CHRIS GARVIN
Producer/Videographer
Western New York Living
WGRZ-TV
(Buffalo, NY)

After more than five successful years in Traverse City, MI, directing at the NBC affiliate and producing commercials for Charter Media, I left the Great Lakes State for new opportunities. My wife took a reporting position at the CBS affiliate in Buffalo, NY – a top 50 market. After getting my foot in the door at Buffalo’s NBC affiliate, the various skills I learned while working in a small market proved to be valuable here.

A new magazine-style television program called Western New York Living debuted on Buffalo's WGRZ in September of 2006. The weekly half-hour program showcases places and products unique to western New York. NBC needed someone who could not only co-produce and co-write this new venture, but a person who could shoot, edit, and organize the sales-driven show. I was honored to be chosen to take on this challenge, alongside established Buffalo anchor Maria Genero.

The show has featured both local and national companies, whose products and services are sold throughout the area. We also make time for not-for-profit companies like Kids Escaping Drugs, Canine Helpers for the Handicapped and Upstate New York Transplant Services. In addition to that, we highlight events and special things going on around the area. In fact, when Lord Stanley’s Cup recently paid a visit to Buffalo, the “Keeper of the Cup” Mike Bolt brought the NHL’s most prized possession to our studio.

The best part of my job as a producer/videographer for Western New York Living is that I am able to be very involved in my community.  As the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres made their run to the President’s Trophy and then on to the Eastern Conference Finals, everything they touched was gold. 

We were able to use that positive energy around town to promote the non-profit group Kids Escaping Drugs.  We were involved with the photo shoot of two Sabres stars for a poster raising money for the organization.  Then we featured Kids Escaping Drugs in a segment on our show. 

Another local sports hero, Jim Kelly, has involved my station in several of his charity events.  We have featured Hunter’s Hope on our show – a foundation that raises money to research and find treatments for leukodystrophies. 

Also, for the past two years I’ve shot video for the Kelly for Kids gala and charity golf outing – which raises money for various children’s charities.

Most recently I was involved in our local Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  For the past couple of years I’ve been in charge of running our “survivor cam.”  Before the race we interview dozens of survivors who are able to proudly tell their own personal stories of beating breast cancer.  Then we upload that video to our website so all western New Yorkers can join in their celebration.

How was the transition from Traverse City to Buffalo? More challenging? Any surprises?

It’s hard for anyone to move from a small market like Traverse City (market #113 at the time) to a top 50 market like Buffalo (market #46 at the time).  But I was not only leaving the comfort of a job in a smaller market, but leaving my home, my family and my friends behind.  My wife had gotten a reporting job at the CBS affiliate and I knew she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to advance her career.  It was a little intimidating to move to a city where neither one of us knew anyone, without a job or any real leads, but I was up for the challenge.
           
I got my foot in the door at the NBC affiliate, WGRZ-TV, working part-time in production.  I quickly moved to a full-time job in the promotions department.  After nearly a year in promotions -- where I earned “Employee of the Quarter” recognition -- I was offered my current job as a producer, videographer and editor for Western New York Living.  It was definitely more of a challenge than my previous jobs as a director and commercial producer in Traverse City, but I was really ready to challenge myself at that point in my career.
           
I would say my biggest surprise was how difficult and how easy it was at the same time to get a job in a top 50 market.  On the one hand, when we moved to Buffalo I was confident in my abilities and sure that I would get a job relatively soon.  So it was frustrating that I couldn’t get a full-time job here in the broadcasting business right away.  But on the other hand, my co-workers were shocked at how quickly I learned promotions and moved into the job that I really wanted.  I guess it’s a lesson to other Specs grads that if you’re persistent and hard-working, you can achieve your goals.

How did Specs Howard help prepare you for your current job?

Specs gave me the confidence, tools and attitude I needed to succeed in this business.  For example, non-linear editing is a staple for most television stations now, but we were trained at Specs before most small-market stations made the transition. This gave me a head start on the competition.

It was extremely important to have the hands-on experience in the classrooms that Specs stressed as part of its program.  That gave students a real feel for what they would soon deal with on a daily basis in the TV business.  It was also a bonus for us that the professors had been in this business and knew what it was really like. They were able to give us a realistic view of what to expect when we were job hunting.  Even Specs will admit that they can’t do everything for you –- they just provide you with the tools to succeed, and you have to take it from there.

What advice would you give to aspiring broadcast students?

My advice for aspiring broadcast students is to get the most they can out of their classes because they’ll want every edge they can get when competing for a job in this extremely competitive business.  It is very rare that someone will start out doing exactly what they want, in the market they want to live in for the rest of their lives.  So my advice is to start out small and be ready to travel.  You need to pay your dues in a small market, learning as much as you can and honing your skills in as many different positions as possible.  I also think it’s important to not only volunteer for extra assignments but to work when your boss asks you too whenever possible.
           
I also predict that new media is the wave of the future for broadcast students.  At my station we increasingly use the web, cell phones, iPods and other technological advances to not only broadcast the news but to interact with our viewers.  I think that’s why students who are interested in finding new ways to merge technology and broadcasting will have an advantage in this business.

Where would you like to be in five years?

My wife and I have talked about working in markets like Detroit, Chicago or Boston as a goal for our next move.  But both of us realize that’s an ambitious goal.  We also know how unpredictable this business is, especially with two of us trying to get jobs at the same time.  We never thought we’d end up in Buffalo, NY so we’re up for any adventure that comes our way next!