Careers in Television
Television offers an exciting and rewarding field for ambitious young
people, especially those who enjoy a competitive atmosphere. Broad casting
also provides a way to get involved in your community because television
stations play a major role in the daily lives of the people they serve.
The best place for beginners to find employment in television is
usually at a small commercial station, an educational station or a
local cable company. Because small stations have fewer employees
and jobs often overlap, working at a small station will probably give
you a chance to learn many different aspects of television production.
Beginners, however, must be prepared to work odd hours, weekends
and holidays. Experience brings better working conditions and, even-
tually, a chance to work at a larger station.Jobs in Programming A programming department selects,
plans and produces the programs that the station broadcasts. Nearly
every station produces some of its own shows, including news and sports
events. The program director not only plans the daily schedule but also
develops the station’s policies together with the general manager and
the sales manager. Others who work in the programming department
include producers, directors, writers and public relations directors. Most
stations also have a news staff, which includes a news director, reporters,
writers and assignment editors.Crew Positions for a Typical Production The
production of a television news program requires teamwork. It takes
total cooperation from both the people who speak and perform before
a camera (called the talent) and those behind the camera (the produc-
tion staff). One of the largest staffed departments for most commercial
television stations is undoubtedly the newsroom. Each member of the
news team has a unique and important role within the newsroom,
although at some smaller stations, the functions of staff members
overlap.-^ News Director. In charge of newsroom operations and
actually runs the show. He or she is responsible for decid-
ing which shots the viewer will see during a newscast or
production. The news director is also responsible for hir-
ing and firing staff members, managing the budget, con-
ducting salary reviews and determining schedules. As the
head of the news operation, the news director makes key
editorial decisions about news content.
-^ Assignment Editor. In charge of day-to-day assignments
within the newsroom. Throughout the day, this person
keeps in contact with crews in the field and communi-
cates with producers about the status of stories. Along
with other staffers, the assignment editor maintains a
file of current and future news events. Typically, mem-
bers of the public first contact the assignment editor
with information, questions or story ideas.
446 MIXED MEDIA
talent
the people who speak and
perform before a camera at a
television station