By BRIDGETTE NORRIS
The scriptwriter is rushing to add the game scores from the night before while the bright lights turn on as cameras and microphones are being set up. Pressure builds as the clock ticks.
With only 49 minutes in the class period, Boone Broadcasting Company students, who produce the daily newscast for students, use every second of it.
When making the show, the most common mistakes are forgetting to edit, not fixing audio levels, saying the wrong scores or news.
“We try to prevent the mistakes by watching the show before it airs and have a producer and director make sure mistakes do not happen.,” junior Nichole Clayton, director, said.
BBC involves more positions than are visible when watching the show. Some positions that go unseen are switchers, who switch the camera back and forth; a compix, in charge of arranging the graphics in the corner of the screen behind the anchor; the scriptwriter, editors and directors. Also there is an engineering technician responsible for the introduction videos for BBC.
“I want students not involved to know the show is student oriented and they try to do the best they can,” Gerald Carrero-Santana, TV Production teacher, said.
There is an eight-step process that must occur before the show is broadcasted. The scriptwriter has to check all the scores and upcoming events that need to be included. Once the script is written, it is loaded into the computer program and printed out so the anchors and other various positions have access to it in case they need it. As soon as everyone has the script, the students’ head into the studio to set up the lights and check the microphones and camera. The editor and co-editor ensure there are no errors and directs the other positions when they are ready to begin taping.
“Sometimes it’s frustrating when people make negative comments. We do our best,” Clayton said.
Besides the time spent in class preparing the show, the students shoot pictures and video at school events, like sports games.
“The editor is under pressure with only 49 minutes to capture the show. We try our best to eliminate mistakes but sometimes they happen and we do our best to fix it [the] next time,” senior Ryan Reyes, editor, said.
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