By: Gerard Elmore, Governor and Cinema Club Chair
Our hearts are heavy to hear and see the news about the devastation on Maui. Our friends, ohana and colleagues on Maui need our love and support. The impact is unquantifiable, unimaginable and heartbreaking. Maui will need all our collective help to help clean up and rebuild. I urge people to consider donating to such organizations as Maui Mutual Aid.
Mahalo nui.
By: Joyce Mitchell, Governor and Gold & Silver Committee Chair
– – – UPDATED – – –
Reporters filled a studio at San Francisco Educational TV Station KQED in 1965 to cover the legendary, 51-minute news conference held by Musician Bob Dylan. An overview of what happened that day and so many other stories are now captured in a new book just released by Bay Area Film Director Robert Zagone.
Propped-up on a platform, smoking nonstop, Dylan carved out a piece of rock history during that famous question- answer session. And Zagone was there, producing and directing the 2-camera film shoot for the world to see.
Back then, rock was not deemed important enough to warrant long news conferences. Dylan set the tone for future rockers – like the Beatles and Rolling Stones – to follow suit.
Out of the 4th and Bryant Street TV station, magic was made. San Francisco’s growing subculture prompted young and energetic broadcasters to take notice and document what they were seeing. Zagone was one of them.
That famous Dylan footage exists under the auspices of Ralph J. Gleason who acquired the footage from KQED immediately after the news conference was held. Gleason, back in the day, was a well-known music critic for the San Francisco Chronicle. Today, the Gleason Estate continues to promote the event on DVD and other media. That news conference has gone down in history, been studied, analyzed and used in numerous articles, books, and documentaries.
The press opportunity had evolved into a cut and thrust for Dylan. Zagone paid close attention as reporters tried to brand Dylan as the spokesperson for a new generation. Refuting the inference, Dylan turned somewhat self-effacing, mocking himself as a simple “song and dance man.”
And then, Dylan’s answers began trending toward obliqueness as a shield. At one point, he said something like, “What do you want me to do? Attack the cameras?”
That unforgettable moment influenced the title of Zagone’s self-published book, ATTACK THE CAMERAS! Musings of an Independent Film and TV Director. “Dylan and that press conference helped me name the book, for sure,” said Zagone.
Stories included in the book are vast and memorable. At one point, Zagone invited an unknown Janis Joplin and Big Brother and the Holding Company to perform on KQED. It was the first time that Joplin and her band would appear live on TV.
Pushing the envelope sometimes gets a little push-back. Zagone heard from the director of development, in charge of raising money for the station who asked, “why are these scruffy-looking people here?” He continued, “How on earth is the station expected to get people donating to public television listening to that screeching voice?”
Zagone responded, “I’ll tell you why I’m doing this show. It’s because someday that singer you are seeing is going to be really famous. I didn’t know how big of a star she would become.” He said that he just had an innate feeling that the group and Joplin were something special.
ATTACK THE CAMERAS! draws on Zagone’s memories of the past. Add to the list of firsts for the energetic film director and KQED, B.B. King. Zagone produced and directed the first national television appearance by the blues singer, songwriter and guitarist. Zagone muses with fond recollections. “The show was such a delight and the band loved seeing themselves on camera,” said Zagone.
He maintains the 60’s and 70’s were the golden years of television. “A lot of talented people migrated to KQED to work and volunteer, said Zagone. “It was sort of like getting a master’s degree in film and television. Many went on to extraordinary careers, some won Academy Awards.”
Zagone, himself, has received a great deal of recognition for his work, including a Regional Emmy in 1995. “For years, I’ve been telling stories about meeting all these wonderful people,” he said. “During the pandemic, I thought this is a perfect time to write a book and I took all those stories and decided to bring them to life.”
“I’ve been in the right place at the right time,” said Zagone. “Colleagues have really enjoyed going back and reliving those times of working in film with creative people in the Bay Area. It’s been a wonderful experience.”
At 85, Zagone’s still going strong. And still making a little bit of history, himself. “I got a call from my old friend and colleague Danny Glover about doing a commercial for an insurance company in the middle of the pandemic,” said Zagone. “I put together a crew for him and asked my old cameraman to direct for me. But he got COVID, and I stepped in at the last minute. At the time I was 82.”
Zagone said directing felt like riding a bike. He didn’t skip a beat. A big smile came out of that project when Zagone asked the crew, “how many of you have ever worked with an 82-year-old director before?”
As for what’s next? A low budget feature film. And after that, we’ll just have to wait and see. The answer…my friends…is Blowing in the Wind.
Zagone’s book ATTACK THE CAMERAS! Musings of an Independent Film and TV Director is now available on Amazon.
Video link: Bob Dylan San Francisco Press Conference 1965
By: Joyce Mitchell, Governor and Gold & Silver Committee Chair
The SF/NorCal TV Academy bids farewell to Awards Chair and force of nature, Wayne Freedman. Upholding the legacy of the golden statue and the excellence she represents, in 2016, he accepted a leadership position as awards chair with the chapter. The role is a commitment to validating the level of distinction that comes with receiving an Emmy® Award.
A couple of months ago, confident the awards committee was in good hands, Freedman decided it was time to move on. He officially resigned July 8th, 2023, during the monthly Board of Governors’ meeting. He has been with the academy since 1981.
As awards chair, Freedman, like those before him, put in hours, weeks, and months of work, ensuring the integrity of the competition. “All I did was continue carrying on the tradition established by Linda Giannecchini,” said Freedman. “She was a teacher and mentor, setting the bar high.” Giannecchini knew the academy well, having served 5 decades, holding nearly every elective office. She joined NATAS in 1972 and remained a knowledgeable influence both regionally and nationally, until her untimely death in 2019.
Eventually separating the English and Spanish language contests, Freedman maintains the competition better reflects the talent and excellence embedded in the Spanish-language television market. He sought out guidance from the Spanish-language TV community to ensure that the competition meets guidelines and expectations.
Freedman waded through some interesting times in his tenure as chair. When the pandemic hit, Emmys were awarded online. As awards chair, he was part of the team tackling two virtual galas. Both times, the shows harnessed the festivities of an actual event. “While I was chair at the time, production of the virtual galas was a total team effort with everyone pitching-in,” said Freedman.
Also, under his purview, a couple of Gold & Silver Circle virtual ceremonies went down in history. They were not easy, but – still – prevailed. For 2023, the upcoming Circles are looking very promising. The number of applications for the honor societies tripled this year. Freedman is assuring a diverse field and, early-on, reached out to both English and Spanish-language markets to encourage full representation.
Confident that the Awards Committee is headed in a solid direction under the new leadership of Pamela Young, Kris Sanchez and Paula Marcheschi, it’s Freedman’s time to go. “I’m focusing on a new adventure, having left California, and now living in beautiful North Carolina,” said Freedman. It’s the end of an era for Freedman and the San Francisco region.
Freedman, however, is on the National Awards Committee. He began serving as a national trustee in 2019 and will be available for advice. He’s a good one to talk to. Freedman has 54 Emmy® Awards.
The past couple of weeks, Freedman’s been out golfing, travelling with family, and enjoying retirement in a gorgeous, new home he and his wife built from the ground-up. He’s been narrating a couple of documentaries here-and-there, staying busy. Life is good for the former San Francisco reporter.
Freedman retired a couple of years ago from KGO ABC 7 after 30-years with the station – and a total of 40-years working in the Bay Area. Because of his story-telling expertise, he’s something of a legend.
Still – among his vast Emmy® collection – the one that truly stands out is the Emmy® that belonged to his father, Mike Freedman. He logged 46-years in the industry, pioneering live TV and hand-held cameras.
As for the illustrious career of Wayne Freedman, it began when he was a kid following his dad around on the job. In 9th grade, he began writing a regular column for The Los Angeles Daily News. While studying for his BA Degree in political science at UCLA, Freedman became a network page assigned to the newsroom at KABC-TV in Los Angeles. He never forgot his father’s words, “Son, if you want to work in television, do the news. They don’t cancel the news.” Clearly, it’s advice Freedman took to heart.
He pursued an MA Degree in journalism from University of Missouri and that primed him for jobs in Louisville, Dallas, San Francisco and at CBS Network News. But San Francisco became home. “I have been on San Francisco television since 1981, beginning at KRON,” said Freedman.
Freedman, who is known for his keen writing abilities, shares tips of the trade in his book, IT TAKES MORE THAN GOOD LOOKS TO SUCCEED AT TELEVISION NEWS REPORTING. Now in it’s second edition, the book is required reading for 50 major college journalism programs in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. “It Takes More Than Good Looks…” is available on Amazon.
Freedman received the Governors’ Award in 2021, the highest honor a chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences can bestow. In 2013, he was presented with the Governors’ Citation, and in 2002, inducted into Silver Circle.
Because of his dad’s influence, Freedman refers to himself as a “news brat.” Raised by his parents in Los Angeles, his mother provided an interesting perspective in ‘what was to be’ – as well. She was a Broadway performer. The die was cast. And Freedman manifested the destiny.
By: Kevin Wing, Chairperson, Media Museum of Northern California
Betty Ann Bruno, a well-known presence on Bay Area television as a longtime news and investigative reporter and show host for KTVU Channel 2 in Oakland from the 1970s through the 1990s, died July 30 in Sonoma County after suffering a medical emergency. She was 91. Bruno would have celebrated her 92nd birthday Oct. 1.
Her husband and partner of 46 years, Craig Scheiner, a retired longtime KTVU news photographer, said Bruno suffered a heart attack at a local hospital after rushing her there after she complained of having a severe headache following a hula dance lesson she was teaching.
“She loved hula dancing,” Scheiner said, “The last thing she did was dance with her students. Danced in her bare feet like hula dancers do. Couldn’t have had a better way to go, doing what she loved.”
Bruno worked for the Oakland station from 1970 until her retirement in 1992, first working in the station’s community affairs department, which she became acquainted with during her tenure as president of the League of Women Voters of Oakland. Bruno helped to produce election broadcasts and public service announcements before joining the department’s staff. She would eventually host Channel 2’s public affairs show. After a stint with that, she was persuaded to move to the newsroom, where she became an accomplished, three-time Emmy Award-winning news reporter. Besides Emmys, Bruno received numerous accolades and honors, including a presidential certificate from President George H.W. Bush.
In October 1991, Bruno and Scheiner lost their home in the Oakland hills to the devastating Oakland-Berkeley Hills firestorm, which destroyed more than 3,000 single-family homes, condominiums and apartments. The fire gutted more than 1,500 acres. When it was finally over, thousands of people lost their homes, and 25 people lost their lives.
Once the firestorm was over, Bruno and Scheiner allowed a KTVU cameraperson to walk with them as they surveyed what was left of their home. It had been reduced to ashes.
Although Bruno retired from KTVU in 1992, she remained with the station until 1994, working part-time.
“Betty Ann was such a good reporter,” said Bill Moore, a retired KTVU photographer who worked at the station for three decades, from the 1960s to the ’90s. “She was a great person to work with. I have the highest respect for her, and I will miss her.”
“Betty Ann’s amazing talent was that she could get anyone to talk to her, anyone,” said Gary Kauf, director of television broadcast operations and film at Ohlone College in Fremont and a former longtime KTVU reporter and producer. “She was non-threatening, and gentle with everyone.”
Born in Hawaii and raised in southern California, Bruno graduated from Stanford University, and also did graduate work at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
At age 7, she was chosen to play one of the Munchkins in the 1939 film classic, “The Wizard of Oz”, starring Judy Garland.
After retirement, Bruno and Scheiner moved to Sonoma. In 2009, Bruno founded Hula Mai, which she called her “retirement career” — teaching hula and Hawaiian culture. Hula Mai performed in the Sonoma Plaza every spring and at luaus and other celebrations throughout the Sonoma Valley.
Officials with the Sonoma Cultural and Fine Arts Commission named Bruno the city’s Treasure Artist in 2020 and 2021.
We will miss you, Betty Ann. May you rest in peace.
Our sincerest condolences are with Craig and his family during this difficult time, and with everyone who knew Betty Ann as a trusted friend, colleague, teacher and mentor.
KTVU FOX 2 News Director Amber Eikel has been named senior vice president and general manager of the FOX-owned duopoly, KCPQ and KZJO in Seattle.
Eikel has been at the helm of FOX owned stations KTVU and KICU in Oakland since 2017. Her final day in the Bay Area office is Friday.
FOX Corporation said Wednesday she assumed her new role immediately, succeeding Sheila Oliver who left Seattle to be GM of FOX’s WFLD in Chicago.
Staffers inside KTVU said the announcement came as a surprise. No official announcement has been made about a replacement.
Before becoming news director, Eikel served as assistant news director. She previously was an executive producer at KIRO (CBS) in Seattle.
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) plays a vital role in recognizing excellence in the television industry and fostering its growth.
Our San Francisco region chapter has voted in five new Governors who will serve on the Board for the 2023-2025 term, beginning in July. NATAS-SF extends a warm welcome to our newest Governors and we are eager to draw on the perspectives, expertise, and dedication they bring to the organization.
Here are the new Governors joining the Board and the geographic areas they represent:
Kari Barber – Associate Professor, University of Nevada (Reno)
Odette Alcazaren-Keeley – Director, Maynard Institute; President, Global MediaX (San Francisco)
Yasmín Dar – President/COO, RKT Media (Hawaii)
Jason Marks – Reporter, KCRA 3 (Sacramento)
Karina Nova – Anchor/Reporter, ABC7 KGO (SF Bay Area)
The full Board list may be found here: https://emmysf.tv/about-us-2/board-of-governors-2-2/
Each of these accomplished individuals brings diverse backgrounds, expertise, and a passion for advancing the television arts and sciences industry. We are confident that our collective contributions will propel the chapter forward, foster creativity, and inspire excellence in television production, journalism, and beyond. Together, we can embrace the ever-changing media landscape and continue to honor outstanding achievements in the San Francisco region.
If you would like to run for a Board seat in the future, you can get a taste of the work and make new connections by serving on a NATAS-SF committee. For details, please reach out to our executive director, Darryl Compton at 650-341-7786 or darryl@emmysf.tv
In 2017, I was in my last quarter at John F. Kennedy University, while interning at KTVU Fox 2 News. During one of my shifts in the newsroom, I was approached by Steve Shlisky, and he asked if I’d like to volunteer for the Emmy® Gala at the SF Jazz Center in San Francisco.
I was beaming with excitement!
My task was to help post on social media. I was on speech clips and who could have imagined what a task that would be – but I was eager!
The night was a success and the award recipient clips were live. I had sore feet and a burst of energy when I returned home.
I was inspired to say the least.
From there, I volunteered at the Gold & Silver Circle Induction Luncheon, and this was when Steve and Patty Zubov asked me to join NATAS as a student member.
In that moment I would have never guessed that I would go on to lead the social media subcommittee, become Marketing Chair, and eventually serve as Emmy SF’s “Off Camera” Publisher (oh, and be the Zoom Producer for our first virtual gala!).
It has been my personal goal to strengthen Emmy SF’s digital presence and while it has not been easy, I am pleased to say that we totally crushed that goal. We as in the marketing committee as a whole! While this committee has evolved over the years, I would like to personally thank Nazy Javid, Kris Sanchez, Susan A. Bradley, Toby Momtaz, Steve Shlisky, Jim Jakobs, Patty Zubov, and Austin Castro.
Our social media engagement has more than tripled, “Off Camera” now operates as a blog (in a whole new format as well), and web traffic has been steadily on the rise.
While things seem to be moving in the right direction, I have realized that it’s time to create more space in my life for self-care, free time, and most importantly – family time.
Self-reflection post pandemic and being pregnant will do that to you.
NATAS has given me the opportunity to learn new things, test my strengths and shine! Being a young journalist, and very new to the professional world, it took me a while to own my craft (at least that’s how I felt) and over the years, that confidence built me into the person I am today.
The day Patty officially handed off her Marketing Chair duties to me (at the retreat 5 years ago) she gave me a small coin pouch with Princess Leia on it. The front also had text that read, “well behaved women rarely make history”. I’d like to think that during my time as Marketing Chair and Publisher, I’ve left my mark…
The next Chair will bring fresh new ideas and creativity, and I can’t wait to see how that unfolds! Until then, I’ll be here to serve as a guide and hope to return eventually in a new capacity.
My fellow Board members, thank you for allowing me to serve with you and for doubling as mentors, friends and support systems. I appreciate you all and hope to have added just as much value to your lives as you have mine.
Lastly, I extend all my gratitude to Darryl Compton and Brooks Jarosz, for always supporting my vision for marketing and “Off Camera“. You all are in good hands.
Devin Fehely is not only a standout on Bay Area television news, he has also carved out quite a significant niche for himself on the Board of Governors of the San Francisco/Northern California Chapter of The National Academy of Arts & Sciences, where the KPIX CBS Bay Area reporter has proven himself to be a passionate, hard-working Governor, a champion for every member of the Chapter.
It is that dedication that the Board of Governors chose Fehely to receive the 2023 Governors’ Service Medallion for his selfless service to the Chapter. He received the honor this year along with fellow Governor Susan A. Bradley, of Susan A. Bradley Photography, another individual who has demonstrated selfless service to the Chapter. Fehely and Bradley received their Medallions at the 52nd Northern California Area Emmy® Awards Gala in San Francisco, held Saturday, June 3 in the Grand Ballroom of the San Francisco Hilton Union Square in the City-by-the-Bay’s fashionable Union Square. (An individual article about Bradley may be viewed here.)
Fehely, a 17-time Emmy® Award recipient, feels honored for the recognition. He was nominated by Randy Forsman, a director at KCRA 3 and recent Past President of this Chapter’s Board of Governors.
“I was humbled and honored to be recognized by the Chapter for my service to this organization,” Fehely said. “And it was truly special to share that honor with Susan A. Bradley, our chapter photographer and a woman who is the epitome of selfless service.”
Fehely has served on the Board of Governors for the last three years. His dedication to NATAS is designed to inspire excellence.
“The essence of my service to this organization dovetails with its mission to honor and inspire excellence and innovation and creativity in the realm of TV journalism,” added Fehely, who has been with KPIX CBS Bay Area since early 2015.
“In many regards, I feel like I entered into service to this organization through the back door,” Fehely explained, reflecting that a few years ago he successfully advocated for the Regional Emmy® Awards Competition’s Reporter Craft Category to be split in two — Specialty Assignment and General Assignment. At the time, he had not yet been elected to the Board of Governors or even added to the roster of the Chapter’s Emmy® Awards Committee.
“We had investigative reporters and consumer reporters and feature reporters all of whom often have the luxury of more time and resources competing against General Assignment Reporters who might have a few hours to cobble their stories together,” he said. “And having done both roles over the course of my career, it was plain to me that each type of reporter was deserving of their own lane in which to compete.”
Fehely said the idea was inspired by his experience in the Atlanta television market and in NATAS’ Southeast Chapter, where he was honored with the first eight of his eventual 17 Emmy® statuettes.
Today, he describes himself as a bit of a “contrarian” on the Board of Governors, willing to challenge the status quo or advocate for new ideas.
“From Monterey to Eureka, Reno to Hawaii, our Chapter is huge,” Fehely said. “And I think it’s important that all of those regions are represented and have a seat at the table. Ensuring a diversity of experience and opinion on the Board and all of our Committees is vitally important to our mission. And I’ve tried to build those bridges and relationships.”
Amongst his NATAS contributions, Fehely also participates in the Chapter’s Mentor Match program. Currently, he mentors a young journalist who, only a few years ago, got his first on-air TV position in the industry.
“In the early stages of your career, you’re learning and growing and climbing the ladder. The focus is inward,” Fehely said. “But, you eventually arrive at a point in your career where you say to yourself, ‘You know, I’ve learned a few things that might benefit someone coming up behind me.’ This program gives me an opportunity to share some of those lessons and it also refreshes my enthusiasm for the craft.”
What about future service to the Chapter? Fehely explained he would like to expand upon service on the Chapter’s Awards Committee by helping to showcase more of the amazing work being produced by the Chapter year-round.
“There is so much talent, so much creativity, so many probing investigations, so much magnificent storytelling in this Chapter,” he said. “Right now, the focus is on the awards competition at the end of each year and the Emmy® Gala in the middle. I’ve always been of the opinion that we should be celebrating that great work on an ongoing basis.”
Meantime, Fehely would like to launch a series of discussions with journalists throughout the Chapter, highlighting stories, documentaries and investigations they have worked on.
Congratulations again to Devin Fehely and Susan A. Bradley on the occasion of their receiving the 2023 Governors’ Service Medallion!
Growing up, I always wanted to be a math teacher.
I was good at it.
It came easy to me.
I’d planned to teach algebra in high school, just like Mrs. Love, my sophomore algebra teacher.
She talked about a special heirloom that was passed down to her from her middle school math teacher.
She hoped to pass it down to a student someday too.
I knew that student would be me.
You see, I grew up in a small town called Coalinga.
It had a population of about 12,000 people when I was there and your career paths were teaching, Ag, oil or working at the prison.
Heading into summer of 2008, Tom Lucero, the AP English, multimedia and drama teacher, encouraged me to try something different for my last year of high school.
I had been part of the leadership class my freshman, sophomore and junior year.
“Why don’t you give the multimedia class a try next year?” he asked me.
“Writing for a newspaper? I don’t think so,” I laughed.
“No, our broadcast team. Come join ‘In the News at CHS.’”
And I did.
I had no idea how transformative that year would be.
I was shooting video, editing newscasts and interviewing people weekly.
I beamed over each completed project.
I went onto college and received my bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in journalism.
I snagged a summer fellowship in New York City working with ABC News.
I sat just off to the side of where David Muir anchored the news every evening.
I was hired in Bakersfield, which meant I was in a market only 1.5 hours from my hometown.
I covered wildfires, murder trials, 5K runs and police corruption.
All of that happened because of that one conversation with Mr. Lucero.
After multiple years in Bakersfield I was hired by the top station in the Fresno market, KFSN-ABC30.
It was the channel I grew up watching.
Now, I know it as the station where I received my first two Emmy® nominations.
It’s also now the station where I won my first Emmy®.
Our weekend evening team was nominated twice for Best Evening Newscast – once for Saturday and once for Sunday – for our coverage of the Oak Fire in Mariposa County.
It was a wildfire that destroyed hundreds of homes in our mountain community.
Our small, but mighty, weekend team was able to get critical, comprehensive information out to our viewers.
And through the SF/Norcal Emmys®, we were recognized for our efforts.
Our team, dressed better than we have ever dressed, and gathered in San Francisco on June 3.
We knew we would win an Emmy® that night because it was us versus us, literally.
No one else was nominated in our category.
I was excited, but I didn’t know what it would mean to me until I opened up the statuette’s box and saw my name on it.
I’m not one to openly share or express my emotions, but that night I couldn’t help but be overcome by the years of hard work I put in finally being recognized by my peers.
I knew this accomplishment was thanks to countless people along the way, but really came down to the one person who helped springboard my career.
Four days after the award show I raced back to Coalinga.
I coordinated with the high school principal to sneak into Mr. Lucero’s class.
He wasn’t expecting me and he didn’t know our team was nominated, let alone won.
In front of his current multimedia students, I pulled the statuette of the box and proudly told him I’d won my first Emmy®.
His response?
“It’s about time! Congratulations!”
It was a full circle moment I will cherish forever.
While I’m disappointed I never got that heirloom from my former math teacher, I think the tradeoff was worth it.
This career has given me the opportunity to connect with people I likely would’ve never met.
I’ve seen places I likely would’ve never visited.
And I have a career I likely would’ve never explored.
I’m so grateful for what journalism has done for my life.
And I’m even more grateful for Mr. Lucero.
I was lucky enough to work with Pam Moore for 22 of her 32 years at KRON4. She will be leaving the anchor desk full time at the end of June, yet will remain a contributor for special projects and human interest stories. I was even luckier to steal a few moments of her time for an “Off Camera” visit recently.
V: And we’re rolling! How crazy has everything been since your announcement?
PM: It’s been overwhelming. People are responding to the news with emails, social media, and phone calls and I really want to thank everyone appropriately. It’s been amazing, and it’s made me very sentimental about my career and my life here in the Bay Area. I feel really grateful.
V: I remember when we came here (KRON) within a year of each other. When you walked into KRON, 1001 Van Ness Avenue, what did you think?
PM: I’m working in the San Francisco Bay Area, that was fabulous for me. I felt at home here so quickly. I felt a part of the community quickly. I had worked in several news markets, so it was a big deal to come to this market and feel so at home.
V: If someone tapped you on the shoulder and said, “Pam, you’re gonna be here for 32 years”, what would you have said?
PM: I feel lucky. How many of us can stay in a great market, in this great job, for this long? Ha. I feel very fortunate.
V: What is the secret to your success?
PM: I don’t know. I’m a survivor. I think a lot of the things we do in the community make a big difference to people. You certainly hope it does, anyway. You participate in events, you try to tell stories that mean something to people, or you try to do something that’s fun and interesting.
Whatever you’re doing you hope that somehow, you’re contributing to make things better. You’re (Vern) on the Sports side so you can have a lot more fun than we newsies can have on the air. Sometimes it’s difficult telling these stories on the news side, but when you can feel a part of a community, then it means something to you too. You’re not just repeating things that don’t affect you, they affect me just like they affect everybody else in the community. I hope that comes through that I am a part of this community and I care.
V: What clicked in your mind that just told you, you know what? Now’s the time.
PM: Well, I have been around a long time, ha ha. I worked nights for 32 years. When you work nights and you come in at three, you can’t come in cold. You have to be aware of the news all day long. So your day may start at three at the office, but you have to be aware of what’s happening all day. You don’t get off till 11 or 11:30 at night and then you come back and it’s the same thing. I get to the weekend and I’m exhausted. Anyway, I wanted time to have more fun and find out what it is like for my time to be my own. More time to be spontaneous, time to travel, to relax, whatever. And after I get over the initial change, I look forward to still doing something where I can contribute. There are so many issues that I care about. I hope to find some place to land that suits me, but more on my terms. It will be nice to find out what ii is like to live your life on your own terms. When you work any job for anybody, you’ve got to clock in, you have responsibilities. I’m looking forward to not having so many responsibilities, where my time is my time.
V: Where do you get the energy to be able to deliver it every night?
PM: Same place you get it. We care about our work. You want to do it well. I’ve grown up a lot here, I’ve made my mistakes, I’ve not always been the very best, but I’ve managed to survive a lot of changes, as you know. All the media companies have changed a great deal from when we both started many years ago in the Bay Area. But we’ve survived it and we’ve certainly grown from it. I just feel really blessed and really honored.
V: Look at this Pam, we’ve gone almost 6 minutes. Last one from me, and I don’t want to start any “water works”, but I will ask you this, what do you think you might miss the most?
PM: Well, it would have to be my co-workers, the interaction that you have every day. Everybody has to work, but when you can go to work with people that you really enjoy, people that you feel are your genuine friends, you care about them and they care about you. You can’t get much better than that in terms of a job. In addition to that, we have an incredible opportunity working in this position. We’re meeting people all over the community, interviewing people who are in positions of authority, telling stories about other people’s lives, things that I would never maybe ever experience in my own life, and so it’s a real privilege to be allowed to do these jobs. And even with the ups and downs, this has just been an amazing experience and I’m going to miss all of that. But I’m still going to tell some stories. I’ll still do some profile reports. The station has been very supportive of that. I will still do some community work. I took the kids today from EOYDC to Marcus Books, and I’ve been doing that for more than a decade.
There’s just so much more joy in life which I hope to discover and explore and I want to do a lot of it with the people I’ve met along the way through this job
Steve Shlisky
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