[Scan-DC] Unit 5

[JOHN ANTONELLI]

So is unit five the wave of the future or will the next unit 5 be a van?


From: David Jones <djoneses at verizon.net>
>To: "Brooks, Kurt" <knbrooks at wusa9.com>; johnantonelli at verizon.net; scan-dc at mailman.qth.net 
>Sent: Wednesday, December 7, 2011 1:19 PM
>Subject: Re: [Scan-DC] Unit 5
>
>A little more history of  WUSA Unit 5:
>
>The concept of WUSA's Unit 5 was borne of the need to be more competitive in the market and labor's concern over one-man live shots.  Traditionally at WUSA, all live shots included two members of the collective bargaining unit -- one operated the truck, and one was the photographer.  Generally the live truck was driven by the operator (the operator was also a photographer and had a camera in the truck as well) and the photographer drove a sedan. The live truck and the photographer would meet at the live shot location and do the live shot when required.  This type of operation existed at many other stations as well.
>
>In an effort to be competitive, solutions were sought to have more live trucks and photogs on the street.  With the advent of smaller microwave equipment, tape machines, switchers, etc. integrators began building trucks on smaller platforms such as medium and full size SUVs.  These down-sized live vehicles became attractive to those stations seeking to optimize their manpower and live coverage capability.  WUSA wanted to purchase the smaller vehicles and allow the operation of a live shot with just one member of the collective bargaining unit, however the contract only allowed a live shot with two members.  The discussion centered around safety at the scene of the live shot.  The concern was taking seriously, as it should have been, and management and the collective bargaining unit came to an agreement on how to maintain competiveness in the market and be able to operate live shots with only one member.  The first step was to purchase a live truck
 that was designed to be operated by one person.  The Unit 5 Suburban fit the bill.
>
>There were limitations associated with the SUV platform.  Because of the size of the vehicle, you could not install a 60'+ mast so this limited the range and location of the live shots using Unit 5 with its shorter mast. There was also very little room for editing and greater exposure to the elements.  As editing became laptop size, then just a laptop, the editing became more practical.  On the upside, the Suburban was 4-wheel drive, smaller, lighter, and more maneuverable than a full size truck.
>
>The original concept was to limit Unit 5's operation to close-in "simple" live shots such as planned-in-advance nearby weather shots or non-breaking news stories such as the Cherry Blossom Festival opening, a shot from in front of the post office on April 15th, etc. Also Unit 5 could be used to simply feed tape, which was valuable in itself in those pre-wireless high-speed internet days.  At the same time, there was a thought that Unit 5 could be used as a "run and gun" truck for breaking news and the decision to make the live shot with one operator was the decision of that operator. Eventually contract language allowed all live shots to be operated with one man with safety of the operator as the top priority.
>
>As an aside, Mr. Brooks's experience from the overturned tanker truck from the other night is a typical situation that arises between the assignment desk, show producer, and live truck operator: "I need that live shot now!" "I can't get out from here with Unit 5."  "Why not?" "I'm in a hole."  "Then move!"  "There is nowhere to move to."... and so on.
>
>David Jones
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Brooks, Kurt" <knbrooks at wusa9.com>
>To: <johnantonelli at verizon.net>; <scan-dc at mailman.qth.net>
>Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 8:31 AM
>Subject: Re: [Scan-DC] Unit 5
>
>
>No markings; a habit borne of working in rough towns. There are industry debates about the value of marking I prefer unmarked, since with unmarked a person with ill intent goes "hey that looks like a news truck" while when marked it's "hey it's channel 9, I hate those bastards!"
>
>Finally, when I am breaking landspeed records going to breaking news, I don't need identifying marks.
>
>The Suburban was foisted on us by management that thought it would be a good idea during bad weather. Compared to a van it is inferior, but during the blizzards it rocked.
>
>For the reason no-one wants to use it, I get to drive it home, so I am happy.
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: JOHN ANTONELLI [mailto:johnantonelli at verizon.net]
>Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 08:20 AM
>To: scandc <Scan-DC at mailman.qth.net>
>Subject: [Scan-DC] Unit 5
>
>A question about Unit 5. Is it marked as in does it say WJLA on it. Does it say Unit 5
>
>Why is it a suburban and not a van?
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