The Game Never Stops

I don't like to look into the past much. I would rather push forward. But if valuable lessons can be learned, some things are worth a second (or third) glance.
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Last week when Jill Glavan, Cate Kelly, Jusin Redeker, Kyle Seever, and I covered the Rocheport fire, I feel that we may have missed an angle, and possibly a great story.

Right after our live shot, Howard County authorities told us fire officials would meet us "a couple of miles" away. Those "couple" turned to several miles through the dust-drafting, deer-dodging county roads that HoCo offers.

30 minutes later, we set up an impromptu news conference, collected some talking heads, and found out people were allowed back in their homes. Good news: everyone was safe. Bad news: we couldn't share it with our viewers. Four of us were covering a mediocre presser (Seever took the live truck back). No one was in position to get a reaction from any of the 8 families forced to leave their homes. We were herded like sheep out of the picture, and our story for the morning show was forced to be straightforward.

In no way do I fault myself, Jill, Cate, or Justin. We did what we were asked to do. We went where authorites told us to go. Maybe the families would shun us away. But we could have given a possible story a chance.

Great "stories" are not the standard press conference mumbo-jumbo. They center around people. That's why they call 'em "stories", right? They need characters.

The game never stops. Never let up. Always question. Always think outside-of-the-box. Always look for "the" story. Always.

Best,
-rt