My Last Day

     Today was indeed the last day of my producer position at News 20. I was happy because it was the last day. I was proud because I was able to make it to the last day. I was a little sad about it being the last day to work an awesome team that has been with me show after show. But it was a fun, if not intense, journey being a producer.
     As for my last show, it was great. Everything was timed perfectly and flowed just right. Of course it wouldn't my show if it didn't have a couple of mishaps and hiccups. I was even excited enough to give a little speech to the cast and crew. I really am surprised that I have been able to build a show Monday and Monday. I almost don't believe that it was me doing it. Committing to this position really helped me see my potential, it was a great experience.

"For everyone here in the studio, I'm VeAngela Ashley. Have a great evening." ^_^

Another Day

     Today's newscast was okay. I didn't have any particular problem that I can think of. I think everyone was more or less absorbed in the story involoving a drum major dying. Throughout the day everyone was coming up talking about it, and giving their own idea as to what could've happened and if it was indeed foul play. Besides that... everything was very pretty much the same. There were a couple of hiccups during the show but nothing that couldn't be solved. I will say that the crew, including myself, seemed very tired all day. It felt like we were running low on energy and there was nothing there to left us out of our funk. Maybe everyone was ready to get home for Thanksgiving... I know I am, but funk or not everything was just fine and I can't wait for next week. Happy Thanksgiving everybody.

Today was... eh.

     Today started out pretty well, that is until my AP's hard drive stalled on him. Everything was going great and we were making good time. But, when we started to he that clicking from his hard drive I knew it was going to be bad. I really felt bad because he had a lot of things going on as it was, but we had to keep moving on. I know it really bothered him though because I found it hard to get through to him for a little while afterward. Once he figured out how he can possibly recover what he lost, he was back on track. 

     Even though there were hard drive problems we got over it quickly. Now I could turn my focus to a story that was minutes from breaking. I really didn't want to put it in but knew that I had to. I hate when I have to cover breaking news stories because it throws my whole groove off, but I had to suck it up and roll with the punches.

     I was in a rush try to load the package and in my haste didn't realize it was the wrong package. Then again, it was in the right folder with the correct name, so I didn't think much of it. It wasn't until the package ran on-air that I realized it was wrong. Not only that, but there were misspelling in the sports block... MISSPELLINGS! It wasn't like they were complicated words to began with, they were very much grade school words. I was so upset, I can't believe I missed those.

     All in all, I felt the show would have been great but due to the errors it ended up being very lackluster for me... of well, better luck next week.

Day of Frustration

     Today was definitely a day with all type of frustrations. Once again I was limited to just one reporter, which meant a rather short A-block. I wanted to added more graphic OTS's this time around, I guess I just wanted to make the block more interested instead of just having readers and full screen macs. The rest of the day was a pretty uneventful compared to last Monday. When we finally got downstairs, it seemed like I had more questions flying my way more than usual. Questions about video, graphics, scripts, and the rundown... it all gave me an uneasy feeling. Once the show started, everything seemed to go just fine... it wasn't until the B-block. I was trying to drop a story because I saw that I was running long, but I guess that was too late for my professor because he then decided to put the story back, which then gave me reason to try and drop it again. As we were playing ping pong with a story, the promotor was also going back and forth, which of course threw off the anchors. It was such a huge irritation for that to happen because instead of me trying to gain a couple of seconds the back and forth just added more time than I wanted. As a result of that and sports block the show was starting to run heavy, which I had to drop story after story. I thought I had a really good show today but the little things really set me back. Like I said... frustration.

Houston, we have a probl... Oh wait, nevermind.

     Today was definitely a day of uh oh's and oh no's. Starting in the morning when our professor had to attend to a family emergency, which left me and my team up the stream with half a paddle. Contrary to my belief, the wait time actually helped the reporters to better develop their stories and build a basic script.
     Once the reporters got their cameras, they headed off to cover their assigned stories. It was until about 11:45 that I got a call from my reporter explaining how he just witnessed a bus fly by him with five police officers on its tail. That's when news just started to happen. Another story came in over the wires about a suspicious death in a nearby area. The B-block was getting pack with newsworthy stories and the A-block was of course light as a feather. Though there were great top stories being covered I still needed more, wanted more. I was getting comfortable with building the show and wanted to try doing more on-camera things. I scheduled an on camera weather tease, an anchor chat within a block, and a live shot (even though it was mandatory).
     My professor seemed to be really excited about the amount of actual news we had today. "Finally... this is what I was waiting for... I'm tired of these full-screen macs, now we got some real news," he said... or something like that. I had to admit I was a little excited to actually had some news today also. I was getting too used to Mondays being slow news days, and today really showed me how news can happen at the drop of a dime. I was also hugely grateful to have a reporter who was willing to go the extra 10-15 miles (with no gas money provided) to cover a very important story.
     Everyone was able to complete pretty much everything by about three o'clock, with the exception of a couple of packages and teases, but it shows that we are progressing. Once I got downstairs, more uh oh's and oh no's started to piled up. Footage wasn't crossing over to the server, packages were still being cut, the script was being written and edited to fit anchors style, and the show clocked out at being four minutes light. I was hoping, praying, crossing my fingers that the package for the live shot would transfer to the server, but no luck... great two more minutes in the hole. When we had to drop the live shot, I thought that I was going to have one of those shows where the anchors sat for three minutes at the end trying to force small talk. However, due to some weird, surreal newscast fairy-godmother (or my pleading to the anchors to speak slowly)... we were able to catch up on time and actually had to drop a couple stories. Man, we must have the greatest anchors... they always manage to be my savior.
     All in all, the show was good... though I thought that I had committed suicide when that live shot was dropped. Whatever we're doing, I hope we keep it up because I am not even sure how we're doing it anymore. :- )

Falling into Routine

     Today's show was good... nothing completely spectacular, nothing significantly disappointing... just okay. There were simple mistakes here and there that could've been avoided if only I had paid closer attention, but for the most part I'd say another show down. All in all, everything seemed almost routine. Everyone fell into their respective places and started working without being asked. It was kind of freaky in a way... that after only five shows everyone wasn't as confused or panicky. It gave me a bit of hope, that it does get easier as times goes on and that it wasn't so impossible to begin with.
     Once again I was worried about my A block being way to light but it didn't seem to be anything too serious. I was also one reporter short again today, which is probably why I felt that my local section was so thin. The show itself was okay. Though we all seemed aware of our job today, the energy itself seemed out of place, almost like we were walking through the motions. I guess you can say it was one of those Mondays. However, all in all, it was adequate work... could be better... should be better... will be better. I just don't want to fall into a slump where we all are like zombies writing copy and editing video with no kind of enthusiasm, that would be bad.

Day 5

     Besides that fact that one of my APs was out sick, the show all went pretty well. I would have to say that this was the show of close calls. I made the unfortunate mistake of waking up late for class, so I was a little disoriented to find that neither of my reporters had arrived. I was considering the thought of splitting my APs up so that one was reporting and the other was working on B block. It wasn't until I got in contact with one of my reporters that I calmed down. One disaster avoided. During the day everything was pretty regulated or at least work itself out. However, the entire day I was worried about the show being way too light. I said it before, and I'll say it again... Mondays are slow news days, therefore I hate Mondays.
     Getting close to printing for the show, I was racing to try and add more stories. I was already a little disappointed about having a VO and RDR heavy show, what's done is done and show had to go on. Once the I got downstairs, I made it a point to tell the talent to slow on some of the stories since I still felt the show was too light. As soon as I get back to the control room, I get devastating news. The server was down... or at least not receiving any more video. Apparently, the server was finally full and none of the video that was cut earlier was going over. It was 40 minutes to the show and I couldn't even imagine a plan B. A newscast without video....  that's crazy right, right?
     Another disaster NEARLY avoided. Minutes before the show started the server was cleared and video was beginning to be loaded. I had to seconds before the cold open I was asking.. "Is A block safe... do we have video?" Greatly relieved to hear "Yes, we have video," I quickly unchecked all the floated stories. I couldn't have imagined getting through the show without video, the thought made me shake. Other than that... the show was pretty good. Though I was early for my first hit time, the anchors did a great job of filling it and putting the show back on track.
     One main piece of advice I did receive today is to be a little more aggressive with during the show. When he said that I instantly thought of me with an iron fist... dictating and commanding the airwaves that is News 20 at 5... I don't think that's what he had in mind. However, I am a bit hesitant to lay down the law sometimes, because I don't want to come pushy, bossy, or rude. After the class discussion about personalities types, I've been trying to remain neutral as not to upset anyone. I see now that the good ole saying "you can't make everyone happy" reigns true, I just don't want to seem like the bad guy.

Whoever said third time's a charm... was wrong.

     Today was my fourth day as producer and I'm proud to say that it went off pretty much without a hitch. I was, of course, a little panicky throughout the day but everything pulled together very well thanks to everyone's cooperation. Before the news meeting I met with my professor to talk about my grades. Since the first two weren't my best, I was hoping to get some light how the rest of my semester was looking. But my professor assured me that so long as a keep up the work effort and do a quality job on the show, I should be okay. With all that in mind, I wanted to make an effort to really up my game... now the only challenge is keeping it there.
     Since last time I was severely heavy with my show, I was watching my hit times very very closely as to not be over once again. I have to admit, I was a bit antsy to float a story. I would be ready to click and my professor would stop me only to say that my time was looking good. I didn't know how he was able to tell so fast, but I guess that comes with practice. I was really happy to have even made it through my A Block, but my professor quickly reminded me that I was only a quarter of the way done. Block by block everything fell into place with a shove here and there. The anchors did a great job of listening to cues like pushing toward commercial when need be. There was a snag in the sports block due to technical difficulties but nothing that couldn't be solved or fixed.
     All in all, I'm really proud of today's show. No matter how things go from here, at least I know what me and my team are capable of doing... It's not so impossible after all.

Day Three

     And we have video!! Today was particularly stressful what with technical difficulties coming left and right.  But it was all worth it since the show actually had video today.... Packages and all. Sure there were a couple of audio problems and okay so the show was way too heavy but hey... video! Throughout the day I was worried about video. Not having enough, not any at all... All my focus was on it, that and CGs. I took advantage of approving stories with a very official green mark; making sure cutlines and CGs were all in place and that my script was as clean as a whistle. The crew did a great job with everything. Despite having connection problems, hard drive problems, camera problems, problem problems... they worked well and I couldn't be more proud.
     Once I got down stairs, everything was surprising calm compared to my very first day. I was able to calmly explain scripts, videos, and rundowns without having a mental meltdown. Needlessly to say, I felt comfortable with today's show, everything was in its place. Once the show started, block A went off without a hitch. It wasn't until block B that I started to notice that I was running a bit heavy. I was hoping that weather would be able to catch up and save time but it just made things heavier. The sad part was... I saw it happening and all could was doing was watching. By the time I was trying to drop stories, the anchors were barely squeezing out a goodbye. Next time I have to remember to stay active and to not go brain-dead when I see the show running light or heavy. All I could do was watch my professor take hold of the mouse and click away at stories... dropping one by one. He took over the mic and spoke to the anchors, telling them to hurry up... say goodbye. Next time, that'll be me, instead of the girl looking dumbfounded in front of the rundown. Other than that... good show everybody!

Day Two

     Today was Day Two and it wasn't as bad as last time. Although there was video problems (again), and script problems (again)... I was able to get a "good show" out of the director. So I consider that a pretty good show. Throughout the day I was a lot more stern and panicky about getting things done on time. The atmosphere was a lot different from my more lenient style last Monday. Though I would prefer to have a relaxed workplace, I wasn't able to allow it because things weren't being done and a timely manner. Plus, I was getting even more frustrated because it seemed like no one else was trying to get done fast enough. Sure the APs were working wonderfully, and the reporters were trying their best but with my continuous love, hate relationship with technical difficulties I'd prefer to have the show close to perfect so that we can catch errors when they arise. One again my only obstacle, besides the lost package and converter problems, was my sports producer. Communication, communication, communication. I am getting tired of being dazed and confused whenever people ask me about the sports block. I should be able to know whats going on just as much as him. And the constant minute to minute directing that happens is starting to get to me. It was always, "chill out" or "I got this... is gonna be fine." However, 5 VOSOTs turn into 3 VOs and a reader. Video goes missing, scripts are improvised and I totally unaware of it all... till it's happening. Hopefully things can be settled before next Monday because as of right now, I can't see the silver lining.

My First Day as Producer

     Okay... so I wish I could be all nonchalant and say that my first show was whatever, that it wasn't all that bad. But, I've got to say it was pretty okay... watchable at least. I've never seen so many stories drop in a show, but I guess there's a first time for everything. The morning was good, the energy was steady and everyone was doing their part, but somewhere between lunch and the show everything seemed to just fall behind. In all honesty, I was a little irritated with the news day. I felt like we were scraping for bits and pieces of stories long past. This was the main reason why I didn't want to work Mondays. For me, Mondays = slow news day.
     But back to lunch... With an A-Block I was satisfied with, I kept my eye on the B-Block. I trusted that the team was doing their best to get things done, but it just didn't feel fast enough. It wasn't until one o'clock that stories started to get written. I felt like I wasn't doing enough, that I was missing this and that and the truth is... I was. Sure the stories were getting done, and the APs were loading and editing video. Thankfully, students from TV News came and were able to take care of a couple of things but it was far too late. As soon as two o'clock came around... it was already four! Where did the time go? Did it vanished when I was writing that story, evaporate when I was putting in CGs... or did it dematerialize while I was sitting dumbfounded at the screen? Off to the printer...
     When I finally got downstairs in the studio, it was hectic. "We need more scripts... What's going on in B-11... I need another rundown... Is this a VO or VOSOT... Where's the video... There's no video?!" So many questions and little to no answers. I never heard my name being called some many times, I thought I was going to lose it. And people do this for living? With everything seemingly diminishing into the ether... I just gave up. At 4:48, I couldn't do anything anymore. Sure I hear the director yelling, people asking questions, and my professor giving advice but I couldn't recover. When we finally took control and the cold open came on, I expected the show to fall right then and there. But fortunately, I greatly underestimated the talent and crew. Block after block... The show went on and it actually wasn't a complete disaster. Like I said it was watchable, but there were times when I winced a little.
     The only thing that upset me was the sports producer. I was a little disappointed with how things went between me and him on our first day, so I think it put a bad taste in my mouth. But today is water under the bridge, the show must go on... so on and so forth. I just know that today was a practice for a reason... so once I get my producing legs, I should be able to get a good handle on how to run a newscast.