This is a site about broadcasting. By a professional, for
professionals.
What, yet another broadcasting page? With so many excellent sites
out there, on the web? Well, while surfing I noticed that, with the
wealth of sites on every conceivable subject, some things were missing,
just to name a few:
- The European point of view
- A list of books on the subject
- A list of schools
- Magazines about broadcasting
I am very busy - I don't have the time to write and collate lots of
information. And there is nothing worse than a site with outdated,
incomplete information. A waste of time for all. What I can do,
is share some of the useful information I come across in my own
searches.
I zeroed in on books and schools, simply because my son is thinking
of becoming a cameraman. And the search for a school can be long and
difficult (I have not come across a good one where we live, in
Switzerland). Even though most universities have web sites, you
sometimes have to dig through countless pages, before getting to the
relevant department. Therefore, while compiling my own list, why not
share it? While stocking up my own library, why not share some of the
titles?
The point is also that not only young, aspiring broadcasters need
to learn. Most fields in broadcasting evolve fast. Professionals
have two choices: follow (preferably anticipate) the movement or become
marginalized and fall by the wayside. We need to do more things, faster
and better - and the trend is not about to slow down. The need for
permanent training is greater than ever. If you don't have the time to
go back to school or the employer is too stingy to pay for seminars,
books magazines and the advice of other professionals who have been
there before, can help stay up to date.
Of course, speaking about broadcasting is too vague - there are
hundreds of professions in broadcasting. My own background is in
television news - particularly the international type (the preserve of
the "foreign desk" and "foreign
editors"). Although I have a decent grasp of technical
matters, I prefer to write about the subjects I know in depth.
I am trying to include information relevant to Europeans - which
seems to be scarce. I may expand the range of subjects as I progress -
but the time available is the great limit.
I
work with TV journalists every day. Every day, I wish that better
training was available! Journalists (foreign desk!) who admit
ignorance of geography, ignore spelling and grammar (even in
their own language)... get tiresome in the long run. Pointing
the young, aspiring broadcasters in the right direction, may
make my life easier, eventually. In the meantime, the experienced
ones should, perhaps, study an atlas and buy a spell checker
(I certainly use mine: it's permanently on).
I'd like to hear from you - criticism, suggestions, contributions,
are all welcome. This site is open to ideas and controversy.
Piotr
Geneva, Switzerland |