Keys to Becoming an ATVN MVP
There are several qualities that can make you an ATVN MVP! Assignment desk editors and MJs who come in ready to work and make the most out of their shifts in the Media Center are a huge, huge, huge help to us as producers! Even if you have never officially been named MVP, I promise that you do not go unnoticed! There are numerous ways you can make yourself standout during your time at ATVN. One of the main ways to set yourself apart is by being willing to learn and work hard for the entirety of your shift. I know that it can be overwhelming at times when you have a limited amount of time to research a story, go out in the field and shoot video and conduct interviews, come back to the newsroom and edit and write your story, but if you stay focused and work smart, it can be done and it is such a tremendous help to us as producers when we have one MJ who can pretty much knock out an entire portion of the show during his or her shift. Sometimes things get lost in translation and it can cause confusion when one MJ doesn't finish their story and has to pass it along to someone coming in after them, so although it's not always realistic, it really makes a difference when an MJ can work on a story from start to finish. That's one way to make a case for becoming an MVP at ATVN.
As producers, we also greatly rely on assignment desk editors and they too have the potential to become an ATVN MVP! I was an MVP when I started working on the assignment desk in my first semester at ATVN and I was convinced that I was bothering my producers because I was constantly asking for more stories to research and who else I could call or email, but now that I am a producer, I realize that having people on the assignment desk who are persistent and stay on top of things is really helpful to me throughout the day. Sometimes I'll ask someone on the assignment desk to call reach out and try and schedule and interview and then it will slip my mind and I'll forget about it, but the assignment editors that keep me in the loop are a really big help and make my job much easier. It's also great when assignment desk editors are well organized and have strong communication skills. The assignment desk is an awesome place to learn how a newsroom works and you can definitely be a really valuable asset to our shows if you come in ready to work!
Another great characteristic that MVPs have is strong attention to detail and that shows by remembering to do things like putting in CGs, runs, outcues, TRT, etc without having to be reminded. It's also great to see MJs do things like check their audio and frame interviews correctly without having to be told every week. There is a lot to keep in mind when you're working at ATVN, but those things will become second nature after a while. Thanks to everyone who does the little things properly, they make a big difference and can make our shows look a lot more professional when done right.
There are so many things asked of you during your time at ATVN, and I understand it can be a little hectic sometimes, but the people who ask strong questions and then show they remember the answers in future weeks are really awesome. It's rewarding for me as a producer to see an MJ or assignment desk editor remember something I worked with them on in previous weeks and show that they paid attention and grasped what we talked about. Showing consistent improvement is another great way to make a case for ATVN MVP.
And last but not least, coming in for your shift with a positive attitude makes a huge difference. During a hectic morning meeting or when things are stressful during middle of the day, it's so helpful to have an MJ come in with a great attitude and show they are ready to help out and contribute to the newscast. Thank you so much to everyone on Team Wednesday who embraces their time at ATVN and helps us put a strong newscast on the air each and every week. You're all awesome and we really appreciate your hard work. Keep it up!
