Great Read for Aspiring TVNewsers
ANZIO WILLIAMS
News Director, KCRA-TV NBC
When it comes to tough crowds, it doesn't get any tougher than KCRA news director Anzio
Williams. Williams, a rock star in the news business, has a reputation for hiring only the best and turning weak stations into ratings leaders. We talked to him about demo tapes and preparing for the big interview.How much time do you devote to watching a demo tape?
I usually know in about 16 seconds whether I'm going to continue watching. If there is something I like, I keep watching. If not, I will stop.
How many stories should be on a demo tape?
There is no magic number when it comes to the number of stories on your tape.
So, what catches your eye immediately?
The first thing I look for is subjective. This is a subjective business... so you have to look the part, be attractive. This is TV. It’s not radio. I look for a look we may not have at that time.
Your tape has to speak for you when you can't. I'm watching live shots for someone who can handle breaking news without stumbling. Someone who can go on and on for a minute or two about a story…I'm looking for the type of questions you ask. Most reporters don’t realize it, but I can tell what kind of questions you ask by the type of bites you use in your package. That tells me if you can interview. I look for short, tight writing…someone who can take a big story and tell it in 1:30 or less. The bar has been raised in our business. We need tighter, faster writers. That’s what I look for. This is a competitive business. I need to know that you are competitive. You need to show that on your demo tape.The demo tape is kind of like your greatest hits. Everyone has them. But don’t be taken off guard if I call and ask you to send me what you did Friday or last Wednesday…in other words recent stuff. I want to see what you do on a regular basis. For instance, I hired one of our current reporters, in part, because of the kind of live shots he had on his tape. He had a lot of active live shots, with movement and creativity.
How aggressive should you be when pursuing a news director?
If I’m interested, you’ll hear from me. I'm not going to say don't email or call, but if I'm not interested, I may not return either. Sometimes I do respond.
What do you want to hear during the interview or during an initial phone conversation?
I want to know what your plans are for your career. I want to know where you see yourself in 10 years. I want to know why you’re in this business. I need you be a communicator on every level. I may ask you what your current news director would say about you and your work. If you don't have a perception of what other people think about your work, you can’t work for me.
I'm really looking for cues that you are coachable and how you take criticism. I think about whether I'm going to have to tell you something once or over and over again. You have to have personality and be a good communicator across the board.
Any advice for diverse candidates?
Be excellent at what you do in this business. Imagine yourself as a sponge soaking up information. KCRA’s parent company, Hearst-Argyle, has made a huge commitment to diversity and is one of the best companies to work for in that regard. Take advantage of all opportunities and network as much as possible. I understand diversity and this company understands that if you don’t have a diverse staff, you can’t properly cover a diverse community. I value contrast of people. In my newsroom, people who think differently than I do aren't afraid to voice how they feel. That’s important and I consider those people good journalists.
Got questions? We have answers! E-mail your questions to the nation’s top news directors at talkback@diversitydemos.com
http://www.diversitydemos.com/ask-the-director.php
Christopher E. Nelson
NABJ Student Representative
WJZ-TVBroadcast
Apprenticecenelson08@gmail.com
cenelson08@yahoo.com
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