Safe from 蚊だけじゃなくて、 safe from the entire worldな感じがしました。
I felt like I was a child again, hiding under under a blanket I'd made into a tent by sitting up underneath it, sharing secrets with my stuffed animals.
After a big, long hiatus, I've finally started practicing woodblock printing again.
Getting better at mixing colors and printing. Just need a few more adjustments and then I can start numbering the prints.
Oh, I'm so happy! So nice to not have to work in a dysfunctional team sometimes. Nice to be alone in my own world sometimes.
Also had a good pizza dinner over wine with Gloria last night at my flat. I don't think I've had such an enjoyable dinner with a coworker before. At least not in a long, long time.
Did you see the documentary about TV news cameramen on PTS (公視) last night? It’s called 『睜開左眼』"Open up Your Left Eye," and I thought it was a brutally honest film on the reality of TV reporting in Taiwan and the conflicts cameramen have with their reporter partners and with journalism today. A former TV news cameraman, whom I don’t know, made it. Two of his subjects, Well and Bingzhou are my current coworkers.
It told the story of four TV news cameramen. In Taiwan, they’re called 『攝影記者』, basically, cameramen-reporters. They don’t just record footage, they also act as reporters who film, edit and the story as they see it and as they think the audience shout know it. As Well said, “We’re 攝影記者 not 攝影師, we are reporters, not cameramen who just record footage as they are told.” And as Bingzhou put it, “If a news story is a living body, the cameraman’s footage is the meat and bones while the reporter’s script is the soul.” In the documentary, there are four subjects. Jiang: senior cameraman with more than 15 years experience on the crime beat. Well: senior cameraman with more than 15 years experience. Bingzhou: senior cameraman with more than 15 years experience on the politics beat. Liqiang: a rookie cameraman on the crime beat.
Jiang, as a cameraman on the crime beat, has been through some really rough reporting, including a plane crash where on day one, he filmed dead bodies torn to pieces everywhere and day two, more dead bodies, but in body bags being placed in order, and day three, broken-hearted family members wailing and calling out to their loved ones who had died so suddenly, tragically and violently. Jiang’s experienced so much sadness, terror and PTSD. Towards the end of his career in Taiwan, he is stuck day in and day out, frustrating filming people involved in former President Chen Shui-bian’s trial arriving and leaving in cars at the Taipei District Prosecutor’s Office. Jiang emigrated to Canada after he was eventually fired for “being continuously late to work w/o reason and engaging in verbal rages with coworkers.”
Well signed up to go into programming, to take part in producing shows in addition to filming them, but ended up without a show and instead was told to make product placements stories for news. As a reporter with a strong journalistic conscience and ideals, I think he’s probably in the worst place in the world (as a cameraman for the sales department), possibly having the worst time of his career.
Bingzhou has been with his reporter partner for more than 10 years. Most partnerships don’t last this long. Him and his reporter are not romantically involved, but simply a good team. He talked about how reporters get more attention from management and cameramen are more or less simply forgotten about and don’t have many chances of advancement. He once thought about becoming a reporter, but decided to stay a cameraman, because, “Fifty years from now, people are going to want your footage, rather than your script.”
Liqiang, a rookie on the crime beat, is already tired of the physically demanding work and realizes that as a fire fighter, he can save more lives and do more good than a cameraman filming the fire. He’s now a firefighter.
Carrying a 10 kg and a tripod almost just as heavy is tiring work. Filming in the middle of all the madness journalists have to jump head first into is hard work. On top of all that, when the ideals and fundamental values you’ve had since the days of journalism school have nearly all been crushed and jettisoned like you do with garbage, is simply depressing work. The traditional belief in TV news is “video first.” When telling the story, the video should lead the script, but in Taiwan, that’s not the case. In almost all the cases, reporters here dictate what video should go where, when. Proponents of video first will argue that it messes up the logic of the video, and what the audience sees is completely wrong and thus confusing. And in the age where news is getting more and more intolerably sensationalistic, it becomes increasingly frustrating for journalists as well. Toss the trend of product placement and a lack of fresh stories in to the mix, it really makes old school journalists want to quit. The senior cameramen in the documentary faced these expectation gaps (more like abyss) and struggled to cope. Two of the four were unsuccessful and left the local reporting scene.
Could we call these expectations for “proper” journalism “baggage?”
Personally, I don’t seem to have as big a problem coping. Maybe it’s because I haven’t been in the field long enough (will only be coming up on my 6th year in Jan). Maybe it’s because I’m a reporter and not a cameraman. Maybe it’s because I didn’t study journalism in school. Product placements assignments were often given to me when I first started because they were easy to do and hard to screw up. I thought it was just business as usual. I was taught by my assignment editor to lead the video in my writing, though I later learned from senior cameramen that it ought to be the other way around. Although I agree that video first is better, my cameramen (I’m on my third one now and aiming for a fourth, if this one doesn’t change his attitude) don’t seem to. Most of them have been so used to being told what to film and what to edit by other reporters that they seem to have lost their ability to think for themselves. You ask some of them to find a specific soundbite by themselves, but even after giving them the time code you’d be lucky if they know what you’re talking about. The documentary maker talks about 睜開左眼 opening up your left eye and seeing the rest of the world (you look through the video finder with your right eye, and most people close their left eye when doing it), but I say for the cameramen of this generation, 至少睜開一眼 open up at least one of your eyes. Would that be too much to ask for?
It was a great film and I hope you get a chance to see it. Keep checking on Youtube, it may get uploaded sometime.
Went cycling again this morning. I love that feeling of having finished a good, physical workout before the sun's completely up. When I rowed in college, it was great to say, "By the time we get off the water as people are just getting ready to go to the office, we'll have done more work than they'll do all day." Those grueling practices, nonstop sports injuries, ice packs, heat packs, plastic wraps and rehab days are way behind me, but they sure make good memories that I'll keep for the rest of my life. My 30 km morning cycling by the Keeling River brings back those memories, especially when there's a freezing headwind and I wish I were in bed instead!
Here's a picture of where I ride, from a chain email that's being passed around.
I’m sure you wonder, as a reporter, do you get wined and dined and pampered like royalty?
Some do, sometimes. It’s normal for businesses to try to treat reporters well while hoping for more exposure or positive news coverage. Some people will give away product samples or goody bags, and hotels may give a big discount or even a free stay. Most people in most cases first refuse politely and then accept graciously, given that it doesn’t involve any cash or whose value adds up to a scandalous amount. What each reporter does with the “mini bribes” is up to them. Most of us aren’t bribable. We write what we think is right, unless our boss tells us otherwise, or if it involves a product placement. In which case, we write the story and leave our names out of it.
Sometimes the perks make it nice to be a reporter.
Sometimes the perks make some ungrateful reporters.
Recently as I’ve been going on business trips more for travel stories, I’ve been hearing some colleagues say, “I can’t believe they’re making us share two rooms when there are three of us.” Or, “They should be buying us a really nice dinner.” But even in Taipei, I hear people say, “I can’t believe there wasn’t a goodie bag.” Or, “That’s it? That’s all we get?” Sometimes I wonder if they’ve forgotten what their job is and if they’ve lost all sense of what’s proper and what’s not. No one owes reporters anything. Reporters don’t owe anyone anything. We get a story when they provide us with things to shoot, and they get exposure. When it comes to consumer or lifestyle news, it’s usually a mutually beneficial relationship. No one owes anyone anything.
It sucks to go on a TWD1200/person/night budget for hotel, but sometimes I think I’d rather stay at a roach motel than be complained to about how the people who are already giving us a big discount at a more than decent motel/B&B isn’t giving us everything we can only be wishing for with the amount of money the company gives us to spend.
Or maybe this is once again culture shock. There are gift and money giving traditions in this part of the world that I don’t understand. Frustrating.
The great thing about having a really bad day is that you know tomorrow will be a much better day. The worse it is today, the nicer it will be tomorrow, right? It almost makes me wish I had a much lousier day. Almost.
The good thing about having some really unprofessional coworkers is that they make me so much more professional. Yeah, keep making me suffer. Keep choosing to be incompetent. Keep pushing me around. Keep putting me on the verge of slamming the phone, cursing under my breath and wanting to slap you silly. Ho ho ho, if they keep this up (and I survive), I'm going to be a really great somebody one day. Mwa ha ha ha ha. Thank you, you big, bad, ugly bullies.
I wish I had thought of this when I was pissed off. Next time.
Nighty night. Anchoring tomorrow at 6h00, 8h00, 11h00.
Sleep has once again clawed its way to the top of my list of priorities. My sleep deficit is running high and patience is wearing thin. Usually mild mannered, I almost lost it on my cameraman the other day. We had a “talk,” and hopefully there will be some changes. I’m tired of being treated rudely and overly taken advantage of. I wanted to say, “I’m tired enough, don’t give me that horse manure, I’ll throw it back at you!” But I didn’t. I was civilized, but I hope I scared him with my tone. Yeah, like I scare anyone… I have even been wondering if anyone is appreciating the travel features I am killing myself over. Back at the news desk, there are more than a few jealous colleagues that think I’m having way too much fun and a borderline psychotic chief editor who’s always upset that she has one less reporter to do news in Taipei. Every time I ask her to sign paperwork to approve my business trip, she asks me, “When are these travel stories to end?” I reply, “Never!” in my head, of course.
I had forgotten that the only thing that matters is that the audience likes and I’m enjoying telling the story. But now I remember, and I’m OK. And I’m going to remember to go to sleep early for the next few weeks.
Good night, from the clouds and tea and coffee fields in magnificent Alishan, where I’m on assignment.
We went back to Sun Moon Lake again the end of last week, but this time, it was to film the Ita Thao, an indigenous tribe of the area. They were ending their New Year's celebrations with singing, dancing, drinking and eating all night.
I wanted to wait until dark to start filming so there wouldn't be day and night scenes all mixed up, so while I waited, I wrote a rough draft of my script. This is where I wrote it, on the Ita Thao pier, overlooking Sun Moon Lake. What a place to be writing!
When I was writing my stand-ups, two Thao princesses approached me and we took pictures.
We finished filming around 19h30 and my cameraman and driver asked if we could drive home instead of stay at another low-budget motel (with maybe roaches as freebees). So we made the trip back to Taipei and got in around midnight. It was tiring, but nice to be able to sleep warmly and comfortably in our own beds.
Here's the script.
Thao Tribe New Year’s Celebrations 日月潭邵族 農曆八月祖靈祭
Every year near the end of summer, the Thao tribe celebrates their new year. Locals and tourists alike take part in the festivities which are subsidized by the Tourism Bureau. In this week's travel feature, Michella Jade Weng visits the Thao in Nantou and joins in on the fun.## 每年八月，南投邵族都會舉辦祖靈祭來慶祝豐收，也就等於是他們的過年，豐年祭。而為了讓這熱鬧的原住民慶典成為觀光焦點，每年也都提供補助。##
[[NS singing and dancing]]
Michella Jade Weng FTV reporter Singing and dancing from door to door on a day in the eighth month of the lunar calendar, this is the indigenous Thao tribe’s New Year! 民視記者 翁郁容 農曆八月到每一戶人家唱歌跳舞，這是邵族的豐年祭!
[[NS singing & dancing]]
Shi Lei Thao chief The "lus an" is our new year's, it's to thank our ancestors for a good harvest. We start festvities on the first day of the eighth month of the lunar year and this is the last day. So we'll be visiting every home and drink until probably tomorrow afternoon. 邵族頭目 石磊 "Lus an"就是我們講的"祖靈祭"，我們不講"豐年祭"，有祖靈我們才能豐收。祖靈祭是農曆 的八月一日就開始了。今天就是我們的慶典的最後一天。所以每一家，每一戶，我們從今天 的下午開始喝到隔天的下午都有可能。
[[NS fire crackers]]
Following the sound of firecrackers, a tribesman leads the dancers while carrying a holy shield with symbols of the sun and moon. There are about 60 Thao homes in Ita Thao, and tourists also join in the celebrations, dancing and feasting with the locals. 跟著鞭炮聲，背著代表祖靈的日月盾牌，爐主帶領舞者到日月潭伊達邵60戶的邵族家中，但除了族人，現在觀光客也一起來慶祝，大家一起唱歌、跳舞、吃年菜，超熱鬧。
Tourist It's great, said this tourist. It's just like New Year's. My kids went and joined in on the dancing. 觀光客 很棒!感覺很不一樣，很像在過年一樣。 記者 妳有下去跳嗎? 觀光客 小朋友有下去跳。 很開心。
Mao Long-chang Ita Thao Cultural Association director We've always held these events without the help of the government, but they do subsidize us. With these kinds of cultural events, there are always subsidies. 邵族文化發展協會理事長 毛隆昌 我們從以前到現在都沒有跟公家單位合辦，他們只是贊助。一種民俗的歲時祭儀，政府會有 一定補助。
Though New Year’s celebrations are only once a year, but there are shows all year round to let travelers get a feel for the Thao’s culture here in Sun Moon Lake. 邵族一年一次祖靈祭，不過傳統的表演，熱鬧的氣氛，在日月潭伊達邵全年都看得到、感受得到。
If you're reading my blog, chances are, you understand and/or speak more than one language.
Do you feel any different when you speak different languages?
For me, I speak English like a Mr Tough Guy. I grew up with brothers. I was a Tough Guy until I went to graduate school in Japan. My godmother made me into a Girl. Skirts, dresses, stilettos, make-up and all. English is the language I have the best command of, and my feelings are communicated best in it. Sometimes these feelings creep out of the words and I am surprised to see what they are. For example, recently those feelings have been dark and sarcastic. Can you tell?
I speak Japanese in a softer, more polite manner. Whenever I speak Japanese, I feel happy and lighthearted. Maybe it has to do with how I felt when I was learning the language and speaking it in Japan. I feel I can be cute when I write in Japanese, even if it's broken.
Mandarin, I speak in a less formal way. People are more laid back in Taiwan. Plus, most of the people I work with everyday wear jeans and t-shirts for cameramen and something more presentable on top for us reporters. We usually wear jeans because of the dirty situations we can get into while reporting. We speak to most of our interviewees in a casual manner, because we want to make them feel relaxed. So that is the Mandarin that I know.
In Taiwanese, it gets even more casual. I feel that Taiwanese speakers here are very warm hearted and from the grass roots. I don't speak loudly or curse like many of them do, but I add on a lot of 啦's (la) and 啊's (a).
What about you? How do you feel when you speak different languages?
Went in for a flu shot with Mom and Dad yesterday and got poked once more than I had expected. The doctor said my thyroids are swollen and wanted to do tests. So they bled me and are making me go in again for an ultrasound Monday. Will also see the dentist about my TMJ on Monday too.
Maybe catching up on rest would bring better results than going to the hospital...
Sleeping + reading = my most recent cocktail for emotional lows and fatigue.
Went for pizza and pasta with Mom and Dad after the flu shot.
Primo!
(old Primo pictures. forgot to take new ones)
Primo Trattoria 復興南路一段107巷14號1F +886 2 2711 1726 #14, Lane 107, Fuxing S Rd
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