Excitement! Excitement! Excitement! I just interviewed, Deanna Sauceda, Anchor, KRQE News 13. She gave me some very powerful information, and it all sounded just like the Mass Communication and Journalism syllabus! I hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did because you-all know I love talking to (meeting) celebrities!
Spanish-Amiga$$: Do you think education is the key out of poverty?
Deanna: I think it is one of several keys. I think strong mentors are crucial. The community a young person lives in is also responsible for their success. I also think it's born within a person to succeed. We see that when someone overcomes the odds.
Spanish-Amiga$$: What education do you have?
Deanna: I have a Bachelors of Art-Technical Journalism from Colorado State University. In journalism, it's a good idea to research your schools. Find the best school in your area in journalism if you are staying in state. This is very important in TV because you need tools at your finger tips, like cameras, the studio, etc. We have people that don't have TV degrees, but it is getting tougher and tougher to get into the business without a degree.
Spanish-Amiga$$: Do you have to have a TV degree?
Deanna: It's better to have than not. Today, it's very competitive and good degrees give you a better chance. When you are in college, it's good to have teachers that have actually worked in TV news. There are trade degrees-camera work, editing, etc. If you have the ability to edit in digital format or non-linear and you can work with state of the art technology, you improve your chances. Also, the industry is moving toward a "one man band." This is a reporter who can shoot, write, edit, and then feed their story from the field in a digital format on the web. Having a web and technology background is very powerful these days.
Spanish-Amiga$$: How has college made your life better?
Deanna: College has made my life better through experience of learning, exposure to others, maturity necessary to make it through college, understanding how to set goals, understanding adversity and difficult decisions, etc.
Spanish-Amiga$$: How long have you been an anchor woman at KRQE News 13?
Deanna: I have been an anchor at KRQE News 13 since 1989. I took a 5 year sabbatical from 2000 to 2005. I worked for Intel in Colorado as a Communication Manager for two years. Then, I went to International Project Manager, which was excellent work. I am a better journalist because of my time at Intel.
Spanish-Amiga$$: How long have you been anchoring the news?
Deanna: I was a general assignment reporter from 1983 to 1989 in Denver. I actually started at KCNC as a production assistant/secretary and moved into reporting. While I was a PA (production assistant), I volunteered in the newsroom every weekend. I started as an anchor at KRQE News 13 in 1989.
Spanish-Amiga$$: What advice would you give future news anchors?
Deanna: You will not start as an anchor. The first step is reporting, so don't think you will just be hired as an anchor. To be an anchor, you have to earn your stripes so to speak. You will have to have solid journalistic skills and sense. You should first report before you sit at the anchor desk.
Spanish-Amiga$$: Well, what is the difference between a reporter and an anchor?
Deanna: The reporter is the person in the field that does the story. The anchor delivers the news, but should be a reporter at heart and uses all his/her reporting skills on the desk. In both cases, you have to be well-rounded, have an understanding of a wide variety of subjects, insatiably curious, excellent writer, and have thick skin.
Spanish-Amiga$$: What do you mean by have a thick skin? You mean not wear your feelings on your shoulder?
Deanna: You have to be able to deal with adversity at the highest level and intense pressure. Time is measured in seconds and deadlines are part of your daily routine. You must be able to deal with sad, gruesome, and horrendous information, as well as touching, joyous stories. You have to be tenacious, aggressive, and pay close attention to detail. (That sounds like my Mass Communication and Journalism classes!)
Spanish-Amiga$$: Where do you see yourself in ten years from now?
Deanna: You know; I don't have a clue. That sounds terrible....no goals. I love my job and love news and would love to do exactly what I am doing today. I live by a very simple creed called the "pillow test." When I put my head on that pillow each night, have I made a difference and is my world a better place because of my work? I must have fun doing it. Really, this is about following your passion.
Spanish-Amiga$$: Could I come down to the TV studio on a tour and take pictures? Do you do (have) tours? What is the best time?
Deanna: The best time is before noon, about 11 a.m.
As you can imagine, since you-all know I LOVE to talk, I had "100" questions. I have noticed, as I am doing these interviews, I have more questions based on their answers. She said to be curious. I have that! This was a very educational interview for me since I am studying Mass Communication and Journalism, and I want to be a paid talk show host. This interview helped "push" me a few steps to that TV door because of the qualities Ms. Deanna described in a news anchor. The best quality I have, besides all my education, is that I believe in me! Until that next great interview, dream big because dreaming is still free! Spanish-Amiga$$
WORKS CITED
Sauceda, Deanna. March 1, 2010. Personal Communication via telephone.
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Okay, so where has Deanna Sauceda AND Diane Anderson disappeared to. I really enjoyed the Noon news when they were doing it and I really miss them.
ReplyDeleteDid they retire or have they moved to another station? Thanks for any information you can send me.