Al Coen

ENG camera guy at Global BC

[Lenslinger @Lenslinger]

A young photog wanted to know what working in TV News was like in the early 90’s.

So I took away his phone, laptop, GoPro and drone.

Then I assigned him a reporter and gave them a single assignment to focus on all day.

Feels like a draw.

[Lenslinger @Lenslinger]

A SPECIAL OFFER from The Lenslinger Institute…

[Lenslinger @Lenslinger]

TV News is the odd profession in which, in the course of a single week, you can tour the scene of a homicide, see a city council meeting sputter into nothing, catch a kick-ass tractor pull and STILL be told by some putz who never leaves his yard that you don’t understand America.

[Al Coen @allan_coen]

@Lenslinger There is one in every town…also only does one shoot a week and will bore you with details of their documentary..

[Al Coen @allan_coen]

@Lenslinger “E” can be triggering…

[Al Coen @allan_coen]

@Lenslinger @kevinamacdonald Has made the big time !

[Lenslinger @Lenslinger]

The annoying thing about being a TV News photog is that friends always want to shoot their wedding or bar mitzvah or deposition or proof of life video or shadow puppet space opera or cross dressing Sasquatch contest or…anyway, let’s just forget I mentioned any of this, shall we?

[Lenslinger @Lenslinger]

Wallow in homogeny all you want. I’d rather ping-pong from penthouse to poorhouse with a TV camera in tow. It ain’t exactly made me rich, but it’s gifted me with a truth those who only prefer their own kind can never seem to understand…

It’s hard to hate people up close.

[Al Coen @allan_coen]

@BenTDooley Happy New Year Ben !!

[Al Coen @allan_coen]

@Lenslinger And a Happy Holiday to you! I didn’t get the airport, got the homeless camp inspection by the Fire Department instead ..

[Lenslinger @Lenslinger]

“What are we?”

“PHO-TOGS!”

“Whadda we want?”

“CONVENIENT SHOOTS WITH FRIENDLY REPORTERS WHO ONLY WRITE TO THE BEST VIDEO, BELIEVE IN A PROPER LUNCH AND KNOW HOW TO GET BOTH OF US OUT OF LIVE SHOTS FOR THE REST OF THE CALENDAR YEAR!”

“Wow, you guys are really specific.”

[Lenslinger @Lenslinger]

Scoff all you want at my chosen profession, but 30 plus years of shooting local TV News has left me with priceless anecdotes, a widened worldview and a closet full of old logowear that I'm no longer supposed to even put on...

There's also the lower back pain.

[Lenslinger @Lenslinger]

SHOUT OUT to all the television news crews who are about to work a marathon shift covering the elections in a volatile environment, without the assistance of life-affirming newsroom pizza.

Never mind your stomach. Watch your back.

[Lenslinger @Lenslinger]

PRO TIP: If a news crew approaches you in a public space with a random question, know that they’re having a lousy day and hold no -personal- interest in your opinion.

DO NOT decline to be on camera, then insist on answering their question anyway.

Ain’t nobody got time for that.

[Global BC @GlobalBC]

Bannock plays an important role in Indigenous culture in Canada, and as the country observes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Ida Baker of Vancouver's @SnBVancouver shows @PaulHaysom how to make a simple pan-fried version of the bread.

[Lenslinger @Lenslinger]

Being a veteran television photojournalist is knowing that A) you could have total access to the big event in town that everyone is talking about and B) wanting desperately not to be anywhere near it.

[Global BC @GlobalBC]

Legislative bureau chief @KeithBaldrey shares his memories of covering some of Queen Elizabeth II's memorable moments while visiting B.C., including exclusive footage of the royals walking in the gardens of Government House.
More: https://t.co/30Qx21Qna7

[Al Coen @allan_coen]

@BenTDooley @keithbaldrey Hopefully Keith bought you lunch !!

[Super 70s Sports @Super70sSports]

Unless you were there in 1982, you can’t even imagine how baller this setup was.