LIFE ADMIN
U.S VISA:
The production unit will provide the letter that you need to take to your appointment.
Step One: Complete the online DS-160 and print the confirmation page for each person applying for a visa, regardless of age. Answer the questions to the best of your ability; before you begin, see this video and SlideShare presentation for additional tips, and information on photo specifications.
https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visa-forms/
Step Two: Go to https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-gb to pay the MRV application fee and schedule an interview, or obtain information on applying for the visa by courier. Click on “Apply” if you are a first time user or “Continue” if you already have an account.
https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-gb
** Make sure to always opt for an in-person interview! The courier option is very slow.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:
You need to get one of these when you arrive https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/
So the process is that you fill out the form below then book an appointment a S.S. office and then they send it to you 2 weeks later. You have it forever but you can only get seven replacement cards in your life so keep it safe. It tells you what docs you need on the website but these are the key ones.
You need:
-your I-Visa in your passport
- your I-94 (print yours off from here https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/recent-search)
-proof of address (rental agreement will work)
-the filled out application form https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/
HEALTHCARE:
You should get a card in the post but if not you can register online at geo-blue and print one out. You’re supposed to choose healthcare providers that are ‘in network’ for the insurer. It just means the insurer has a deal with that provider so it’s cheaper (you can find networks when logging into your account). You can see who is in-network on the geo-blue website. Dental and eyes work in the same way!
I use MedStar and they have loads of locations around DC!
BANKING:
Everyone tends to bank with Wells Fargo as it’s downstairs - just below the office. They are aware of ITN.
To setup a bank account, you will need passport, letter of offer from ITV for the job in the US and proof of US address (I used my rental agreement). You will need to deposit a small amount of money to setup the account as well (I think I put in $50 cash).
HOUSING:
I use Borger Agency who are aware of ITN and what we do. To rent a house in the US, you are subject to background checks, deposit and a guarantor depending on rental policy. Here is the link https://borgerresidential.com/ they do require a guarantor, and background check, but can process our applications quickly. Jonathan has been guarantors in the past. Will, Fred and Maral live in The Shelburne in Dupont Circle and I live in the Sedgwick in DuPont Circle. They have apartments around DC and nearer to the bureau.
Best contacts for Shelburne and Sedgewick is: Elisha Kassa, ekassa@borgerproperties.com (202.734.0977) and Candice Gray cgay@borgerproperties.com (202-248-0674)
For Bills - you will need mandatory Rental Insurance, Pepco (Electricity), WIFI, DC Water (may not be included depending on housing, sometimes can be included, check with landlord) .
Pepco setup found here: https://www.pepco.com/
Rental Insurance will be recommended by your rental agency. I am with Resident Shield: https://www.residentshield.com/
WiFi - many options available, I am with Astound as they had a good welcome offer: https://www.astound.com/
Other useful places to find accommodation: https://www.apartments.com/ https://www.zillow.com/washington-dc/apartments/ https://www.realtor.com/apartments/Washington_DC
DC DRIVERS LICENSE:
https://dmv.dc.gov/service/driver-licenses this gives all the info about what you need to do to convert your UK license into a DC one. You don’t need a DC license to rent or drive a rental car in the USA.
OFFICE LIFE:
DAILY WORKFLOW:
-0700 - 0800 EST: Jonathan to contact London to check in with what plans are for the day
Jonathan to group WhatsApp to tell bureau what plans are and what the programme is looking for. JW will assign crews, and will make a note of what will need to be done. He may also direct message you tasks to complete, i.e bidding for certain guests, or researching a story.
-0830: is when LTN is on-air, we only provide content for LTN if requested, or a major breaking news story.
-1000/1100: is when the reporter will get in for any edits, the reporters must be in to cover both bulletins (even if not in the running order).
-1330: EN on-air
-1700: NAT on-air timings
If overseeing/helping with any edits, make sure you send script, sourcing and astons to GIR. Crews will oversee the picture for the packages.
THE BUREAU SERVER, ADDING AND VIEWING AND FEED INFO:
Although we sublet our office space from NBC we are no longer affiliated with them. We do, however, currently have access to the US Pool lines through them and they are fed into our bureau MCR. This is a rough guide of what appears on what! DO NOT EXPECT THE POOLS TO FOLLOW THIS ORDER!!!! London does not have access to all these feeds so you will need to patch them down the fibres if requested.
1&2 State Department and Pentagon
3-5 White house
6-9 Changeable
10-20 Capitol Hill
We are able to flip video onto the bureau server via the same web based system that is used in London: https://elm.itn.co.uk/ux/upload
Select “Washington - Individual Clips” options in drop down list.
You can also view the server via a web-portal https://wdc-mc-cloudux.itn.local/ logging in with outlook password . N: B: This is not the same Cloud UX system as the one used in London. You will need to contact GIR Tech Support to add you onto the server.
****We cannot use Reuters, Channel 4 may use Reuters, so please be mindful when sharing material!
NBC NEWSCHANNEL:
We no longer have an agreement with NBC other than they provide our office space and the pool feeds. Our main point of contact is Andrew Godsick for any issue with the office or building. Chris Henry is the person who issues staff passes to access the building, but go through Andrew in the first instance.
You will also need to contact NBC for any new pass, or pass renewals (access to office, building and roof).
Andrew Godsick - technical manager andrew.godsick@nbcuni.com
Chris Henry - Director, Security for NBC News in DC Chris.Henry@nbcuni.com
**ONLY CONTACT NBC IF GIVEN PERMISSION FROM JW**
BUREAU GMAIL ACCOUNT:
We have a bureau Gmail account which is useful as you can send links, etc to the mac mini to record.
I don’t know what the password is as it’s always logged on, so no need to worry about that!
PROSPECTS AND PLANNING:
THE OVERNIGHT NOTE:
Jonathan will send out an email overnight to say what staff movements are, what is on the diary, what guests are booked and any other useful relevant information.
Eurovision does a nightly prospects email that comes out at about every night. Email EBU to join mailing list.
SHARED CALENDAR:
We have a private bureau only shared calendar which tracks staff movements and holidays. Make sure to liaise with JW about any leave prior to adding. The crews will discuss directly with Adam their leave.
https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/r/month/2024/3/1?mode=day&date=20231214T145603&pli=1
CONTACTS:
We have a main contacts list which is broken down into sections and has useful information for our regular contributors, and other guests! I find USElex section most useful. Also a section on freelancers.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18O0tKZOxYSLQDdV0fB-XBra0eOgUDUvTyNcQWSiAsrM/edit?gid=0#gid=0
BUREAU CREDENTIALS:
Any information needed to accredit anyone in the bureau can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1al69rVw8KqRyWPB_K3_gB_7egwvjy2CE
Please make sure you do not share this link widely as it contains very sensitive data. We do not add SSN, so you will need to contact every person privately asking for it, and telling them how it will be used.
WEEKLY PLANNING NOTE:
On Wednesday’s we do a weekly note (acts like a planning note looking ahead to next week). We add staffing to the top of it. Of course, things could change but so long as it’s updated to when we send that’s great.
It runs Saturday to Friday. The best way I describe it would be like a Wolftech entry!
For style and what you need to add, you can follow the previous ones (should be forwarded on). We tend to add any information about location, timings and if there is any on-camera action for it.
For the content - we use all the usual planners in London such as EBU (own username), CNN (username +pword above), AP (own username) and Global Planners (own username).
Jonathan will always look over it and discuss any questions. He will then distribute out to whoever needs it! If you are on leave, Jonathan will pick this up. It goes to Michael, Foreign Planners, ITVX (Rebecca)and Digital (Matt).
AP:
We speak to their NYC office much more as that’s their main US HQ and it’s where they co-ordinate their coverage for all big events. Nico Maounis is the best point of contact to talk to about live options for big stories etc. Nico is on 917 445 4141, (nico.maounis@ap.org).
AP DC: 202 736 9595
AP NYC: 212 621 7422
Please note Nico is very busy, so always email as the first point of call, and only call if essential.
EBU:
EBU DC: 202 293 9371
FEATURE STORY NEWS:
https://www.featurestorynews.com/
FSN have a main base in DC, a decent operation in NYC and then loads of little satellite options across the US and in random places around the world.
Nick Harper: 571 388 8684 harpern@featurestory.com is my main contact! Always very responsive.
EMAIL DISTRIBUTION LISTS:
You should subscribe to the White House press list, the State press list and the DOD press list, as well as the DOJ press list.
The main white house press office number is 202-456-9570 and e-mail is media_affairs@who.eop.gov.
The office for the First Lady is 202 456 6313, firstladypress@who.eop.gov.
State Department the main number there is (202) 647-2492
Defense Department is 703-571-3343, and Taft is super helpful and should be first port of call responds to emails promptly taft.r.phoebus.civ@mail.mil Office 703-614-1889.
Best to always check with Jonathan before contacting Taft, as he has a good relationship with him.