JOURNO JARGON With Donte Diesel Williams
The JOURNO JARGON series is not your typical Q&A – it's your backstage pass to insights, advice, and experiences from journalists who are in the thick of it. Here you will get real-time accounts of diverse newsroom positions, carefully crafted to offer new and aspiring journalists an unparalleled glimpse into the intricate workings of broadcast news.
JOURNO JARGON with Donte Diesel Williams
Photojournalist/Filmmaker/Editor/Voice-Over Artist
Why did you want to be a journalist/work in a newsroom?
Actually, I didn’t want to be a journalist or work in a newsroom. Midway through college, I realized that I wanted to write, produce and direct TV shows and films and decided to pursue that instead. I’m a very non-traditional journalist as I actually have a Sociology degree with a minor in Cinema Studies from Illinois State University. However, I did take a few communications classes, such as “Intro to Mass Communications” and “TV Production” which somewhat prepared me for this field. While in college, I also wrote, produced, shot and directed a short film and a commercial. That, along with knowledge of various editing software led to an entry-level job as an Editor at WEEK-TV (the NBC affiliate in the Peoria-Bloomington area). I also knew the morning anchor. I originally took the position to get my foot in the door and help me move on to making films and TV shows.
What is your current position and what does it entail?
Firstly, I hate the term, “cameraman” as I feel that it minimizes what we do. Cameraman is an old-school term that goes back to when guys only operated cameras. I’m a “Photojournalist” and as a Photojournalist, it’s very important to be able to tell a story simply with pictures and sound. Nowadays, photojournalists do a lot more. We not only shoot, but also edit the stories that you see on air as most stations no longer have dedicated editors. At times, depending on the market and/or station, we may even conduct interviews and put together Photo Essays when a reporter isn’t available.
What skills do you need to be successful in your current position?
As I stated earlier, photojournalists now have many more tasks. Ultimately, we have to also act as sort of a hybrid between photojournalist and producer. This is especially true in smaller markets. One example of this is while working at NBC in Peoria many years ago, I was sent to cover a “fish fry” fundraiser and asked to interview a little known candidate for U.S. Senate by the name of Barack Obama (still the highlight of my career). A great photojournalist not only has to be able to produce something great visually, but also:
1. Learn/know how to put a story together – understanding the structure and emotion of a story enables you to shoot and edit the story better. (this is very helpful to reporters and producers)
2. Know how to use sound/natural sound – (ex: starting and ending a story with an emotional soundbite and using natural sound as an emotional transition in the story)
3. Understand technology as it is always evolving – this is not just limited to computers and smartphones but also includes things such as drones, GoPros, 360 cameras and social media.
4. Have great situational awareness - Knowing how to conduct yourself in various situations and being aware of different emotions is very important in helping put together a great story.
5. Try to be open-minded – this is not always easy but things will and do change. I have been guilty of this myself. Try to be open-minded as possible to learn new techniques and entertain new ideas.
6. In addition to being a photojournalist, think like a reporter/producer – don’t just get good shots, but think about how the video and sound can visually and emotionally drive the story.
What do you think is the biggest misconception about your position?
The biggest misconception is that all we do is shoot and that anyone can do it - both completely untrue.
How has technology changed how you do your job?
Technology has changed quite a bit since I started 20 years ago. The only way you could send video back then was with either a microwave or satellite signal. We also used to shoot on tape and edit mainly on tape decks (man I sound old). I’ve actually been editing on computers since the late 1990s and that has always been an advantage for me. Now, editing is solely done on laptops industry-wide.
While not without flaws, the technological advances in the last 15 – 20 years have helped us in my opinion. We can now download file footage as well as upload our stories. We can also send video via cellular-bonded technology in which multiple cell signals are linked to produce one strong signal. This technology now enables us to be live and be mobile in events such as protests, in moving vehicles called storm chasers, and in other places where we were previously unable to go live like amusement park rides for example. Rarely do we need to use big trucks anymore. Also, there are different ways to shoot stories now. I’ve incorporated cellphone video and as a licensed drone pilot, even aerial drone footage into pieces. This is an example of being open-minded and staying up to speed on the latest technology as it continues to evolve.
What has been your biggest challenge thus far in your career and how did you overcome it?
Honestly, every day is a challenge. You may be assigned to one story and your story may change…multiple times. Breaking news may occur and deadlines, in my 20 years in the business, have always been and are still tight. Ten minutes is the fastest I’ve ever edited a story. This can be a very stressful and challenging career. I’ve always been a combination of a creative, a problem-solver and resourceful, so I guess those are good traits to have that’ll help you overcome these challenges.
What’s one thing that every student should know before accepting their first newsroom position? Understand that this career is like a rollercoaster ride with plenty of emotional ups and downs. Behind the glitz and the glamour is the grit and grind, the long hours, the odd schedules, and the tight deadlines. This can all be very stressful. Some people can withstand it and have long careers, others may realize that it’s not for them.
What is something you thought you knew about being a journalist that changed when you actually began working as a journalist?
I thought that being from the West Side of Chicago and dealing with tragedy prior to working in broadcast news prepared me more than someone who wasn’t from, “the hood.” I’ve learned that while I was indeed able to handle the initial shock of certain stories, it still takes an emotional toll. The fact of the matter is, despite dealing with some of the traumatic urban episodes that we often hear and read about, you’re still never really prepared to deal with it day in and day out. As a photojournalist, there are things that I can never un-see. Those that work in the newsroom may hear the horror stories, but they never have to directly witness what those who work in the field do.
What do you love most and dislike most about being a journalist?
I love meeting interesting people, whether they’re a well-known celebrity, politician, a blue-collar worker or a local entrepreneur. It’s always been important to me to do something that positively impacts the community. As a photojournalist, I’m privileged to be able to continue to connect with various communities. Also, as a photojournalist, I love the fact that I’ve been present at and have recorded many historical events.
What I dislike is not only the tragic stories that we sometimes have to cover, but the emotions of the people involved in these stories as well. While viewers can simply change the channel or turn the TV off, we can’t. The tragic and emotional stories stay with us just as much as the exciting ones.
What’s your best piece of advice to share with future journalists?
Remember how important your role as a journalist/photojournalist is or will be. WE RECORD HISTORY! Also, as another long-time journalist once stated to me, the press is the only other occupation mentioned in the U.S Constitution besides government and religion and its importance is addressed in the first amendment.
What, if anything, surprised you about the job?
Growing up watching movies such as Broadcast News and Livin’ Large, I thought people in the broadcast news world were cold-hearted, cutthroat sensationalists. While those people do exist, many of my colleagues, past and present, have been compassionate people who just want to do a good job and make a difference.
Is there anything that you’d like to add that I have not asked?
Understand that being a journalist is a serious thing and a big responsibility. People look to us for fair and accurate information, or as accurate as we can give them. Understand the magnitude of this occupation and continue to be a student of your craft. As the news world evolves, we must evolve with it or get left behind. As I said before, WE RECORD HISTORY!
