| Topic Name: |
Atlanta assignment editor turned anchor |
| Message Name: |
Point taken |
| Date Posted: |
05/15/2005 |
| In Reply To: |
I have to agree with Baxter, I've worked the desk in markets, 3, 7 and 11 and the job is tough. Just once I'd like to see the panic on someones face like sneezeguardian when multiple phones are ringing, the chopper is calling in on the two way while over a blow torch fire, along with two reporters on hold and the News Director is standing over you asking why you don't have the sit down "exclusive" with the mayor one of the other stations just led with, all while you are trying to get the bonehead producer to take a phoner on that breaker fire you have that no one else knows about. I've been on both sides and I'll take being a reporter or news manager over a desk person anytime. As a reporter you are in charge of one piece of the pie, not the whole kit and kaboodle.
As a producer you have a show to worry about but it's the desks fault if you don't have something that everyone else does and as a news manager, well, you are only as good as your people and you can hire and fire if things aren't going well. The job is tough, tricky, and unfortunately leads to a high flameout rate. How many career assignment editors do you know? And if you do.. I bet that number is low compared to the number of career reporters/anchors out there. |
| Message: |
However you mistook my point--answering many phones, being paged, having two people on hold and people standing over you while you're trying to get another 'exec' to answer your call, is nothing more than any secretary does in a day's work. The value of the assign. desk is what happens AFTER and DURING all that. It's the BRAIN stuff that sets people apart, not their inate ability to put people on hold and answer phone calls.
That was my point-- juggling phones and other logistics is not the skill. The skill is intelligence.
|
|
