April 25th, 2009 
joel This weekend we launch a new feature here at The Press and Tower called “Behind the Scenes.”
That very simple title describes what we’ll try to do; take a video camera and go “backstage” at Erie’s media outlets to allow viewers, readers, and listeners understand more fully what goes into the media products they consume. Consider it a local media version of the Science Channel show “How It’s Made.”
Our first video is of the WSEE Mornings Live program, which airs Monday-Friday 6:00 – 7:00 AM, with hosts Raychel Vendetti and meteorologist Ray Petelin. We also spent time with Director Bob Bohen and Videographer Megan Spencer. That’s it…four people to produce an hour-long live news program. Take a look.
We also sat down with this team for an interview about their jobs that I will post in the coming days. What they have to say is relevant considering the changes at WSEE and WICU that were announced since the taping.
Finally, if your media outlet would like to be considered for an upcoming Behind the Scenes feature, just e-mail me at joel@nataliemedia.com.
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That was very well done. An excellent behind the scenes look of “modern” TV. I’m an old-timer, I was one of the 9 or 10 people that it used to take to put on the news on WICU-TV. The crew at WSEE do an outstanding job with what little they have – literally.
I don’t feel sorry for them – I know they wouldn’t want that. It just makes me sad to see what TV has turned into. Somehow I don’t think that Mr. DuMont (one of the inventors of Television) had this in mind when he set out to invent Television?
Only in our Country could the Investment Bankers, Corporations and Accountants ruin TV. I blame the FCC for allowing cross-ownership of multiple properties. Maybe the FCC needs to redefine the phrase “In the Public Trust???”
Did I miss something, WSEE didn’t show Mornings Live. Good thing you did the story above. Might not be there now. But nice job!
My wife and I were guests on Mornings Live recently. It was bizarre to walk in the studio and only see Raychel and Ray there. No camera operators, etc. Only the Wizard of Oz behind the curtain.
Yes, you know that program that Bob is telling you about in the clip above? Yeah, that didn’t work Monday morning, so sorry no show. We are still here for now.
I think Bob would enjoy the title of Director/Wizard!
Big Guy! This is awesome! You really captured a typical morning for us (except that you brought donuts!). Nice job! I can’t wait to see future installments!
Great news Raychel, with all the rumors about the “merger” thought there was not going to be news. Glad I was wrong.
Joel,
Great job and great to see how the crew works it out in the AM.
…although, you might need a shooter and editor for these pieces…or at least a little tutorial, ya know? Keepin’ it real, bro.
Jeff,
Thanks…the ROI didn’t allow me to spend 10 hours in edit on Premiere Pro, so Movie Maker it is! Maybe when folks start buying stuff from the P&T store…
Always keeping it real, my brother!
Joel…no need to spend more than 10 minutes. Premiere makes it harder than necessary.
A :30 tut on Sony Vegas and you’ll be cutting like a pro with no headaches. Once you use Vegas, you’ll never use another editor.
Joel,
What type Video camera did you shoot this on? The color was very good and the lighting was spot on. Was it a Sony? Just curious, thanks!
Tim,
I used a Panasonic DVX-100. It’s very forgiving for a MASH unit shooter like me using available light, and no color correction.
If you want to see some of the best video created in Erie, with much of his early stuff on the DVX, go to jmfilms.com (he ain’t heavy; he’s my brother!).
Thanks for asking!
Joel
It’s actually the 100b…and it is probably the best SD prosumer camera on the market. Very forgiving, great optics, good color out of the camera.
Tim,
I’m currently shooting the Sony pmw-ex1 which is now the best camera I’ve owned. It’s amazing. I have spot coming out soon that I produced using it.
Interesting you mention the 100b…
It is a great, broadcast-quality camera. In fact many cable networks used it for reality show production, interviews, etc. They upgraded to the HVX-100b when it came out, which is the same as the DVX, only it shoots in many HD formats and uses solid-state media instead of tape. Both the DVX and HVX are handheld and easily operated by one person.
What’s interesting about that?
Well, when SJL ordered a new round of cameras for WICU some time ago, it ordered HVX’s. They’ve been using them in the field for some time now, alongside the station’s shoulder mounts. While the HVX is a fine camera, for daily news purposes, it doesn’t approach the quality of a good, shoulder-mounted (that is very important) camera with interchangeable lenses.
HOWEVER — it is light, compact, handheld and easily operated by one person.
I don’t have any information than anyone else re: SJL’s plans.
However, knowing how the camera is used elsewhere, it’s hard to imagine a station with a full complement of photographers would choose to order the HVX, unless it wanted to make its equipment “one-man-band” friendly.
Eventually it could come to the point where all cameras at WICU are HVX’s. And at that point, the announcement could literally come at any time, that reporters become their own photographers, and photographers take a hike.
Max,
Dave DiCola who is a shooter at WICU told me about them two summers ago. Lots of indie guys use them in film and I’ve held one and it felt like the DVX on steroids.
I’ve never been in broadcast but can appreciate the difference in larger sensors (1/3″ vs 1/2″ vs 2/3″ etc). But the difference in well lit sets would be negligible and the cost savings is staggering.
Joel’s video proves that a morning show can run on a desktop with the right software, in skilled hands (GO BOB BOHEN). The size of the DVX/HVX proves that technology is changing and the old big shoulder mounts offer little more than “professional image”, but questionable performance increase.
…oh btw…no matter what technology you use, shooting solo, even if just head and shoulders, is really very tough and impossible (of course) when doing “perp walks”.
We’ll always need photographers.
Jeff, you must not pay much attention to what’s happening elsewhere.
Stations in major markets, from Washington, D.C. to Phoenix to San Francisco, are going one-man-band; the supermajority of small markets have already done it.
Erie is in a very rare position, being a 125+ market and having photographers working at all three (two?) stations.
I couldn’t be happier that we do have photographers. But you can’t dismiss it as a radical idea, when it’s happened at almost all markets our size…
I really am not in that world, Max. I just know that it’s technically difficult. Maybe variations of camera angles for the talent in the field is less important (of course it would be from a cost perspective.)
Sad…
I agree with Jeff. I think it is sad that stations use a cost basis to make decisions – one man bands, et al. It usually works better with a 2-man crew: the photographer to shoot compelling video and audio and the reporter to gather all the information and get the interviews. Of course it (1 man bands) is done in other markets but the reporters most always complain about having to lug around a camera, light gear, tripod…in addition to a notepad.
If you go to New York City try watching NY1 News. It is 100% 1 man band. A lot of the shots are blurred and the talent stand ups are almost always off center and out of focus….other than that 1 man banding works beautifully.
But that is just the opinion of an old ENG/Field Cameraman who remembers his time of shooting video in the field and then rushing to make deadline with great fondness!
Want quality…photog + reporter. Want to save $$$ and show crap…one-man band. Plain and simple. You can’t have both.
Tim & PR:
Both of you are exactly right. I couldn’t agree more.
But ask yourselves, quality or $$$: Which is Brian Lilly more interested in?
Unfortunately, I believe the answer is clearly the latter.
Given the prominent addition of one-man-band cameras to the mix, I would bet the farm we’ll see at least some OMB reporters (branded as “multimedia journalists,” “backpack journalists” or “all-platform journalists”) within 4 years.
Max:
Brian Lilly is ONLY interested in $$$. Mr Lilly could care less about quality – just look at the ugly new WICU news set as just one example. Brian Lilly has declared war on the “traditional” TV station as we know it.
The thing though is Mr. Lilly is only saving about $7,000 per camera or so by buying the smaller “OMB” Cameras. If he truly cared about quality he could buy some TREMENDOUS Panasonic P2HD gear and make WICU a showplace for Quality. However, In 5 years Erie TV will be a wasteland and Mr. Lilly will move on and try his broadcast theory on another market.
I’m not surprised Mr. Lilly hasn’t tried the CJ or “Citizen Journalist” approach where anyone with a camcorder and Lav mic can do a report and send it to TV-12!?
Over the years WICU (thanks to Chief Engineer Michael Csop and Owner Edward Lamb) has been known as the quality station in Erie. In the 40s, 50s, 60s & 70s WICU used the best quality film Cameras for Field Camera work. In the 80s TV-12 had a mix of JVC/Panasonic and Sony Cameras for Field work before going with NBC (and their considerable discount) and buying Panasonic MII ENG Cameras – they were a decent camera although I never did care that much for them – but they got the job done.
In the mid 90s – after the Lamb family sold to SJL – Channel 12 went with Panasonic DVCPro. Not a bad camera at all….but it was no BetaSX. Then a couple of years ago Brian Lilly had a brainstorm to purchase the Panasonic HVX-200. The dreaded “OMB” camera…even though it produces a pretty good picture I don’t want to go into all the pros and cons of the camera in this post.
The bottom line: if you want to have a QUALITY operation you will HAVE TO SPEND MONEY – PERIOD! There isn’t any way around that fact. Just look at the quality of the on-air product at TV-12 these days and ask yourself if Brian Lilly is more interested in quality or $$$? Thats All…
Tim, guys, really?
I think that your LDS is showing…Lilly Derangement Syndrome!
Of course the Lilly’s are interested in making a profit; so is every business on the planet. They took the big gamble, they rolled the dice, and now they are trying to make it work in the most difficult environment in the history of broadcasting.
You may not agree with his policies, but “Brian Lilly has declared war on the ‘traditional’ TV station as we know it.”????
That’s silly.