News Channel 15

Tonight a rescheduled field trip took us to our local News Channel 15 TV station. There we received a tour of the control room, news room, and studio. During the broadcasting of the 6:00 news, we were able to sit in the studio, about 15 feet in front of the news desk (behind cameras, of course) and watch as they put on the news. AWESOME is the word we would use to describe this field trip! It was fantastic!! Our field trip group was fortunate because the station just announced that they will no longer be offering tours of the station.

Our tour guide was one of the main anchors for the station. He was so personable and welcomed any questions we had, even during the commercial breaks between the broadcast segments. Before they went on air, I asked if they get nervous. Both anchors replied that they don't get nervous from being on camera, but get more "on edge" that everything runs as planned.

It was amazing to watch the weather being broadcasted! The meteorologist stands in front of a plain blue wall, and all her broadcasting is done off the top of her head (without a scroll screen).

Here Grace is sitting at the news desk trying out the pedal that controls the speed of the script on the screens that they read from. It's tricky to maintain the speed that's just right.

Megan takes her turn at the control pedal.

At 6:30, after the news was over, the meteorologist told the girls to "go ahead and sit up at the news desk" so that I could get their picture. Notice the mirror on the desk? During commercial breaks, the newscasters check their hair, make-up (even the men), ties, etc., before going back on air. It was fun to see all the activity in the studio during those 30 minutes!

Maybe being an anchorwoman is in her future......we'll see.....

Before leaving the station, we got to pose for a picture with Mark Mellinger, our tour guide.

~Wee