Q&A; with Cindy Beaumont Eldridge,

Freelance Voice Over Talent

Being a rookie in Sports TV isn’t that much different than being a rookie in the NFL – everything, and everybody, moves faster than you expect.

“My first few weeks at CNN, when I was a floor director and studio camera operator, it was so difficult for me to keep up”  says Cindy Beaumont-Eldridge a 20 year veteran of the TV industry. “The director was talking so fast, and I had to cherry pick out of a huge stream of commands, what I needed to be doing.  I learned that I needed to listen fast and act fast…. TV waits for no man!”

When did you decide that you wanted to pursue a career in Television?

Pretty much as I entered college.  My original love was theater/acting, but I knew that would be a long and arduous track… so a career in Television Production was the next best thing. 

What was it about working in Television Production that originally lured you?

Again, its proximity to performance and theater… plus it’s always a good conversation starter!  Who doesn’t love hearing about all those exciting "behind the scenes" stories? 

Cindy Beaumont-Eldridge’s TV “Stats”

Education: Purdue University

Production Jobs held: Studio Cameraman, Floor Director, Graphics Operator, Sportscaster, Voice Over Talent

Stations: CNN (Atlanta, GA) CNN/Sports Illustrated (Atlanta, GA) CNN Headline News (Atlanta, GA) News 14 (Charlotte, NC)

Best piece of advice: Take advantage of all opportunities. If there’s equipment available to learn, learn it.  If a producer will let you write a story, write it.

You went to Purdue, how much did it help you in your Television career?

Purdue had a fine Telecommunication school, but probably not the best in the state.  Looking back, I could’ve used more "hands on" classes, and less "lecture hall", rhetoric stuff.  But again…. here came CNN to recruit, and I got the job, so apparently it was good enough! 

How did you land your first Television production job?

CNN came recruiting at Purdue my senior year, and my interview with them was DISASTROUS.  I left in tears.  How could I possibly show up for an interview with the world’s news leader, and not even look at the headlines that day?!  Rookie mistake… and one that I learned from big time.  But go figure… I must’ve done something right…. I got the offer about a month later. 

After your first few months did you know you made the right career choice, or were there concerns?

Within about 2 months, the Gulf War started and CNN took off…. it was exciting, groundbreaking and exactly what I wanted to be doing.

Would you do anything differently if you could go back to the early stages of your career?

Possibly get more experience on more pieces of equipment while I had the chance…. be a little more "well rounded".

Was it difficult being a woman in sports journalism? Did you have to work harder to gain respect?

For SURE.  Without question.  I’ve always maintained that while I’m more interested in sports than the average woman, I do not have a memory vault of stats for every player in every sport.   BUT, I do know how to look them up, and check my facts with whatever or whomever is available.  I’d rather look misinformed with the copy editor than the entire viewing audience! 

Do you have any advice for someone considering a career in Television?

Get experience wherever and however you can.  If there’s equipment available to learn, learn it.  If a producer will let you write a story, write it.  That, and learn how to listen fast! 

Do you have a memorable story – whether funny, sad or just interesting – that you’d like to share?

Along with being the World’s News Leader, CNN was also known as the "Graduate School of Broadcasting" [see above re. learning everything you can]… as well as a pretty decent dating service.  My husband and I are one of probably hundreds who met their spouses in the hallowed halls of CNN.  What more could you ask for in a company?!