chip egan wrote:
It was a great experience and if you didn't get a chance to hear the remote here's some of what went on.
The four of us, along with host Laurence Holmes, sat up on the stage at 115 Bourbon Street while the panel of judges-Mitch Rosen, Drew Hayes, Dan Bernstein and Ron Gleason, sat in front of us much like during a televised presidential debate. There were probably between 250-300 people that came out and they were a good bunch.
After initial intros and audio clips that introduced each of us, the questioning began. We got the "why do you want to be a reporter question", but Dan then asked us what the difference was between a reporter and a sports reporter. That was an interesting question which, I thought, was a good one to ask because people think there is a difference when the reality is there isn't. To do it right, you have to go about it the same way one would if you were covering a news story.
Other questions were interesting as well, such as when Drew Hayes asked us what would be the first question we would ask if a particular sports person walked in front of us at the bar. Each of us got three people ranging from Serena Williams, to Rex Grossman to Ernie Banks. Ron Gleason asked us to read a sandwich off the menu. This is something I've heard and seen done before so as to get an idea of one's personality and creativity. Dan brought up what we would do should a story come over a website-like Deadspin-that a Bears player was found lying next to an accident scene with a crack pipe. Laurence gave us a scenario in which we were confronted at the bar by Milton Bradley for having aired something about him even though he thought he said it to us off the record.
It was very nerve racking to be up on that stage for over 2 hours getting interviewed for what each of us hoped would be a job. During the breaks Laurence came over to talk to us and he couldn't have been nicer. Mitch also offered us words of encouragement as I'm sure everyone could tell how nervous we were. In fact, during one break while myself and the other contestants were talking to each other I said that everyone was doing a great job and that chances are all of us would probably answer some questions differently had we been in an office for an interview instead of being on live radio in front of several hundred people. Each of us could point to a question or two we would probably answer differently if we had the chance.
When they announced that myself and Connor were the final two we were both very excited. When Mitch began to read off the qualitites they found in who they decided was the winner I thought I had a pretty good chance. I didn't get the gig but was happy with the way I answered the questions. Connor did a great job as did Michael and Javier. What was also encouraging was the fact that each of the panelists thought that with our being in the position we were in that meant we have the ability to work in the industry. I know how tough it is to try and get soeone to listen to your work as you apply for jobs and that's why I was really appreciative of being in the position I was in.
Afterward I had the chance to talk to all the panelists and they were more than cordial. Both Dan and Laurence were very gracious and were happy to talk to us for a while after the event. The expereince was tremendous and it turns out there might be some fill-in update work in the future.
Some people have been critical of the event as being a publicity stunt, but I couldn't disagree more. When I went out to audition I recognized several guys who worked in cable tv or local radio that went for the job as well. It was a chance to get a break and try to keep working. If you want to work in the business you will do things like this in the hopes that you will catch the ear of someone who thinks enough of your work to want to talk to you about a job. It's difficult to have someone take the time to listen to your work and that's why when this opportunity came along many of us jumped on it.
I thank everyone who voted and even posted their thoughts about the whole thing. You can see some video of the finals at 115 Bourbon Street by going to the Score's website.
At any point in your response Chip, did Dan Bernstein ask you how this gets you closer to winning the contest?
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