Fall 2017
Internships
Channel 4 Production Internship
At WJXT was a production intern in charge of floor directing and co-piloting cameras. I learned floor directing first to understand how each show segment progresses and how the anchors move on set. Floor directing involves being the physical representation of the control booth in the studio, so things like cueing anchors and moving cameras were vital. On a typical morning I would set up each studio including gathering anchor and guest microphones, turning on the lights based on what program is being run, making sure the anchors are in the right positions throughout the show including movement between shots, setting up unique interviews sets based on the guests’ needs, communicating any changes in the show to the floor, and most importantly responding to the quick changes required in a news environment. After floor directing I learned how to pilot cameras during a show which involves setting up each shot such as a two shot or a closeup at the beginning of a show and maintaining that shot as the anchors move. This also includes getting the best footage of guests when on air and ensuring all graphics are displayed fully in view of the camera. When using the cameras, I applied knowledge that I learned in my coursework to keep the shots in focus, well exposed, and properly composed. These are duties that I did daily four or five days a week and with each day presenting its own challenges and formats.
Examples of Work
In this show I was floor directing the anchors giving them cues of when we were live. I also signaled the return from live and when the segment was over. This show was a bit chaotic after some breaking news scrambled the schedule but the heart walk turned out great.
During this show I was co-piloting cameras making sure the two shot was properly centered and focused. Anchors typically move in between live shots so keeping the composition of each shot consistent was my main goal.
This was one of our typical interviews on a Saturday where a guest teaches the audience (and our anchors) something. I am both floor director and camera operator in this case, providing cues of where to look and capturing close ups of the exercises. I made sure the guest was ready by providing a microphone and directions of how the interview would go.
In this I am floor directing again, this time getting all three guests ready with microphones. I also set up the studio for the interview which involves moving cameras to get close ups and moving the chairs and table into the right positioning for the lighting.
I co-piloted for this segment making sure the products were in focus on the guest was properly displayed. The shot started on the anchor and then I zoomed out to show the entire set up while capturing a close up of the guest on the other camera so there were not any awkward jumps.