Yesterday I read that Patrick Poivre d'Arvor, main anchor for France's TF1, is being asked to step down after 21+ years on the air. Beginning in September, the main nightly newscast will be anchored by Laurence Ferrari. Supposedly, this is a ratings ploy as Ms. Ferrari is significantly younger than Poivre d'Arvor, who is also known to be temperamental.
Some regular readers may have figured out why this is important to me. When I did my junior term abroad in Strasbourg, France (Sept. 1988-Feb. 1989) we had to watch TF1's nightly news for the Civilization section of our orientation session. Prior to going overseas, I had taken Communications Technology (the basic video course) back at K College during my sophomore year. While reviewing my final project, my professor, Larry Jaquith, had said to me, "You have a good eye. You could make a career of this." At the time, I just shrugged that off and filed it away in my brain. But sitting in that classroom in the International Institute at the University of Strasbourg I had an epiphany.
The nightly news began each episode with PPdA, as the anchor is known, framed rather small in the center of the screen, then they zoomed him forward full screen so it appeared that he was coming right into your living room to deliver you the news. I remember very clearly sitting there, with Monsieur Kintz explaining why TF1 did that, and thinking "I can do that!" That was the moment when I decided to go into video production as a career. When I returned to the States in the spring, I immediately began setting up the independent study I did for Advanced Video Technology class, followed by the internship I did at Toledo's PBS station for my Senior Independent Project. Thus a career was born.
So, thank you, Monsieur Poivre d'Arvor, for inspiring one young American all unbeknownst to you, best of luck in the next phase of your life and career, and au revoir.
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