Mark Kelley takes on a new life for "Seven" days
- December 15, 2006 5:00 PM |
- By Your Voice
CBC.ca welcomed The National's Mark Kelley to our Live Chats on December 19, 2006.
Mark Kelley in B.C.'s lowest-ranked school. (CBC)
Kelley is bringing a new series of reports to The National, called "Seven." Kelley tries on a different lifestyle and a different point of view for one week... it's a seven-day immersion into someone else's life and their role in the world.
Kelley has tried his hand at hitchhiking across the country, literally depending on the kindness of strangers.
He's spent a week teaching a class at B.C.'s lowest-ranked school.
And on Tuesday, Dec. 19, he'll take your suggestions on what challenge to face next.
Kelley joined the CBC in 1990. From 1992 to 1995, he was the National Assembly correspondent for Newswatch, the Montreal supper-hour program. He joined The National in 1995, where he served as the Montreal correspondent and covered such stories as the Great Ice Storm of 1998.
From 1998-2002, Kelley co-anchored CBC News: Morning. In 2002, he joined the investigative journalism program CBC News: Disclosure, where he served as a co-host until 2004. During Canada's federal election in 2004, he spent five weeks on the road in CBC's election bus crossing the country to cover the stories unfolding behind the campaign.
Kelley has won two Gemini Awards, one for his work covering the Sept. 11 attacks and one for his reportage on Disclosure. Kelley was also part of a team that won the best news story of the year award from the Canadian Association of Journalists for a story he did on Disclosure about body checking in minor hockey.
Kelley graduated from Concordia University in Montreal, where he studied journalism.
Mark Kelley joined us live on Tuesday Dec. 19 at 11:00 a.m. ET for the Live Chat.
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Comments (31)
I would like to see Mark work in an urban hospital for a week and in the Emergency department if possible. Perhaps as an orderly, since this probably doesn't require any specialized medical certification. I'd like to see his views on the state of healthcare, how it is run and managed and what it is like to see it from a non-patient's perspective.
Mark Kelley:
I think that's a great suggestion. It is one of the top suggestions I've been receiving since I started the series: getting inside our medical system.
Many of those suggestions have been coming from people working in the medical system. I think we need to get inside our hospitals to tell the story of the people who are behind the scenes: the orderlies and the nurses. I'd love to walk a mile in their shoes.
I have to admit, I am a shameless news junkie. And I have found Mark Kelley to be one of my favourite news casters; in fact, my CBC Morning News fix has not been the same since the days of 'Mark and Colleen'. *sigh* Is there any chance of Mark Kelley coming back to CBC morning? Would sure brighten my day.
Nowthen, I would love to see Mark Kelley spend a week on a fishing boat or an oil rig. Also, is there any way he could be a Page in the House of Commons for a week? I really need to know why those three people in front of the Speaker keep bobbing up and down.
Keep up the good work, Mark...in my mind, you are the best since Uncle Knowlton. And that's sayin' somethin.
Mark Kelley:
I miss Colleen, too.
One of the ideas I would like to find a way to do seven days in question period, which may make me feel queasy... but nothing would make me feel more queasy than seven days on a fishing boat.
I have looked into the oil rig, but they have not been co-operative in allowing me to do that. There are a lot of issues of workplace safety that they don't want to expose themselves to.
(Not a question but a suggestion).
I enjoyed Mark's seven day stint at the public school in B.C. It would be nice to follow up on some of the same students after a few years.
It would also be nice to hear from students in an ESL class --- their lives in their home country. Another follow up to see how and where they ended up integrating in Canadian society.
Mark Kelley:
I think that's a great idea. We're looking at following a new Canadian for seven days after they set foot in the country to see the challenges they face. That would be an eye-opener for people who live in this country, to see it for the first time.
what a great idea !
I would like to suggest that Mark become an Inuk hunter for a week. as you know Inuit are facing many challenges these days with the changing climate and a changing society.
I think this would be a great chance to bring viewers into this unique and fascinating world
there are still some remaining hunters who do this for a living...bringing seals and whales to feed their families and elders in the community...
I could give you a hand setting things up..
this would be a very unique workplace and lifestyle story!
Patricia Bell
Circumpolar Affairs reporter
CBC
Mark Kelley:
Love it! I have also received so many invitation from people to come to the North. And one of the things I want to do with this Seven series is to show Canada and Canadians to Canadians.
Most of the requests coming in illustrate to me either the places of Canada or the people of Canada that we in the media have failed to shine a light on.
I'll go parka shopping and we'll be in touch.
I'm a Presbyterian minister and I would like to see Mark Kelley do my job. Spirituality is still very important to many Canadians, though our societal context has significantly changed. As clergy, we are challenged to find new ways to authentically express faith in a pluralist, multicultural, multi-faith, and increasingly secular country. Do we respond to this context by becoming more exclusive and insular; or do we work with each other, broading our conception of God? Spend a week as either a minister, priest, rabbi, or imam.
Mark Kelley:
Thank you for investing that kind of trust in me!
The thought of filling in for a minister for a week terrifies me and inspires me at the same time, which is also one of the ideas of this series is to get me to confront fears, stereotypes or misconceptions and spend seven days searching for the real story.
I would urge you to watch the story tonight where I spend seven days in the U.S. Bible belt with evangelical Christians as a try to tackle my own stereotype about who they are and why they want to change my world.
I'm a student in the faculty of education and I'd like to thank Kelley for making teaching as one of the features for the show!
On with my suggestion:
This might sound silly..but it really got me thinking having seen the Master Card commercials numerous times about the young man who wanted to be a zamboni driver for the NHL since he was a kid. Do you need special credentials to drive the zamboni in NHL games? From the commercial it seems like it's a very difficult job to get. If it's interesting enough, maybe Kelley can find out what it takes to have that job and actually prepare the ice for one of the NHL games!
Mark Kelley:
Sounds like fun, but I'm not sure we could sustain the viewers' interest doing this for seven days. One of the criteria we have for this story is to have a varied experience, to learn more about the obstacles and conflicts and misunderstandings that can help tell us more about who we are as Canadians.
1st Off Thank you Mark for your piece on what it is like to be a teacher ... Today a teacher is called to be so much more , Social worker, Parent, mentor , etc... ..You are right one will often forget who their MP, MNA when is at 12 years old ..but one often remembers their' teachers for life.
I f had to give some advice to someone (specially a Male) who is wants to teach ...what would be ? Also if you have Children.. what type of teacher who you like them to have ..?
Mark Kelley:
I'm a little reticent to give any teaching advice after only spending one week on the job, but I'll pass on to you what I was told: You need to be patient, you need to roll with the punches and you need to have a great sense of humour.
And I do have children of my own and what I admire most about their teachers is that they care what happens to my kids. If you don't care, you should not be there.
Dear Mark - I catch 7 Days on the CBC's web site and enjoy your long form style and am more often than not touched by the story.
My question: how long it takes to plan a 7 Days segment, film and edit it.
Please extend my best wishes for the holiday season to all the folks who make CBC the best news organization in the world.
Mark Kelley:
Thanks for watching, especially on CBC.ca. We're happy to have people find the CBC wherever they can.
It takes seven days to shoot them. It's not a gimmick. Then it takes about four weeks in an edit suite poring over miles and miles of tape to find those defining moment that capture the essence of my journey and their story.
Way more work than I even expected, but all part of the journey.
i suggest mark try to experience the life of an immigrant.
Mark Kelley:
Thanks for the suggestion, Kathleen. See the answer above to Hector's question.
Mark ,
I would like to see you try to settle a fist nations land claim. Their are so many land claims not settled it must be the most difficult job in the country.
The Harper government takes on Maribel as his historic settlement,he can deal with farmers better than our native people.
Give it a try , shed some Mark Kelly light on the subject.
Best of the season to you
Pete Cody
Mark Kelley:
One of things we try to do in our Seven days segment is find a beginning, middle and end. I'm sure it would take seven days to read and understand just one land claim settlement. But your point is a good one.
Mark,
I enjoyed your two most recent pieces on hitchhiking and teaching. The poignant moment with you in the car with the hearing impaired couple communciating in sign was priceless.
And as a former teacher I could see you were a natural. No you know why teachers often describe themselves as fatigued and use the word "surviving" when asked how things are going.
I would suggest as another project, perhaps becoming a BC ferries worker for a week, or maybe doing the inside passage from Vancouver Island to Prince Rupert and over to the Queen Charlotte Islands.
Get a sea sickness behind-the-ear patch and enjoy.
Ian Howarth
Montreal
Mark Kelley:
Great suggestion. Having flown over that area, I would love to see it from the water. I have been looking for some way to either by rail, land or sea to connect with more Canadians, especially those travelling to remote parts of the country, so I'll keep this one in mind.
Mark,
Would you be willing to try a sales job where it's commission? For instance, selling furniture, appliances or even flooring.
There can be tremendous pressures when your livlihood is based on commission. Perhaps the consumer would get an appreciation for the challenges of this type of occupation.
Linda
Mark Kelley:
I will put this one on my pile of sales clerk suggestions, which also includes working at the returns counter of a major department store. I think it's a great idea.
Has Mark ever considered working as a fundraiser at an NGO? Maybe helping organize a 24-hr run or being on the phones during a direct ask campaign. And not for one of the big health or hospital charities. A small or mid-sized organization. We all know what it's like to donate but what's on the other side? What drives the individuals that do the asking?
Mark Kelley:
I like the sound of that idea because right off the bat, I realize I know nothing about the world you are talking about and that's one of the ideas of the seven-day experience.
I think I would need to find a way to interact face-to-face with people, rather than over the phone, to better understand the people I'm dealing with because that's one of the ideas for the segment. But I would need to have something major at stake and I'm not sure anyone would trust me with that.
Hi Mark,
Will the past " Seven" shows be rebroadcasted?
If so, when?
Thanks,
Corinne
Mark Kelley:
Thank you, Corinne, for watching and asking. As you know, the episodes can be seen here online on CBC.ca
The idea is that five episodes will be packaged together and rebroadcast on Newsworld in the new year.
Hi - how about being a social worker in Vancouver's Skid Row? How about working with new immigrants? How about 1 week as an army trainee?
There, that's it. That's what I want to know more about. Good luck with whatever you choose!
-Tammy.
Mark Kelley:
Thanks for great ideas. If I think of the three things that poeple tell me to do the most, training to be a soldier is near the top of the list. Many soldiers have even sent in that suggestion.
I think with what's going on in Afghanistan now, Canadians are more curious about the stress that these soldiers must undergo, both physical and emotional. The shortcoming of the Seven segment is going through the training knowing that I would never have to face enemy fire.
But I would like to hear more from those who will.
Thanks again.
Hi Mark,
I am university student at Queen's. Like you, I hitchhiked across Canada this past summer.
I left from Kingston and arrived in Vancouver 7 days later. The trip certaintly offered it's share of surreal moments. I watched play-off hockey with a woman and her two daughters in the northern, one-industry town of Red Rock, Ontario. They offered me a place to sleep that night, and when I awoke the next morning I experienced a sense of awe that I have yet to recreate. One man regaled me with his stories of 4 near death experiences. Another with his surfing adventures in South East Asia. A sweet old couple shared the gospel with me and sent me on my merry way with a prayer and a bible in my hand. That was new to me. A trucker told me about the geneaology of his family and how it all led up to his divorce. One snowboarder offered to buy me a lift ticket to a ski-resort in the Rockies. When I arrived in Vancouver, a city bus driver allowed me to ride for free and gave me her cell-phone to call a friend. Months later I find it inexplicable how damn nice Canadians are. In short, about 13 kind-hearted Canadians sacrificed a spot in their car to help a smiling young man at the side of the road. I sought an authentic interaction with my country this past May, and I was not let down. I marvelled at the physical beauty of the country, as well as the fascinating personal experiences of a diverse array of Canadians. There is no better way to understand what it means to be Canadian. Aboveall, I walked away with a true sense of our national identity.
My apologies for the novella, understanding requires a bit of artistry I'm afaid. I hope I have shown the validity of your 7 day projects by echoing your story. Your journalistic approach is indisputably effective in tapping into the pulse of Canadian life. The stories you tell reflect exactly what it means to be a Canadian, as I alluded to previously, so keep up the great work.
Mark Kelley:
Thanks for the comment. As you have learned, there is no substitute for experiencing the world in a new way. Thanks for telling me your story.
My question is, will you continue to bring to Canadians the insights into the fabric of our people and our country, that you have to date? (from such things as your trip across Canada prior to the last election interviewing the average person on the street and in so doing bringing out the views we hold of our country and its institutions--or your attempt to hitch hike across Canada in 7 days or your week long sojourn as a teacher at a BC school)
I enjoy that you are an everyday Canadian who relates well those you meet.
Thank you!
Mark Kelley:
That's very nice, and that is the idea behind the seven-day experience is to try to make relationships with people that you can't when you show up with a camera crew. The greatest insights that I get from these stories certainly aren't coming from me. They're coming from the people I'm meeting. Thanks for watching.
Hi Mark,
Wonderful segment on the 7 Days spent teaching at the school in Prince Rupert.
I have a suggestion for your next 7 days.
Spend a week as a homeless person in Calgary. It's unbelievable that in a province so blessed with prosperity, that there are increasing numbers of people forced to live on the street due either to their mental health or their financial status or admitedly, some due to their lifestyle choices. It's scary to see more & more "working homeless". Individuals who've made their way to Alberta in search of a new opportunity only to be confronted by an astronomically high cost of living.
John Bonner
P.S. Keep up the great work.
Mark Kelley:
Excellent suggestion. Stay tuned. ;-)
I mentioned earlier the top-three suggestions. Homelessness is number one. We're listening to those Canadians who want to see that story.
Would you like to spend a day trading places with me? I am an Orthodontist with a private practice in Kitchener-Waterloo but I have always wanted to be a Journalist. In fact, in 1981 when I applied for University, I was accepted at Carleton University for journalism but chose to go to UofT and eventually ended up as an Orthodontist. As much as I love Orthodontics, I have always wondered what it would be like to have pursued a different path. I envy your adventures and was really captured by your Election 2004 work of transplanting Eastern Canadians in Western Canada and vice versa. I also enjoyed your recent "hitchhiking" tour. Please let me know if you'd like to test your manual dexterity for wire bending and the flexibility of your back for the "twists and turns" of my day. Looking forward to your reply, Claire.
Mark Kelley:
Thanks for the suggestion. Your note has taught me more about orthodontics than I even knew, which is also one of the great benefits of this segment, discovering more about the daily lives of Canadians.
You're welcome to have my job for seven days. I, on the other hand, will take a vacation. Thanks for your support. Keep watching.
Our producer Catherine Legge has joined us now in the chat and suggests that a producer's job, although less in the spotlight, is also one that's misunderstood and should get more publicity!
Perhaps you could try being an OPP officer on the front lines here in Caledonia during the native standoff...?
Mark Kelley:
That's a great one! I would love to follow up on that one. We're looking for stories that are really just a flashpoint for a much bigger issue.
The seven-day treatment allows us to get behind the headlines and learn more about the people caught up in these conflicts and how we ended up there.
That's the kind of story that's too much for two minutes of TV. Let's talk more.
Mark, have you thought about spending seven days living on the streets of a Canadian city? Homelessness is a major problem in Canada, and I'd be interested in seeing you document this problem first-hand.
Mark Kelley:
Another great comment, thanks. See what I told John Bonner above. ;)
Mark, I saw the segment where you went up to Prince Rupert to teach the kids. It was very interesting to see you in action - how much you cared about helping the kids, and how frustrating it was that the message didn't seem to get through. I recently started volunteering for Big Brothers - my little brother is also First Nations and has mild FAS. I see a lot of similarities in trying to engage him and the process you went through with the kids in Prince Rupert.
Keep up the great work, this is one of the most interesting news shows in a long time!
How about trying your hand at firefighting? Could be boring, could be a 5-alarm day... (I guess you'd have to watch from the sidelines though!).
-Richard Holt
Mark Kelley:
Thanks for your suggestion. However, whatever adventure I embark on, I don't want to be watching from the sidelines. As you mentioned with the teacher story, I think viewers want to live through me the difficulties of these everyday experiences and those are the kinds of things you don't appreciate by watching but by doing.
Hey Mark,
First, I want to say how much I enjoy your work with CBC. My wife and I are definitely fans. I am sorry that I will not be able to join the live chat today. Anyway, We love the new "7" series. You beat us to the punch though, we were going to suggest that you spend 7 days as a pastor in an evangelical protestant church. We are anxious to see your program tonight.
As another "7" suggestion, I would recommend that you try being a mother for 7 days; not a parent, not a father, but a mother. My wife and every other woman I know says how hard it is. Come on Mark, surely you could do it???? Anxiously awaiting in Fredericton,
Dan
Mark Kelley:
As a parent, I'm interested to know how the difference between being a mother and a father. So I'll take that one under consideration if I can work up the courage.
It is an incrediable start, what i would suggest for future is to try the life of homeless peopel, i belive they deserve to be noticed, they are going through hard times especially with the winter. what i would like you to do is show the whole world these peopel are human beings like any other and deserve respect.
Mark Kelley:
Here's another wink! Stay tuned.
Hi Mark,
You should try planting trees for a week in BC.
Tree planting has become a right of passage for many young adults in Canada. It is an incredibly demanding job that places young Canadians in unique and difficult circumstances. I've been told it's the most physically demanding job in Canada. Time spent planting is uncomfortable (to say the least) but often remains as a very fond memory.
Anyway, give it a shot if you're feeling up to the challenge.
Sincerely,
Yori Jamin
Mark Kelley:
We've had a lot of mail from tree-planters across the country. I understand it's grueling work and will consider it when the warm weather returns.
I think the rite-of-passage story is a great one to tell because it connects so many Canadians from across the country to a shared experience and also gives Canadians a better understanding of those who go through them.
Hi, I just thought you might like to know that two of the kids featured in your story on Rooselvelt were actually in their first week at the school. I was wondering if you talked to Penny since the show aired?
Mark Kelley:
No, we haven't. But we know that all the students are doing well and that they have written a letter to us and we're anxious to see us in our mailbox.
1 question and 1 suggestion:
Question: Mark, when were you at Concordia for journalism?
Suggestion: I know that behind-the-scenes of a tv show is probably over-done, but how about a bit about how they put the Rick Mercer Report together, as an angle on the House of Commons?
Mark Kelley:
I was at Concordia from 1982-85.
As far as behind the scenes of television, we're looking for areas that we feel don't get enough media attention. Turning the spotlight on ourselves seems a little self-serving.
I'd love to be Rick Mercer for a week. I'm not sure how he'd feel about that.
Hello Mark,
First off I'd like to say that I loved the piece you did during the last election where you met with Conservative and Liberal families and talked with them, it was very interesting and well done.
I have given up traditional television, now I only watch what I can find via the internet, and I'm pleased to say that CBC and CTV have some very good coverage.
As to your new show I think that seven days on a farm could be interesting. A few months ago I moved into what could best be described as a rural community and I hear a lot about farming, and to be honest I don't really have a clue what a typical farmer's day is like.
Another story that I think would be important to cover would be the run of the mill factory work. I paid much of my way through undergrad and law school working in factories, there are some amazing people who do jobs that would drive most people crazy and they deserve to have their story heard. Specifically I'm thinking of the people who work on a production line, such as I did.
Mark Kelley:
Thanks Jeff. I agree that ultimately everyone has a story to tell that can teach us about how we live and where we live. I am fascinated by the farming suggestion because I grew up in a big city (Montreal) and I think a lot of Canadians would benefit by seeing what these people go through to put food on our table.
If I could tell that story it would make the story of a drought or flood seem far more significant to all those other Canadians living in big cities.
I must say that your show certainly is what TV viewing should be about! Walking in some else's shoes can raise the awareness of people, and move them to make changes in thier lives and society. Whatever you choose to do next, we will be watching!
Take Care Mark!
Have a happy holiday season!
Mark Kelley:
Thanks Pam. That's the point of the Seven Days treatment, to live a smaller experience which can tell a larger story.
Those are the ideas we're trying to look for now, ones that can tell us more about who we are as Canadians and debunk some myths, shatter some stereotypes and instead of focusing on our differences, focus more on what binds us together.
Congratulations to you Mark and your producers at CBC for a great series "7". I found the first two most interesting and look forward to the next one tonight. Praise the Lord.
Mark Kelley:
Thanks for the praise. And my producer does deserve most of the credit, as do the Canadians who have let me into their lives.
Mark's closing comments:
My belief is that we need to put more everyday people on television. The airwaves are overrun by professional pundits, politicians and talking heads, and I think the success of this series underlines the hunger of Canadians to connect with other Canadians.
As I walk a mile in someone else's shoes, I know thousands of other people are walking with me. I want to thank everyone for these thoughtful suggestions, all your support, which will keep me going on these seven-day adventures. Stay tuned to see which one of these suggestions will make it to air.
And to those of you whose letters we didn't publish today, please know that I will be reading them all after the chat ends, and that we really do value your comments and suggestions but if I don't run to the edit suite right now we won't have an episode for tonight!
Thank you all.
What about seven days in the life of you? It seems living the life of a journalist is pretty adventurous and hardly boring! It would be interesting to see what it takes to get the story and the inner workings of a newsroom.
Mark Kelley:
I don't want to be me for seven days! I am happy to switch places with anyone who does. P.S. I have four kids.