Grandma called yesterday.
"Have you seen what all the news channels are saying? The world is coming to an end tomorrow. At noon. Something about black holes"
"What???? Black holes at noon?? Damn. Not on my shift!"
I am a studio director in a news channel. And in a country where the pan wala seems to own the local news channel , I work with the "leading international english news channel". Very professional and all.
So any hint of an important news development usually means utter chaos, lots of screaming by editorial, accomanied by complete indecisiveness as snap decisions are called for, but unfortunately can only be made after looking at what the competition is upto.
Take a lazy Sunday afternoon at work. We are rolling bulletin after identical bulletin, taking it easy, lounging about. I am starting to feel I can do this with my eyes shut.
Suddenly someone somewhere sees that Blah TV has cut to a press conference by a Nobody on a Nothing. Obviously noone in the entire office had any clue about this presser until Blah TV got on it.
"CUT TO IT!!! NOW!!!" Much screaming shouting and ranting ensues, while phones ring off the hook. We all wake up.
Meanwhile Nobody is droning on and on. Being a creative production types, I feel that anyone stupid enough to watch this shit on a Sunday afternoon instead of getting brain dead drunk with friends should get to look at more than just his deplorable mug.
"Maybe we should put some nice relevant pictures in a box to liven things up??" I suggest timidly to the editorial person behind me.
"NO" she barks back.
I quitely slink into my chair (Thats right. The "director's" chair).
The phone rings. The editorial boss. As soon as she picks up, editorial starts screaming "Take pictures. Now!. What are you waiting for??? I have been asking them to take pictures for the longest time. Production never listens!"
Huh???
Thats right. I look at Blah TV, they have the guy with pictures in a box. How can we possibly not??
And you thought we actually cared about getting you the news now, did you not? Aw, you poor baby! Welcome to the world of Indian Television.
6 comments:
Oh thats so strange. that in india, the director does not 'direct'. so what does a director do?
this is what exactly happening all over the world.....
well thats the irony, isnt it? ofcourse I am talking about news, and also specifically the organisation I work with.
Human observer, many thanks for the comforting message. We are as messed up as the rest...
what is more sad? trying to make sense out of the mayhem or living it out???as the 'better half' of a psyched out director i have been trying to decipher that for quite some time now...where does the cycle break?...no amswers yet!
to direct but then not really be able to direct...that is the irony of life.... nothing is worth the pain!
Post a Comment