THE MAN BEHIND THE CAMERA!

    WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21ST., 2018
       THE MAN BEHIND THE CAMERA!

   Our local broadcasting fraternity lost an old
friend on Sunday. Former Channel 22 photographer
and Assignment Director Jack Scannella passed
away at age 90.
    Jack began his career just as local television was
starting up in northeastern Pennsylvania. He joined
WGBI as a news film photographer and served the
station and his community for 40 years working his
way up to the position of Assignment Director before
his retirement.
      WGBI eventually became WDAU and, later,
WYOU TV.
       Jack covered some of the biggest news stories
that ever happened in our area including the Knox
Mine Disaster and the Agnes Flood.
       If you've ever seen video of the giant whirlpool
in the Susquehanna River where railroad cars were
being dumped in to try to stop the flooding of the
underground mines you've probably watched the
film shot by Jack Scannella! It's still showing in
Mining Museums throughout the state. His film
archives, currently stored at WYOU/WBRE, are
a video treasury of the history of this region!  
         As Assignment Director Jack is the one who
sent reporters and photographers to breaking stories
throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania
to make sure viewers got all the information
available.
          The story came first to Jack. But unlike the
reporter telling it or the anchor before the camera
Jack never needed to be seen to know he had done
his job. He was the man behind the camera who, in
whatever capacity he served, made the rest of us
look good!
           His dedication to his profession was
evident from the day he started until his retirement.
Those who learned from him through the years
were better news people because of his influence
and advice. And because of their better efforts
all of you were served as well!
             We don't lower flags for the loss of a
colleague in television. We just tell his or her
story then go to a dark screen for a few moments
of tribute. See you later Jack! Thanks for making
all our News good!
              (Fade To Black)