Resume tape?
 

If I don't end up in Law School this next year I'm thinking about a career in TV News.. I'm not a broadcasting major but I've worked as an anchor/reporter for the school's TV News station (we do a real daily newscast) for 3 semesters now so I have PLENTY of good material.

If anyone out there is in the industry, what kind of things to stations look for in Resume tapes?

Re: Resume tape?
 

you might want to PM Delta Alum . .

ktsnake,

Does the station you work for have any open positions?

The reason why I asked is because there is a guy that went to my high school who is like three or four years younger than me who is a weathercaster for Channel 8 in Tulsa. He is seriously like 21 years old, and does the weather on the weekends. From what I've heard from mutual friends is that he had worked part-time there from when he got out of high school and it evolved into a full-time on-air gig.

I guess what I am trying to say is that regardless of your degree, there are jobs out there and it (like always) is a matter of who you know. Best of luck.

Actually, I was an anchor/reporter for the station I worked for. Unfortunately, it's not what I'd consider a "real" job. It was the school's station and only broadcast (via Cox cable) to the city of Edmond. It was good experience and that's about it. I don't know of any other school (at least in the state) where I'd get as much opportunity to anchor, report, etc..

One of our recent alums (class of '00) is a weekend anchor in Fayetville, Arkansas. In his opinion I'd do fine in that business.

For right now though I'm crossing my fingers that a law school will overlook my so-so grades for my campus involvement:D
(I've been told that's a pretty major factor when they consider folks these days).

It's confusing as all hell when you graduate and could literally head in ANY direction.. Kind of waiting to see how things pan out at this point.

That and your LSAT score. Be sure and do as well as you can on the test.

I understand where you are coming from though. I graduated with a 3.0 in Accounting. Didn't want to become an Accountant, so I decided to go get my MBA. The University of Tulsa seemed like more fun that OSU or Univ. of Phoenix, so I went down there and applied. Definitely, my experience in Pike paid off big time in getting me in and keeping me focused in graduate school.

I read the other day in an article that only 10% of this year's graduating classes across the country have jobs lined up. That's pretty scary, but it is easy to see why grad school is the popular choice these days.

Although I'm three months from graduation and don't have anything lined up either!?! Oops :o

I've spoken at several broadcast conferences for college students and whether you're in Radio or TV, the #1 thing to put on your tape is whatever showcases your talents best. Put together a tape and ask a contact at a local commercial station to look over it. Have him/her tell you what needs to be changed. Many people like myself have been where you are and will help if you ask. Be sure to drop a "Thank You" note in the mail later. Everyone always intends to do it but so few actually follow through that it's a great attention-getter.

Who you know will get you in the door. What you know will keep you there.

Good luck!

Some decent advice. I would add "What you know, and how fast you learn the rest will keep you there." Unfortunately, you probably don't know much yet -- which isn't meant at all to be as harsh as it sounds. Frankly, you will learn more in the first six months at a commercial TV station than in four or five years in college. Chances are you college teachers don't have meaningful experience in commercial broadcasting (so how can we expect them to know how to teach it?), and your cable experience can't and won't duplicate what you will find in the infamous "real world." The pace and pressures are totally different.

As for the tape, be a good editor. Leave your ego at the edit room door. The tape should be short enough to keep the viewers attention. News executives are very busy people and don't have time to watch a hour of material. If you don't grab them in the first minute or so, you'll be in the circular file. Try to show flexibility and depth. A field package or two, a little anchoring. Try to highlight your writing skills. There are lots of decent looking people with perfect hair. Something will have to make you stand out from the rest.

Finally, don't expect your first on air job to be in Chicago. Shoot small and work your way up.

Edited to add:

This should go without saying, but use whatever contacts you have to their best advantage. My first job in commercial TV was while I was in college and the guy who hired me was a Delt alum (no relation) from the same school. I beat out one of my pledge brothers for the job. I worked at the station for two summers and on weekends during the school year. When a full time job as a director opened, I got it.

Best of luck to you.

The broadcasting program from my school is pretty lucky. Both teachers have extensive experience in front of and behind cameras at commercial broadcast stations.

Would you recommend a 'dramatic' type (fancy effects and such off of a digital editor) or just plain cuts only like I'd probably use in a commercial TV job? (at least out here they're mostly using cuts-only editors).

I'll admit I haven't really floated it by my teachers since my major was not broadcasting -- I just ended up spending enough time there that I'd feel comfortable in that sort of job and consider myself no less qualified than broadcasting majors.

We'll see what happens after the LSAT I guess:D

Thanks for the advice ya'll.

Forget the fancy wipes and stuff. They can detract from what is really important.

don't shoot for chicago off the bat? what?! j/k, you had to be the one to tell me that, deltalum. i've scaled back my search to ohio and indiana only. i just got started freelancing for time warner cable in dayton and hopefully something more will come from that.
as for resume tape, get it done now! don't wait til you're done with school. i was really stupid with that and don't have a very good tape to show right now. i'm redoing it now. i finally have a few extra good pieces from my volunteer work at the local access station here in town. i'm not suppose to do my own personal work at the station, but the woman who runs the station told me it was okay now that i've basically proven my worthiness to her.

thanks again for all your help and advice deltalum. i really needed it.

shelley j
sigma k

I don't know whether this is true in your case or not, but I find it staggering that ALL college broadcasting teachers don't pound this into their students heads.

It is possible to move directly from college into large markets -- but highly unlikely.

Broadcasting is an industry where you really have to climb the ladder -- both market size and pay wise. To not let students know that is next to criminal in my opinion.

When I was adjunct faculty at the University of Colorado, you can be sure we had that discussion.

I just can't imagine how frustrating all of those who send their resumes out to NY, LA and Chicago must feel when they get nothing in return.

Shelley, congrats on the TW job. I think they're a pretty good company. Be aggressive, learn all you can, stay cheerful, keep a positive attitude and work hard. That's what it takes to succeed in industry today.