - 2004
*State of the City (Mayor Frank Jackson) – (Control Director) - 2007
*Tim Hagan & Tim McCormack City Hall Debate (Control Director) – 2004
*Parade of Sail Webcast – (Co-Director) – 2006
*Desert Showdown (OSU Special) (Director) - 2007

Frank's Television Awards:
*Emmy Nomination – Browns Tonight (Director) – 2003
*Best of Gannett Award – "Severe Spring Storm" (Director) – 2004
*Emmy Nomination – Channel 3 News at 11 PM (Director) - 2006
*WKYC’s Employee of the Month – November 2006