Los Angeles Reporter's Clinic

Basically, the primary tool to break into and advance in the TV news business is your resume tape.  It shows the news director, who generally hires reporteers/anchors, what you look and sound like.  It shows you write, report and connect on camera.

If you have a tape that captures a new director's attention, you're off to a very good start.  if it doesn't capture their attention, you're going to have a hard time getting in.   That means when you make your tape, make sure you make it INTERESTING.  

In college, they tell you the important thing is to simply get your reel complete.  True, but if you expect to get a job, it has to be a great and interesting reel.  Your stories should have controversy, exciting video and attention grabbing sound bites.  So the next time you go to cover a story for your reel, make sure it has all of those ingredients.  You'll be off to a great start.