I’m saying, breaking IN is hard to do once you’ve been out of the business for a few years.
I’ve been out of the photog biz since 2004 (not that I havn’t tried previously to get back in).
I was uncerimoniously relieved of my duties 2 weeks shy of my 5 year anniversary. The new ND had decided to clean house and found reasons to empty to the "old timey" photogs and bring in fresh (cheap) blood. What once was 3 seasoned (of the other two, one had 15 years experience the other had over 25) photographers was whittled down to 1 editor who shot and one man bands until the aforementioned ND was also escorted from the building (i was told she left in tears. Not to revel in another’s misery… but I hope it was true).
Anyway, I moved to the Twin Cities in an attempt to find work. No, that’s not true. I moved to the twin cities for a girl I was crazy about, but she was apparently a little more crazy with a friend of mine. So I didn’t have the job, and I didn’t have the girl. What I did have was a resume, thinking I could get SOMETHING in the Cities. I applied for everything, at every station. I couldn’t even get a phone call for a Part Time PA job for a morning show. 5 years experience, and not even an interview for a part time job. That crushed me. So I moved back out of the metro to my small town, had a few jobs, most recently I was an OTR truck driver. I enjoyed the work. I enjoyed the pay. But I didn’t enjoy being home for 2 nights a month. That and the fact that I didn’t adjust to the new lifestyle very well (gained more weight then I should have) prompted me to again, move back to my small town. Well, after working a few months in food production I was able to score a job at my former TV station. I’m back doing morning production and some master control work. The pay is pitiful, and I dont even clear 40 hours a week… Well, let’s be honest, I dont even clear 30 hours a week, but they still call it "full time" so I qualify for benefits.
Anyway, there is a ray of shining light to my story. There is a photographer position that might be open and I’ve applied.
The bad news, I havn’t worked as a photographer since 2004. The technology has completely changed. What were top tech Panasonic DVC-Pro cameras are now stacked in the corner of the studio collecting dust. They are completely tapeless. And to make matters worse, they’re completely non-linear now too. While I was there I fought tooth and nail for ONE non-linear machine, and they wouldn’t let that happen.
So, I ONLY have experience in tape-to-tape editing, which puts me behind even the other production assistants, many of whom have college educations in this business. I have taken the initiative to come in early on my own time to try and learn how to work these new "magic machines" and I’m catching on. But I still get a nostaligic feeling when I remember my old job. Come in at 2:00pm, shoot a few stories, a live shot, maybe a basketball game, then park myself in my edit bay for the next 3-4 hours pumping out tapes like a mad genious. By the way, my edit bay doesn’t even exist any more… they remodeled the newsroom. :’-(
I’m scared that the news director wont even consider my application because I’m so far behind other possible applicants. However, I know, that if just given a chance, I can be back to my award winning ways with a minimal training period. Last time I checked, you can’t teach experience and talent.
Being a photographer was the only job I’ve ever loved. I’ve given up over $20,000 a year to work a crappy job with the sole purpose of getting my foot back in the door to be a full time photographer again. If I’m blessed with another chance, I know the reduction in salary will be worth the happiness I’ve gained back. If not, my soul will be crushed, and probably any chance to get back in the industry.
When I was let go in 2004 I was offered a job with one of my idols at the time whom I’ve shadowed on several occations. He was the new ND at a competing station. A former NPPA judge and wonderful guy. I squandered that opportunity, and I’ll forever regret that decision as one of the worst of my life. To have been able to learn under his direct tutelage would’ve been, as I look back, a dream come true, and an opportunity that only a fool would pass up. But I sit here, exactly that fool, with almost 8 years of regret.
I’m now seeing I’ve rambled quite a bit here. But thanks for reading my story. Next time you see the weekend morning master control operater in the hall, give him/her a smile, because that’s probably someone with a big dream who is doing everything they can to try and make it happen.