Revealing about Editor Thu Hien - author of the "sarcastic" news reports on VTV

Banging my head against the wall because of... writing a script

- The "Weekly Review" column is currently receiving a lot of attention from the audience. As an MC-BTV and host, you are also favored with the nickname "VTV's sarcastic sister". How do you feel?

It's not until now that I've been associated with the adjective "ca khia". When I first joined the station, I wrote scripts for skits.See you this weekend, Tao Quanfor VFC, then joined VTV6Crab News.All of those programs are satirical, criticizing negative social phenomena from a humorous perspective.

That said, I can see that from the past until now, with my colleagues, “teasing” has been my nature, not something that just started now. It’s just that now that social media is developed, information spreads faster, so being associated with that nickname, I don’t see anything strange about it.

Editor Thu Hien is a familiar face on VTV.

- Many people are curious, how can the audience receive the weekly news with profound and sarcastic laughter but still be gentle and easy to accept?

It’s really hard to write a good script, and I like to bang my head against a wall. Many times, I’m close to the time to air and I still haven’t finished the script. Of course, we have a general formula: list the highlights, mix in some popular social media trends to make it more accessible to young audiences. However, it’s difficult if there are no trends or news worth discussing that week.

Moderation and balance between trending and mainstream elements are also a challenge. Not once but twice, I was taken off the air. That is, the column was canceled, and the news production organization that day had to find other news stories to replace it. Because when reviewing the script, the boss said that my news had too many social media elements, not suitable for broadcasting on VTV1. It is not wrong to follow trends, but there must be limits, knowing where to stop to ensure the legitimacy of the news broadcast on National Television.

- After the broadcasts, what lessons did you learn?

For a political news broadcast on VTV1, the message it conveys needs to have a profound social impact, in a positive way. That is what is important. If a news report has a “sarcastic” tone, but only criticizes small groups, just enough to make netizens happy, it should not be done, because that is not and has never been our broadcasting criteria.

This job is really dangerous, like walking on a tightrope. Editors must do something to avoid being accused of following trends and conforming to tastes while still maintaining their own identity and creativity in the way they express themselves. That is the best way.

Behind every well-received news report is a great effort from the television staff.

-I really like the way you compared the production process of Diem Tuan to “walking on a tightrope”. You invest a lot of brainpower, you have to be especially careful when conveying the message, is there anything behind the scenes that the audience doesn’t know?

Time pressure! Usually from Friday evening to Saturday morning, I will stay up all night to write and prepare material for the column.Weekly Score. When the script was finished, it was 10:30, close to broadcast time.

Telling a funny story, the last time I was so tired that I fell asleep on the sofa, a colleague approached me and called: “Hien, are you okay? I thought you fainted.”. That said, before going on camera, because of the pressure, I was completely different, haggard, with disheveled hair. After that, when we had makeup and changed into costumes, we really transformed.

More than once thought about quitting

- I heard that you're not only focused on Diem Tuan. Before that, you were famous for being so enthusiastic and dedicated to your television career that you lost many relationships. Is this true?

Started from writing a script for a skit for the showSee you this weekend, I entered VTV with a vibrant spirit, enthusiasm, and many ambitions. There was a time when I was only at the station, working hard, all my activities, eating and sleeping, took place in the post-production room.

Especially when I first joined VTV6, the equipment was quite lacking, so the pressure on time was even more intense. One day I realized that my friends no longer invited me to class reunions or outings. Because they asked me many times but I was not accepted. Even when my sister gave birth, I did not have time to visit. It was not until the baby was 3 months old that I arranged my work and was able to visit him for a bit.

It was a trade-off, you could say. All my friendships and family relationships were cut off during that time. So as I got older, I learned to balance work and life.

Youthful beauty and attractive demeanor create the outstanding features of BTV Thu Hien - Photo: Nguyen Trung Hieu

- Have you ever felt tired between the cycles?

Not only me, many people sometimes feel tired. I also thought about leaving VTV a few times to do another job. But maybe fate has not run out and I still love the job, so I can still hold on until now.

- And being nominated in the list of "Impressive BTV - Host" of VTV Awards 2021 can be said to be the sweet fruit of your hard work and dedication after many years of tireless dedication?

To be honest, when I was nominated, I was very surprised, happy and proud. The surprise was because at the Center for Digital Content Production and Development (VTV Digital) there are many talented, famous MCs who have been in the profession for many years and deserve to be recognized.

I am happy and proud because my contributions have been recognized. I think it is not because of the recent favor on social networking sites, but the center's leaders have considered the efforts in my 14-year journey with television, including 4 years accompanying the column.Weekly score.

- What is the similarity and difference between Thu Hien of today and Thu Hien of 14 years ago, when she was in charge of VTV6 programs?

Thu Hien of today is much more confident and restrained. After the incidents and failures, I understand more about the influence of a television worker. When taking on the role of leading a political program on VTV, every statement represents the viewpoint and reputation of the agency, so I need to be especially careful.

Compared to when I first started my career, I am now much more reasonable and humble. I understand that there are many people out there who are more talented than me, I am just a very small part of this machine. My mission is to do my job well, surpass myself of yesterday, and become a better version of myself tomorrow. That is good enough, don't expect too much and expect to do something great.