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FAQ: Finding your first TV job...or Rhea freaks out about graduating
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| I wanted to say hi and to let you know that I am a week and a half away from graduating and I cannot believe it. It is all happening so fast and I am a bit nervous and overwhelmed. So, I have decided that after I graduate I am going to get my meteorology degree! You have inspired me and the more I learned about TV, the more I felt weather was right for me. I wanted to talk to you about programs, resume tapes, and starting off tips, if you have any time to write. First of all, I have been in the process of making my beginning resume tape that is going pretty crappy so far and that makes me a bit nervous. How did you make your first tape? I was working with KSBY and Amy, but she has recently quit, and there goes my hookup with KSBY. So I pretty much have nothing to work with. I have a helpful teacher who is doing the best he can with what I have, but, I do not feel it is very good. Did you make your tape after you obtained your meteorology degree? I know it sounds like I am complaining, but I am just trying to give you an idea of where I am at :) I am seriously thinking about Mississippi State for my degree do you have any advice for me regarding programs? And resume tape making? Is it awful if I do not finish my tape before I graduate? I am not planning on going straight into reporting after I graduate because I want to get my meteorology degree? I am so confused right now. If you have any words of wisdom for me I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR IT!! :) It just feels like its all coming down to the wire. You seemed much more prepared going into this than I feel right now. I hope all is well and you are staying as warm as you can in MN. You still need to come ski with me! Best wishes, Rhea __________________________________________________________ Mon, 20 Dec 2004 Hey Rhea! Don't worry! You'll be fine! My first tape royally sucked. Don't worry about it. All they need is to see you on camera. That gives them a sense of who you are more than a paper resume ever will. Right now, If I were you, I'd start sending that crappy old tape out to any itty bitty market listed on www.tvjobs.com that is looking for a reporter or weather person....you'd be perfect for weekend weather, weekday reporter positions. Look for entry level positions (my first job at KPAX in Missoula was open last time I checked) but also send tape if it's any smaller position in a market from like 130-190ish. You really won't get a solid tape 'til you get used to being on air all the time....that's why you should just go for it. A tape is just so they can see how you look, sound, move and deliver your story. If you're starting out they know you'll get better. If you want to send me what you have I'd be happy to make suggestions. Remember live shots are never perfect...any more than our everyday conversations are perfect (or the bad-grammar-ellipse-fest in my e-mail's for that matter) they just want to see you talking and see that you are generally okay...not perfect....they know you will grow "Perfect" people are annoying and viewers don't trust them anyway.....(because we all know no one really is). ; ) While looking for that first job get yourself signed up for the Mississippi State Program. It's really the only option while working in TV because you move around the country so much. Don't wait until you're done with another degree to start though! Even if all you can get is an internship for the summer DO THAT. Remember you're going to start out at $6-$7 per hour for the first job....get it over with while you're doing the MSU program (which takes 3 years now)...besides when you move somewhere new and don't know anyone you're in the perfect position to get all your homework done! You'll also really be able to apply what you're learning on the job as well. You obviously don't want to start out in a severe weather market with no experience but in a milder west coast market you can do a lot of reading, get to know the guys at the weather service and do good work for that first job. I'm not sure if you decided to take a weather elective? Hopefully so...you do want a generally solid understanding under your belt. Otherwise perhaps you could look into a summer course? Also a great introductory overview of weather systems check out The Weather Book it's published by USA Today and is a very interesting and easy to understand book that covers quite a lot! Anyway, don't worry about the tape....mine was just one weathercast in front of the wall during my internship and it was really bad. That let to an audition where I got to spend an hour in front of the station's weather wall that led to a slightly less bad weathercast and from that I got a job in Missoula. - <Continue Reading> |
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