by Dino Corvino on July 14th, 2009
Last week word came down that Gannett was again going to make another round of layoffs. Across the board, all the big departments. More newspaper blood letting. The dwindling of the 4th Estate (or whatever estate).
Word came down recently that two editors were moving on to other … oh why dress it up … two editors were losing their jobs. One editor was moving to another paper, and 14 other people were let go.
So we say goodbye to Amy Olsen and Mark Multer. We say, have a good time in Point, to Mark Baldwin. You did a good job here.
The question becomes the change in the role of the publisher Mike Beck. Now he has been named EDITOR/PUBLISHER. These are two different roles in a traditional newspaper or media model. One is focused on the newsroom, the other entirely focused on the business of the paper. These have been exclusive role in the past.
Will Gannett, already a questionable journalism outlet, now fall deeper into advertiser-influenced coverage? With a non-journalist at the helm, this seem entirely possible.
We have something like the CW Hub, which has already gotten into a bit of hot water with a community website, coming to the forefront in what can only be considered a milquetoast version of itself. The newspaper has vibrant and powerful voices, and the CW Hub (is this the new flagship?) seems to primarily be a sourced content website, where we essentially get stories from other places.
Is the point of having a local newspaper to have local coverage of news? I thought it should be that way, but it seems that each year, we have less and less in the newsroom side, and less and less locally produced content.
The newspaper business is dying. Just dying. Like the record industry before it. It is shame that our friends and community members are a part of the pain, and I am sorry they are having a tough time.
by Dino Corvino on April 28th, 2008
[A note from Dino: Since this is the summer of Johnny Depp and films in Wisconsin, we wanted to highlight that a member of the CW community is shooting a film here in town. While it appears that the Wausau Film Festival might have died on the vine, it also appears that we have an active and passionate underbelly of scene shooters, and color saturators here in town. This post comes to us from Erik. Good on you Erik!]
I apologize for no commentary this weekend. We finished photography for Daily Routine, a quick three minute short from Stop That Nun that was entirely fun. Unfortunately with sweeps at the station and Microcosm now heating up big time, the turn around for editing that will be a bit long. Still big thanks to Chris Leslie who acted as both the star and producer of the piece, Brett Widmann and Seth Callaway, both of whom recorded our sound on site and Katrina Shankland who acted for us as well.
Speaking of Microcosm, the last auditions where this weekend and by far our most successful. Thanks to a good time frame we were able to get in contact with UWSP Theater faculty a bit and that resulted in many talented folks making their way out to read for us. I had a director’s favorite problem: too much talent to choose from. I did cast however, and as soon as everyone accepts their roles, I will post them up here for all to see.
And speaking of sweeps, this week I had a promo made for one of my pieces. Crazy, I know. They actually touted me as “award winning photographer Erik Cieslewicz” for commercials leading up to newscasts. It’s a little silly to be happy to see something like that, especially since I’m surrounded by people who are pushed daily in promotions, but still, I have to admit it was pretty neat. So I was able to do a pair of great sweeps pieces Thursday and Friday. Those will be up on the YouTube channel tonight if all goes well.
Commentary may go on a short hiatus, but will be replaced with information about Microcosm, including a call for background artists. I really hope to get a lot of Wausau community members in the film, so I’ll be giving dates, times and locations for people to just show up to and be in a movie. Pretty sweet, huh? We’ll even feed you if you show up on set. I realize that’s way cooler to hear if you’re in college or something, but hey, free lunch is free lunch.
This Friday my producers and I have a huge meeting with the City of Wausau and we’re really hoping they will be very accommodating to us. I really, really want to shoot in Wausau, but as a low budget film production, we will go where ever it’s cheapest! But having interacted with Mayor Tipple before along with Dennis Saeger, I have faith that Wausau will be as good to us as we plan on being to the city.
by Citizen Wausau on March 31st, 2008
[A note from Dino: As spring springs on us, our thoughts take us away from the computer, and outdoors. To new hobbies, and to bikes, and camping. Well, WNRB is a community radio station, and while it might not be a Santa Cruz full suspension dream bike, it might be a hobby you're interested in. I have a feeling that it might be a little bit like Citizen Wausau, where it is what you bring to it a little bit. So, thank you to Tom Neal for this post.]
Saturdays are wide-open … ready for you to jump in and become a part of the community’s Saturday experience. I’m talking about hosting your own radio program on WNRB-LP (93.3 FM, Wausau). Time slots are open on Saturdays for people who’d like to bring their own personalities/musical tastes/viewpoints to the airwaves. Provide the spring/summer soundtrack for people outside washing their cars, or driving around with the windows down, or jogging with their radio headphones on.
Just think: Do an early morning wake-up show, maybe with acoustic alternative or folk music. Or a late-morning classic rock exploration of “B-sides” and deep album cuts. How about blues or classical music in the afternoon? Rule Saturday night with a party mix. Do a one-hour or two-hour show. Buddy up with someone and do a 2-person show.
It’s easy and it’s a gas. A fun sideline/hobby for your life. Takes about 10 minutes to learn the ropes in the studio. Pay is $0 … it’s an all-volunteer station. Studio is on 6th Street on Wausau’s east side at the Wausau Area Hmong Mutual Assoc. offices. Contact me here if you’re interested (there are also open slots on weekdays). And, of course, tune in for my show, Roundtrip, Thursday nights 7-9 for music you just won’t hear on any station in these parts.
by Dino Corvino on March 7th, 2008
I have found that the longer I go unplugged from the world of cyberspace, the better things get for me. We have a rule up north: no laptops (unless you’re a musician from outside of Wisconsin, then we understand). We try to let you do your business, but eventually we encourage you to put it away. I try that on weekends, and it really works well. Sitting in the library reminds me that ideas are often the best when they are on paper, not on a screen. I remember in college carrying around giant anthologies, now kids probably just buy the Amazon Kindle. Saving the environment, but at what price I ask you.
Off to the questions:
- What romantic memories do you cherish? Not just interpersonal, but in general. I remember playing catch with my father, in the front yard. Catching ground balls and pop ups. I never played softball, because of this. And even now, I collect baseballs, and love baseball games, and baseball movies. That might be why when my friend Sullie and I get to zero Brewer games in a season it breaks my cold black heart.
- What do you collect? Not like music or movies. But what do you collect that is sort of intrinsically you? I have a friend who I think collects colored theatre masks. I was in his garage, and I think I saw these masks. And a lot of them. Why those things? My Aunt Weileda collected salt shakers, and had thousands of them. Even built a shelf around her whole house to put them on.
- What is your favorite movie? I just watched a Star Wars documentary, and realized that is not my favorite movie of all time. I think it might be Apocalypse Now, though There Will Be Blood is right there as well. And you can never count out Top Gun.
- “I gotta tell you milkshake, your mouth is really writing some checks that your cup can’t cash!” – Carl
- Did you see Gypsy? Are you aware of the great work that comes from Community Theatre here in Wausau? The singing, and the dancing, and the stories. Oh, and how my heart lept for joy.
- I was wondering, why was the City Pages not represented at the debate last night? Or for that matter Channel 9? Just asking.
- Are earrings on men so common that they have almost become passe? I am thinking of a career in fashion, and maybe I want to bring back the small gold hoop for men. At what age do young people exert themselves and their individual style?
- I was wondering if you had ever heard of a band called Freedown? More importantly – and I am stealing this question from my friend Eric – if Martin Scorsese was making the movie of your life, what songs would be on your soundtrack?
Bonus Round! Great googily moogily!
Letter A: If you win the lottery, what would your dream car be? Would you live here in Wausau, or would you move?
Letter C: Do you own and ride a bicycle? Not like for training or spandex, but just for fun?
Option 11: Have you ever had an Egg Creme?
Conundrum 13.5: Which is better Alaskan Crab or New England Crab?
by Tom Neal on December 17th, 2007
(Editors Note: When we started the individual blogs, we mentioned pulling some forward to the front page…at random, or because we really dug them. So we are going to start with this post from Tom Neal about WNRB. I have heard of this WNRB thing, and I bet it is fun.)
Thought I’d take this opportunity to promote something I do and where I do it. On Thursday nights, from 7 to 9, I host a radio show (Roundtrip with Neal at the Wheel) on commercial-free WNRB-LP, 93.3 FM. It’s a kick, groove, self-indulgence that allows me to delve into my preoccupation with music. (more…)
by Marcus Nelson on October 11th, 2007
I know we’re just getting started here, but I thought it might be nice to introduce some ideas about this new little community of ours. Perhaps it would be important to lead off with this:
The World Is Changing.
That’s what I find so compelling about this medium of social media. As an example, check out the City Pages from last week — there’s a feature announcing this website. Yeah for us! (more…)
