A LARC Success Story: Keisha Burns

Keisha Burns hired as the new Weekend Anchor at KGWN in Cheyenne, Wyoming one week and two days after mailing her LARC resume tape. You can see her resume tape that got her the interview by going to the LARC website - www.larcinc.org - and clicking the "Watch LARC Demo Tapes" tab.

LARC: Keisha, describe the moment the news director offered you the Weekend Anchor job?

Keisha: Oh, I was very excited. I was just so happy it happened. This is my passion. There was a time when I felt like I should give up, but I went for it and here I am. I'm just so happy.

LARC: Talk about your LARC experience and how it helped you?

Keisha: LARC basically gave me first hand experience. I learned the importance of approaching people and making the stories about people. LARC really gave me a lot of confidence on how to approach a story and how to put the package together. The writing seminar at LARC was so helpful. In the interview, I had to write a package in the field with the reporter at the station. I was able to get it done quickly because what I learned in the LARC writing class. The story actually was used on air, too.

LARC: What's the best advice you can give to people trying to break into the news business?

Keisha: Never give up! If journalism is your passion you have to go for it. There was a time when I felt like I should give up because the field is so competitive and that I would never get a job. I was wrong. Working as a reporter for LARC made me truly realize this is something that I love and I'm glad that I went for it. I get to continue on in something that I just love to do.

A LARC Success Story: Jacqueline Bennett

Jacqueline Bennett is the newest general assignment reporter at KIVI (NBC) in Boise, Idaho.
Not long after finishing her LARC training, she receive numerous calls for interviews. But nothing ever fit... Until KIVI called.

LARC: Describe the moment you got the call and learned you got the job?

Jacqueline: When I got the call I was really kind of scared because I didn't know what he was going to say. The interview didn't last very long so I didn't know what to expect. When he told me I got the job it was like fireworks and explosions went off inside me. It was really exciting.

LARC: Give some advice to young and up and coming reporters trying to get their first job?

Jacqueline: It all comes when you least expect it. You have to keep at it. It was very frustrating, but you really need to stick with it. When you get the job, it's like delayed gratification.

LARC: Talk about your LARC experience? What did you learn from it?

Jacqueline: Having the access to produce such a high quality tape and to work with someone who has so much experience is the difference between getting a job or not. Without LARC I wouldn't have had a tape near the quality I had and I wouldn't even of had an opportunity to interview at the station. You need a good solid tape to get in the front door and after that it's all up to you. LARC provided me with that first step to get me in the front door.

LARC: Tip of the Week - Preparing to Make THE TAPE

For those of you who are serious about getting into the news business, this is the most important tip for you. Your resume tape is, for the most part, your only way into a news station. You have to make it your best. First, you should look at lots of resume tapes. Get a since of the structure and flow of tapes. Time the length of the slate, montage. pacakges and anchoring. Take notes on the type of packages (hard, feature, business, sports, etc.) Write a flow chart on how you want your tape structured. Start with the word SLATE in a box at the top of the page. A line from that box should go the next box which should read montage. After that, first package, second package, any live work, any anchor work. In the respective boxes, write in detail what will be in your slate, montage, packages, anchoring sections. Drawing out how you'll structure your tape will make it much easier when it comes time to put your tape together.

Next weeks tip: Getting stories for your resume tape. (Other than LARC)

LARC Tip of the Week

I would like to say "you're welcome" to everyone who wrote in thanking LARC for the tip of the week. I know last week's tip was simple, but you'd be surprised with the number of people who try to get into the news business without watching news at least once a day. So again, watch the news!
The tip this week is just as simple. "Read the newspaper. Everyday. The whole thing, including the Op-Ed, the obituaries, health sections, sports even cartoons. The best journalist should be able to talk in depth about every major subject in the news. Hey, did you read Doonesberry today? You never know if that migth lead to a conversation with a well-read news director. They'd be impressed if you could simply talk about Doonesberry, or Boondocks or The Farside, for that matter. The newspaper is a great, if not underappreciated source, for the incredibly wide range of information published everyday. So, if you don't read the paper daily. Start now.

Next Week's Tip: Preparing to put together your resume tape.

Auburn Hutton: A LARC Success Story

Auburn Hutton is a general assignment reporter for KNBN in Rapid City, South Dakota. She graduated from LARC and was immediately hired at The Political Channel based in Los Angeles. Working at KNBN, though, is her dream come true.

LARC: What stands out the most about your LARC experience?

Auburn: I would say the thing that stands out the most was the in-the-field work. Actually going out on stories, you know, murders and robberies, that helped the most. They were stories that mattered. Also, talking to prominent people, politicians, leaders, people that are known nationwide - you don't get that opportunity at other programs.

LARC: Talk about your journey to getting a job.

Auburn: I would definitely say never give up is the best advice I can give anyone. There were times where I was so close to giving up, I just stopped sending out tapes and thought about exploring other educational opportunities. But when I least expected it I got the job. Now that I'm here, I can't imagine doing any other job. It really is my dream job. I pinch myself everyday.

LARC: Talk about the momement you found out you got the job?

Auburn: I was probably overly exicted. It was like the best feeling ever. All of that year and a half of sending out tapes, it finally payed off. It was good feeling to know someone recognizes you have potential. There's nothing better, really.

LARC: What advice would you give up and coming reporters.

Auburn: My best advice, suck it up in the beginning. Go to a small town that might seem horrible to you. Sacrifice the things that you think are important to you because you aren't going to be there forever. Yeah, it's going to be hard, you're going to be away from your family, you're not gonna have the things you had in your town. But just suck it up. There's so much to learn.