The way I see it my old life and my new life are colliding.
I used to be a tv producer. I started out as a field producer on travel shows. Then I switched to the studio and worked on Good Morning Australia with Bert Newton. Finally, I moved into reality tv. After lots of late nights and working weekends, I finally yelled “I’m not a celebrity…get me out of here”.
When I made the switch from on-air content to online content, I thought my telly days were behind me. Lately, I’ve realised there’s not much difference between broadcasting and blogging. Here’s why:
It’s a numbers game
In the old days, after my episode went to air I’d be busting to see the figures. I was the Rainman of ratings. Now when I hit publish on a post, I revert to my old ways and watch those stats like a crazy woman. I celebrate every incremental upward move in my graph and if it flatlines, I eat my feelings. Did I mention I worked on Masterchef and MKR?
Promos with punch
I never cut promos but RESPECT to the guys who do. It takes a lot of panache to create a captivating few seconds of vision so scintillating that viewers can’t look away. TV promos are a bit like a movie trailer only crunchy…ah, I mean, scrunchy. They have to be quickity split before a viewer splits. Meanwhile, clickbait could be considered the online equivalent, teasing online surfers to ride that wave back to your blog.
Appointments
Lots of telly folk talk about creating “an appointment to view”. I wish I knew who coined the phrase so I could attribute it to him or her but let’s just say it’s one of those catch cries I heard a lot in my 15+ years in broadcasting. Essentially, producers want to wind up an episode with something hanging in the balance, a not-to-be-missed kind of scenario. Ideally, you’ll clock it and lock it. In other words, your need for resolution will force you to make time in your day to accommodate viewing the next episode tomorrow night or next week or whenever it may be.
I experienced a similar kind of phenomenom when I blogged about Frocktober – posting 1 dress every day for 30 days to help raise funds for ovarian cancer research. Ditto when I blogged about turning 40 – posting 1 celebration every day for 40 days. Both of these series led to friends and family (you guessed it) “making an appointment to view” and I’m so grateful they did.
The good guys
The days are long in telly. Really long. At my busiest I was in the studio for a 7am production meeting, filming till early afternoon, flying interstate to shoot a story, cutting it into the early hours of the morning and then snatching a few hours sleep before preparing for a live cross the next day. During those long hauls you cling to the kindness of colleagues like Chrissie clung to Leo after weeks in the jungle. Shout-out to Marie, Sylvana, Anna, James, Tiffany and trillions of others whose friendship has outlasted my tv “journey” (what can I say…you can take the girl out of telly but you can’t take the telly out of the girl).
What a happy discovery to learn the blogging world is built of good guys too. Mummy, Wife, Me and Daisy Roo and Two extended very early hands of friendship. So too, Agent Mystery Case who kindly featured me here. Likewise, when Nikki from Styling You generously linked to this post, I do declare my little Rainman richter scale rocketed.
Roll credits
No segue here folks. That’s a wrap on this post. Fade to black…(you get the idea).
I’m considering a series of posts about my life and times in telly. Would you stay tuned for that?
Linking up today with With Some Grace for Flog Your Blog Friday.
Janet aka Middle Aged Mama
Definitely – sounds fascinating! By the way, you don’t have any of the Ikea cube shaped shelves in your home do you?! I’m looking for bloggers to feature in my blog series on “Shelf Style”!
Tonia
Thanks Janet. I’ve been following and enjoying your Shelf Style but alas I don’t have any! Thanks for thinking of me though. By the way, will I see you at Problogger in August? Hope so x
Gael - The Vinyl Edition
Hi Tonia. I would love to see a series of posts about your life and times in broadcasting.
Oddly enough, I’m just finalising a post about MKR, should be posting in the next day or 2. From the other side – an MKR fan. I would love to know what goes on behind the scenes.
Tonia
Thanks for stopping by Gael. I’ll look out for your post re: MKR. I’m pleased to hear you might like to see some posts about telly production – thanks for the encouragement. I aim to draft up a few more tv posts in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, have a good weekend.
Gael - The Vinyl Edition
Hi Tonia. Just letting you know I finally posted my MKR piece this morning.
Tonia
Cool – I’ll pop over and have a look now. Thanks for letting me know.
monica
WONDERFUL blog. hope we add to the stats 🙂
Tonia
Aw, thanks Monica. Have a great weekend!
Carole
Tell us all about it, Tonia. But please don’t leave out Shite Park. 🙂
Tonia
Oh bless you lovely Carole. You, my dear, are one of the stars of my tv time. Yup, that park was something else! Have a good weekend x
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me
I didn’t know you were in the TV world. When I started as a journo I was SO keen to get into TV, until I was told what they earned and HOW MUCH WORK was involved. I’ve done my fair share of TV production crap, was even on set with Joan Rivers in New York in my 20s but I knew back then that TV wasn’t for me. Print, now online, media is my forte. Can’t wait to read more, I might even post about my life in print journalist, it’s not as glamorous but I do have some incredible stories…. xxx
Tonia
Joan Rivers. NY. Sounds AWESOME! I’d love to hear more about that. Saw your snap with the NZ PM the other day too. Golly you must have some tales to tell. Can’t wait to swap stories with you over a cuppa and cake at Problogger in August!
Kerry
just checking out your blog and love it…
Tonia
Kerry, that’s so sweet – thank you. Have a good weekend – full of lovely food, no doubt, thanks to that beautiful new blog of yours!
Kylie Purtell - A Study in Contradictions
Yes please, tell us more! My cousin is a production manager on Sunrise and I love hearing her stories, so fascinating!
Tonia
Your cousin sounds like a kindred spirit! Is she a morning person? Those early starts can be pretty tiring. Thanks for stopping by Kylie, I’m really looking forward to working on these upcoming telly posts.
Zita
I would love to hear more about your work in telly.. it intrigues me for some random reason!
Tonia
Speaking of intriguing things…I’m really enjoying your travel posts. Looks like such a fabulous adventure. Thanks for your feedback re: my potential telly posts. I can’t wait to get started on these.
Ingrid @ Fabulous and Fun Life
I would definitely tune in to hear about your life and times in telly. It would be fascinating to hear an insider view!
Tonia
Oh thanks so much Ingrid. Stay tuned!
The Canadian
I think a star wipe vs fade to black is more appropriate, no? And I do believe you cut some scintillating Promos/teasers with a certain teaser-hating editor on MC3 once upon a time, or have you repressed that as much as me? I mean her?! Would love to hear more about your telly days, I think people need to know how awesomely talented you were (still are, Duh!) and how much the TV world is still suffering after your disappearance 😉 Xo
Tonia
You are too, too sweet! Ah, the memories…how lucky Australia (and Aussie telly) is to have you. Thanks so much (for everything) x
Kathy
I’m sure it would be a great read Tonia – go for it. My telly days are a long time ago now but there were some good memories in there.
Tonia
Thanks Kathy! So great to meet another tv-gal-turned-blogger. Looking forward to swapping some more stories in August. Meanwhile, enjoy what’s left of this rainy old weekend and thanks for stopping by.
Grace
I would definitely tune in to a blog series about your time in TV!! One of the first posts would have to be answering the burning questions : “What was it like working with Bert Newton’s toupee?” 🙂
Tonia
Oh touché on the toupee – a nice hairy question to start off proceedings! Too cute. Thanks for the encouragement Grace. I’m very excited about this series and have plenty of posts brewing. Stand by x
Caro Ryan
SHAZAM! I’ve just let out a big sigh as I read this. All my memories of working in tele came back… The highs and lows, deadlines, tight budgets and ecstasy when good figures were achieved. I’d love to read your stories and could probably add a few of my own! Love to grab a drink at #PBEVENT
Tonia
Oh a kindred spirit! So glad to make your online acquaintance. As for that drink at Problogger – you’re on. Can’t wait to hear about your telly adventures too. Thanks for stopping by.
Mrs woog
I would love to read more!
Tonia
V/O: Coming up, blogger ecstatic over comment from Mrs Woog! (thanks for popping over to my little blog)
Raychael Case
I’m not entirely sure how I missed this post the first time round.
The title reminds me of a reality Vlog I would love to do on Rottnest Island called “I’m a blogger get me out of here”. I wish you were in Perth, with our combined backgrounds, I’m guessing we could put our blogging heads together and have a whole lot of fun.
Tonia
Running away to Rotti? I wouldn’t need much convincing. Yes, sure sounds like fun. x