Why Photog, Why?
People are always coming up to me and saying, "I think it's so great that as a woman you're tackling a male dominated field." Well it's bull folks. I'm not a female photog(video photographer) because I feel the need to break through any male/female traditional roles. The real reason I'm doing what I'm doing is because of luck and opportunity.
About a year before I was supposed to graduate from college I panicked. I knew I would get a job in broadcasting but that was about as detailed as my thought processes went. Music and radio really isn't my thing so I knew I'd go into the video side of Broadcasting. Even though I had a minor in Theater and had been involved in stage for many years, I knew I'd suck as talent so behind the scenes was it. Being flexible in a job location was another requirement. My boyfriend was studying Automotive Design so I knew he'd always make more money and I'd have to work wherever he got a job.
The final verdict was News, or at least a TV Station. So in my final year I threw myself into our college news station and hoped for the best. In a twist of fate, that year my boyfriend got a roommate who had graduated a few years before in broadcasting. This guy was in-between things and looking for a job. He got a job as a Photog for a FOX station. When graduation for me drew near the Fox Photog gave me a heads up on a part-time photog/editor job at his station. I applied, interviewed, and didn't get the job. At first anyway, twenty minutes after I was turned down I was called back and hired.
You must understand that when I got this job I had picked up a field camera maybe a dozen times and edited video on a computer less than 5 times. It was rough but I kept my head up. It quickly became obvious to me that editing was my strong suit. Me and Mr. DVC Pro had some issues in those first months. When they shut down our Fox station I jumped over to the NBC affiliate with a somewhat better grasp of what I was doing.
NBC was a disappointment to me. Even though they're the top station in the market they had the most outdated technology. They were still editing their video tape-to-tape (in TV terms this means slows as shit.) But thanks to a dedicated reporter I got my shooting up to a decent standard and was doing all right for myself. Eventually I went full time on overnights and my responsibilities shifted to mostly editing for the Morning Show.
A few months into working the overnights our station FINALLY got Avids(computers to edit video on.) I was so happy, and since I was just about the only person who had ever edited using that system, my personal stock went up. All the other Photogs were so glad I was on the overnight shift because most of them prefer shooting to editing. I'm the complete opposite so it works out great for everyone.
Except for one thing. I'm the only Photog here for 8 hours which means I have to edit a monster of a show, and be ready to shoot any breaking news. The pressure is really bad sometimes. Especially since somedays there is no one in the building who can edit video if I have to leave. Someday get out of control but I've always managed to get the show on-air somehow and that's why nothing will ever change here.
About a year before I was supposed to graduate from college I panicked. I knew I would get a job in broadcasting but that was about as detailed as my thought processes went. Music and radio really isn't my thing so I knew I'd go into the video side of Broadcasting. Even though I had a minor in Theater and had been involved in stage for many years, I knew I'd suck as talent so behind the scenes was it. Being flexible in a job location was another requirement. My boyfriend was studying Automotive Design so I knew he'd always make more money and I'd have to work wherever he got a job.
The final verdict was News, or at least a TV Station. So in my final year I threw myself into our college news station and hoped for the best. In a twist of fate, that year my boyfriend got a roommate who had graduated a few years before in broadcasting. This guy was in-between things and looking for a job. He got a job as a Photog for a FOX station. When graduation for me drew near the Fox Photog gave me a heads up on a part-time photog/editor job at his station. I applied, interviewed, and didn't get the job. At first anyway, twenty minutes after I was turned down I was called back and hired.
You must understand that when I got this job I had picked up a field camera maybe a dozen times and edited video on a computer less than 5 times. It was rough but I kept my head up. It quickly became obvious to me that editing was my strong suit. Me and Mr. DVC Pro had some issues in those first months. When they shut down our Fox station I jumped over to the NBC affiliate with a somewhat better grasp of what I was doing.
NBC was a disappointment to me. Even though they're the top station in the market they had the most outdated technology. They were still editing their video tape-to-tape (in TV terms this means slows as shit.) But thanks to a dedicated reporter I got my shooting up to a decent standard and was doing all right for myself. Eventually I went full time on overnights and my responsibilities shifted to mostly editing for the Morning Show.
A few months into working the overnights our station FINALLY got Avids(computers to edit video on.) I was so happy, and since I was just about the only person who had ever edited using that system, my personal stock went up. All the other Photogs were so glad I was on the overnight shift because most of them prefer shooting to editing. I'm the complete opposite so it works out great for everyone.
Except for one thing. I'm the only Photog here for 8 hours which means I have to edit a monster of a show, and be ready to shoot any breaking news. The pressure is really bad sometimes. Especially since somedays there is no one in the building who can edit video if I have to leave. Someday get out of control but I've always managed to get the show on-air somehow and that's why nothing will ever change here.
posted by SassyJill at 10:03 PM
4 Comments:
Gr8 site. It's nice to see you have found yet another usefull way to blog. I have always liked the phrase 'he has a face for radio' and one other thing, I lived with my parents till 27. They were just as glad as I was when I left. LOL. Looking back, I am glad I had that time with them. Life is short. We have to enjoy it while we can. If you would like to check out my blog, go to http://freemarcon.blogspot.com oh and have a real day . . .
Hey, I like your blog! I've only read a couple posts so far, but look forward to catching up when I have more time!
I also hear about how 'brave' I am to be a female photog. ;) Gotta love it!
Well, you might not have become a female photog on purpose but it's still great that you are one of the only women in your field. When I was working in IT (at my old job) the only other woman was the secretary and it was hard. I was treated differently for sure and a lot of the guys didn't respect my opinion. Being the only one has its good points and its bad.
I used to do TV production back when I was in high school, 'cause when you're a budding writer everyone tells you that you should try journalism. It was interesting, but it ultimately wasn't my cup of tea. What really counts in the long run is that you enjoy what you do for a living, and whether it's "male-dominated" or not, if it's what you love, you should go for it. And you have, so good for you! :D
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