Newscast #3- Meg Weissend- Fall 2018

I can’t believe we are done with our third newscast. Time is flying! This show, I found myself taking more authority during taping. I also think my times for the show’s rundown were more accurate. I’m learning so much, and I’m starting to push past the “ask a lot of questions” stage, and move into the stage where I’m practicing and improving on my skills.

On October 8th, we had our news meeting. Unfortunately, I couldn’t be there due to illness, so I delegated a few jobs to the assistant producers. The news team pitched their stories, and like always, the conference times were recorded, the stories were approved, and the newscast positions were confirmed. The assistant producers emailed me the completed sheets, and printed off copies after class.

Wednesday, the 10th, Professor Dahlia held story conferences in Martin Hall. I’m starting to get used to the critiques and edits that she catches while watching packages, and I’m able to point those out, too. For example, when she says “your nat sound needs to be lowered right here,” I’m usually agreeing. I’m finally seeing the transition from learning and watching to participating and understanding.

On Thursday, I got to the edit lab around 4 p.m. to help out with edits before the packages were turned in on Vimeo. Since Sierra had to leave early, I stayed there until a little after 8 p.m. I got most of the critiques done before I headed home, and it only took an hour or two after that to know who made show. Friday morning, I announced who made show.

Over the weekend, I wrote the script. The script was particularly challenging because the packages were longer than last show’s. I had to play with timing a lot, which worked out because we filmed within few seconds of the 14:30 time limit. The entire process is starting to get a little less time consuming. Now that I can visualize what the entire show is supposed to look like in my head, I’m not second-guessing myself as much as I did in the beginning.

Monday, October 15th, I printed off critiques and made a gazillion copies of the finalized script. I helped a few of those who made show with their edits, too. The table read went well. It was Mason’s first time on set, so I worked with him on blocking his script.

Wednesday, we filmed! For some reason, I always get to the Waterfront way too early, and walk in shaking like a leaf. I don’t think it’s nerves. I think it’s adrenaline. The perfectionist in me wants to film a perfect show. After each take, I have to take a deep breath and remove my headset. It’s a lot of pressure, but I’m getting better at communicating with the anchors, and I’m starting to notice little things and telling the director to “tell them to pan Camera 1 to the left a few inches.”

The next show we are filming will be our special edition show, and I’m a little nervous. Very excited, though. That’s what I love about my job. I’m always excited.