It was the second week in our new roles. I imagined that the bulletin would have gone much better than in our first week, yet I was wrong. Rachel Hepworth was our guest editor this week. She patiently watched us all get ready for the bulletin and then she gave us many useful comments and tips in the debrief. I think we all learned a lot from her notes.
There were several issues that affected the bulletin as a whole. The biggest mistake we made this week was missing the deadline. Instead of going Live at 3.00 we went live 15 minutes later. This would be a huge issue on a real TV channel and it would probably never take place. Angus Scott, one of our lectures and ITV sports presenter has told us before never to go live at all if we don’t make it for 15.00 pm on the spot. However, this hasn’t been anyone’s fault in particular. I think there was a misunderstanding in the gallery, as well as technical difficulties, such as the lack of talk back, incomplete packages and just general chaos. Jack, our new production editor took on too many jobs. As well as overseeing the bulletin as editor he decided to direct as well, which made it impossible for him to notice little problems, such as pressing the record button at 3.15, as he was concentrating on counting down the VT and cueing in the presenter. Therefore, I think everyone tried to get involved too much into controlling the Gallery, as it just seemed like a little bit of a mess. We need a little bit more discipline in there, but also organisation. The production team didn’t do anything till after 12.00 by that time they were late for headlines, therefore the rehearsal didn’t take place till late which caused the bulletin miss the deadline.
This week my role was to play VTs from the machine. I managed to set an OB kit in the news room for our breaking news story which we couldn’t use in the end because the lack of sound from the news room. We had Felicity in the studio with the presenter instead.
This week my role was to play VTs from the machine. I managed to set an OB kit in the news room for our breaking news story which we couldn’t use in the end because the lack of sound from the news room. We had Felicity in the studio with the presenter instead.
The presenters- Hannah and Sam did a very good job despite the stress and technical problems. They were both confident and sounded great. The only thing I would say is the handover. I think the presenters should have a relaxing chit chat about upcoming sport packages to ease the stress and tension.
The content of the bulletin was good, but yet not quite excellent. We keep having problems with the headlines. Rachel said that they are good; however they didn’t attract her enough to want to watch the rest of the bulletin. This is something the team really need to work on- the right clips and words. Another thing that needs improving which Rachel and Angus agreed on was our script. They are nowhere near as good as TV scripts. The style of them is also wrong, but this is due our script machine being broken. Usually in the scrip you need to have: a slug, package duration, out words and a link. There should be 5 copies of it as well, 2 for the presenters and 3 in the Gallery.
Overall, well done for putting a lot of good effort everyone, let’s try to improve those little mistakes and the bulletin will be perfect once again.
Hello Justi
ReplyDeleteWell, obviously I did not find the bulletin last week and still cannot! I only found/find 'What's On' with Cara and Jake presenting, which is the one I made comments about.
It must have been really frustrating for you that so much was misjudged, but a huge learning curve for all involved. It must seem for you that you brought it to be good and professional last year and now it has temporarily fallen apart. However, I think that something similar happened for the first one last year, although perhaps not quite so many points such as you have made going wrong. For someone like me who has no idea of all that is involved I feel this blog shows your personal grasp, learning and experience and that is great. Standing aside when new students learn is something which has to be done, as with children learning anything.
I hope you personally get to do some outside broadcasts and there will be enough time for it. Good headlines and scripts perhaps can be learned from imitation of 'real' TV.
Anyway, I will be logging on tomorrow to try to find the bulletin!
I am glad that Rachel Hepworth gave you some helpful pointers.
Best love Cait XXX