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Takeout specialists?

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by KnuteRockne, Apr 12, 2007.

  1. blondebomber

    blondebomber Member

    It was started by the same guy who invented the -30- at the end of press releases.
     
  2. SoSueMe

    SoSueMe Active Member

    Today is this first time I've ever heard of the term. Someone enlighten me, please?
     
  3. fishwrapper

    fishwrapper Active Member

    Wow. I'm about to sound like the old guy:
    Teletype symbols so one could discern the state of the story...
    -30- was used long before "press releases."

    -10- = first lede
    -20- = first lede writethru, more tk
    -30- = optional. end of transmission.

    (-30- = nowadays just means end of send.)

    Historical root: "-30-" has been used to signify "the end" or "over and out" since the Civil War when telegraphers tapped "XXX" to end transmissions. "XXX" is the Roman numeral for 30.

    Here is a full list of the wire signals. You'll recognize some. They've been used for over 150 years, and if there are other military vets on the board, they can tell you some of the signals are still used today.

    1  Wait a moment 
    2  Important Business 
    3  What time is it? 
    4  Where shall I go ahead? 
    5  Have you business for me? 
    6  I am ready 
    7  Are you ready? 
    8  Close your key; circuit is busy 
    9  Close your key for priorit business (Wire chief, dispatcher, etc) 
    10  Keep this circuit closed 
    12  Do you understand? 
    13  I understand 
    14  What is the weather? 
    15  For you and other to copy 
    17  Lightning here 
    18  What is the trouble? 
    19  Form 19 train order 
    21  Stop for a meal 
    22  Wire test 
    23  All copy 
    24  Repeat this back 
    25  Busy on another wire 
    26  Put on ground wire 
    27  Priority, very important 
    28  Do you get my writing? 
    29  Private, deliver in sealed envelope 
    30  No more (end) 
    31  Form 31 train order 
    32  I understand that I am to ... 
    33  Car report (Also, answer is paid for) 
    34  Message for all officers 
    35  You may use my signal to answer this 
    37  Diversion (Also, inform all interested) 
    39  Important, with priority on thru wire (Also, sleep-car report) 
    44  Answer promptly by wire 
    73  Best regards 
    88  Love and kisses 
    91  Superintendant's signal 
    92  Deliver promptly 
    93  Vice President and General Manager's signals 
    95  President's signal 
    134  Who is at the key? 
     
  4. SoSueMe

    SoSueMe Active Member

    And "takeout writer" comes from where? What does it mean?
     
  5. fishwrapper

    fishwrapper Active Member

    "Takeout" or "feature" writer are one in the same. The terms are interchangeable, these days.
    Originally, it was in reference to a magazine writer who had a spread over several pages, consecutively.
    Therefore, if the reader wanted save the article and ditch the rest of the magazine (I suppose the term was viable in newspapers as well), he/she would "take out" the consecutive pages of the piece and save.
    Today, it is pretty much a colloquialism.
     
  6. fishwrapper

    fishwrapper Active Member

    Sidebar:
    Buckweaver and Frank_Ridgeway would be proud of those last two posts...
    Being the history and newspaper nuts they are.
    (Frank, that's a compliment.)
     
  7. shockey

    shockey Active Member

    kevin manahan, newark star-ledger, does splendid takeout work.
     
  8. FileNotFound

    FileNotFound Well-Known Member

    Great stuff. Did not know that explanation for -30-. Shows that 20 years in the business is really not all that long. I'm proud of myself for knowing the origins of "rim" and "slot."

    As for takeout writers: Am a big fan of Juliet Macur, NYT. That guy at The Washington Post, can't remember his name, the one that did the Josh Hamilton story, he doesn't suck in the least either. John Erardi of the Cincinnati Enquirer occasionally spins a very good tale.
     
  9. fishwrapper

    fishwrapper Active Member

    I've had the pleasure of working over, under and with some of the statesmen (euphemistically speaking) of the business. Some, the sour cantankerous type, wouldn't be afraid to inform you of history.
    In some cases, I didn't learn by osmosis as much as a fire hose. But, now I smile remembering them.
     
  10. Piotr Rasputin

    Piotr Rasputin New Member

    Knute Rockne is an excellent takeout writer.

    ;D

    The initial post's idea as far as trying to find time to do takeouts between other work is all too prevalent. The bigger papers have the room on staff for someone to just be a writer who weaves 60-inch narratives and in-depth stories, and the space to run them with regularity.

    But I don't think long, high-quality stories will necessarily keep newspapers relevant. espn.com has done some excellent such pieces, as has yahoo.com. These pieces are what helps make journalism and the written word relevant and vital. But the Web sites (for both newspapers and other outlets), with their flashier presentation, space for longer pieces as wel as links to more infomation, and ability to share such pieces with friends more easily, have stolen the printed word's thunder.
     
  11. Frank_Ridgeway

    Frank_Ridgeway Well-Known Member

    What I like about his stuff is that the content influences his tone and style rather his tone and style overwhelming the content. He knows when to get out of the way and when to have his word fun.
     
  12. Smartwriter

    Smartwriter Member

    I remember when he was a stringer for The State. We did a high school football game at Camden one year. Me, Kent and the guy from the Camden paper walking down the sideline. From the little I spoke with him, he seemed like a good guy. He's one of the Gamecocks writers now, right?
     
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