...with Dave Benz.

What do I put on my tape?

These are tough times for sportscaster-types. From the down-sizing of sports networks (such as Fox Sports Net), to the total elimination of others, (such as CNN/SI), to the reduction and, in more and more cases, elimination, of sports departments at local television affiliates, opportunities for sportscasters are vanishing at an alarming rate. The end result has left the sportscasting industry more cut-throat than ever, so much so, I know many experienced and talented folks who are either out of work or getting out of the industry all together. The road to sportscasting success will be long and hard, if not impossible.

If you're at all like me, you've read my warning above and thought to yourself, "This doesn't apply to me, I'm going to make it no matter what." Good. That had better be your attitude if you really want to make it in sportscasting. If you don't think that way, consider a different aspect of the broadcast industry because you'd better believe your competing job seekers will have that attitude.

That said, it's clearly more important than ever to compile a resume reel which will stand out from the rest when it comes to to search for a job. Hopefully the mere fact you've reached this point of your job search means you've already acquired the skills and training necessary to even be looking for a sportscasting position. (additional info for beginners is available in our FAQ section). If you're not already in the industry, at the very least, you've done your internships, worked at your college or vocational school's TV and radio stations and own the basic skills necessary for putting together a resume tape. Now you just need to know what to put on tha tape.

Unfortunately, there is no tried and true single method for putting together a knockout sportscasting tape. Sportscasting, much like every other area of broadcasting, is a very subjective industry. Case in point: some people love John Madden, some people can't stand him. The same holds true for you and your tape. One news director or executive producer may absolutely love your tape; another may absolutely hate the same exact tape. As someone who's been through the job seeking process a number of times I realize how frustrating this can be. Hopefully the following tips will give your tape the best chance for success, but again, there are never any guarantees.

First and foremost, try to create a couple versions of your tape. Tailor the tape to the position for which you are applying. If you are applying for a sports anchor position be sure to make anchoring the focus of your tape with maybe just a touch of your absolute best reporting mixed in. The opposite is true if your applying for a job in which you'll mostly be reporting. This is just common sense. A prospective employer isn't going to sit through two packages to see how adept you are behind the desk if they're looking for a sports anchor.

Second, put your best stuff first. Anyone who's ever watched a news director rifle through tapes knows a candidate has maybe 30 seconds to impress before that tape hits the reject pile. Ideally your tape will start out with a montage of some of your best stuff (usually about a minute in length). Again, keep in mind my previous advice, tailor your montage to the position for which you are applying. It's ok to throw in a quick stand-up if you're applying for anchor position, but it better be good and the majority of the montage had better consist of anchoring.

What follows your montage will again depend on the position for which you're applying. Anchor candidates should put 3-4 minutes from a single sportscast (or perhaps 2 if they are short) immediately after the montage. You may want to cut out any sound bites so as to make the segment flow a little quicker. If your anchor segment happens to originate from a long format show (like a Sunday night special, etc) you should cut the show down to only your reads (if you have a partner) and definitely cut out sound-bites. Additionally, be sure your anchor segment isn't just you reading over scores and highlights. A news director doesn't need to see the five different ways you can describe a slam-dunk, (they might want to see one highlight segment to judge your ability to read highlights), they're more interested in your on-camera presence and your writing abilities.

Reporter candidates should put your two best packages, period. Ideally one would be a great feature, another a great hard-news type piece but this is less important than being sure to simply put your best two pieces. Also, if you have live shots, treat them as you would a package in this instance, though I'd tend to favor putting the live shot before a taped piece as this demonstrates more of your ability.

Additionally, it's likely the job for which you are applying will not exclusively involve reporting or anchoring, but a combination of both. In such a case, try to determine which aspect of the job will be more prominent and tailor your tape as such. However, be sure to follow the first two segments of your tape (as described above) with a third segment (either a package or anchor segment), which demonstrates your abilities in that other capacity.

This is all your tape really needs. Of course, these are only guidelines, you may choose to include more material on your tape if you believe it demonstrates an added ability which may help you land the job (play by play for example). However, bear in mind, your tape should be an appetizer, not an entire meal. Better to leave the hiring party hungry to see more than inundated with too much material. If they like the appetizer they'll ask to see more. No news director is going to say, "I really liked that person but there just wasn't enough on their tape." If they like you that much, they'll ask you to send more. A good total tape time should be 5-7 minutes.

As for the content itself, unlike news reporters, sportscasting candidates are allowed a bit more freedom as it pertains to their material. For example, many news directors might disdain the use of music in news stories but are more acceptable of it in sports stories. Sports are after all, a form of entertainment. People watch sports to be entertained, thus news directors are less critical when your sports stories and segments include elements which will beef up the entertainment value. I would not be afraid to use segments with such elements on my resume tape.

Ask yourself this, "Is my resume tape something I enjoy watching?" I believe this to be the most important question you can ask. If a compilation of some of your best work isn't something people will enjoy watching, why will they enjoying watching your work on a run-of-the-mill day? Don't think of your tape as much an extension of your resume as an audition. Make them like you first then worry about what your experience level may be.

One final piece of advice, be sure to include a tape contents list along with your tape, and not just on the tape label. I don't know many news directors who can read tape labels while a tape is in the machine.

Since his last submission to 'Round the Horn, Dave Benz has relocated to WXIN/WTTV-TV in Indianapolis where he acts as sports anchor for Fox59 AM in addition to duties working on Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers telecasts on WB4. Dave continues to act as the CEO of Sportscastingjobs.com. More info on Dave is available here.

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