I always try to get up a litle earlier than normal on a snow day to get a jump on the action. I got up today, warmed up the news car, got enough video for the noon news and drove in. I kind of figured the bosses would want a feature type of story from me today.
As Lenslinger would attest, working primarily alone is the perfect way to steer clear of lead stories. (Not always - did this 2 weeks back as the 6PM LEAD)
But today I did draw the feature pick of the day....kids playing in the snow....and since this was the first MAJOR snowfall in almost 5 years some of those kids haven't ever seen a snow worth playing in.
Now they have.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Snow Day 2009 - A NC Blizzard (sarcasm)
On my way back from Raleigh today in the heavy rain that has now turned to snow, I was listening to the NASCAR race from Sunny LasVegas when one of the PRN radio announcers who call NC home mentioned the impending winter weather. He jokingly called it "the Blizzard of 2009, that's what you call 2 inches of snow in North Carolina."
To me, that was funny, if only because it's true. I'm from here, but I don't fret the snow. Maybe one day I'll post video I have from when I was 14 and we'd pile into the family car during a snowstorm and drive around looking at the snowy sights.
My dad was a trucker and he could navigate the streets with care and ease. That probably set me in a perfect position to be a News Photographer because now when it snows, not only do I want to get out and see what's happening, I'm expected to.
So I'm giddy that we're getting some overdue snow. It's been since 2004 that we've had a really good "Blizzard". And this still may not be it. It's expected to add up to 7 inches in spots and we've already got 2 or so.
I'm gonna get some sleep so I can get out early.
To me, that was funny, if only because it's true. I'm from here, but I don't fret the snow. Maybe one day I'll post video I have from when I was 14 and we'd pile into the family car during a snowstorm and drive around looking at the snowy sights.
My dad was a trucker and he could navigate the streets with care and ease. That probably set me in a perfect position to be a News Photographer because now when it snows, not only do I want to get out and see what's happening, I'm expected to.
So I'm giddy that we're getting some overdue snow. It's been since 2004 that we've had a really good "Blizzard". And this still may not be it. It's expected to add up to 7 inches in spots and we've already got 2 or so.
I'm gonna get some sleep so I can get out early.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Made in North Carolina
Rockwell Casket Company
One of the more popular franchise series at my station is 'Made in North Carolina' Like the name implies the series highlights companies in North Carolina that make thing.
Simple enough. Of course, for the better part of a year now we've been doing this segment weekly.
I wonder how long we can keep this up...within a day's round trip too....maybe we should call it...made in the Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point TV market. Hmmm.
I digress.
In the litle town of Rockwell in Rowan County they've been making caskets since just a few years after the railroad laid the last tie in 1890.
So, after a year of 'Made in North Carolina's'...here's my first...shot sans reporter...written...again...sans reporter...voiced...by Chad Tucker...an eloquent baritone.
Simple enough. Of course, for the better part of a year now we've been doing this segment weekly.
I wonder how long we can keep this up...within a day's round trip too....maybe we should call it...made in the Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point TV market. Hmmm.
I digress.
In the litle town of Rockwell in Rowan County they've been making caskets since just a few years after the railroad laid the last tie in 1890.
So, after a year of 'Made in North Carolina's'...here's my first...shot sans reporter...written...again...sans reporter...voiced...by Chad Tucker...an eloquent baritone.
The Judge A Falconer
I've always liked Hawks and other birds of prey so I became curious when Michael "the mangler" McQueen dropped a few random hints on Twitter about his secret project in Rockingham County. I was so curious I almost acted on it but I have been patient.
Now that I've seen it...I must copy. Is that so bad? I mean...how's that old saying go..."Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."
Here's Michael's story with the Judge who is also a Falconer.
Now that I've seen it...I must copy. Is that so bad? I mean...how's that old saying go..."Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."
Here's Michael's story with the Judge who is also a Falconer.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Deal or Dud - Smooth Away
As far as our Deal or Dud segments go this one's pretty average but it's what aired today that I edited a couple of weeks ago.
I shot another one today....have to edit a third on Thursday.
Hopefully I can find some kind of mojo when I edit that one to put some magic back in 'em. I haven't had a kick ass Deal or Dud in a while.
I shot another one today....have to edit a third on Thursday.
Hopefully I can find some kind of mojo when I edit that one to put some magic back in 'em. I haven't had a kick ass Deal or Dud in a while.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Exotic Animals; Beware!
Exotic Animals in the United States may soon be invited to go the way of the busted illegal immigrant....deportation.
OK, so that's blowing it out of proportion but that's the gist of a bill (HR 669) that was recently introduced in the US House of Representatives.
The 'Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act’ would give the Secretary of the Interior the authority to direct The United States Fish and Wildlife Service to establish a list of banned non-native wildlife.
Of course they would also have to establish a list of allowed non-native animals.
But to pet shop owners the bill is very broad, vague and potentially restrictive to their business.
(and thanks to my station's new website, I bring it to you...freshly embedded)
OK, so that's blowing it out of proportion but that's the gist of a bill (HR 669) that was recently introduced in the US House of Representatives.
The 'Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act’ would give the Secretary of the Interior the authority to direct The United States Fish and Wildlife Service to establish a list of banned non-native wildlife.
Of course they would also have to establish a list of allowed non-native animals.
But to pet shop owners the bill is very broad, vague and potentially restrictive to their business.
(and thanks to my station's new website, I bring it to you...freshly embedded)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Snow Day - Inaugruation Day - Cold Day
It snowed today. I didn't take any pictures. Or Video. Instead I was planning to head to a local school and watch the kids watch Roberts and Obama mangle the constitution. Did I mention it snowed?
With my wife's pictures proving that school was OUT it was time for plan B. At first, to get a feature on what Wednesday Newspaper front pages would be like. That story got moved to another crew when their story fell apart.(Apparently their story fell apart due to lack of attendence and the refusal of the organizers to change the TV to our channel instead of our competition who wasn't even there. *SLAP*)
So at 11:25 I was scrambling to find a child care center with more than 4 kids in the place that was willing to let me barge in and mic up a child, a teacher and the TV. And of course as soon as I'm about to roll into the parking lot of the agreeable YMCA I got the spot news call of the day.
A child has fallen throught the ice into a river in Eden. Well, Eden is a 1 hour drive. But the roads were fine by that time so off I went. I got a call on the way that the child was out of the river so I kinda new that there wouldn't be much in the way of video by the time I arrived.
I was pretty much right. The child got out of the river on his own and was fine. Cold but fine. Not much in the way of video. The area where the kid fell in is out of visual sight. It's a place I'd been before for a previous news story about the town wanting to build a park.
I didn't think I was going to get any video until I found and almost hidden access drive to the old shut down railroad. Bingo. I had to walk the planks out to near the middle of the span to get a clean shot but it was worth it. Cold but worth it.
I found out where the kid lived but no one would answer the door. I could hear them moving around inside, even saw the blinds being lowered as I walked up but they didn't answer. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that the 8 year old that fell in and his 6 year old brother were 300 yards from home at a frozen river...ALONE. The Eden Police say they're working on that.
So for inauguration day 08...I drove 125 miles and produced 30 seconds of TV.
Exciting.
With my wife's pictures proving that school was OUT it was time for plan B. At first, to get a feature on what Wednesday Newspaper front pages would be like. That story got moved to another crew when their story fell apart.(Apparently their story fell apart due to lack of attendence and the refusal of the organizers to change the TV to our channel instead of our competition who wasn't even there. *SLAP*)
So at 11:25 I was scrambling to find a child care center with more than 4 kids in the place that was willing to let me barge in and mic up a child, a teacher and the TV. And of course as soon as I'm about to roll into the parking lot of the agreeable YMCA I got the spot news call of the day.
A child has fallen throught the ice into a river in Eden. Well, Eden is a 1 hour drive. But the roads were fine by that time so off I went. I got a call on the way that the child was out of the river so I kinda new that there wouldn't be much in the way of video by the time I arrived.
I was pretty much right. The child got out of the river on his own and was fine. Cold but fine. Not much in the way of video. The area where the kid fell in is out of visual sight. It's a place I'd been before for a previous news story about the town wanting to build a park.
I didn't think I was going to get any video until I found and almost hidden access drive to the old shut down railroad. Bingo. I had to walk the planks out to near the middle of the span to get a clean shot but it was worth it. Cold but worth it.
I found out where the kid lived but no one would answer the door. I could hear them moving around inside, even saw the blinds being lowered as I walked up but they didn't answer. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that the 8 year old that fell in and his 6 year old brother were 300 yards from home at a frozen river...ALONE. The Eden Police say they're working on that.
So for inauguration day 08...I drove 125 miles and produced 30 seconds of TV.
Exciting.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
US Airways Water Landing
Anyone who wasn't glued to the TV for the coverage of the US Airway's water landing could possibly be classified as a little out of touch. I was in the newsroom watching it on 4 monitors and on the internet Twittering, Googling, and generally searching for information that my help our inner newsroom cause. But I'm like that when it comes to news.
But as much as I pine for a good story I would have hated to be in the scrum today in the 20 degrees. It always seems like some of the biggest stories happen in the most inhospitable conditions.
As the accident coverage was unfolding and I was searching for pictures via Twitter and Flickr I found the above picture pretty quickly and it reminded me of a quote from the movie "Talladega Nights" a few years ago...."If you're not first you're last."
The picture that Janis Krums took from the Ferry Boat that was headed to help passengers was the first up close picture of the plane in the water. He posted it quickly from his IPhone and the picture's populartiy has exploded. It's been on all the national news shows, flickr users have re-posted the photo many many times, his Twitter following has doubled, he's been interviewed by MSNBC and he's apparently sold the photo rights to the AP.
So whether or not there's a better picture out there...Krums is the winner for quick thinking because he was first and who's gonna search through a thousand pages of other picture's now looking for something better.
And the only reason he was able to take that picture was because he jumped on the ferry to see if he could help rescue people in the water.
But as much as I pine for a good story I would have hated to be in the scrum today in the 20 degrees. It always seems like some of the biggest stories happen in the most inhospitable conditions.
As the accident coverage was unfolding and I was searching for pictures via Twitter and Flickr I found the above picture pretty quickly and it reminded me of a quote from the movie "Talladega Nights" a few years ago...."If you're not first you're last."
The picture that Janis Krums took from the Ferry Boat that was headed to help passengers was the first up close picture of the plane in the water. He posted it quickly from his IPhone and the picture's populartiy has exploded. It's been on all the national news shows, flickr users have re-posted the photo many many times, his Twitter following has doubled, he's been interviewed by MSNBC and he's apparently sold the photo rights to the AP.
So whether or not there's a better picture out there...Krums is the winner for quick thinking because he was first and who's gonna search through a thousand pages of other picture's now looking for something better.
And the only reason he was able to take that picture was because he jumped on the ferry to see if he could help rescue people in the water.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Film - The Verb
A Motion To Make Standard
Have you ever gotten bent out of shape when someone ask you what you're "filming"?
I ask as I raise my hand in affirmation. Yes, and I almost hate to admit it. For the longest it has been correct to consider our actions to be "taping" our subjects since we were using videotape. (Saying we're are "videoing" something never has really been catchy. )
So I have to ask, what should we call it now? From professional gear down to the consumer level tape cameras are being quickly replaced by XD, P2 and a variety of hard drive or flash capture formats.
I can hear it now....What are you discing? What are you digitizing? What are you flashing? Uhm..no.
So here's what I think....let's go with what the dictionary says.
"Film the verb - to photograph with a motion-picture camera."
It doesn't specify what format...so that would cover the gamet of cameras on the streets today.
And hell, most people already say it like that anyway.
Do I have a Second?
I ask as I raise my hand in affirmation. Yes, and I almost hate to admit it. For the longest it has been correct to consider our actions to be "taping" our subjects since we were using videotape. (Saying we're are "videoing" something never has really been catchy. )
So I have to ask, what should we call it now? From professional gear down to the consumer level tape cameras are being quickly replaced by XD, P2 and a variety of hard drive or flash capture formats.
I can hear it now....What are you discing? What are you digitizing? What are you flashing? Uhm..no.
So here's what I think....let's go with what the dictionary says.
"Film the verb - to photograph with a motion-picture camera."
It doesn't specify what format...so that would cover the gamet of cameras on the streets today.
And hell, most people already say it like that anyway.
Do I have a Second?
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Choose Your News
The DEBATE
Tonight the Arkansas Society of Professional Journalists held a debate between KATV's Choose Your News reporter Kristin Fisher and Newspaper Columnist John Brummet.
The debate's origins are in Brummett's recent columns dismissing choose your news as a gimmick. Internet fury grew, the two exchanged online barbs, bloggers jabbed and finally Brummett relented and aggreed to meet with Fisher and debate the pros and cons of this gimmick as a news gathering tool.
The debate lasted just over an hour and was lively, entertaining and funny at times.
Both aggreed that something has to be done to keep the industry relavent and alive.
They disagreed on nomenclature issues and the use of new tools overriding the newsgathering process and integrity.
Here's my LIVE BLOG NOTES -
John finds the word twitter funny.
John gets blog alerts when people blog about him. Audience laughs.
John says you can't choose your news.
He says people are choosing their features, follow ups etc. Implies that those aren't news. News can't be predicted it happens and you cover it.
John says it's a gimmick, gimmicks never work.
John says cover the news, use the tools to cover the news, but kill the gimmicks.
Kristin says the quality of her stories are the same with the Choose your news format. She's giving the viewer a choice.
Kristin says John chooses his news by having google alerts. Says they are taking the user interactivy one step further.
Kristin says get over semantics....Choose Your News is just a title and it rhymes so it works.
John is taking furiouse notes for his rebuttle.
Kristin is looking forward to putting this experiment to the breaking news test.
John rebuts that he chooses what he consumes doesn't choose what people produce for him.
John again says, using remote control analogy, that it only allows him to choose what he recieves not what they produce at the various outlets.
John says don't trivialize the news just cover it.
Kristin answering why theh viewers can't just have all of the stories instead of choosing.
Says the obviouse...we only have so many reporters.
Kristin says Choose your news is providing them a surplus of story ideas.
John says Kristin shouldn't lobby for people to choose certain stories in her tweets.
Kristin hates fluff and hard news and is going to lobby for the hard news.
She says she should let her personality come out and give her take on what story she should cover.
She likes the transparancy of having a live webcam watching her all day.
She says nobody can beat TV at Breaking News. That each medium needs to cater to it's niches even on the web.
Sometimes wants to turn off the webcam.
They will mute the mic from time to time to make source calls or other sensitve times.
John says the webcam on her is a bit creepy.
John says when this is the sum essance of what you're doing then it outserves the purpose of the news gathering.
John says we're cannibalizing oursevles. (attributes to someone else) Instead of focusing on our job of delivering news.
John says the multitasking of writing his collumns and blogging was too much to do justice to his column.
John says things have to change in the news biz for us to survive.
John says he is willing to work twice as hard to make it work.
John says the future is in niche pubs and cross pollenation.
Kristin says the real debat here is the one between TV and Print that's been going on for years. Says there are certainly differences in how print and TV cover a given story and the impact is has.
Wishes she had more time for her stories.
She says New Media supplements the big final (classic) product.
Kristin answers that choose your news shouldn't pick the lead story but rather only if it just happened to be a hard story after being picked it could be a lead.
John says it's not the wisest use of talent or space but it's not the end of journalistic integrity.
Oh...lost my stream...it's back...whew.
Kristin says she has human interactivity....laughs from audience.
Kristin says 44% of college grads go online for their news and our medium of TV and Print are dying. We've got to find a way to monetize the internet and make it a place where TV and Print can make money.
John wonders if Choose your News is that or is it a fleeting pointless gimmick(he thinks the latter)....is Kristin going to sit in front of the webcam and grow old on us.
Moderator - What is a journalist?
Kristin - someone who informs you about the news and events in your community or around the world.
John - A person protected by the 1st ammendment, anyone really, who gives information about a news event. No training or licensing neccesary.
questions from the audience...
Question about monetizing the internet wondering if this is driving the numbers...
Kristin doesn't know about that. She talks about having 10000 votes in the last round.
Kristin says that if there's ever breaking news they will postpone the choose your news story in favor of using the tools to cover the bn.
John says if adverisers are drawn there by numbers that he's all good with it....but that nobody's found a way to do that.
He objects to the principal of this way of gathering news and not to the effort of trying to get viewers to in turn get ads.
John says it would be more palletable to him if it was a stand alone self supporting (money) thing.
Kristin says with so many people on the internet then why shouldn't they reach out to them.
John says this trivialzes their newscasts.
Kristin says she may be reaching different people on the web than watch their news. That the younger demographic is on the web...the older on the TV and with some crossover.
John agrees....and that older people in a rural state like AR are tied to their TV and the younger people are online because the TV is nonsense and irrelevant to their lives.
John aggrees that you can pull the demographics from one medium to the other with cross promotion.
John still maintains that the best news is real news and that's what appeals to everyone.
We're over the hour mark
Here it is...the Anne Pressley safety question.
Kristin - I'm never alone. I always have a Photographer with me. I'm in no more danger than any other reporter who puts themselves in the public eye.
She says there are steps she takes to protect her privacy.
She thinks about how much better her web cam would be if Anne were there dancing in the background.
John asks what is the purpose of having her on the webcam typing all day.
She says so people can check in and see what she's doing. That TV News is built upon personalities and that with that she can have a live conversation with the viewers and it makes it personal.
One day that web cam will do something great for breaking news. (the portable one in the cell phone)
John quips that he's going to get a web cam on his desk.
Kristin explaining how choose your news was born....just a passing conversation about the streaming web phone.
John making points about sweeps stunts.
A guy in the audience asking a questions sounds just like one of my station's engineers. Funny!
Kristin says John's columns and all the talk about Choose Your News has definately helped the votes.
Kristin loves to shoot and edit.
She gave up the shooting and editing to take on the demands of all the tweeting, webcaming, and other interactivity.
Moderator to John...what have you gotten out of this....
John - Newspaper columns need buzz and this has given him buzz.
Kristin - Your google alerts are off the charts huh?
John - He has become more aware of the threats to our industry.
John - Still thinks the web cam is creepy and hopes it's full time use is cut.
That's all.
The debate's origins are in Brummett's recent columns dismissing choose your news as a gimmick. Internet fury grew, the two exchanged online barbs, bloggers jabbed and finally Brummett relented and aggreed to meet with Fisher and debate the pros and cons of this gimmick as a news gathering tool.
The debate lasted just over an hour and was lively, entertaining and funny at times.
Both aggreed that something has to be done to keep the industry relavent and alive.
They disagreed on nomenclature issues and the use of new tools overriding the newsgathering process and integrity.
Here's my LIVE BLOG NOTES -
John finds the word twitter funny.
John gets blog alerts when people blog about him. Audience laughs.
John says you can't choose your news.
He says people are choosing their features, follow ups etc. Implies that those aren't news. News can't be predicted it happens and you cover it.
John says it's a gimmick, gimmicks never work.
John says cover the news, use the tools to cover the news, but kill the gimmicks.
Kristin says the quality of her stories are the same with the Choose your news format. She's giving the viewer a choice.
Kristin says John chooses his news by having google alerts. Says they are taking the user interactivy one step further.
Kristin says get over semantics....Choose Your News is just a title and it rhymes so it works.
John is taking furiouse notes for his rebuttle.
Kristin is looking forward to putting this experiment to the breaking news test.
John rebuts that he chooses what he consumes doesn't choose what people produce for him.
John again says, using remote control analogy, that it only allows him to choose what he recieves not what they produce at the various outlets.
John says don't trivialize the news just cover it.
Kristin answering why theh viewers can't just have all of the stories instead of choosing.
Says the obviouse...we only have so many reporters.
Kristin says Choose your news is providing them a surplus of story ideas.
John says Kristin shouldn't lobby for people to choose certain stories in her tweets.
Kristin hates fluff and hard news and is going to lobby for the hard news.
She says she should let her personality come out and give her take on what story she should cover.
She likes the transparancy of having a live webcam watching her all day.
She says nobody can beat TV at Breaking News. That each medium needs to cater to it's niches even on the web.
Sometimes wants to turn off the webcam.
They will mute the mic from time to time to make source calls or other sensitve times.
John says the webcam on her is a bit creepy.
John says when this is the sum essance of what you're doing then it outserves the purpose of the news gathering.
John says we're cannibalizing oursevles. (attributes to someone else) Instead of focusing on our job of delivering news.
John says the multitasking of writing his collumns and blogging was too much to do justice to his column.
John says things have to change in the news biz for us to survive.
John says he is willing to work twice as hard to make it work.
John says the future is in niche pubs and cross pollenation.
Kristin says the real debat here is the one between TV and Print that's been going on for years. Says there are certainly differences in how print and TV cover a given story and the impact is has.
Wishes she had more time for her stories.
She says New Media supplements the big final (classic) product.
Kristin answers that choose your news shouldn't pick the lead story but rather only if it just happened to be a hard story after being picked it could be a lead.
John says it's not the wisest use of talent or space but it's not the end of journalistic integrity.
Oh...lost my stream...it's back...whew.
Kristin says she has human interactivity....laughs from audience.
Kristin says 44% of college grads go online for their news and our medium of TV and Print are dying. We've got to find a way to monetize the internet and make it a place where TV and Print can make money.
John wonders if Choose your News is that or is it a fleeting pointless gimmick(he thinks the latter)....is Kristin going to sit in front of the webcam and grow old on us.
Moderator - What is a journalist?
Kristin - someone who informs you about the news and events in your community or around the world.
John - A person protected by the 1st ammendment, anyone really, who gives information about a news event. No training or licensing neccesary.
questions from the audience...
Question about monetizing the internet wondering if this is driving the numbers...
Kristin doesn't know about that. She talks about having 10000 votes in the last round.
Kristin says that if there's ever breaking news they will postpone the choose your news story in favor of using the tools to cover the bn.
John says if adverisers are drawn there by numbers that he's all good with it....but that nobody's found a way to do that.
He objects to the principal of this way of gathering news and not to the effort of trying to get viewers to in turn get ads.
John says it would be more palletable to him if it was a stand alone self supporting (money) thing.
Kristin says with so many people on the internet then why shouldn't they reach out to them.
John says this trivialzes their newscasts.
Kristin says she may be reaching different people on the web than watch their news. That the younger demographic is on the web...the older on the TV and with some crossover.
John agrees....and that older people in a rural state like AR are tied to their TV and the younger people are online because the TV is nonsense and irrelevant to their lives.
John aggrees that you can pull the demographics from one medium to the other with cross promotion.
John still maintains that the best news is real news and that's what appeals to everyone.
We're over the hour mark
Here it is...the Anne Pressley safety question.
Kristin - I'm never alone. I always have a Photographer with me. I'm in no more danger than any other reporter who puts themselves in the public eye.
She says there are steps she takes to protect her privacy.
She thinks about how much better her web cam would be if Anne were there dancing in the background.
John asks what is the purpose of having her on the webcam typing all day.
She says so people can check in and see what she's doing. That TV News is built upon personalities and that with that she can have a live conversation with the viewers and it makes it personal.
One day that web cam will do something great for breaking news. (the portable one in the cell phone)
John quips that he's going to get a web cam on his desk.
Kristin explaining how choose your news was born....just a passing conversation about the streaming web phone.
John making points about sweeps stunts.
A guy in the audience asking a questions sounds just like one of my station's engineers. Funny!
Kristin says John's columns and all the talk about Choose Your News has definately helped the votes.
Kristin loves to shoot and edit.
She gave up the shooting and editing to take on the demands of all the tweeting, webcaming, and other interactivity.
Moderator to John...what have you gotten out of this....
John - Newspaper columns need buzz and this has given him buzz.
Kristin - Your google alerts are off the charts huh?
John - He has become more aware of the threats to our industry.
John - Still thinks the web cam is creepy and hopes it's full time use is cut.
That's all.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Wake Up Call
Death by Speed
It's my job. Take the call at all times of the night...this time 0430 with 3 hours of sleep...and respond. Much like the firefighters and rescue personel you can often fine me at the scene of accidents with deadly consequences.
This morning it was near High Rock lake where 2 young men perished when their speeding vehicle went out of control and ended up under water.
Friends of the pair found the skid marks leading to the water several hours after they went for a drive. I got the call after rescue personel were already suiting up to dive and confirm the worst.
I pulled up and spent 10 minutes shooting before a carefully worded deputy sheriff politely whisked me back to the newscar so they could bring the underwater tomb to the surface.
I spent the rest of my time standing in the 20 degree darkness straddling a skidmark, watching and listening while waiting for the State Trooper to tell me what the sounds around me had already confirmed.
I spent the rest of my day carefully traversing the middle of North Carolina on 3 hours of sleep. As always I'm sad for yet another family, especially this time of the year.
This morning it was near High Rock lake where 2 young men perished when their speeding vehicle went out of control and ended up under water.
Friends of the pair found the skid marks leading to the water several hours after they went for a drive. I got the call after rescue personel were already suiting up to dive and confirm the worst.
I pulled up and spent 10 minutes shooting before a carefully worded deputy sheriff politely whisked me back to the newscar so they could bring the underwater tomb to the surface.
I spent the rest of my time standing in the 20 degree darkness straddling a skidmark, watching and listening while waiting for the State Trooper to tell me what the sounds around me had already confirmed.
I spent the rest of my day carefully traversing the middle of North Carolina on 3 hours of sleep. As always I'm sad for yet another family, especially this time of the year.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Emmy Time
The Circle of Life
When I won free tickets to the Transiberian Orchestra Concert I didn't even consider that it was on the same night as the 2008 Mid-South Emmy Nominations would be announced.
And even as I walked into the Greensboro Coliseum this past Friday it didn't cross my mind to think about the impending announcment for which I had 4 entries.
But as I sat looking around the coliseum at the seats, the ads and the cupholders(with their ads), I flashed back to my first Emmy Win....shot right about where I was sitting as workers prepped the building for the NCAA tournament.
That story won me and Eric White our first Emmy...and as I flashed back to reality...I thought out loud (to my wife) how cool would it be to get a phone call from a co-worker that I'm nominated for an Emmy while sitting in the coliseum. It's like a big circle in life.
Not even halfway through the concert I missed a call from a number I was unsure of but I checked the Voicemail to hear a giddy Julie Luck congratulating me for our Emmy Nomination for our series "13 and Pregnant" about a 13 year old couple in Thomasville who concieved, birthed, and are now taking care of a baby. (with adult supervision of course!)
I was happy and I enjoyed the rest of the concert having the knowledge that I've now been Emmy Nominated four years in a row.
When I got home later that night I saw that I was also nominated with Melissa "Deal or Dud Lady" Painter for our Deal or Dud segments.
Awesome! 2 noms!
My Station, WGHP, also recieved a nomination for Continuing Coverage in 24 hours of the May 5 Tornados in Greensboro and Clemmons.
Fellow Photojournalist Brad Ingram is nominated in Photography and Editing.
Congrats to Brad for his work and all my co-workers for their efforts on that long day in May.
Also, Congrats to everyone who's nominated(especially if you're reading this), because I know how hard we all work to produce the work this good.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to plan a trip to Nashville in late January!
And even as I walked into the Greensboro Coliseum this past Friday it didn't cross my mind to think about the impending announcment for which I had 4 entries.
But as I sat looking around the coliseum at the seats, the ads and the cupholders(with their ads), I flashed back to my first Emmy Win....shot right about where I was sitting as workers prepped the building for the NCAA tournament.
That story won me and Eric White our first Emmy...and as I flashed back to reality...I thought out loud (to my wife) how cool would it be to get a phone call from a co-worker that I'm nominated for an Emmy while sitting in the coliseum. It's like a big circle in life.
Not even halfway through the concert I missed a call from a number I was unsure of but I checked the Voicemail to hear a giddy Julie Luck congratulating me for our Emmy Nomination for our series "13 and Pregnant" about a 13 year old couple in Thomasville who concieved, birthed, and are now taking care of a baby. (with adult supervision of course!)
I was happy and I enjoyed the rest of the concert having the knowledge that I've now been Emmy Nominated four years in a row.
When I got home later that night I saw that I was also nominated with Melissa "Deal or Dud Lady" Painter for our Deal or Dud segments.
Awesome! 2 noms!
My Station, WGHP, also recieved a nomination for Continuing Coverage in 24 hours of the May 5 Tornados in Greensboro and Clemmons.
Fellow Photojournalist Brad Ingram is nominated in Photography and Editing.
Congrats to Brad for his work and all my co-workers for their efforts on that long day in May.
Also, Congrats to everyone who's nominated(especially if you're reading this), because I know how hard we all work to produce the work this good.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to plan a trip to Nashville in late January!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
IMPLOSION - Dan River Mills
No News Crews Hurt
All the News Crews at the Dan River Mills Implosion in Danville, VA Thursday must have been in contact and out of the way because even though one of the two smokestacks fell the wrong way...no one was injured.
I almost drew this assignment but didn't. Too bad.
In light of my last post(see below or click here)...maybe it's a good thing I didn't.
Here's a couple of looks at the video...one with the smokestack falling straight toward the handheld camera.
I almost drew this assignment but didn't. Too bad.
In light of my last post(see below or click here)...maybe it's a good thing I didn't.
Here's a couple of looks at the video...one with the smokestack falling straight toward the handheld camera.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Out of Touch News Crew
NEW ATT Commercial
Danger - Danger - According to AT&T if we don't use their service we (news crews) could get blown to smithereens!
OMG!
Of course it's just one of AT&Ts new commercials with messages from the user's (other service)phone detailing how out of touch the phone's user is.
It's funny!
(We have Verizon!)
OMG!
Of course it's just one of AT&Ts new commercials with messages from the user's (other service)phone detailing how out of touch the phone's user is.
It's funny!
(We have Verizon!)
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Eastern Guilford High School Fire
2 years later - Touring the New EG
I wasn't at the scene the day Eastern Guilford High School burned down in November, 2006, but for days and weeks after the event I spent countless hours producing local TV stories about the building, the students, the communities that were affected by the one of the largest fires ever to burn in this state.
After Eastern Guilford High School burned to the ground the school system had to get on the construction fast track. First they had to build a temporary school of "Pods", mobile classrooms grouped together on the campus to form a makeshift school.
Then they had to build a new school and the clock was ticking.Today was the first tour of the nearly completed school.
Media and school officials accompanied the contractors through the building for a preview of where the students will call home come April 20, 2009.
Click Here for the VIDEO
After Eastern Guilford High School burned to the ground the school system had to get on the construction fast track. First they had to build a temporary school of "Pods", mobile classrooms grouped together on the campus to form a makeshift school.
Then they had to build a new school and the clock was ticking.Today was the first tour of the nearly completed school.
Media and school officials accompanied the contractors through the building for a preview of where the students will call home come April 20, 2009.
Click Here for the VIDEO
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Mulitmedia Masterpiece
NY Times Presidential Election Video
This is a must watch...
It is a well put together, comprehensive look at the presidential election from the time the candidates started campaigning through Tuesday.
Simple graphics, great photos, great video, compelling sound, poignent storytelling.
The visuals (stills and moving) were compiled from a variety of sources over a long period of time. Interviews were conducted with voters in many states and there was even sound with photographers who shot some of the pictures for the NY Times.
This is a key piece of work for defining how to mix, mesh and use multimedia to what has to be close to it's fullest potential. (for now)
Very informative, very interesting and it streams out in excellent quality.
It is a well put together, comprehensive look at the presidential election from the time the candidates started campaigning through Tuesday.
Simple graphics, great photos, great video, compelling sound, poignent storytelling.
The visuals (stills and moving) were compiled from a variety of sources over a long period of time. Interviews were conducted with voters in many states and there was even sound with photographers who shot some of the pictures for the NY Times.
This is a key piece of work for defining how to mix, mesh and use multimedia to what has to be close to it's fullest potential. (for now)
Very informative, very interesting and it streams out in excellent quality.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Hanging Rock 2008
A Nice Day with the Kids
Ah Autumn. The colors....Beautiful.
So I set out Sunday afternoon to Pilot Mountain.
Yeah, I know, it says Hanging Rock in the title. We got to Pilot Mountain and it was a 45 minute wait to drive to the parking lot at the top of the knobby rock. The hell with that. We spent the next 45 minutes driving to Hanging Rock.
The 40 minutes after that we spent meandering the Hanging Rock trail for about a mile to get up there...
...on top of that rock.
It's a trip I make with the kids at least once a year and I wish I had time to do it a few times a year.
The view is spectacular and sitting out on those rocks with no fence to catch you if you fall is a thrill, if not downright scary when you have 3 boys and a little princess to worry about.
Nevermind the dog pulling us all around by that hotpink leash.
I could sit up there all day.
So I set out Sunday afternoon to Pilot Mountain.
Yeah, I know, it says Hanging Rock in the title. We got to Pilot Mountain and it was a 45 minute wait to drive to the parking lot at the top of the knobby rock. The hell with that. We spent the next 45 minutes driving to Hanging Rock.
The 40 minutes after that we spent meandering the Hanging Rock trail for about a mile to get up there...
...on top of that rock.
It's a trip I make with the kids at least once a year and I wish I had time to do it a few times a year.
The view is spectacular and sitting out on those rocks with no fence to catch you if you fall is a thrill, if not downright scary when you have 3 boys and a little princess to worry about.
Nevermind the dog pulling us all around by that hotpink leash.
I could sit up there all day.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Shocking Video
Political Sign Theft Season
I know kids will be kids but this is what happens when a kid's curiosity and a neighbor's angst over previously stolen political signs cross paths.
WRAL Reported the story at this link. which is not embeddable but on YouTube already....(the video is cleaner on WRAL's site)
WRAL Reported the story at this link. which is not embeddable but on YouTube already....(the video is cleaner on WRAL's site)
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