“Breaking into the Television Business” was published in The newsletter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 2006

When I broke into the TV business fresh out of school, I had gotten a job at a television station in a very small market. My first opportunity came when a new show needed to be lighted and no one else wanted to touch it with a ten-foot pole. I stepped in and said, I can do it, and I did do it. After that I was considered the lighting expert of my station. I really did not know that much about lighting but what I did know was far more than anyone else in my group. Now all I needed to do was to get better at lighting and I did that by using what I call the improvement method. It is simple. Look at your work and ask yourself. What can I do to make it better? Keep doing that and you will get better and eventually among the best in your business. Ozzie Smith, recently inducted into the Baseball Hall Of Fame said it best at his ceremonial speech, “It’ s not good enough, if it can be made better”.

Frank Gatto served as president of NATAS, Suncoast Chapter in 1980-82. He is also a three time Emmy winner, a Silver Circle recipient and a proud WTVJ alumnus. Frank now owns a Television Lighting consulting firm based in Boca Raton, Florida. His client list includes all of the major networks.

Frank Gatto