Ep 234: 30 Years at ABC — Executive Director Doug Looney Takes Us Behind the Broadcast

Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien Swaby

Episode Summary:
Join Damien Swaby as he sits down with a seasoned professional from ABC News with 30 years of experience in the media industry. In this episode, we delve into Doug Looney's fascinating career journey, from early experiments with VHS editing in high school to overseeing technical operations at a major news network. Discover how technology has transformed news production, the challenges and rewards of working in a fast-paced environment, and the key skills needed to thrive in modern media operations.
Key Topics Discussed:

• Early Beginnings: How a high school television production class sparked a passion for media and led to early editing experiments.
• Entry into ABC News: His first steps into the industry through a temporary job and the importance of soaking in the environment.
• The Rise of Digital: Transitioning from analog to digital and the early days of abcnews.com.
• Modern News Acquisition: How technologies like LiveU and TVU enable rapid ingestion of live video from the field.
• The Power of Avid: Utilizing the Avid system for simultaneous recording and editing in news production.
• Adobe Premiere Pro at ABC News: Where and why Premiere Pro is used within the network, particularly for social media and promos.
• The Move to 7 Hudson Square: The massive project of relocating ABC News operations and the exciting technological upgrades implemented, including cloud-based editing.
• Scaling Operations: Balancing cost efficiency with creative output and the role of technology in achieving this.
• Essential Skills for Media Operations Teams: Prioritizing technical proficiencies for editors, acquisition teams, and distribution roles.
• Missing the Edit: Reflections on the hands-on editing process and memorable projects, including an Emmy-winning piece.
• The Impact of the Pandemic: How remote work and technological adaptation fostered deeper bonds within the team.

Doug Looney's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-looney-75a8854/
Thank you for joining us for this insightful conversation with our guest from ABC News. We hope you gained valuable perspectives on the evolution of media operations and the exciting future of news production. Be sure to subscribe to Filmmaking Conversations with Damien Swaby for more in-depth discussions with industry professionals!