While this is our class’s third show, this was my first show getting to lead produce. I was really excited when I found out I was the Associate Producer and have enjoyed assisting in the control room the past two shows, but I spent these past two weeks ecstatic about getting to write the script for the show and knowing I would actually get to booth the show on our day in the studio. I have been preparing for this chance by really watching what my producer, Aneissa, was doing and seeing how the talent reacted to that. I wanted to learn her style to see what would work for me and prepare properly.
The first week of our show schedule was fun for me because I ultimately got to make the decisions on how the newscast was set up and primarily focused on the script. This was my first time, and to be honest, I was nervous. I am really proud of the packages my classmates worked on, and I knew I needed to be the link to make the show successful.
I started my writing process by writing out a rough draft of how I wanted each lead and return to go. I then went back through and added or subtracted lines based on the timing or flow of the script. I remember during our past producer meeting that Prof. Marra emphasized the importance of needing data/facts/research in the ledes because that is what gave us credibility. I think I did a good job of researching each topic to fit the informational needs of that lead, but I struggled to make it conversational at times.
There were also areas where I did the opposite, I tried too hard to make the script conversational, while ignoring obvious areas for transitions. I think for my first script, I did a good job, but our producer meeting showed me I have a lot of room for improvement. Some fixes felt obvious and others felt not-so-obvious, that they’d become more noticeable to me by writing more.
During week two of our production schedule, we met on Monday to distribute scripts, help with package fixes and have our aforementioned producer meeting. As time goes on each week, I am given more responsibility, so I worked closely with some students to get their fixes done before they were checked off by Prof. Marra. Aneissa and I also got to run the anchor rehearsal this week.
I ran the cues and Aneissa worked on rewriting the teleprompter script as problems came up. I felt really confident after the rehearsal, but knew I wanted to help the anchors more, so we scheduled an extra rehearsal on Tuesday night, so Mark, our director, and I could direct them and have our visions align with what I wrote in the script.
I coached Terrell and Brian, our two on-set reporters, more about their speed and tone and went over part of the scripts that Jackie and Patrick, our anchors, should practice the delivery of. I even wrote “SMILE” on the back of my script to keep holding up at Terrell and Brian which made them laugh and that improved their delivery so much! It also gave me a chance to work with Mark to see what our relationship would be like in the control room. It felt really amazing to get to connect with my classmates so much this week because of my position in the show. I know I want to be a producer after I graduate, but this week really gave me something to look forward to, even if it didn’t go as perfectly as I had planned.
On Wednesday, I knew I wanted to help the control room people lighten up, so I wore my Halloween costume and brought props for my classmates. I produced the second and fourth takes of the show, and I think both of them went really well. Although there were some technical issues with the second show, the talent took my coaching really well and said they thought my producing style was really helpful. During our fourth take, everybody was exhausted. It was a little harder for Jackie and Patrick who had been there all day, but with that coaching, they were able to push through and give us a great show. Dean Dahlia was there for my first boothing experience, and it was nice having someone with that experience behind me.