I quit my job in local TV news in December 2005. I accepted a job that never existed before with a company that had never gathered news video in the United States. The job listing sought applicants who can shoot and edit video, write, narrate, travel, work all hours and work alone. Now, I’m doing just that and I love it.
I’m a Video Journalist for the Associated Press based in Chicago. In 2006, the AP launched an Online Video Network which now appears on 1600 plus websites. There are no typical days for AP VJ’s. Most of the time, I produce a 90 second video package for the Online Video Network. I also contribute to the AP Wire, AP Radio Network and AP Television Network. As Soon As Possible is my deadline because there are no newscasts. The web is always hungry and getting video online first is very important.
My first year on the job took me through 12 different states and Washington DC. I’ve covered planned events like the Super Bowl, Final 4, World Series, Kentucky Derby, Indy 500, and the Detroit Auto Show. I also have gotten phone calls in the middle of the night asking “Can you be in Grand Rapids, MI by sunrise? President Ford just died.” This email conversation is my personal favorite. My boss: “Can you get to Orlando to cover tornadoes?” Me in Chicago: “Did you mean to send this email to someone else?” My boss: “No you, please start moving.”
I graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. I have worked for WSIU and WSIL in southern Illinois as a reporter/photographer/producer. WBIR in Knoxville, TN as a photojournalist. WITI in Milwaukee, WI as a photojournalist. I attend this workshop as a shoot and edit participant in 2004.
This is an exciting time to be a Video Journalist for the web. The path has yet to be paved for internet video news. Right now there are new jobs out there for people who shoot video. These jobs are with wire services, newspapers and websites. Think past TV and more about video.