Just Keep Swimming
As ATVN's illustrious technical advisor John Goldsmith loves telling the studio crews, "We are on at 6:00:00 come hell or high water." No matter what happens, the crew must power through the newscast with the shortest possible memory. A producing day at ATVN is a bit like that. No matter what happens - be it an interview or seven falling through or an MJ getting lost on their way to a story and missing it - you just have to roll with the punches to create the best show you possibly can.
That is what producing, especially at a place like ATVN, is all about: rolling with the punches. If we want to get really philosophical, it's what life itself is about. But let's stick to ATVN. As you go through your morning meeting, there will be countless interviews and angles you want to pursue. You fill in your rundown and dream about the show going on-air like that.
It won't.
Without question, my top advice to future 403ers is to be prepared... to adapt. It's obviously important to be prepared when you come in to the newsroom in the morning - that's why there are story sheets and package ideas. But more so than that, it is important to be ready to change anything, and I mean anything, on a moments notice. If you come in with your heart set on doing something one way, you will inevitably be crushed. But that doesn't mean you can't still have a great show - it just might be a little different than the one you envisioned.
Secondly, you must be a good communicator. This is not just about your fellow producers - for me that was the least of my problems. I'm talking about your MJs and assignment desk workers. Spell it out for them, tell them EXACTLY what you envision. It's better to take an extra two minutes to explain something thoroughly than waste 15 minutes redoing something entirely. ATVN is filled with immensely capable people; be specific with them and you will get what you are looking for. Also, learn their names. They really like that. It probably will encourage them to help more. Also it's common courtesy...
Finally, and this is most important, don't be afraid to stand up for yourself and your vision for the show. Stacy is there to help you execute YOUR show, not just have you create hers. In the rundown meeting, if you feel strongly about something, don't just change it because Stacy thinks it might be better in a different format or somewhere else in the show. It says your name at the top, own it. That's what the whole point of this class is.
