Defining Success as a Media Correspondent

Athena Reich, professional musician, actress, artist, singer, songwriter and coach for all of the above, talks about defining success as a media correspondent.

Defining Success as a Media Correspondent On behalf of tvlesson.com. Athena Reich: Hi, my name is Athena Reich and I'm an Actress/Singer/Songwriter/Host and Teaching Artist, athenareich.com. In this clip on how to be a media correspondent. I'm going to talk about expectations. Being a correspondent or host is pretty much being like any kind of artists. There is a lot of people out there who want to do it, a lot of talent, and there's not a lot of work. So you are a success if you are making you own news cast, post them on YouTube and you have people emailing you. That is a success. If you get one job and it sizzles out and they don’t have the budget to keep you on anymore, that is still a success, that’s not your fault. It's important to have realistic expectations. Sometimes, when people aren't familiar with the arts and they used to be having a job an then think, they can just get a job as a correspondent. It's not how the art works, it's a tough field, it's very tough and know that. So, you have to redefine success. Success is getting a job, even if it doesn’t pay at all that is success. It is a tough field to keep. And now, sometimes you have a director and you're not going to be doing a lot of directing yourself, but in some cases, you're going to be doing a lot of director. As a media correspondent, you're going to be directing the scene or specifically working with your interviewee and directing them, whether you have a director or not, you're the person to make that person feels comfortable. You're the one who’s going to say – tell your interviewee, don’t look at the camera, look at me, everything is going to be fine. We’re going to wait for our action cue from the camera guy. You have to be responsible, and you're kind of a host. Imagine that this is your world, you're comfortable as the correspondent and the person you're interviewing might feel nervous and it's your job to make them feel at ease, to break the ice, to let them know we’re going to action from the director. We’re going to hear 3-2-1, and then we’re going to start an then – and then when we end, we’re going to hear a cut or whatever. You can guide and be a director, it's just like being a host at a party, you're just making that person feel comfortable. So take on that role and enjoy it and make them feel good.