The more I hear about the one-man band idea, the more I cringe thinking about the stress that both current VJs go through and future ones will. It might be a while before potential journalists see the day where someone will accompany them to set up their shot, to give them suggestions, whatever. That day may never come. But, the idea of reporter, photog, and editor, each comprising a team, should not be expelled.
One person doing every possible ounce of work involved in gathering and disseminating a story is a worthwhile challenge. But doing it every day just seems like that person, despite being connected to their news organization, is isolated. Of course, there’s a producer to talk to if any problems occur, but that producer is depending on that one person to account for themselves. It’s do or die.
No matter what the subject matter is, two or three people involved in a story still has the same impact when everything is finished. The likelihood that something may be included that one person might never have thought of by themselves could go a long way when the news consumer is watching, reading, or listening. It could be the caveat that ties the whole piece together.
