The Dreaded One Man Band
News guys, you know it as well as anybody. You’ve got a package to do, but they’re not sending a “lensman” with you. You’re gonna have to shoot, edit, write, find the place, have lunch, and interview all by yourself. Ugh, and the white balancing constantly, can’t you just do your job? Not to mention, you’ll have no one to bounce your latest fart jokes off of.
It’s the dreaded one man band, and it strikes production companies as well. We call it the “I don’t need or want to pay for an audio guy” syndrome. Yes you do, in my opinion, but with cost cutting and the eventual take over of the human race by robots, more and more people have to do their jobs alone.
The good news is that it CAN be done, and done very well. Here’s a look at a great “one man band” package from master “one man bander” KGTV’s Joe Little.
Let me know you’re experiences working alone, and whether or not it’s the future.
2 Responses
I work for the Gainesville, FL affiliate for CBS/NBC/MNT and majority of the time we one-man-band. I don’t mind it at all and def think it’s the trend with smaller productions and news, as well. With swiveling LCDs, you don’t need a photog to frame the reporter. With wireless mics, a boom operator is unnecessary in most smaller shoots. But again, if you’re confident in your project and approach, working solo is usually fine.
Matt,
Excellent points. The trend is definitely going in that direction like you said. I need to buck up and start going out by myself more. Thanks for commenting and reading. It really makes a difference.