Q&A with KPBS Video Journalist Andi Dukleth

Andi Dukleth is a video journalist at KPBS in San Diego. She joined the team in February 2019. Dukleth, a San Diego native, graduated from California State University San Marcos with a degree in arts and technology. Her additional interests lie in documentary filmmaking and illustrating comic books. She is actively involved in a local comic book collective and has participated on panels at San Diego Comic Con.

What do you love about your job as a video journalist at KPBS? 

I love being able to tell stories, especially in the community that I’ve grown up in. It’s helped me become more aware of local ballot measures, meet interesting people and learn more overall about San Diego.
 
As the broadcast industry is ever changing, with new technology and platforms for content, how can SAG-AFTRA members work together to advocate for broadcast professionals in this changing landscape?

I think the most important thing to remember is to know how valuable your time is. Sometimes, the job demands tight turnarounds. It’s crucial that you let your managers know what are realistic expectations. Once you explain your situation, more often than not, the managers and/or producers are more likely to adapt to your suggestions. After all, a lot of workplace tension stems out of miscommunication, not necessarily malice. Create an environment of open and honest communication, and the workflow becomes a lot better. 
 
When you are away from work at KPBS, tell us about your comic book art?

I would say 75% of my free time goes towards my comic book work. And the best thing about having a video production background is that it’s super helpful for making dynamic stories. For one, it’s made me more aware of the shot variety (i.e. close ups, wide shots, birds-eye view), which is a great way to keep the reader engaged. It’s also helped me conceptualize color schemes, visualize lighting and given me lots of inspiration for character development. Currently, I’m working on a story called Live from the Apocalypse which follows a news team covering the end of the world as they know it. I’m borrowing a lot of ideas from my real-life experiences and exaggerating them to fit the Mad-Max-esque world I’ve created.
 
What would you tell young people interested in working in public media?

I would tell them that it’s incredibly fulfilling. It’s easy to lose track of what’s going on in your town when most outlets focus on national topics. But covering local issues has made me and my colleagues so much more involved in our communities.

I would also advise them to come into it with a team-player mindset. I’ve found that even in the most frustrating moments, knowing that someone else has your back really helps keep you motivated. Because, after all, we ultimately want the same thing: understanding the truth. By having everyone on the same page and being open to constructive criticism, we’ve grown a lot stronger as a team.