Going Public

A professor asked if I could speak publicly about the TV News business to his class of 30 Anthropology majors the other day. I felt priveliged and agreed wholeheartedly. I brought several pages of copious notes and props for show and tell. I used animated gestures, engaging stories and Q& A. "And then I captured exclusive footage of the Unabomber's family... and then we found an abducted baby... and then David Letterman used my footage... and then and then and then". In return -- nothing, absolutely nothing, not a gasp, not a smile, not a flicker of interest. I told the students about jail-cell interviews, political investigations, open-heart surgery and working with the omnipresent Rachael Ray. Some popped their heads up for a second but mostly the glowing lid of the back of a laptop was my audience. Was it solitaire? Did I loose them to a game of solitaire or maybe I-Photo or a homework assignment for the next class? Could they be desensitized or apathetic to what I'm saying? What is going on? Being a video journalist is a riveting job, one that allows the opportunity to travel, learn and appreciate. "Yes, but does it pay well?" asked a student. And with that last question I've decided to take my lecture to a broader audience. I'm inviting all 750 passengers aboard to share in the most challenging yet rewarding career choice anyone could make, or at least by my perspective!