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| HOW
TO IMPROVE YOUR TEAMWORK |
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Television news is a team sport. When reporters and
photographers work well together, their stories are richer. Two sets
of eyes notice more than one. But to work well as a team, they need
to know a few things. These tips for reporters are from chief photographer
Bob Gould of WZZM-TV in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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- Make sure to introduce your partner. When
arriving at an interview, don't forget to introduce the photographer.
Some photographers get offended when reporters say, "and
this is MY photographer." It comes across as a possessive
thing. Instead, a simple, "and this is Bob Gould" will
probably do. It's obvious who we are when we are carrying the
camera on our shoulder. I know this seems elementary, but believe
me, a little of this goes a long way.
- Plan ahead. When doing a sit-down interview,
establish a signal with the photographer so her or she can let
you know the camera is rolling. I usually tap the shoulder or
nod to the reporter. If you continue to ask questions like you
were when we were setting up, the subjects are usually much more
relaxed. Wait until the end of the interview, if you have to,
to get the name and title on tape. If you ask it right away, they
will realize that we are rolling and you risk having them "clam
up."
- Include the photographer. Don't forget to
ask the photographer if he or she has any questions for the interview
subject. Sometimes we may ask the same question that was asked
earlier, but you may get a different response.
- Pitch in and help. Always offer to carry the
tripod. [NewsLab advisor Lane Michaelsen, a former news photographer,
likes to point out that "porter" is the root word in
"reporter."]
- If you do help, do it right. When pinning
the lav mic on an interview subject, please take the time to put
it on correctly. I know it seems awkward to ask them to drop the
cord down their shirt, but it will look sooooo much better than
to have this cord dangling down the front of them. (If the subject
is uncomfortable, explain to them why we do this.) If you, as
a reporter, are uncomfortable doing it, then let the photographer
do it.
- Sustenance matters. Do whatever you can to
make sure the photographer you are working with gets to eat lunch.
It doesn't have to be an hour break, just make sure the photographer
gets fed. This is my saying: "A full photog is a happy photog!"
He/she will be less ornery, have more creativity on a full stomach,
and more energy to get the job done.
- Thank them for their effort. If a photographer
does a good job, then say so at the end of the day or tell him/her
thank you. [Telling the photo supervisor isn't a bad idea either.]
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