http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kro0PIa40ik
The first time I saw a newscast, the curiosity of my short age expanded. Two anchors were reading from a teleprompter and said to my parents: “I really thought they could hear me through the TV. I wonder how they make that thing work!” Years later, for the first time I enrolled in a TV production class a year ago. Nervousness took over me because at the time my knowledge on television production was almost zero. Did it halt me from learning these new skills? No. Determination is the fuel that makes me take a bull by its horns to overcome any fear. The more experience I acquired in this field, enthusiasm gradually grew. New gained skills increased on how to operate a camera, control a switchboard, and so on. My vision to producing a show became more clear without realizing it would materialize a few months later. Somebody offered the opportunity and I took it. I imagine myself being the owner of a huge production company with the best equipment and having employees who enjoy working with me. Now, what happens when I produce a show with limited resources? How to produce a show with one person manipulating only one camera? How do I talk in front of a camera without a teleprompter? It’s difficult but not impossible.
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Gaston Santos, who has worked in the television production industry for almost 20 years, gives a little bit of insight and explains it may be challenging at times. When explaining the camera and editing parts, he said, “Having four people doing different tasks is ideal. However, with time and experience I learned to manage my time and do the job that four people would do separately.” On the positive side, having one camera provides the flexibility to shoot two or three shows in a row. In addition, when lacking a teleprompter, he stated that this is when real journalism practice begins, “When you don’t have a teleprompter, you are forced to train yourself as if you’re in a live show. This is how everybody who chooses this field should mentally prepare to avoid wasting time.” Well, I understand his point. However, my tongue gets a little twisted during shootings. But practice gives the ability to improve. I know this situation of not having a studio and a switchboard will not last forever. Still, good-quality work can be done even with just one camera.
Image: Suphakit73 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Finally, when I face challenges, I see it as an opportunity for growth and critical thinking. In order to build a solid career in journalism, it is a good thing to start slowly from zero all the way to the top. Of course, I have huge career ambitions. I admit it. That’s why I want my own production company. But that ambition includes opportunity to expand my knowledge and guide my target audience to the right and useful information. I recommend anybody reading this: Whenever you get a chance to gain experience in a project you have to start from zero, take it. Whatever you don’t know, you’ll learn in the process! Oh and by the way, it took me more than 20 years to find the answers to the questions I had as a kid.
