"Effective Storytelling" for Stanford Professional Women

"Effective storytelling" was the topic of my talk for members of the Stanford Professional Women in Los Angeles. As a Stanford graduate of the Class of '76, it was fun to see former classmates like Jackie Williams Jones and to make some new friends and contacts.
I discussed the general theme of storytelling in the multimedia world, using the model of Crisis, Conflict and Resolution (CCR). Normally, I use an example such as the famous Susan Boyle clip from "Britain's Got Talent." It has been viewed more than 20 million times and is a nearly perfect example of CCR storytelling. Notice that people download the seven minute clip and not the entire episode of "Britain's Got Talent." Nobody ever says "tell me a show" or "tell me a media platform." People have a basic human need for a good story.
My presentation became an unexpected CCR when the power point videos refused to play in the projector. Many thanks to Adrian, Robin and Lisa for sorting it all out.
I also discussed my experience in the Maldives. Great stories have the power to change the world, and in the case of the Maldives Media Training Project, the storytellers in my training program at Television Maldives changed their country. In reviewing the project, which I have chronicled on this blog, it was awesome to reflect on how much the TVM training in 2008 was able to accomplish in the short time leading up to the country's first multiparty presidential election. Now that I'm headed back to Maldives for the fourth time, there is still much to be done. The relationship between the press and the government is still being worked out, and this time I'll get to do some training on BOTH sides.
The essential message here is that everyone can define their own multimedia brand by mastering CCR storytelling. Many people and companies shy away from the crisis and conflict, saying only that their brand is great. When you create a compelling narrative with CCR, you involve the audience and invite them to get involved with you and your product.
Many thanks to all the SPWLA members who fought their way through LA traffic to attend the talk. You're a great audience!

Coaching at Reagan Library

Because talent coaching is a very personal thing, I respect the confidentiality of my clients when it comes to this blog. However, I just had to write about my coaching day at the Reagan Library. The people who work there could not have been more welcoming to the digital reporters, producers and crew who were there to shoot a segment on the upcoming centennial celebration of Reagan's birth. The actual date is Feb. 6 2011, but the party will go on for two full years. The goal of the coaching was to sharpen the content of the segments and the talent performance.
It seems that everyone is invoking Reagan's legacy in these turbulent political times. The tour guides told us that many visitors to the library wish they could have Reagan back in the White House. Some of the exhibits are under renovation, but there is plenty to see, including a very accurate representation of the Oval Office during Reagan's presidency. I can vouch for that because I was there during my time as a national correspondent for the NBC owned stations. It's also amazing to see the Air Force One pavillion and go inside the plane to see the dinosaur pre-internet technology that Reagan used to win the Cold War. It's well worth the drive out to Simi Valley.

Press Freedom Day

Press Freedom Day isn't a big deal in the US. After all, we have our first amendment, which guarantees that Congress shall make "no law" interfering with freedom of speech and of the press. But May 3 is a big day in parts of the world where journalists and ordinary citizens are taking action to assert this important right. As I pack my bags to travel to Sri Lanka and Maldives, my journalism friends in Maldives are planning a series of events to raise awareness of press freedom. Best regards and I'll see you on May 15 in Male to begin training for both public relations officers and news managers. I also look forward to working with the very first class of journalism diploma students at the College of Higher Education. Let's make EVERY day press freedom day!

On the Road with Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly

Check out my latest Talk Land column in the April issue of Newsmax Magazine. It's a close-up look at the "Bold and Fresh" stage show that is bringing in a bundle of cash for Fox News Channel hosts Bill O'Reilly and Glenn Beck. To add a little more detail to the story, the magazine's policy is to buy tickets for reporters to cover such events. This is to avoid the impression that a positive review can be bought. I also bought a ticket to take my mom, who's the world's biggest fan of conservative talk radio. She adores Limbaugh, Hannity and Glenn Beck. O'Reilly, not so much. Good thing we had tickets, because the mainstream media is definitely not welcome in the auditorium when the conservative pundits are preaching to the converted. The crew from Al Gore's Current TV had to stay outside. The crowd-pleasing content of the show was pretty much what I expected, but what shocked me were the ticket prices. By the time you add Ticketmaster's outrageous fees, it was $150 a person for the better seats! Even in this tough economy, a lot of people apparently felt it was worth it, even though they can watch these guys on TV every day for free!
The Talk Land column is exclusive the the print version of the magazine, so unfortunately, I can't post a link.

HIgh School Journalism Day at USC

You might wonder why anyone would want to be a journalist in these times of disappearing jobs and shrinking paychecks. Actually, journalism school has never been more popular and the annual high school journalism day at USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism is so popular that they now have it TWICE a year!
I moderated the panel on the Role of the Multimedia Storyteller and it was a good chance to test some of the material from my upcoming book on a real live group of students. Here are my fellow panelists. Jessica Gelt, who writes the Daily Dish and other entertainment content for the Los Angeles Times made everyone envy her cool job, despite the huge workload. KABC online producer Owen Michael explained how the Eyewitness News web site comes together. The students provided a good window on how high school journalism is changing. One sharp young man from West Torrance wondered how to drive traffic to the website of his school newspaper, now that it's no longer published on dead trees. Here's the group from Long Beach Poly High.Kudos to Sebastian and Jesus for making sure my multimedia presentation went off without a hitch and the incomparable Diane Guthman for organizing an event that is sure to inspire the next generation.

More stimulating talk radio!

It's a yucky, rainy Saturday night, and I'm getting ready to go to work at 9:30 pm. Working the weekend overnights is part of my training to join the well trained SWAT team known as KFI news. Spending time in this newsroom reminds me why I love radio. It's creative and conversational. Nothing but me, the microphone, the computer and the listeners on "the most listened-to talk station in America." News director Chris Little is taking a chance on this TV person and has shown a lot of patience in helping me conquer the board. The last time I worked in radio, at KABC and the former KTZN, I didn't really have to mess with all those buttons. Way back when I did morning drive with Glenn Beck at KPWR-FM in Houston, it was just a matter of writing the cast and reading it. Now I have to make sure I get all the right signals from the always helpful board ops and the folks in the traffic center. I've got to make sure the right actualities and music beds roll at the right time, at the right level.
When I'm teaching overseas, I've noticed that radio is just as important as television and brushing up my skills will make me a better teacher.
Update: I survived the overnights and now have a regular Saturday morning shift during Handel on the Law. Listen for me at the top and bottom of the hour from 6 to 11:30 am. I can also be heard on KOGO-AM in San Diego.
See you on the radio!

Mike Villani goes for gold!

A big shoutout to my friend Mike Villani, one of the top voiceover artists in the biz. He has snagged one of the best gigs in the world: stadium announcer for the figure skating events at the Olympics.

I've known Mike since we were paired as a fictional anchor team in the movie Volcano. He gave me some great advice: "Be sure you like your hair and makeup, because when they show this in a theater you are going to be as tall as a six story building!"

You've also seen Mike as a TV anchor in "Up Close and Personal" and he frequently guests on shows like CSI. You'll recognize his voice instantly from "Di-tech Funding" commercials.

I treasure Mike's friendship and have turned to him frequently for advice over the years.

I just love it when good gigs happen to good people. I know he has a great announcing partner in PJ Kwong... but if the seat ever opens up, count me in.

While we're on the subject of figure skating, my Facebook friends know I am outraged by NBC's coverage of this beautiful and athletic sport. Don't bother me during the US nationals or world championships. I have followed figure skating since I was a kid, although I can barely slide around the rink myself. I actually like the new scoring system which rewards a combination of artistry and athletic ability and is less corrupt. What I don't like is the way NBC refuses to show the events in real time because they know figure skating is a ratings winner. So they'll show a couple of routines and then cut away for stuff that happened yesterday or a feature story, just to pump their ratings. They also have relegated the great Dick Button to a sideline role, where he is patronized by Bob Costas after the competition, instead of joining the great Scott Hamilton to comment on the athletes from his unique perspective. No other sport is cut up like this. Here's hoping that NBC never bids on the winter Olympics again, and the coverage from Russia will include some respect for figure skating as a sport.

And, oh yeah, if they need a female announcer, I'm available.

Finding Friends on Fox

The limo arrived waaay too early at 4:30 am for the ride to the Fox News Channel bureau on the other side of the LA basin. The "Fox and Friends" morning program invited me to talk about the 1990 debate in the California race for governor, in which I caught candidate Dianne Feinstein with notes on her palm. This was a clear violation of the debate rules and the Republicans had a field day, much as the Democrats in the present day have delighted in making fun of Sarah Palin for putting notes on her hand during a speaking engagement. Many thanks to the pros in the LA bureau and the NY control room. It was nice to see my former KTLA colleague Carols Amezcua, now with Fox KTTV Channel 11, filling in as co-host.

Writing on the Hand: Palin vs Feinstein

The flap over the notes on Sarah Palin's hand recalls a similar dustup during a statewide political debate in California involving Dianne Feinstein. I was a panelist on the debate, and she clearly had something written on her palm, in a clearly visible violation of debate rules which required the candidates to speak without notes. When I asked her about it after the debate, she quickly hid her hand behind her back and left the room. A few days later, her campaign put out a press release saying that Feinstein's palm contained the key words of her campaign, something like, "choice, economy, education." The Republicans had a field day, and put out a press release comparing Feinstein to Bart Simpson. Like Feinstein, Palin appears to have written some of the key themes of her speech on her palm. No doubt the anti-Palin crowd will paint this as another example of the former Alaska governor being too dim-witted to hold a national office, but Feinstein survived her handwriting-gate, eventually winning a seat in the US Senate.
I'll be writing more about Palin in an upcoming column for Newsmax magazine. Stay tuned for details and links.

Remembering Ed Anzur, one year later

This picture may look a bit like Don Draper and the little girl who plays his daughter on "Mad Men," but it's actually me and my dad, Ed Anzur, who passed away a year ago this month. Ed was my first and biggest fan, as you can tell by the way he is paying rapt attention to whatever it is I am announcing in the picture. As I have written before, he was a big factor in my life as a journalist. He never met a stranger and always managed to find out where you were from or where you went to high school.

The real Ed didn't have much in common with Don Draper, except that he did enjoy a Manhattan or a beer when he came home from working at DuPont. He was a real people person with strong Catholic values, definitely not the philandering type, although he liked nothing better than a joke that was "naughty but nice."
Ironically, I moved back to California from Florida to help support my mom after Ed became bedridden. When he died peacefully in his bed last year, I was hundreds of miles away, out of town with my husband and son, getting ready for a day of skiing in Mammoth. It wasn't much of a ski trip, unless you count weeping and worrying about how my mom was doing back in LA with a dead body, four dogs and sheriff's deputies in her house. I was so distracted that I hit a twig on a steep, icy slope and nearly pulled a Natasha Richardson. But one morning the three of us gathered on the top of Mammoth Mountain and realized that Ed was in a better place.

So we're heading up to the mountain again one year later for a little family time, and we're going to think about Ed. He was a sporty guy, but never got around to taking up skiing. He enjoyed tennis right up until his stroke in 1990, and even managed to shuffle around the golf course for a few years after that. I think Ed is looking out for us from up above, because the massive snow dump of last week is over, the snow should be awesome and the driving conditions look pretty good. I can't help but think how proud he would be that I am training to go back on the air soon at KFI radio. He'd be getting the word out to all his friends via handwritten notes. He never got friendly with computers, but he was the original social networker.

I really miss him, but in a way he's still here.

You Never Know Who You'll Meet in High School

Yes, this is how I looked in my high school days, although I was usually wearing a song girl uniform or a gynmastics leotard when I wasn't stirring up trouble on the school newspaper. I'm going to begin 2010 with a flashback to my classmates at Homestead High School in Cupertino, CA. It's courtesy of a former classmate, Dave Marshall, who is now director of secondary education for a large school district in Kentucky. He put together a power point to inspire both students and teachers, making the point that you never know where the people you meet in high school will end up. Among those at Homestead with me in the 1970s...Just in case you don't recognize them, they are:

Joe Kane, the first man to navigate the entire length of the Amazon river and write a book about it.
US Olympic soccer coach Steve Sampson, younger brother of my classmate Mike.

And Steve Jobs, who started a little company called Apple.

Dave's motivational presentation also includes author Amy Tan, who went to a neighboring high school. He might have included some other pretty amazing classmates such as Debra Jarvis, who went from head cheerleader to ordained minister and has published several books, including a personal account of her courageous battle with breast cancer, called "It's Not About the Hair."
Anyway, I'm honored to be included as well.

Time for Giving Back

The holidays are a season of giving, and for the past three years, I've written a charity guide for the December issue of Newsmax magazine.

The first two articles focused on organizations that support US troops and their families. This year, because of the economy, the editors asked me to profile ten top charities that serve a variety of needs, from hungry children, to disaster victims, to homeless pets. Check it out in the December issue or visit the link in my Twitter post on the right hand side of your screen under "Terry's Tweets."

Women in Entertainment: the Next Generation

There was something new this year at the annual Hollywood Reporter breakfast for the most powerful women in Hollywood: a mentoring program for high school girls, in partnership with Big Brothers, Big Sisters. For the past 18 years, the event has celebrated the growing power of women executives in film and TV. But now that it's no longer rare for a woman to head a major studio, it was time to reach out to the next generation. My friend Jacqueline Sonderling, one of the sharpest producers in the biz, invited me to be the voice of the event at the Beverly Hills Hotel , and the video editing was in the capable hands of the folks at Picturehead.
Two Best Actress Oscar winners were among the honorees: Hilary Swank spoke of growing up in a trailer park as a poor, lonely kid who got into acting because she "didn't have any friends." Halle Berry received the Sherry Lansing Award for leadership. After a moving introduction from Lansing, Berry nearly brought the room to tears with the story of how her fifth grade teacher taught her to look beyond her abusive home and reach for her dreams.
But the real stars were the high school sophomores selected for the mentoring program. They will spend a year observing such powerful women as Disney's Anne Sweeney, who shares the #1 ranking on THR's list of 100 powerful Hollywood women with Sony's Amy Pascal.The program was just about flawless, under the steady direction of Wendy Moodie and her team from Paradigm Shift Worldwide http://www.psww.com/. The mentoring video was immediately posted on THR's website and you can check out the program (and my voiceover) at this link: http://video.hollywoodreporter.com/services/player/bcpid1079049389?bclid=1442316366&bctid=54280483001.
It's an honor to be associated with this classy event. Many thanks to Jacqueline and THR's Vicki Robles for making it happen. Even the team assembling the "swag bags" was first rate! I'd jump at the chance to work with the whole team again. And, yes, I am a freelance voiceover talent for both live events and taped productions. I can even record your track in my home studio and send it to you electronically. Visit my website at www.terryanzur.com or email me at terryanzur@yahoo.com.

Multimedia for High School Journalists

Disappearing jobs haven't discouraged high school students from applying to college journalism programs. High School Journalism Day at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism drew an eager audience of students and their teachers. I moderated a panel on "The Role of the Storyteller in Multimedia Journalism," along with Megan Garvey of the LA Times and videographer Phil Ige of KTLA. And yes, I do speak to high school journalism classes. Visit my web site at www.terryanzur.com
For more details on High School Journalism Day, go to: http://annenberg.usc.edu/AboutUs/News/091120HSJDay.aspx

Thank you British Airways!

I'll end the chronicle of this adventure with a toast to British Airways for making it all possible. Going home meant two more 11-hour flights, from Male to London Gatwick, then a bus transfer and overnight hotel before catching another long flight from Heathrow to Los Angeles. Both times I had a very civilized flight in World Traveler Plus. A kind manager even let me use the club lounge and the nice folks at the Sheraton Heathrow credited me for the prepaid night that I missed. BA's Terminal 5 is a city unto itself, and filled with random touches like a full-size horse lamp!I'm living proof that being face-to-face can seal a deal that wouldn't happen otherwise. Thank you British Airways!

Meet the Dean

It was a pleasure to meet Absy, the dean of the Faculty of Arts at the College of Higher Education. He is taking on the task of launching the first college-level journalism degree program in Maldives. I look forward to working with him and his associates in the future.

Random parting thoughts

Missing my plane meant two unexpected days in Male, plenty of time to look around at the changes. Last year, TVM did a story on the construction of the new Holiday Inn, which involved pile-driving into the coral bedrock of the island. The hotel is open now, although it seems a bit pricey at more than $300 a night for a Holiday Inn Express! I can testify to the quality of their buffet breakfast, with fresh fruit and entire pots of coffee!For Maldivian fast food, I ducked into a little shop for a bag of "short eats."
I also had a lovely visit with my friend Ziyo, who is on leave from her job on the English desk at TVM. I met her husband and adorable new baby boy, and enjoyed the swing on her rooftop terrace, next to the open air kitchen.

A Stylish Change

A number of stylish new shops are springing up in Male, but none better than "Temptress." This is the brainchild of Noora Ali and Aishath Hana, who have embarked on a new career as entrepreneurs since leaving the government. They assemble the collection in India and each handcrafted piece is exquisite and well-priced. They also have a translation and media training business.Following last year's election, the entire country played a game of musical chairs. Except for low-level civil servants, just about everyone is in a new job. It was so much fun to have a coffee with these two talented women and catch up!

TV Maldives

It was great to reconnect with so many of my Maldivian friends on this trip, but a major disappointment was not being able to see some of the colleagues who worked so closely with my team during the four months we spent in Male prior to the presidential election last year. When you've come halfway around the world to see someone, it's hard to understand how they could be "too busy" to have a cup of coffee for an entire week. This picture of TVM, behind locked gates, sums up my frustration at not being able to congratulate those who have made so much progress personally and professionally. The highly polarized nature of politics and media may explain why many are afraid to stick their neck out. For that reason, I have not named the people I met with on this trip, except for those meetings that were simply socializing over coffee. It's important to me to remain neutral and open to all views, and I don't want people keeping score of how many DRP or MDP sympathizers I met with. I only care about good broadcast journalism, regardless of party.
My overall impression from watching TVM news is that the English bulletin is much improved, under the leadership of Afruh and a full staff. The look of the newscasts is very professional and when I saw a promo for the on-air talent, my heart burst with pride. I remember back to my first days at TVM, when no one had a job description beyond "newscaster" and anchoring assignments were passed around like a hot potato. It was especially good to see how many of my "kids" have grown into competent professionals, especially Liza Laurella, Moosa Waseem and Soddig, who covers the new president and did some excellent reports with standups from a recent official visit to India. Others are overseas pursuing higher studies and will make a huge contribution when they return home. On the downside, the program now tilts toward the current government and viewers tell me that the former "TV Maumoon" under the old regime has been replaced by "TV MDP." There is still too much "BOPSA" footage of meetings and too little effort to get the personal stories of real people, such as the civil servants who were protesting outside the parliament building.
I also sampled the newscasts on the private stations, DhiTV and VTV. Both could use coaching on their presentation, but they were more likely to present opposition views. By strengthening these newscasts, viewers will have a choice in the marketplace just like we do here in the US.

How I Missed the Plane but Got the Deal

First, I want to stress that I don't blame anyone but myself for this. Frankly, three weeks of living out of a suitcase, midnight meetings and strange surroundings have taken their toll. To the point where I didn't realize that I had gotten one numeric day behind with my computer still showing the date in the US. I was sure I was leaving on the 31st, so I had plenty of time to spend a day in a resort. The Maldivians were sure I could even squeeze in one more meeting before going to the airport on Sunday.
Just when I was feeling like the luckiest person on the planet, my dream had a rude awakening when I went online to check in for my flight. It was ALREADY the 31st and the plane was already leaving. Worse, a sudden torrential rainstorm destroyed any thoughts of a mad dhoni dash to the airport island. What to do?
I hit the panic button when the Maldivians and the British Airways help desk in the UK had never heard of Face to Face and weren't sure they could rebook my ticket. Fortunately, BA came through in a huge way, rebooking me on their next flight two days later. There was also the problem of losing the prepaid room I had booked for the overnight jaunt from Gatwick to Heathrow to catch my final flight to Los Angeles. I'll have to pay for another one at last-minute prices, plus two extra days back in Male.
Going back to Male meant another chance to work with the dean of the college to put the finishing touches on the application for a Fulbright grant from the United States to continue the mid-career media training program here. If it's approved, I'll be returning in May and June to focus on improving the relationship between government public relations and working journalists, as well as specialized training for TV stations and others. I also was able to connect with some of the colleagues I hope to work with at the College of Higher Education to help implement their new journalism certificate program.
But this time I'm not taking any chances. I've already checked in and plan to be there early for the flight tomorrow. It's been an awesome trip, but it's time to go HOME.