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True tales of LA’s TV news stringers
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This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

Oct 31, 2014
Listen 16:12
True tales of LA’s TV news stringers
The critically acclaimed new release "Nightcrawler" goes behind the scenes of gritty local news - with the help of real life LA stringers who consulted on the film.
Jake Gyllenhaal as Lou Bloom in "Nightcrawler," written and directed by Dan Gilroy, opening October 31, 2014.
Jake Gyllenhaal as Lou Bloom in "Nightcrawler," written and directed by Dan Gilroy, opening October 31, 2014.
(
Chuck Zlotnick
)

The critically acclaimed new release "Nightcrawler" goes behind the scenes of gritty local news - with the help of real life LA stringers who consulted on the film.

The critically acclaimed new release "Nightcrawler" goes behind the scenes of gritty local news - with the help of real life LA stringers who consulted on the film. Howard Raishbrook and his twin brother Austin have been chasing stories across LA for 15 years. They advised writer and director Dan Gilroy to give him a truer picture of the bloody car wrecks, tragic murders and dramatic fires. The Raishbrooks' work takes guts and composure, but without the sociopath tendencies of film's anti-hero. Actor Jake Gyllenhaal plays the unscrupulous freelance cameraman capable of chilling acts to get the best shot.

What are the traits of a good stringer? How much risk does the job entail? How do they respond to critics of the "if it bleeds, it leads" mentality?

Guests:

Howard Raishbrook, technical consultant and advisor on “Nightcrawler;” long-time LA TV News stringer and founder of RMG News (with his twin brother Austin)

Adrian Huerta, freelance cameraman for KTLA

Credits
Host, AirTalk
Host, All Things Considered, AirTalk Friday
Senior Producer, AirTalk & FilmWeek
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Associate Producer, AirTalk & FilmWeek
Apprentice News Clerk, AirTalk
Apprentice News Clerk, FilmWeek