TV Garth Presents: An Interview With Vince Slomsky from WICU and WSEE!

Greetings TV Garth readers! Vince Slomsky from Erie, PA's WICU and WSEE graciously took the time to chat with TV Garth about his work at the two stations! In addition to reporting and anchoring, Slomsky created the popular Giving You The Business series that puts the spotlight on local Erie companies. Stay tuned as Vince gives TV Garth the business about his experiences working in television news!


(Photo credit: erietvnews.com)


Garth Jensen: How did you get started in journalism, and what led to your career at WICU and WSEE?

Vince Slomsky: My career in journalism unofficially started when I was in fifth grade. My friend and I started a morning announcements program at our school. But it was a bit more advanced than most morning announcements. We would arrive to school an hour early to put the show together, interview students and teachers, and think of creative segments. We spent a lot of our recess time with camera and microphone in hand interviewing and creating fun stories and segments. It's all downhill from there!

I eventually went to Kent State University in Kent, OH to study Broadcast Journalism. After graduation I was offered a part time video journalist job in Lansing, MI. Quickly after packing up and moving to Lansing, I was offered a full time job from YNN in Syracuse, NY. I spent nearly two years as the Corning/ Elmira one-man-band bureau reporter covering a very wide region of the Southern Tier of New York state. Beyond the on-camera duties of a reporter, I also shot and edited all of my own interviews and video.

In October 2010 I made the move to WICU and WSEE in Erie, PA to become a reporter and anchor. I split my time reporting during the week and anchoring our Saturday newscasts. I continue to shoot and edit a lot of my own video here as well.


Vince Slomsky gives viewers coverage they can count on in this station promo! (Seen June 4, 2011 via WICU, RF12.)

GJ: You mentioned your work with Time Warner's cable news outlet YNN. Are there differences in working for a news operation on cable versus a traditional broadcast station?

VS: There are definitely some differences between cable news and traditional broadcast news. YNN is a 24-hour operation. This means any time there is breaking news, the reporters and anchors can go live right away. With cable news, you don't have to wait until "the news" starts at 5 or 6 p.m. Also, the deadline process is different. At YNN we had soft deadlines, meaning we had a target time our stories should be completed to run on air, but if we missed the deadline it wasn't a huge deal because the story could just run in the next half hour of the show. If we finished our stories early, they could run in an earlier than expected show. With traditional broadcast news, a deadline is a deadline. Your story has to be done no matter what, otherwise it won't run until the next show, which could be several hours away.

GJ: Your resume states "I can do it all," and your work as a multimedia journalist, a reporter and an anchor appear to prove that! With your variety of experience, what do you enjoy doing the most and why?

VS: I take pride in being able to do it all and I think this makes me a more valuable employee. I can produce, shoot, write, edit and speak in front of a camera. Honestly, every one of those skills are my favorite. When I work as a one-man-band shooting and editing my own video, I have full control over what my final product will look like, so there's no excuses with how it turns out. When I work with a photographer on stories, I have to make sure to communicate exactly what I'm looking for in my final product. I enjoy the process either way.


AccuSpec Electronics is one of the many companies that have been profiled on Giving You The Business. (Seen June 30, 2011 via WICU, RF12.)

GJ: How did you come up with the idea for Giving You The Business? How have the reactions been in the community?

VS: Giving You the Business is a weekly segment I came up with in 2011. When I moved to Erie I kept hearing "There are no jobs left here." "There are no cool businesses here." "Erie is just a dying industrial town." I wanted to find out if this was true. This segment has proved it certainly is not. I'm able to show our viewers the Erie business community is thriving and it continues to evolve over time. I think it's a very crucial segment for our community and the comments I've received have supported that. At first businesses were leery of letting a reporter come in and see what goes on inside. Now, I receive calls and emails every week from business owners asking how they can be featured in the segment.

Segments like Giving You the Business are important to keep in local news to break up the monotony. I think any time a reporter can develop a local segment like mine it can benefit the station and the community.


Giving You The Business is sponsored by the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership. (Seen June 30, 2011 via WICU, RF12.)


GJ: You recently completed an investigative report that examined the potential abuse of Erie's take home police cruisers. What are the challenges or risks of putting together a report like that?

VS: There are always risks when putting together an investigative story. But isn't that what journalism is all about? We are the gatekeepers of information. We are the ones that can expose a potential problem and share the information with the community. Of course you may make some people mad or upset, but as long as you do the necessary research, present the facts, and remain non-biased in your reporting, you'll be okay.


Vince appears in a live shot during his recent investigative report Keys To The Cruiser. (Photo credit: erietvnews.com)


GJ: What would you say have been the most interesting or rewarding experiences in your career so far?

VS: With my job nearly every day is rewarding. I meet new people and hear new stories every single day.

One of my most memorable experiences has been traveling to New York City leading up to the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. We followed a city councilman as he received a piece of the World Trade Center to bring back to Erie to serve as a local 9/11 memorial. I learned so much more about the tragedy and spoke to so many people whose lives were changed forever. The saying is definitely true, "We will never forget."

GJ: For people visiting Erie, what places would you recommend checking out?

VS: If you visit Erie, there are some great places to check out. In the summer you have to visit Presque Isle State Park. There are some amazing beaches and a lot of fun activities to do. There is also some type of festival or block party nearly every weekend in the warmer months downtown.

There's a lot of entertainment venues and a great arts scene.

Erie also has a great "going out" scene downtown. There are plenty of bars, clubs and hangouts along State Street.

GJ: As a proud Canadian, I have to ask, have you ever been to Canada?

VS: Yes, I have been to Canada a few times. However, I've only been to Windsor, ON to do some gambling when I was younger!

A big thanks to Vince Slomsky for chatting with TV Garth! Check out Vince's website, Facebook fan page, as well as his Twitter! You can also visit Erie TV News for more information on WICU and WSEE, as well as view segments from Giving You The Business!

TV Garth Presents: An Interview With WSTM's Niko Tamurian!

Greetings TV Garth readers! Niko Tamurian from Syracuse, NY's WSTM graciously took the time to chat with TV Garth about his work at the station! Niko has won several awards from the Syracuse Press Club for his sportscasts and talked with me about what it's been like helping viewers keep score over the past five years!


(Photo credit: CNYcentral.com)

Garth Jensen: What sparked your interest in broadcasting and how did that lead to becoming a sports anchor at WSTM?

Niko Tamurian: I always wanted to be some sort of broadcaster for my entire life. When I was younger my interest was split between weather and sports. (I'm still what they call a weather-dork today and frequently shoot video of "cool" weather events that I come across.) As a kid, some of the best memories, of course, were of Syracuse University sports and the announcer's call. I can still remember it inspiring me. I hope I have that same affect on someone. I used to play sports video games with my brother as a kid and announce them. Ok, maybe I still do, but that's a secret.

How it led to my career is a bit roundabout. I went to Onondaga CC in Syracuse for my first two years of college, and while there I interned at WSYR TV. That sports internship cemented it for me, that I knew I wanted to be a sportscaster. Eventually after 18 months of interning there, they hired me as a news videographer, which obviously was a great experience that was essential for me to become a sportscaster. Eventually, WSTM had a sports opening, WSYR didn't and the rest is history.


Niko scores big with WSTM viewers! (Seen Oct. 11, 2011 via WSTM, RF24.)

GJ: This year will mark your fifth anniversary at WSTM. Can you tell me what it has been like to work for the station?

NT: It's been an absolute pleasure to work at the station. I love every day, because every day is different. Put it to you this way, I'm getting paid to cover the teams I love, and report the news to my fellow Central New Yorkers. People I meet most often say they enjoy watching because it looks like I'm having fun. It doesn't just appear that way, I really am having a blast. (Well, unless SU is losing.) I'm still fairly young (26) so I hope to have a long and successful time here in my hometown while working for CNY Central. I also hope to be an inspiration or a role model for people the way that sportscasters were to me when I was young.

GJ: Have you noticed any changes to the way sports are presented in local newscasts since your career began? Is there more pressure to link it to social media now?

NT: Absolutely. The thing that amazes me the most is just how much things have changed in my 5 years here. The biggest change though, has been the emphasis to utilize not just CNYCentral.com but the station's Facebook and Twitter accounts as well. Something that really wasn't a thought for a TV station is now among my top priorities in the course of my day.

The presentation has changed in a way I prefer. If you look back about 10 years, local sports certainly covered the big draws in town, but after that it was like a mini Sportscenter.

Now, at least the philosophy I employ is that unless it's a huge national story, people are going online or to ESPN to get it. I need to provide to Central New York stories they can only get at CNY Central. Whether it's extensive Syracuse University coverage, or local high school teams and athletes, or that amazing individual who if it weren't for local news would never have their stories heard.


Niko knocks it out of the park with Jackie Robinson on WSTM's evening newscast! (Seen Oct. 11, 2011 via WSTM, RF24.)

GJ: You've interviewed some amazing athletes, and covered major sports events. Can you tell me about any challenges you've faced in bringing those stories to the public? As well, what are some of the most rewarding or memorable experiences you've had?

NT: I've been fortunate enough to have some great interviews with athletes I admired, and in some ways still do. Shaquille O'Neal, Cal Ripken Jr., Carmelo Anthony, Joe Girardi. Those are things you never forget, but the ones that are rewarding are the local people going above and beyond.

One that comes to mind is a junior varsity group of rowers (14-15 years old) that saved a man's life. He was having a seizure and almost fell in the water, but this group of crew kids rowed over to him and essentially saved his life.

There were the special education students at a local high school that put on their own talent show with such enthusiasm that absolutely touched my heart.

There was the interview with Marc Mero who turned his life around in a way that inspires me every day I wake up. I'm actually a better person from interviewing Marc and getting to know him and putting into practice what he teaches.

That's the part I love the most about my job - what's the next story I'll do that will serve as an inspiration?


Watch Jack the Sports dog in action with Niko in this CNYcentral clip!

GJ: Jack the Sports Dog is adorable! How did it come about to use your own dog to predict the winning teams in the "Hot Pick From The Hot Dog" segments?

NT: Jack is a great dog. It's funny, we do an "Orange VIP" show, a half hour program that talks about Syracuse U. football and basketball. One Sunday in January of 2010, our entire panel of guests was out of town because Syracuse played that day in Cincinnati. Sports Director John Evenson and I were brainstorming ideas on how to fill the time. When I suggested the "Hot Pick", he agreed to it and I brought Jack in. He made his pick for how far that year's SU basketball team would go, and fans have loved it ever since. I remember re-airing the segment the next day and viewers writing and even calling telling us how much they loved it. So we have Jack make a pick every Friday now. He has even received Valentine's cards, Christmas cards and fan mail in his 2 years of making picks. (He's 3 years old now.)

GJ: Syracuse seems to have a lot of pride in their local teams. Can you tell me a bit about the popularity of those teams and how that resonates with people in the city?

NT: No question people love their Orange. Everywhere I go, I'm stopped to talk shop about the team that is currently in season. And I'll never forget the euphoria that ensued for months in 2003 when Syracuse won the NCAA Basketball Championship. I still watch the DVD of that. It just goes to show how much the local team means to me, and all CNY'ers


Niko introduces a report on the Syracuse Orange's final exhibition for the season! (Seen Nov. 9, 2011 via WSTM, RF24.)

GJ: As a proud Canadian I have to ask, do you have any favourite hockey teams and have you ever been to Canada?

NT: Although I don't currently hold a passport, I have been to Canada a handful of times. I finished my bachelor's degree at Buffalo State College, so you almost had to go to Canada. I also went when I was younger to Toronto and Niagara Falls (Marineland!). Our Sports Director, John Evenson is Canadian and to my knowledge has lived in Montreal, Toronto and Winnipeg.

As for my favorite hockey teams, the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) always holds a special place, but in the NHL I have to go with my Buffalo Sabres.

GJ: For people visiting Syracuse, what places would you recommend checking out?

NT: Anyone will tell you, you HAVE to go to Dinosaur BBQ when in town. It is phenomenal, and was even featured on Man vs. Food. There are so many incredible restaurants we are so lucky to have.

Syracuse and CNY as a whole have a lot of hidden gems. For Sports fans, there's SU Athletics, but also the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota is 20 minutes away, and the International Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown is about 90 minutes away.

The Finger Lakes region, about an hour west of town is known for its fantastic wineries.

There are several beautiful parks around like Onondaga Lake Park, or Jack the Sports Dog's personal favorite Green Lakes State Park.

A big thank you to Niko Tamurian for chatting with TV Garth! Check out Niko’s CNYcentral bio, as well as his Twitter! You can also visit CNYcentral.com for more information on WSTM!

TV Garth Presents: An Interview With WROC's Matt Molloy!

Greetings TV Garth readers! Matt Molloy from Rochester, NY's WROC graciously took the time to chat with TV Garth about his work at the station. Molloy currently anchors News 8 First at 4 and has been with WROC for nearly five years. Read on for some great insights into his career in television news, the pressures of originating a 4pm newscast, as well as his thoughts on being a gay role model!

(Photo Credit: rochesterhomepage.net)

Garth Jensen: What sparked your interest in journalism and how did you start your career?

Matt Molloy: I think I really got my start in middle school in Connecticut where I grew up. I would read the morning announcements which were televised -- that was really my first taste of broadcasting. My high school had a TV station and I worked my way up to being the technical director and also did some on-air reporting. I also took part in a local student news program put on by the Fox affiliate in Hartford, CT. So when I graduated high school, I knew I was going into broadcast journalism. I went to Boston University where I got my B.S. in Broadcast in 2003.

GJ: I'm curious about your experience working for WWTI in Watertown. (WWTI pops up occasionally in the TV Garth reception area!) Can you tell me a bit about what it was like working there?

MM: Ahhh, Watertown. Well, I went from city life in Boston to Watertown, NY. So that for me was a very fast culture shock, but I really enjoyed my time there. It was my first TV job and I was very excited. I worked as a "one-man-band" meaning I did everything. I shot my video, wrote my stories and edited them. It was a great experience. I was there for about a year before I got offered an anchor position at WETM in Elmira.



Matt Molloy out in the field (literally) reporting for WROC's sister station WUHF on FOX First at Ten. (Seen Aug. 2, 2010 via WUHF, RF28.)

GJ: How did you get started working for WROC?

MM: After spending 2 years anchoring in Elmira I applied all over the country (much like I had for my first job). I knew a few people already working in Rochester and knew there was an opening at WROC. So I showed some initiative and showed up one day -- hoping to get an impromptu interview with the news director. It worked -- I got the interview and a few weeks later had the job offer. This fall I will make 5 years at WROC. I started as a reporter and last year re-signed as the anchor of our 4pm newscast.

GJ: What have been some of the most challenging and/or rewarding experiences while reporting and anchoring for WROC?

MM: I think the most rewarding and challenging experiences are often one in the same. Typically it's a big story -- like the plane crash in Buffalo, or the mass shooting in Binghamton. Big stories that are difficult to cover -- both because of the subject matter and the logistics of trying to convey such a big story with so many angles to the viewers at home. It's rewarding when you walk away from a newscast knowing you pulled that off, but always difficult to cover a tragedy that big.

GJ: Did you feel any pressure when you were asked to anchor News 8 First at 4? What has it been like to originate a 4pm newscast for the station?

MM: There was definitely some pressure when we first launched the 4 o'clock newscast. This was something brand new and I was the face of the show. That said, it's been one of the best experiences of my life. We're coming up on the first anniversary of the show and it's doing exceptionally well with viewers. We've seen a significant increase in viewership in a very short time. The show is very much me -- trending topics (hot stories from the web) and viral videos. I like to sprinkle in some fun stuff with the important news of the day. I find people like to get their serious news, but really enjoy when you can lighten things up as well.


GJ: News 8 First at 4 engages viewers through the use of social media. What do you see for the future of local TV news as the line between traditional newscasts and social media increasingly blurs?

MM: Social media is huge and finding that balance between TV and social media isn't easy. The key I've found is driving people from social media to your newscast. Facebook and Twitter are important tools, but ultimately the product is TV. Our "Your Turn" segment engages viewers on a subject of the day, then asks them to tune in for their comments on TV. We also feature a "Facebook Fan of the Day" randomly choosing a viewer from my fan page and showing their picture. I've seen how social media can work in conjunction with TV and not as a separate entity -- that's a balance I think you've got to find as you incorporate new media.


GJ: As a gay blogger, I was thrilled to see marriage equality become a reality in New York State. Can you tell me what it was like to cover the stories about the Marriage Equality Act at the local as well as state level?

MM: It was definitely cool to cover marriage equality here in New York. It's a big story that has been ongoing for years now. I've interviewed those for and against, politicians, you name it. I happened to be in New York City the weekend it passed (on a little vacation) and witnessed the celebration at Stonewall. I think it was very cool to watch both as a journalist and an individual.

GJ: Have you had any difficulties or challenges being an openly gay reporter and anchor?

MM: Not that I can think of -- I've never shied away from being myself, it's not my style. I also find it's important to be a role model -- with the epidemic of gay teen suicides I think it's more important than ever they see successful gay adults. I've been very impressed with the "It gets better" campaign and think it's a great message.

GJ: What do you feel are the most important things to bring to viewers in Rochester and beyond?

MM: I think the most important thing I can do as a journalist is be genuine. People trust people they can relate to when they watch -- that's my goal during every newscast.

Matt Molloy anchors an explosive AM newscast as seen July 4th, 2011 on WROC.

GJ: For readers who might consider coming to Rochester, what places would you recommend visiting? (And as a sidenote, have you ever been to Canada, and if so how did you enjoy it?)

MM: Rochester has a lot of attractions! The George Eastman House is fantastic -- tons of history about how this city came to be and the man who played a big role in building it. Come during any weekend in the Spring and Summer and you'll find a festival -- Lilac Festival, Corn Hill Arts Festival, Park Avenue Festival -- we've got plenty! And yes, I have been to Canada. I actually have family that live in Mississauga -- so I try to visit fairly often! I enjoy my visits quite a bit -- I'm always watching my kilometers on the QEW though!

A big thank you to Matt Molloy for chatting with TV Garth! Check out Matt’s Facebook Fan Page, as well as his Twitter! You can also visit Matt’s official bio at the WROC website! Don't forget to catch Matt Molloy weekdays on News 8 First at 4 on Rochester, NY's WROC (RF45.)

TV Garth Presents: An Interview With Pandora Boxx!

Pandora Boxx (a.k.a. Michael Steck) hails from Rochester, NY and was one of the breakout stars from Season 2 of the Logo TV series RuPaul's Drag Race. The talented performer won a legion of fans (affectionately dubbed "Fandoras") via Drag Race, and is touring America with her sassy cocktail of glamorous humour. TV Garth was lucky enough to interview Pandora about Drag Race and her various creative endeavours, as well as her former "day job" at Rochester TV stations WROC and WUHF! So read on and dig a little deeper into Pandora's Boxx!


Garth Jensen: What started your interest in drag, and who were your biggest inspirations?

Pandora Boxx: I find inspiration in so many people! I love when you see a beautiful woman who is a complete goofball. People like Goldie Hawn and Cameron Diaz or Jenny McCarthy. There are also the comic greats like Carol Burnett, Lily Tomlin, Madeline Kahn and Bea Arthur. I think Pandora is a big infused ball of great comedic ladies past and present.

GJ: You managed to be fun, flashy and entertaining on RuPaul's Drag Race without resorting to the pettiness that some of the other competitors have displayed this season. Was there any added pressure or anxiety for you to compete within that atmosphere?

PB: Yes there definitely was. I think you may be able to tell by the faces I make or some of the little comments I made who was really getting on my last nerve. In the end, I tried not to let some people's extremely negative behavior influence me. I wanted to be on RuPaul's Drag Race to get my drag out to a national audience and hopefully to make people laugh. It's all about karma, baby. The way some people chose to act on the show, I think, will eventually come back to bite them in their ass.

GJ: At TV Garth there's a lot of love for Rochester, NY televison stations! Can you tell me a bit about your former "day job" working at Rochester's WROC and WUHF?

PB: I was a video editor and photographer by day... I know, it sounds so butch! I don't work at the station anymore because I quit to do drag full time and travel. But I really enjoy editing and creating videos. I actually have my own internet show called "The GAY (means happy) SHOW!" that people can check out at youtube.com/gayshow. I love the creativity you can have when editing and watching something come to life!


Michael Steck, at his former job working on a WUHF promo.(Photo credit: rochesterhomepage.net)
GJ: I was quite impressed with the support you received earlier this year from WUHF when they showed a segment about you working for the station and your career as Pandora. How does that support feel, and what is the drag/gay scene in Rochester like overall?

PB: It was actually a bit of a process to get the story to run, but when it did it was the second highest viewed web video (preceded by a weather warning) and the station received so many e-mails supporting the story. So many people were glad that they were running a positive LGBT story on the news for a change. Everyone was running stories on Snooki coming to town but a hometown drag queen being on a hit TV show wasn't even on their radar. It was so great to finally have it run and have such a big payoff. It became not about me, it really became about representing our LGBT community. I'm very proud of it.

GJ: In addition to your fabulous performances, you're also a writer! What drives your creative process and what literary Boxx would you put yourself in?

PB: I love to write! When I was a shy kid, it was my only escape. I could write everything I was feeling. Now I write for fun! I recently wrote a play called "The Lipstick Massacre" which was produced in Rochester and had four sold out shows during its initial run. It came back to Rochester for 13 additional performances from May 27 to June 12 at the Geva Theatre Center. It was so exciting to see my play come to life and also star in the production. My next goal is to bring the play to NYC. It looks like NYC may actually happen, but we are still in the initial phases. Keep your fingers crossed everyone!

GJ: Season 2 of RuPaul's Drag Race recently aired in Canada on Out TV. (That season is currently being rerun on the network as well as streamed through their site.) Do you have anything you'd like to say to your Canadian audience?

PB: I love, love, love Canada! Rochester is about two to three hours away from Toronto and I visit there quite frequently. I truly love Toronto. It's a beautiful city.

GJ: I, along with many others, were very disappointed when you faced an early elimination on RuPaul's Drag Race. How did the outpouring of affection for you and fan support feel in the aftermath of that?

PB: It felt amazing. It truly did. I was just hoping people would care that I got kicked off and boy did they. Logo got quite a few hate e-mails! I am truly blown away by that outpouring of affection and I feel truly blessed to have so many people support me. Thank you everyone for making me feel great about getting kicked off! Ha!

Pandora dazzles the crowd at a performance in Salt Lake City, Utah(Photo credit: thatguygil.com)
GJ: After the elimination, you've been touring around America to many different cities. How has that been, and what's the craziest experience you've had while being on the road? As well, how can we get you to make a Canadian appearance?

PB: I have been a whirlwind tour across the States! I've been to so many places that I've never been before. I feel so lucky and thankful. I've visited so many amazing places and met even more amazing people. The traveling part can be a bit hectic, like when you have five hour delays. Yuck! But getting to meet all of the fans of the show and to see just how much people love it, is amazing! There are always touches of crazy wherever I go, but one of the oddest things said to me was by this guy in Baltimore who said, "I loved you on that Tyler Perry Show!" I'm wondering who the hell he thought I was... Madea? I hope not!

I would love, love, love to come to Canada! I love it so much there. All you have to do is find a venue who'll pay my fee and I'm there! I'm an easy whore. Ha!

GJ: You are currently appearing on the new Logo series RuPaul's Drag U. Can you tell me a bit about that show and what it has been like to appear on it?

PB: RuPaul's Drag U is a fabulous show where we transform biological women into drag queens. It's women who feel like they've lost their Inner Divas for some reason and through the art of drag we make them feel fabulous about themselves again, or in some cases for the first time ever. It was truly powerful. I am happy people are loving the show. Everyone wants to feel fabulous and that's what's at the heart of this show.

We shot the show while Drag Race was on the air so when I got eliminated I was doing Drag U. I was doing all these interviews about my elimination and they would ask if I was upset and I couldn't say, "Hell no! I'm on another show, bitch!"

I definitely felt more relaxed being on Drag U because I wasn't competing. Once I found out I couldn't be eliminated I said, sign me up!

A big thank you to Pandora Boxx for talking with TV Garth and a big thank you to Michael Barrett from Logo for helping set it up!

Check out Pandora online at http://www.PandoraBoxx.com, as well as her Twitter and You Tube! (And don't forget to check out Pandora's Gay Show, also on You Tube!)

(Photo credits: pandoraboxx.com / rochesterhomepage.net / logotv.com / thatguygil.com )

TV Garth Presents: An Interview With WKTV's Andrew Donovan!

Greetings TV Garth readers! Andrew Donovan from Utica, NY's WKTV graciously took the time to do an interview with me about his various roles at the station. What follows is an interesting behind the scenes look at WKTV's digital media initiatives. Andrew also talks about his experiences working as an intern for NBC News throughout the Summer!


(Photo credit: Andrew Donovan / WKTV)

Garth Jensen: How did you get started working for WKTV and what has it been like to work for the station?

Andrew Donovan: I started at WKTV back when I was a sophomore in high school in 2006. They were expanding their website offerings on WKTV.com along with text message alerts and needed someone to handle High School Football on Friday nights. High School Sports is a big draw in our area and has a big audience on Fridays and Saturdays, so it’s really a smart place to offer a lot of content.

Clearly, the station management took a huge risk in hiring a 16-year-old but I hope it’s paid off for them. It’s certainly paid off for me and I feel I will always be indebted to them for bringing me on-board at such an early age. I’ve learned so much from being there and working with the people there. They’ve entrusted me with a lot and, again, I hope that it’s paid off for them. It was certainly career-changing for me to have such a strong organization behind me starting in high school and now in college.

GJ: Can you tell me a bit about your role as "digital media" producer for WKTV and what that involves?

AD: It’s hard to give a good job description for what I do because it’s ever-changing, just as our website and digital media offerings are. The simple answer is that I write and produce content for our website. The longer answer is that in addition to writing and covering news articles on the web, I take photos for galleries that enhance those stories, I spread our brand on social media networks like Facebook and Twitter and work to create the most comprehensive features on a news website. I’m usually in charge of creating our special coverage sections for big stories such as the Boilermaker Road Race or the PGA’s Turning Stone Resort Championship. I also still design our coverage for High School Sports.

GJ: You are also behind WKTV's "Freeze Frame" feature that captures local events from the Utica area in photos. Have there been any challenges in deciding what to document, or what you want to showcase?

AD: The biggest challenge with Freeze Frame is when you have a weekend where there are five or more great events that you could attend. Obviously, I’m the only who does Freeze Frame but also you don’t want to offer five new sets of photos one weekend and only one the next weekend. You want to keep it consistent so people know what to expect each week. Also, sometimes there’s an event you want to get to but you have to go to something else because it overshadows everything else with sheer number of attendance. You want to honor the small events too, but it makes sense to be at the bigger one.



GJ: What was it like to be a part of the WKTV team when the station celebrated their 60th Anniversary late last year?

AD: The 60th Anniversary was a lot of fun to be a part of. I actually started working on the 60th Anniversary stuff on December 1, 2008, which was our 59th Anniversary. One of my special projects was to work on the 60th Anniversary section on WKTV.com and I had to help come up with the plans. We went through hundreds of historic photos and video archives, digitized them and posted them online. Also, I got to reach out to station alumni who are all over the country now and got them to record videos or write messages regarding our 60th Anniversary. It was great to research and study the history of WKTV and to know that what we are all apart of now is something so much bigger.

GJ: In addition to your duties at WKTV, you've spent the Summer as an intern for NBC News. Can you tell me about your experiences with that?

AD: Interning at NBC News was a dream experience. They keep me to pretty strict confidentiality rules, but it was an amazing experience and I learned so much. I had many opportunities to work alongside the best in the business, names every household knows, and people I’ve watched for years whose work has sparked my passion. They were amazing teachers that were dedicated to giving their interns hands-on projects. I got a well-rounded experience in so many departments within the news division. One thing that I did that was public knowledge was that I was the man behind the Twitter account @NBCNewsIntern. The social media director asked me to give followers a first-hand account of my internship experience. It was an honor to be asked and certainly a highlight of my time there.

GJ: Your Twitter account highlights your passionate opinions about the TV shows you're watching. Can you tell me what some of your favourite shows are, and why?

AD: I’ll try not to be biased because of WKTV’s affiliation and my internship work, but I think NBC Nightly News has the best broadcast in the industry. They cover hard news like it’s nobody’s business from across the country and around the world. They still have the ability to go in-depth with such a short time allowance and also cover things from different angles. Just look at the B.P. Oil Spill for instance, they are the only network with an environmental affairs correspondent, Anne Thompson, and she’s been in the Gulf region since the beginning. But they won’t stop there. They’ll have Kerry Sanders or Mark Potter at another location covering a different side of the story. I think you can’t beat when Brian Williams actually travels there and anchors the broadcast from the scene.

Also, the TODAY brand is one of the strongest in news and information out there. They cover hard news using the power of NBC News, but also know what information is important to viewers and share that during later hours of the broadcast. That team is the strongest in television.

Outside of news, I love The Office and 30 Rock. I enjoy Dancing with the Stars, The Apprentice and I’m eagerly waiting for Conan O’Brien’s return to television.

GJ: Since you work with digital media, I have to ask, what do you see for the future of conventional television? Will it still be around, or have to adapt into something different (i.e. streaming content via the Internet)?

AD: That’s such a good question, and if I had a great answer, I’d probably be more than an intern at NBC News. On the local level, there will always be a need for local news, weather and sports reporting. You will always have a need for local news organizations and local reporters and meteorologists. On the national level, the same is true. You will always need reporters covering big stories around the country and in foreign parts of the world. I think there will always be people sharing that information with the viewer via video and audio. They key is that there will always need to be journalists uncovering and researching information and disseminating that in a comprehensive and in-depth way to a broad audience of viewers/readers that they can still understand.

The Internet is a huge game-changer and live video streaming will have a lot to do with the future. In fact, we now stream all of our local newscasts on WKTV.com. However, I don’t think anyone is fully content by watching news only on their computer screen. I think the question rests more on technology and how connected one’s computer is to their television set. I’m sure at one point, television programming will all be run through the Internet but it will still be viewed on a big monitor with a remote.

A big thank you to Andrew Donovan for chatting with TV Garth! Check out Andrew's main Twitter account @AndrewDonovan, as well as @NBCNewsIntern for his exclusive take on being an intern at NBC! Also check out WKTV online at WKTV.com

The "Fagbug" Adventure at Toronto Gay Pride 2010!

Greetings TV Garth readers! Before I do my official Toronto Pride recap (including my adventures with TV personalities, reporters and reception) I wanted to blog about marching in the parade with an awesome car known as the "Fagbug" and present my interview with the women behind it!

At last year's Toronto Pride I was dressed in drag as "Anne Tenna" as a tribute to my love of television reception. This year because I was slightly lazier and didn't want to spent a giant chunk of the weekend shaving, I was "Man Tenna". As Man Tenna, I had a shirt created that showcased some of my favourite TV station logos (all from pics of my actual reception!)



I was strutting my stuff, and getting ready to march with a few friends when I saw the Fagbug fabulously sitting in the Parade route. I spotted the New York state license plate and was curious what city the car was from. (My dream was to bump into people from out of town and see if they were from any of the cities I've picked up long distance reception from.) We struck up a conversation and when they mentioned being from Syracuse, NY I shrieked and told them that I pick up WSYR occasionally from my house! That's Sonya Parrish and her partner Erin Davies pictured with the Fagbug below.



Davies recently created a documentary about how the Fagbug came into existence and her experiences travelling with it. It all started in Albany, NY when a rainbow sticker on Davies' car led to someone spraypainting the words "fag" and "u r gay" on the vehicle. Davies eventually decided to leave the graffiti on the vehicle and embarked on a roadtrip through the US and Canada to collect peoples' reactions to it. A year after that roadtrip, it was made over into the version you see here. Find out the whole scoop on http://www.fagbug.com Also check out a great article from the Syracuse Post-Standard here.



When we were talking with Erin and Sonya, they asked if we'd like to march with them and carry a Pride flag behind the car. It was a neat opportunity and we agreed. You can see us carrying the flag below (photo by Louie Chan.)



I also took the opportunity to interview Erin and Sonya about the car, the film, and Syracuse television! Watch the interview here:



Roughly two weeks later the Fagbug travelled to Rochester, NY and I squealed when I saw it was featured in a story by Matt Molloy on WROC! Click here for the article and video.

I was a little sad I didn't get to capture the Fagbug story "live" on WROC (I was at work so I couldn't even check if I was getting reception of it.) But I was picking up Rochester, NY stations during the closing weekend of their Pride festivities. Guess what I saw on the late Sunday news?



That's right! I got to DX the Fagbug via Rochester's WHAM (RF13) only a short time after marching with it! The pic above was from the July 18 newscast.

Stay tuned to TV Garth for more fabulousity and TV related treats!

TV Garth Presents: An Interview with WKTV’s Don Shipman!

Greetings TV Garth readers! Don Shipman from WKTV in Utica, New York graciously agreed to do an interview with me for this blog! Shipman joined WKTV in 2004, and has covered many stories important to Central New Yorkers. He currently anchors WKTV’s morning and noon newscasts, and what follows are some interesting insights into his work at the station!

(Photo credit: Don Shipman / WKTV)

Garth Jensen: Can you tell me a bit about how you got started in broadcasting?

Don Shipman: I kind of fell into broadcasting. Originally I was going to go to college for Design. I majored in Art in high school. I applied to several colleges and got into all of them. Then at the last minute decided I didn't I want to go away to college. I ended up applying to a local community college (Herkimer County Community College) at the last minute. The only major still open was broadcasting. I said, “What the heck, why not?” And here I am today. While at HCCC and at a four-year college two years later, I did mostly radio, but I also got an internship at a local TV station. And that's how I got into the business.

GJ: You currently anchor the morning and noon newscasts for WKTV. What is it like to put on those two shows?

DS: They're both very different shows. The morning show is two hours long. The concept - get the viewers the weather they need to know to get them out the door, the latest news from overnight, news that's happening right now and news that's happening in the day ahead. And since it's morning, we try to have some fun too. I usually get to the station around 4am. We have a producer who works the overnight preparing the show. My co-anchor Megan [Koskovich] arrives a short time before me. When we first get in, we go over the show, pre-read scripts and help to update the rundown.

The noon is an hour long. Longer than most noon broadcasts throughout the country. This show has two Newstalk segments (basically interview segments). We have a mix of regular guests and topical guests (depending on the news of day). I like the noon simply because it's different from the morning show. We also have a producer for that show who prepares the scripts.

GJ: Do you feel any added pressure being the only local broadcast station doing news in Utica?

DS: Yes! But not because I feel like we have to cover more news. The pressure for me lies with ensuring that we all stay on top of our game. For example, when I cover a story, I don't get to see another perspective…meaning there's not another reporter at a competing station doing the same story, like in other markets.

GJ: I loved the "Winter Blast" segments you did leading up to the Olympics. (Especially the "wine break" during the snowshoeing, and your great sense of humour during the snowmobiling.) Can you describe what it's like putting together pieces like that?

DS: Segments like those are tons of fun. It reminds me of why I love my job. And they're so easy. All I have to do is have fun and tell a story at the same time. It's also a great way to learn more about the local area. I had never been snowshoeing before, and I got paid to do so.

GJ: The morning news team seems to have a lot of fun, and it shows on camera. How do you balance that fun with the stresses of putting on a daily program?

DS: I think the fun aspects of the show help to balance the stresses. On any given day there are several stresses, but the fun helps to ease that. It's also important to remember it's not brain surgery. No one will die in the making of the show…haha. I sometimes have to remind new co-workers that.

GJ: What would you say have been some personal highlights while working at WKTV?

DS: If you mean the stories I've covered, there have been several. We had two deadly cop shootings since I've been here at this station. I remember working nearly 20 hours on those days. Anchoring the morning show, then reporting for the later shows. And it wasn't just me, our entire station pulled together to cover this breaking story. I covered every aspect of the story. And while it was sad, it was also inspiring because we learned so much about both men killed - and their lives and their families were truly inspirational.

On a lighter note, I really enjoy covering all the live events like the Heart Run Walk and Boilermaker Road Race. There's nothing better than live.

GJ: If you could name three of your favourite places to go in Utica, where would they be and why?

DS: For me and my partner, our favorite place to be is at our summer camp in the Adirondacks. It's on a small lake. Our cell phones don't even work up there. The great thing about Utica is that it's so close to everything. A 45-minute drive and we're in the Adirondack Park on a lake -- relaxing.

In the city - there's tons to do nightlife wise. We have a great little downtown area with spectacular restaurants and bars. In the Summer there's an event called Saranac Thursdays. It takes place at the FX Matt Brewery every Thursday. It's essentially a huge keg party.

Third - I love to ski. We have a number of ski resorts just outside the city, but we also have one within city limits. It's small, but there's a ski lift and everything. It's kind of nice...and certainly unique.

A big thank you to Don Shipman for taking part in this interview with TV Garth! Check out Don’s Facebook Fan Page, as well as his Twitter! You can also visit Don’s official bio at the WKTV website!