| My topics vary -- from using verbs in copy, to rethinking
anchor intros, to helping reporters produce their live shots, using
preproduction, and teasing from show to show. I write up a focus sheet
outlining the weekly topics and include examples, tips and guidelines.
I've also made tapes from our newscasts to show rather than tell them
what I’m getting at. It's been quite well received by the producers
here.
On the "first" Wednesday we focus on a topic. I distribute
handouts that I've worked on, some of my own creation, some drawing
from other sources. The worksheets explain our focus, then list
hints and guidelines. We go through the handout and play the tape;
during the tape I field questions and comments. We talk about different
ways of doing things, hurdles, what's worked, what hasn't. By the
end of the session we set goals – what we're going to work
on over the coming week.
The "second" Wednesday we touch base on the focus topic.
Then we grab a show tape and critique section one -- all of us.
We've developed a very good feel for these critiques -- not threatening,
just co-workers tossing around ideas and sharing experiences. It's
helped us work more as a team instead of rating “my show”
versus “your show.” Hearing a critique from other producers
also feels better to some people than hearing it from a manager.
I've found these really work better WITHOUT the presence of someone
who's above me on the newsroom food chain. When the station got
a new news director, he liked the idea of the training sessions
and started attending. But I had a number of producers come to me
because they were very uncomfortable with his being there. I explained
that to him and he understood.
While some of our topics have been very easy to convey and put
into practice -- things like stronger writing, using graphics --
others are a little harder to get your mind around. One of my favorites
was developing traits that make us better producers.. We went around
the room and listed qualities and skills (There is a difference,
a skill is something tangible like writing. A quality is something
less obvious - like being a good communicator or a motivator.) Each
producer listed qualities and skills that they possess. They then
picked one of each that they're not so good at. We spent the next
two weeks focusing and working on traits that didn't necessarily
come naturally.
When I started these workshops I did it to keep our producers thinking,
growing and developing their skills. It's working. But there is
another benefit I didn't expect. We are growing closer as a group.
We function better as a team--sharing ideas and helping each other
out. We compliment each other more and offer suggestions when things
don't work. It's made us better as individuals and as a team. I
think that's why people keep coming back.
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