Bill Watters
(He/Him)
As seen in:
Bleeding Cool,
The Startup,
SYFY,
Screen Rant,
San Francisco Weekly,
GeekNation,
NerdBot
Covers:
Film and Television with a focus on, but not limited to genre entertainment. Independent productions welcome.
Doesn't Cover:
Electronic gaming (console, mobile, pc).
Engineering Mgr by day, Film/TV critic by night. Bylines @ScreenRant, @SYFY, @BleedingCool. @SFFCC member. Photos for @GettyImages. @SaturnAwards Co-Producer.
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Taking cosplay photos at Dragon*Con (as it was spelled out at the time) in 2010 for articles at IGN.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes
How is social media changing news?
It's increasing the speed at which information moves, turning the dial up to 11. Now it's all about speed balanced against accuracy.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Informing your audience, they read to have a wider view on the world, and it's your role to do your best to be as honest with them as you can
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
An email that knows why I would be a good person to cover the story. A spam blast doesn't help, and shows you really don't care who covers it
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Lightroom, FCPX, Chrome. Everything else changes as the needs arise.
What's your favorite social network?
Tribe.net. But for current ones, favorite is Facebook, but the most useful is Twitter.
Who do you wish followed you?
Kevin Smith
Why did you become a journalist?
I disagreed passionately with a local writer once, and it occurred to me that I should be willing to step up and present my own side.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I did not, I was a theater kid, through and through.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Network and be nice. You will be given opportunities by others for your first chance. When your time comes, remember to pay it forward.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Variety
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
I'll take anything that's pitched.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.