15 May Production Log
WEEK ONE
Monday – 30/01/17
ABSENT
Tuesday – 31/01/17
• Refresher session on Adobe Audition
• Used audio vox-pops collected in class the previous day to produce a short audio piece (1-2 mins) on the subject of Valentine’s Day
• Recorded an intro and outro for the piece
• Had to work to a strict deadline to turn around an audio piece
• Introduction to Inception – learnt how to create a story, create running orders and book assignments into the calendar
• Had training as a presenter and on the autocue by LJ – given tips on how to present yourself on camera and how to interact with co-presenter, as well as tips on colours not to wear
THOUGHTS:
I enjoyed the session; turning around an audio piece in such short time (using added time listening to the content recorded due to my absence the previous day) was stressful, but gave me confidence using the software and working to a deadline.
I also surprised myself by how much I enjoyed the training as a presenter. I’d never previously enjoyed being on camera but actually took to it fairly well—which gives me an inclination to hopefully present in the future live shows.
Wednesday – 01/02/17
• Had radio studio training at 9:30 am, detailing the ways to run audio shows and import/export media in the process
• Listened to our audio pieces from yesterday—with thoughts and criticism from LJ and the class
• Listened to BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat, thinking about the way an audio show is constructed
• Given homework transcribing an audio package
THOUGHTS:
The radio studio seems relatively straightforward, although I’m not sure how much I’ll be voluntarily doing behind the audio desk.
My audio piece from the day before was well-edited considering the time constrictions, but the levels were off in parts (a common problem). I learned a lot about how to frame a piece to make it newsworthy—you need to be able to find a story.
WEEK TWO
Monday – 06/02/17
• We were told about the agenda for our second week, which would be focussed on video (the first week’s focus was audio)
• We were shown how to frame video vox-pops
• Nev and I split off to film six vox-pops, again on the subject of Valentine’s Day (having not chosen an angle the week before, I chose to go with simply: “what’s the best thing about valentine’s day?”)
• Returned to the newsroom to get our vox-pops ready for editing the next day
• Were assigned roles for the upcoming live show—mine was as a presenter
• We also spoke about how we would collect stories for the live shows in our beats (I’m in the sports beat (naturally) with Nev and Millie) and drafted ideas for the first few shows
THOUGHTS:
Collecting video vox-pops is certainly harder than audio, with more to think about in terms of framing and ensuring the audio quality is also good. Using our phones to film was frustrating, but having a restriction like that adding more challenge to the exercise to make the content the highest possible quality.
I was thrilled with my role as a presenter and also to begin collecting content for the sports beat.
Tuesday – 07/02/17
• Refresher session on Adobe Premiere Pro, including appropriate broadcast settings for the live show
• Edited the vox-pops we collected yesterday, with the emphasis again on a quick turnaround
• Decided on presenting roles – Nev and I are on the sofas
• Put ideas for our sports beat on inception – Millie and I decided to cover the LSBU Basketball game
• Had a quick tutorial on using cameras and vision mixing on the desk
THOUGHTS:
I again enjoyed the pressure of turning around a quick video piece, which gave me confidence using the software and working to deadlines. The refresher was good to have but didn’t teach me anything in particular aside from how to export videos using JLDN’s Broadcast format.
I was happy to be on the sofa presenting with Nev. I felt like it would be a good team and we could do well. I was also very excited to begin creating sports content for the show, starting with the basketball coverage.
Wednesday – 08/02/17
• Watched the video packages we made yesterday and gave feedback
• Watched example VTs in preparation for creating our own for next week
• Editorial meeting – discussed the packages each beat would create, the angles and how that would compile the show
• Training in adding After Effects to our VTs
• Filmed LSBU’s basketball game with Millie, interviewing the captain before and after the game and filming an intro and outro outside the academy of sport
THOUGHTS:
Watching the videos from yesterday made me aware of how different types of cuts can impact how professional a piece looks—jump cuts being the standard unless you’re cutting to a clip from the same angle (of the same interview), in which case fade them into each other—otherwise it looks like you’re trying to pretend you haven’t cut.
The filming for our first VT went very smoothly—we were very happy with the content we gathered and how it would form our segment for the live show.
WEEK THREE
Monday – 13/02/17
• We ran through the completed the VT and tweaked the audio levels in audition
• Had an editorial meeting to see where everyone was with their content for the live show
• Uploaded the VT with after-effects
• Posted the video to Journalism.London with a post and added it to the running order in inception
• Nev and I collected vox-pops for our audio piece (How Active Are LSBU Students?)
• Edited the audio piece together
THOUGHTS:
It was quite a stressful day, having to gather content and edit together a piece in preparation for the show. We also got a taste of what the live show would be like, walking through the process that we’d undergo the next day. It left me actually quite excited (and a little nervous).
Tuesday – 14/02/17
• Ran through the live-show with the script, ironing out any technical difficulties in the process
• Nev and I edited our scripts to make them more natural for us
• Presented our first live show!
THOUGHTS:
It was an exciting day. We’d got most of the legwork out of the way already, so it was just a case of presenting to the best of our ability. I think we did well, with minor hiccups at stages but generally quite good.
Wednesday – 15/02/17
NO CLASS
WEEK FOUR
Monday – 20/02/17
Trampolining!
Tuesday – 21/02/17
• Vocal training with Amanda Carlton – working on autocue and presenting
• “Find your voice” workshop with Huw Thomas
THOUGHTS:
After going trampolining and having pizza the day before, I think we all felt like Tuesday would be a horrible return to normality. In actuality, we had two thoroughly enjoyable sessions with two great vocal experts.
Amanda Carlton—who a few of us had met last year—took us through reading scripts and breathing exercises. She helped me a great deal and made me think about how I can improve my presenting. She was a joy to learn from.
Huw Thomas’ workshop was also fantastic—with an emphasis on communication and comedy, we went through several improvisation exercises that also filled me with confidence when it came to speaking and presenting in front of crowds (or viewers).
Wednesday – 22/02/17
• The aforementioned return to normality with a bump (not a bounce)
• Watched the live show from last week and gave feedback on VTs and for us presenters
• Editorial meeting for the next show
THOUGHTS:
The live show, for our first attempt, was very good (we all felt). There were slight issues when it came to the VTs, but most of those were down to the restriction of having to use phones to record.
I also felt that Nev and I did a decent job presenting—although we could endeavour to communicate more naturally on-screen and go off script when relevant
WEEK FIVE
Monday – 27/02/17
• Editorial meeting to check the state of play for tomorrow’s show
• Put the finishing touches on our VT – an interview with John Inverdale that Milena had filmed
• Collected vox-pops for the audio show and edited it together (regarding University Sport and what it does for students)
• Contacted two friends in the bakery school and got them to come on as guests tomorrow for pancake day
• Ran through the script and edited it tomorrow
THOUGHTS:
I’ve become accustomed to turning around quick audio pieces, and today was no different. I enjoyed the pressure of having to get it done in time. I also felt confident running through the script after the first show, and was excited to get the next one done and dusted!
Tuesday – 28/02/17
• Editorial meeting in the morning
• Dry run
• Live show
• Made sure the audio and video segments were uploaded
• Filmed and edited a short pancake day segment to introduce our guests
THOUGHTS:
Having had the experience of the previous week, this show went just as seamlessly. I felt like I had more confidence on camera and for that reason, I enjoyed the day a lot. The dry run was difficult as we incorporated guests for the first time, but we quickly ironed out the problems in the live show.
Wednesday – 01/03/17
• Listened to the radio show (which we’d decided to run on a Wednesday to make the Tuesday run smoother)
• Gave feedback on segments and for the presenters
THOUGHTS:
It was a very simple day, just giving feedback for the show. The levels on our piece were again slightly off, leading me to decide to listen to a finished piece on multiple devices before submission in the future.
WEEK SIX
Monday – 06/03/17
ABSENT
• It was decided that we not have class again until next Tuesday to give us time to work on our projects
Tuesday (07/03/17) – Monday (13/03/17)
• No class so we can work on projects
• Milena recorded an audio segment on mental health in sports
• Planned to attend a mental health awareness event and interview someone regarding how exercise can benefit those with mental health issues, but kit issues prevented us recording anything
WEEK SEVEN
Tuesday – 14/03/17
• Editorial meeting
• Recorded a last-minute sports social media segment
• Dry run
• Live show
THOUGHTS:
A combination of everyone working on their projects/dissertations last week, not having the Monday in the newsroom and a huge show coming up next week (the BJTC-accreditation show) meant that this was a very rushed day.
Rushing to record a social media segment gave us little time to work on our scripts, and as a result, there were some technical difficulties during the live show, including the segment using a guest. It was a difficult one but probably a good way to humble us with the big one coming up next week.
Wednesday – 15/03/17
• Listened to the radio show
• Editorial meeting regarding the next show – in which the BJTC committee are coming to watch and review our course to decide whether we’d get accreditation
THOUGHTS:
Yesterday made us realise how prepared we need to be for everything to run smoothly. This would be vital for next week’s show.
WEEK EIGHT
Monday – 20/03/17
• Watched and put the finishing touches on Milena’s “Five tips for keeping fit” VT
• Gathered vox-pops with Nev for the audio show—“How Uni Affects Fitness”
• Edited together the audio and had a dry-run for the next day
THOUGHTS:
After the disorganisation of the previous week, everyone really stepped up their game. We all got our VTs and scripts ready today. I think we all left feeling confident that the show would run well.
Tuesday – 21/03/17
• BJTC day!
• Put the finishing touches on the audio piece
• Uploaded both the audio and video piece to the website
• Had a further dry-run to make sure we were completely prepared
• Ran through our live show
• Got feedback from the BJTC people and secured accreditation for our course!
THOUGHTS:
The day went very smoothly—we’d barely left ourselves anything to do! It was great to get such convincing feedback from professionals, and we aptly celebrated with pizza.
Wednesday – 22/03/17
• Listened to radio show and gave feedback
• Changed roles – I was slightly late and the role of director was selected for me
• Stayed behind afterwards to edit the levels on the audio for the radio show
• Helped Monique re-record and edit the radio show until we were happy with it
THOUGHTS:
Consistent issues with audio pieces—mainly the levels. They seem to be the most common problem for everyone.
Not sure about being director—I felt very comfortable on camera and grew into my role of presenter, but feel that the multi-tasking involved in directing may not suit my skill set.
WEEK NINE
Monday – 27/03/17
• Editorial meeting regarding the next show (GCN show on the 25th April, run live from Toronto)
• Decided to create a fake news in sports VT
• Brainstormed ideas with Nev and Millie, deciding to research appropriate stories and film in Stratford outside the Olympic Stadium (London Stadium)
THOUGHTS:
I’m happy that my first show as the director is one that I don’t actually have to direct, as I’m not sure I’ve been shown the ins and outs of directing properly.
Excited to produce the fake news VT.
Tuesday – 27/03/17
• No class
• Collected cameras and mics from the kit room with Nev
• Met Millie in Stratford to film our fake news VT
• Decided to take over from Millie the role of presenting the VT due to my familiarity with the content
• Filmed and checked and footage
THOUGHTS:
The filming went very well; I think all three of us feel like it will be our best VT yet. The location in Stratford is perfect, with London Stadium just behind me in the shot. We also filmed some segments in which I’m walking, which we feel will give the VT a more dynamic feel. Fingers crossed!
Wednesday – 28/03/17
• Editorial meeting to discuss where everyone was with the production of their fake news VTs
• Clarified the criteria for the work placement essay and the forms that need to be submitted
• Recorded some extra audio for use in the VT
• Broke up for Easter break!
THOUGHTS:
Having completed our filming yesterday, I’m happy that we now have three weeks before the show purely to edit and refine our VT. We’ll get it done in good time and be able to enjoy our break (hopefully).
WEEK TEN
Monday – 24/04/2017
• Editorial meeting to discuss the GCN show the next day
• Making sure the fake news VT was fully edited and equipped with After Effects
• Repurposed the audio from our VT for use in the radio show
THOUGHTS:
Our VT is definitely our best one yet—much more dynamic and interactive, with graphics and movement on camera. It was very easy for me to repurpose into an audio piece—literally pulling the audio and adjusting the levels.
We’d worked well over the break to get the piece ready, finding appropriate material to use and inserting it gradually into the piece (we had three weeks after all).
Tuesday – 25/05/2017
• Quick editorial meeting to see what was left to be done
• Spent the day on the desk conversing with Toronto and trying to iron out any technical difficulties—they were unable to hear our presenters (Ellie and Daniela) for a while
• Recorded the GCN show
THOUGHTS:
It was a peculiar day. It was very stressful, but mainly because I felt like I had little control over anything. All problems that persisted were either not on our end or simply technical difficulties that required further assistance to solve. I spent a lot of time being middleman; merely updating people on when we could go live and what was going on in Scotland and Canada.
Wednesday – 26/05/2017
• Listened to the radio show
• Editorial meeting for next week’s show
• Decided to do a sports round-up focussing on the big sporting stories of the week
THOUGHTS:
Anxious to properly direct my first show—Monday is a bank holiday so I’ll only have the Tuesday for preparations.
WEEK ELEVEN
Monday – 01/05/2017
• Bank holiday – no class
• Met Nev and Millie at Stratford to film from Millie’s accommodation for our sporting round-up
• Bank holiday meant we were unable to secure kit from Uni, so were forced to film on a phone
THOUGHTS:
Felt that were probably cutting it a bit fine filming today (which would ordinarily be used for LAST MINUTE preparations), but due to the bank holiday and nature of our VT—many of the events we spoke about were at the weekend—it was necessary.
Tuesday – 02/05/2017
• Editorial meeting
• Edited the footage from yesterday to quickly produce our VT
• Set up the lights and cameras and got the presenters (Poppy and Imogen) ready
• Dry run had to be pushed back due to late content
• Went live at 3:30
• Debrief
THOUGHTS:
This was definitely our most rushed show—aside from Poppy and Imogen who excelled as presenters, no one seemed to feel comfortable in their new role (myself especially). Not having the Monday meant that everything was late—I ended up editing our VT in the morning despite thinking it would be finished by the time we got in.
Setting up cameras, lights and the set was difficult because I was completely new to it all, having been briefly shown the desk at the beginning of the semester and nothing else.
I resolved that next week I would ensure that everything was in and ready on the Monday, and make myself ready to set things up in good time before broadcast—hopefully, the experience of this chaotic week will make it easier!
Wednesday – 03/05/2017
• Came in early to be ready for the radio show
• Presented a live sports round-up in the show to save repackaging our VT
• Researched stories for our last VT
• Decided to film a badminton session with an ex-pro friend of mine, Julian Arbitama, who I contacted immediately to set a time
THOUGHTS:
Presenting the sports news in the radio show was refreshing—a throwback to the easier days of presenting!
I’m now excited for the last show—we’ll produce a decent VT and I’ll be prepared to make sure the last show runs smoothly! It’s just Nevan and I for the last one, with Millie moving across to help out a different beat.
Friday – 05/05/2017
• Organised a badminton session with Julian and some fellow LSBU players
• Filmed the whole session
• Interviewed Julian
THOUGHTS:
We were very happy with the content gathered, although Julian was very camera shy. I was confident I could edit together to make it suitable for our last show, however.
WEEK TWELVE
Monday – 08/05/2017
ABSENT
• Edited the VT from home
THOUGHTS:
Feel like death. Must edit video.
Tuesday – 09/05/2017
• Editorial meeting
• Recorded last-minute voiceover for VT
• Edited and uploaded it
• Set up cameras, lights and set (much earlier this time)
• Dry run, during which we practiced swapping mics from presenters to guests to accommodate having Mark and Denise in as lecturers
• Directed our last ever live show!
THOUGHTS:
It was typical that after the chaos of last week, and subsequently deciding to make the most of having Monday to work on things, I would be ill. Fortunately, no one else was and all work was in and ready on time. My troubles from last week aided me in setting up my set on time and tackling any problems, although I did struggle during the dry run to accommodate all the guests with the angles.
LJ tried her best to tug on our heartstrings by giving us sweet leaving cards and bringing her lovely dog in, but it didn’t work (mostly) and we all remained professional, with the show running very smoothly.
I did get ahead of myself during the news bulletins, fading to the camera I had prepared too early, rather than back to Aileen. Aside from that, I felt I did as well as I could have in my role.
Wednesday – 10/05/2017
• Listened to the radio show
• Nev presented the live sports news
• Went for celebration drinks!
THOUGHTS:
Radio show went fine—Bridget, Monique and Nevan joining in was a great touch and a fitting send-off!
OVERALL THOUGHTS:
Had you asked me four months ago whether I was looking forward to this module, I was have told you a categorical “no”. Written journalism has always been my forte, and I’ve begrudgingly participated in all the other forms that this course offers. I took this course, however, in acknowledgement that other mediums are vitally important.
I’ve learnt as much in the last four months as I did in the first two and a half years. I wish we had been creating content in this manner since day one—I’m extremely jealous of the first years who have and will!
The module has improved my editing, leadership and presenting skills by a mile, and given me the confidence to expand my skillset beyond written journalism. I don’t feel the need to polarise myself.
It’s also the most successful and enjoyable team I’ve ever been a part of—the energy in the room on a live show day has been electric, particularly during our first and last shows, and week four with the BJTC.
There have been a couple of hiccups (weeks seven and eleven spring to mind), but we didn’t let them slow us down.
