Newbies

I was lucky in college. I had great professors and awesome classmates. In my broadcast classes there were a MAXIMUM of 16 people and we became our own little newsroom.

Gary and Ken, our professors, would give us 2 weeks to find, write and edit one story each. ONE! IN TWO WEEKS! Each time we would try and get a jump on the game. We swore we'd finish early. But low and behold, every time, we would fill up the computer lab the night before deadline. We spent hours editing our pieces into mediocrity. And finished or not, at 10:00 sharp, we'd get kicked out of the lab...

But to home we did not go. It was out to the bar to drown our sorrows. It was usually a Tuesday, always the same place, and no one was out but us. It was awesome.

We've all scattered here and there. Most everyone has stayed up north, working as producers and reporters. We are all still very new in the business and I don't think we knew what we were in for.

Read this:

"So i raced up the stairs to the studio with the breaking news just as the opening theme song played. I clipped the mic and buttoned my jacket just as the anchor tossed to me. I was so out of breath, my throat closed and i could hardly spit anything out. But it was a 45 second reader with no cover video... and there's no way it ended in 45 seconds. Worst experience of my life. If you can't resist, go to my website and watch the 6pm friday newscast. Just don't be too hard on me... it was my big story."

This is a post from my friend Lou on our newsteam forum. He's going to be a great reporter someday, but this was not one of his best performances. You just have to see it. Click on the link, scroll down, and select the Friday, Dec 9th news at 6. (it will only be up until Dec 16th at 6) Wait through the anchor intro, he's the lead story.

Way to not miss slot, Lou! Just make sure you keep this because in 5 years from now that will be comedy gold!