Cbs News / Cbs This Morning & Cbs Morning News Work Values

Daily Duties at Cbs News / Cbs This Morning & Cbs Morning News:

I was hired as a newsclerk (now called production assistant) to work the mid-day swing shift from 4pm to midnight. This shift bridged daytime editorial/production staff, that created and developed show segments, with the overnight editorial/production team and news writers who were responsible for producing live up-to-the-minute news coverage and broadcast lifestyle segments pre-produced by the daytime team. Being sandwiched between daytime and overnight producers meant I knew everyone on the entire staff (and vise versa), had to understand the nature of all personalities and jobs, was called upon during my shift to learn, fix and assist with the development of news stories, graphics and material that may have gone unfinished during the day (such as interviews, video tape, questions). I was the only newsclerk on staff from 7pm - midnight and solely responsible for reproduction and distribution of all show side segment information packets for on-air news anchors, senior producers, directors and graphics artists, prompter operators, stage managers. I was the only clerk around when important news events broke between 7pm and midnight and I pitched in with news gathering, calling show producers to come into work early, coordinating with the national desk on the dispatch of camera crews, monitoring returns during election night coverage. I took-in dictated scripts, daily by phone, from correspondents and producers working in the field, both domestically and internationally (pre-computers/Internet). At any given time I assisted more than 30 people each night (researching, updating segments, answering telephones, relaying messages, coordinating with other departments like CBS Radio, The CBS Evening News, CBS News Special Events). I tracked and pulled news wire copy for the overnight news writers. I researched editorial information to support news stories and show segments under development for daytime and overnight producers - names, locations, background checks, family information, military records. I vetted and selected appropriate footage from the CBS News videotape archives, and tracked down photographs for voice-overs and short form news pieces. I coordinated, recorded and logged satellite feeds from CBS Bureaus (foreign and domestic) collectively used by all of CBS News (this job fell to me after a producer was fired, I then became the primary tape feed assistant to the new producer brought in to do the job. We split the daily responsibility, yet I still had to maintain a high degree of order with my clerking position). I cut voice-overs, sound bites and tease tape. I took on additional responsibility working double-sifts when the show side newsclerks called in sick/were late. In the overnight newsclerk capacity there was the added (and all important) responsibility of ripping and distributing shows scripts to show side producers, on-air talent, graphics production associates, the directors, teleprompter operators, and stage managers. I performed all the aforementioned duties as the only newsclerk to travel to Italy and the French Riviera when the show broadcast for a week overseas. In Europe I assisted a core team of 5 senior producers, 2 directors of photography, 3 segment producers, audio engineers, stage managers. I managed the teleprompter operators; all script distribution overnight and during the live show (with last minute live updates). I was selected for this trip even though I had less seniority than the other two overnight news clerks. I trained two newsclerks in the duties of the overnight shift (scripts/ managing show talent and everything else above - one was a stellar performer; the other I recommended be transferred as she was ill-suited for the job). I also began learning to produce segments by staying later in the morning on the dayside. My strong work performance during the swing shift and overnight (in additional to my interest in producing) led to an Assistant Producer promotion and normal work hours in August 1990. I was a newsclerk for 18-months and an Assistant Producer for less than 4 months. All the aforementioned duties helped me gain visual insight and brought more creative depth to the live and tape segments I produced (thus began a trademark of my work). When assigned to be the associate producer for the weekly feature "At Home With" which profiled celebrities, their careers and homes, I used all resources and contacts to get footage never or rarely seen before, childhood photos, previously unrevealed records, once lost playbills to enhance the taped portion of each profile.

What they like about Cbs News / Cbs This Morning & Cbs Morning News:

A hiring company that offers alternative approaches to pay, performance bonuses, and/or equity in the firm is very attractive to you. You're generally less interested in working for an organization offering only traditional, salary-based compensation, one with limited opportunity to acquire equity in the firm, or one that does not actively promote skill development. In addition, you are more likely to choose a company that offers a variety of internal career options, with defined career paths. You view the learning of new skills and development of your expertise as key to your career advancement. These aspects of an organization may become even more important to you as you progress in your field, and are especially critical if you change career or occupation.

Tags

Current programming, Development, Program management, LIfestyle, Production, Negotiation, Program evolution, Deal making, Pilots, Non-fiction programming, Formatted television, Brand integrity, Original programming, Strategic Planning, Talent development, Editorial management, Series, Specials, Post Production, Inter-department relations, Production company relationships, Talent management, Integration

Skills

Program development, Program evaluation, Contract negotiation, Talent development, Program strategy, Marketing integration, Live segment production, Remote segment production, Field production, Unscripted programming, Non-fiction programming, Formatted television, Large scale studio production, Culinary programming, Lifestyle programming, Script writing, Budget management, Post production , Hard news programming, Graphics ideation, Performance management, Live music production, Script editing, Original program ideation, Budget negotiation, Strategic management, Video production, Program management, Broadcast television

These are some of the questions we asked our climbers about their experiences with Cbs News / Cbs This Morning & Cbs Morning News: