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TBE’s daily live television broadcast a mixture of professionalism, fun
QUENTIN ROUX / Staff
Camera operator Lauren Hanscom keeps her subjects in view during a live television presentation of The Morning Show at Tommie Barfield Elementary School on Marco Island.
QUENTIN ROUX / Staff
School principal Dr. Jory Westberry makes a point during the Morning Show television broadcast.
QUENTIN ROUX / Staff
Soundman, aka fifth-grade student Kevin Hennings, keeps tabs on the proceedings during the live show.
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Even though it’s just a couple of minutes before going live, it’s quiet and orderly in the Tommie Barfield Elementary television studio.
Some of the news team of eight fifth-grade students make final adjustments to their cameras and mixing equipment, while those who will appear on-camera silently practice some of their lines.
Yet others ensure the power point scripts for the various presenters are ready to roll, and the sound man does his necessary checks.
At 8:22 a.m. sharp, the cameras roll and anchor Melanie Melicia introduces the broadcast, which includes the pledge to the flag, details of the day’s luncheon menu, an address by principal Jory Westberry, and on this day a short lesson in Spanish words and pronunciation by two volunteer students from teacher Pam Baldwin’s class.
Everything runs smoothly, apart from one short delay caused by a teleprompter error, but it doesn’t faze producer and school media specialist Debra Houghtaling.
“We make mistakes sometimes, but they (the rest of the school, which watches the broadcast on closed circuit television screens) forgive us,” she says.
The studio itself is well-equipped, and comes complete with a chroma-key blue background that enables the team to introduce images behind a speaker, for example.
It’s the same scenario used by weather forecasters, who appear to be pointing at spots on a map, but are actually just going through the motions.
The daily broadcast is both entertaining and informative, Houghtaling says.
“We announced whatever needs to be announced,” she says. “Sometimes we don’t even know who’s coming in (as a guest), but we are used to that.”
Four teams generally do Morning Show duties throughout the school year, and are trained for each of the functions.
“Sometimes children who are naturally shy come alive in front of the cameras, for example,” Houghtaling says, “while sometimes it’s the other way around.”
Preparation for the Morning Show usually occurs the previous afternoon, working from a basic script that is altered when applicable.
Nicolette Iannotta has been on every rotation, and says she likes them all, but favors being anchor.
“It feels like you’re doing real life stuff,” she says. “It’s really fun.”
She adds that she was a little nervous the first time around, but soon gained confidence.
“After the first day, you’re fine,” she says.
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