Thanks

I’m of course more thankful for family and friends than anything related to broadcasting and production but so many of the tools I use on a daily basis make my life so much easier. These four top my list in my broadcasting and production life.

1. Dameware. Being able to remotely access computers and perform operations without going to other rooms in the complex saves innumerable hours per week.

2. After Effects. NLEs are fine for what they do but AE is simple enough to create quick name key and complex enough for me to recently show a colon irrigation procedure. TMI?

3. Slingbox. Back in my broadcast job I use Slingbox to check to see if stations in different cities and states are on the air so I can rule out certain problems before I escalate the problem up the chain. The program is indispensable.

4. Digital Juice. I’ve followed Digital Juice for years even winning a prize from them at NAB one year, their product line has grown tremendously over the years and I’ve always liked using their products. I’ve used Jump Backs as a staple in my videos and the time savings are great. I also like their educational videos on their website and have used them to share concepts with others.

These are products that have helped me and possibly may help you depending where you’re at in the business. After Effects is the only product that needs education but it’s well worth it when you need the specificity and customization that AE can give you. Where ever you are in the biz be thankful, but be satisfied. Happy Thanksgiving.

Jason Troyer
Denver, CO

Vocabulary is key

If you're trying to work on a production set and you don't know the difference between a mafer clamp and a turtle stand you won't get very far. Broadcasting is like every other industry that looks down their nose at anyone who can't communicate fluidly with their pros.
In broadcasting we have a slight advantage because the tech talk we use creeps into everyone’s vernacular. “Cut to the chase” use to be a director’s way of telling the editor we are out of time for the story just cut to the chase sequence and end the movie. Another phrase common to us today is being jipped meaning not getting the whole thing. This of course was taken from broadcasters who had to miss part of a show so they Joined In Progress or JIP’ed the next show. Tech talk became common speech even if no one realized where it came from. So if you’re new to an industry, piece of software, or job the first thing you should do is learn the vocabulary. While you’re at it wouldn’t hurt to brush up on the English language in general. So many people are at a loss for words so they end up sounding ignorant of their job when in fact they just can’t find the words to articulate the problem. Or they use the wrong words to express themselves and end up sounding worse than if they wouldn’t have said anything at all. Don’t be a neophyte all your life explore words and be convivial at every game of Scrabble.

Love the one you're with.

Doesn’t everyone love their job? Isn’t the phrase, “Thank God it’s Monday!”? We as Americans are spoiled to the point we need to love our job or it becomes the bain of our existence. We dream about the job that is easy yet pays six figures. Of course you work hard, you deserve six figures. I’m sure you’re the only one that’s been overlooked by the boss. Generally people make what they deserve and if you feel slighted, America is still free enough you can look for the next opportunity where the boss will truly see your talent or strike out on your own and offer a product or service directly to the consumer so they can acknowledge and admire your skill. In broadcasting this is more true than ever before. Can anyone give an accurate number of content distribution channels. For goodness sake we have a 24/7 World Fishing Channel on cable, of course I could name a score of equally niche channels that sound ridiculous to most, but fishing sounds about as boring as you can get. Having said that if you’re stuck working at a bait shop and you want to be a videographer the opportunity is there.

How do you leap from day job to dream job? The first thing I always recommend is find someone who completed the process you want to go through and learn from him. He will have learned from the process and can help you go through it faster and less painfully. Jon Acuff wrote a book called Quitter.


In the book he talks about the journey from depressing day job to fulfilling, meaningful, glorious dream job. His dream job is different than my dream job but I, and you, can learn from his transition. He talks about starting slowly and setting out towards a goal, not simply leaping off the end of a pier and hoping the yacht will arrive in time to float under your feet and give you a lifetime of pampering and luxury.

The reason I titled this blog, ”Love the one you’re with” is because the habits you exhibit at your current job will most likely carry over into your dream job. My first full time job in broadcasting was at a country music station in southern Indiana. We didn't pay "Hot Country" like Garth Brooks, we played traditional country like Loretta Lynn. I didn't like the music, but I did like the opportunity to learn and of course the paycheck. To this day on my key chain I have a little cowboy hat trinket the station was giving away. This helps me to remember where I started and that I don't have to like the content in order to work hard and make a living. Habits are made every day. I know you think once you get rid of your boss everything will be peaches and cream and your attitude about work will change but an attitude of criticism is hard to shake. No matter what your dream job is there will be others involved. Clients, distributors, suppliers, etc. and they will at some point rub you the wrong way so use your current job as an exercise in patience with those who aren’t as gifted as you. Maybe, just maybe, an improved attitude at your current job will earn a promotion or raise and make that job more tolerable as you work toward the dream job.

Jason Troyer
Denver, CO

Addicted

Some politicians say we are addicted to foreign oil, well maybe, but one thing I can guarantee that we are addicted to is Television. Since I feed my family with the money broadcasting brings us I’m not complaining too much, but when does a good thing go bad? Since about 2004 the average house in America has more TVs than people and of course that number continues to rise. I have a coworker who lives alone and has a TV in each of the six rooms in his home. At work I sit in a room with fourteen 55” flat screen monitors watching about 83 channels. How much TV can a person take? The addiction is so bad we have Closed Captioning for the deaf and Descriptive Video Service so blind people can watch TV.
There is an ebb and flow to history we as a culture indulge too much in one area and like a remorseful kid who ate too much cake we feel sick about it the next morning. I don’t mind being counter cultural so for years I haven’t had a TV in my home. If I need, I can get a fix at work, but even without a TV I can get a fix from Hulu, Youtube, or Redbox. So please don’t stop your addiction cold turkey, my kids need to eat, but find a balance. Reading this brilliant blog is a good start but there is still radiation pulsating into your head from whatever device you’re reading this from. Find a hobby, read a book or a magazine (not the online version), spend time with other humans talking face to face and slowly detox off of the most addicting thing in your house. If you’re a content producer take heart, the country is full of addicts desperate for a hit of what you got. Some addicts are so hopeless lost in their TV they will indulge in the equivalent of paint sniffing, they’ll watch Jersey Shore.

Jason Troyer
Denver, CO