Tips for Future Producers

I've been involved in ATVN since I was a Freshman. I began as a volunteer at the assignment desk and have had other roles in the newsroom including graphics, studio and multimedia journalist. I have to say of everything I've done at ATVN, producing has been my favorite. It is stressful and requires a lot of time and effort but it is also the most rewarding. 

My first piece of advice is to get to know your team and learn how to work with them. In the beginning I was terrified of only having one producing partner but in the end it worked out for the best. Evan Budrovich and Rachel Scott have been such a great support at ATVN. We had great communication with each other and the show improved because of it. You should also make a point getting to know everyone on your team because they appreciate when you address them by name. 

Secondly, you will need to develop a thicker skin. Try not to take the corrections Stacy, Rebecca or the EP gives you too personally. Sometimes your final rundown will look nothing like the one you had going into the meeting. It is a little bit disheartening at first but it's really going to help you in the end. Also, always remember to eat lunch before those rundown meetings. Evan and Rachel would force me to take five minutes out to go and get some food. This might be the most important advice I can leave you. Producing is already stressful enough. Don't force yourself to be hungry while you're doing it. 

Finally, be willing to let others help you. Before this class I was very controlling of my work. I quickly learned that I can't do everything myself. Everyone is at ATVN to learn and I have to allow that to happen. Team Tuesday came through for me more times than I can count, especially at the last minute. When the day is over, be sure you thank the team for all their hard work. 

If you think you might want to be in broadcast news I encourage you to take this class.  I came into Television News Production thinking I would not be very interested in it. Now that the semester is over I can say that if I work in news, then I would definitely want it to be as a producer.