Battle Cry

Can you feel it? That tingling feeling down your neck. The thoughts of mad scientists rampaging across whiteboards around the country. That rush of viewers running towards the glowing box. If you are in our line of work that means Sweeps have invaded the newsroom once again. The time where ideas are put to paper then executed to draw the attention of the loyal faithful. Things can get tense from time to time. The special reports to go along with the daily grind can cause even the seasoned professionals to get on each other’s nerves. However, there are the moments that draw us together for the common cause…
Famous words from Capt. Jean Luc Picard. Yeah I know he is fictional but you cannot help but smile when The Meeks gets his hands on the dry markers. Nothing like a laugh to break the ice on the first day of the sweeps book.

Attack of the Atomic Octopi

Just when you thought it was safe to get back into the water and take pictures. No sign of Jaws or the Loch Ness Monster however one the deep blue sea's creatures went all Sean Penn on a photographer. No word yet it there will be an legal ramifications from this.
And yeah, I know it was just one octopus but octopi just sounded cooler, did you know?

Dress To Impress

Normally with all my accumulated dude privileges you wouldn’t catch me anywhere near a dress shop with a bunch of ladies looking for some after five wear. However when a local Fairy Godmother decides she wants to dish out some nice evening wear to go with the glass slippers then it’s time for the fuzzy mic to make an appearance. Despite the strained economic climate the Godmother of Mid City was going to bring some smiles and keep the clock from striking midnight for some ladies in her community.

I like it when a good story comes together hope the memories on Prom Night are special for the girls also, did you know?

Thinking Out Of The Box

It’s bound to happen to us all. You’re at the office waiting for you assignment of the day. One of your favorite reporters walks up and tells the cards that we have been dealt for the day. In this instance a local police chief prevents a burglary from happening. In doing so he winds up being dragged by one of the suspects’ truck. Law enforcement scrambles to get the bad guys while the chief, being the hero, could have been seriously hurt. It is a great story to tell the grandkids just a little difficult to put on for television. So how in the world do we make this visually appealing? Two words…

…Stand Up.

This was one of those times where a story lacking video was going to live with a creative stand up. So the Nubian Princess and I had to brainstorm first on what to say then how to make the pictures flow since we didn’t that much to work with any way. A few takes later and we come up with something that will keep some eyeballs watching the lead story.

Got to thank the NP for being cool with some of the crazy ideas I threw around therefore I picked up the tab for lunch. Small price to pay when thinking out of the box works, did you know?

Eyes Of A Child

When I tell people that I shoot the news for television the usual response I get is that you must see a lot. They have no idea. Lately the video of the day have been shootings, fatal traumas, and more shootings. The backdrop has consisted of flashing lights, hysterical citizens, and a whole lot of yellow crime tape. Today was no different. After filling more than the allotted time in the A block, I’m sent over to the Red Stick’s latest causality. It’s a neighborhood on the eastern part of the city, one that hasn’t seen any kind of criminal activity in a while until now. However, mass quantities of violent behavior have been the norm here. I roll up to the scene, break out the fancy cam and get some pictures. Police surveying the area, CSI is collecting evidence, and residents’ wondering what in the world is going on. My thoughts the world is going to hell in a hand basket. There is more concern for materialistic things than human life. There are people who want to inflict their lost will without regard for others. There is not enough compassion on the planet.

After grabbing the video for the news I drop to a knee and reflect on what is going on. Suddenly I feel a little tap on my shoulder. It’s one of the neighborhoods little residents. Standing there with ball in his hand and a look of concern in his eyes. Guess not being able to play in front of your house because of death will do that to you. He doesn’t ask me my name but he says something that catches me off guard…

“I hate crime scenes”.

All I could say was, “me too kid”. Some powerful words from someone so young. Someone who should be playing with his friends not dodging bullets. Someone who should be looking forward to life not fearing it will be cut short by another’s recklessness. I think that this kid is done with seeing the world through the flashing lights of a police cruiser. Maybe there’s hope for this world seems like the next generation has had enough of senseless death & destruction being the norm.

And It Begins

Do you feel it? The ton of paper being pushed through the rotunda. The final details being looked over by staffers. That rush of adrenaline emanating from the capital building. Time has come again. The annual meeting of 144 lawmakers from across the State called in for 80 days of conducting the business of the people. Yes, the Louisiana Session of 2010 is here. Where over 1900 bills, so far, have been filed and are waiting to go through the process of making it to the Governor’s desk to become law. Some will see it through for an official signature. Some will have to compromise to make everyone happy. Most are going to be in a bitter fight to the end causing some feelings to be hurt. All are going to make it on the news some way. I’ll have to be there from time to time to make sure everyone plays nice since they do like to have long meetings into the night.

Sine Die is a long time away. I wonder if I can get the lawmakers to convene every other year. It works over in Texas, did you know?

Extension Of A Photographer

The everyday person, that happens to get a glance of a photographer in action, will usually says, “That some fancy camera you got there”. To an extent, that is a true statement but there is more to the complex electronics with a nice piece of glass on the front end.
Those of us who are in the business know that the camera, much like a Jedi’s Lightsaber, it is an extension of ourselves. For example, take a look the camera pictured below. It is a number of stories that were captured during the years on the job. It’s the places that one has been to over time. It is the number of interesting people that stood in front of the lens while trying to avoid troublesome lens flare. It’s emotion good and bad. It’s what stands us out during large gatherings. However, it does make is us a target for some pent up frustration by unexpected schmucks in the world.
That camera up top belongs to my friend Robert, who handles some sports duties down in the Big Easy. Did you figure out where he got some of his badges of honor? Next time you run into him just ask what’s he has been up to in the sports world. I’m sure he has some interesting stories to share with you.