Link: http://wgsf.oldgleaner.com/

Pigeon hole! To categorize; especially to limit or be limited to a particular category, role, etc. Society in general seems to be addicted to putting people in a box - typecasting, profiling, stereotyping. Television, like most other businesses, has long established traditions as to which occupations require a particular type of "Pigeon" to place in that hole.

I broke into commercial broadcast television in the late 1950's. The Engineering/Technical staff, the studio and properties crews, newsfilm and other occupations were definitely male oriented. Clerks, typists, secretaries, etc., were of the feminine gender. The Ladies could properly host a "Women's" or children's show, or do an on-air commercial pitch, but the line was drawn at general staff announcing duties, all male, of course.

Even within the gender defined roles, duties were strictly segregated. It was observed, with a great deal of truth, that you could tell which crew a studio worker belonged to if you saw a piece of backdrop start to fall over: The Tech guy would grab for the TV Camera; the props guy would go for the scenery.

Well, in a professional environment, I suppose that is well and good.
In a Unionized shop, imperative. But I never looked upon a school as being anything other than wide open to all students, free from typecasting, profiling, and stereotyping. Announcers, directors, camera operators, performers - "Build NO Boxes!" No pigeons stuffed into holes. Nor was I content with the "Vocational-Technical" label many tried to impose upon my classes.

Sure, I am quite proud of those individuals who found a home and a life's career in broadcasting or a related field. I am equally proud of the many who found something valuable to take with them into the world beyond the educational setting. "Don't knock-knock it until you have try-tried it" was a phrase popular at one time. Well, I believed anyone who wanted to "try-try it" should have the chance.
Many found that television had nothing to offer them. That, too, satisfies me. "What if I only had a chance. . . " What if . . ."
"What if's" are among the saddest of all things.
No, I am quite aware that each of us possess unique skills, talents,and abilities. I also know that gender, race, or other determinates should not prohibit us from at least having the opportunity to try things, even if we find that it is just not our "Pigeon hole."
I hope that I will be judged as more prone to encouragement than discouragement. Certainly, a look at the many things that were done at WGSF by all participants, adult and student, indicate that we took some wild leaps of faith.
I looked upon my role more as an enabler, one who provided opportunities, and then filled in the gaps as needed. I tried, over the years, to show how artists, technicians, thespians, journalists, and, yes, athletes, could come together, work together, and produce a television program as a team. Each person contributing their best in their personal area of expertise to become part of the whole.