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.