This week I learned a lot! I think the experience we get with WVU News is so crucial because you are in real life situations and are able to learn and experience the real things that happen during a newscast. But first, let’s talk about this week.
As always, I felt like everyone brought great story ideas to the news meeting. It’s as if the reporters are all in sync. Majority of the stories were related some way so it made it really easy to stack the show.
After we were finished recording show three, the talk we received from Professor Dahlia was a little different. Since we were heading into spring break after everything was recorded, everyone needed to have stories that would remain relevant over the break. Despite the lack of pitches that day, I was confident that by our pitch meeting on Monday everyone would have good evergreen stories to pursue. And on Monday, I was right. The reporters are getting better every time we go through the cycle and this week most only needed the first beat report and a few moments time to get their stories approved.
Even though the week lasted just as long as the one previous, with the break drawing closer, time seemed to drag for most of the team. But, everyone persevered and was able to turn in their packages on time Thursday and get ready for the week-long break. Just as the team was winding down, I was preparing my critiques of all the packages, figuring out the rundown for the show, writing and putting the finishing touches on the script. Even though the break meant that we would not meet until the 13th, I still had a deadline to make sure everything was ready when we got back.
Show four!
I was so excited to start the preparation for show four. During the time I have off, I like to go out with the reporters to help them film interviews, broll, and standups/SOT TZs. I do miss reporting but I really, really like producing.
After the first show on Wednesday, all the reporters had some time to prepare their next stories that they wanted to pursue. The pitch meeting on Monday didn’t seem a daunting this time around and we were able to watch the first show with a keener eye in order to fix mistakes for the next show. It was unanimous from the reporters that sequence shooting and more interactive stand up and sot tz’s were things that they wanted to improve on. After watching the video, the reporters were able to pitch much quicker than the previous week and began working on their packages straight away.
After class, I try to wait around until everyone leaves just in case anyone has any questions or needs me to help with anything. I’m glad that I did because our reporter Casey Gentile was having some difficulty figuring out how to make her stand up more interactive. I had been watching quite a few videos of San Diego reporter Joe Little and thought that it would be appropriate that she clone herself. Both Dahlia and her liked the idea and asked me if I would help her shoot. I was overjoyed to be able to help outside my producer role and after the previous package that I helped with didn’t turn out so well. I was more determined than ever.
First show back at WVU News!
I decided to take a step back and work behind the camera this semester…I think I may like it a little better. The verdict is still out. It’s a different feeling when you are working on the whole project vs your package. It’s hard to explain.
It is definitely a weird feeling taking this class again. Last semester I was the Web Producer where I oversaw the official WVU News Twitter and website. It was an amazing experience, but now I'm back as the Executive Producer for group one. I still have some of the same responsibilities, but now having this position it makes them feel brand new.
We start the news week cycle with a pitch meeting and since it was the first one, group two was there to see what was in store for them next week. Throughout the meeting the reporters were learning the ropes on how to properly pitch and they picked up on it quickly.