Spring Break
Putting together a Democratic Presidential debate
Chris Russell
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: News
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Closed parking lots, blocked off streets, increased security, oversized Drexel banners on nearly every building and newly-painted rail overpasses spanning Market and Chestnut Streets were just visible signs that the Democratic Primary Presidential Debate was at Drexel University.
"It's so much," Stephanie Nelms, a junior producer for local news station NBC 10, said, regarding preparation for the debate.
Nelms went over show duties with NBC affiliates Monday night, and then to continue work on projects that still needed to be done for Tuesday's debate coverage. She also assisted in running the Nightly News with Brian Williams broadcast from roof of MacAlister Hall.
Aside from the bigger, more noticeable activity occurring on campus, she noted that behind-the-scenes action included completing numerous errands, coordinating different news bureaus from cities like New York and Washington, D.C., securing phone and satellite feeds, and assisting anchors and correspondents who were arriving and preparing for their interviews.
Rick Jefferson, senior technical production manager for MSNBC, said that production preparation will vary depending on location and the type of setup.
"The auditorium is more intense," he said.
He also mentioned that because the debate will be taking place in the Main Auditorium, special care is needed so that the location's arrangements are of the highest quality. For instance, one day was devoted to staging and lighting and another day to camera angles and satellite configuration.
Based out of Rockefeller Center in New York City, Jefferson manages MSNBC Live Remotes, which is a division that specializes in going on-location. He travels with a regular set of assistants that are knowledgeable about the live, remote production process.
Even before the setup of stages and lighting, Jefferson travels to locations for site surveys to determine the best location for the given production; this usually will happen two weeks prior to a planned event.
"It's so much," Stephanie Nelms, a junior producer for local news station NBC 10, said, regarding preparation for the debate.
Nelms went over show duties with NBC affiliates Monday night, and then to continue work on projects that still needed to be done for Tuesday's debate coverage. She also assisted in running the Nightly News with Brian Williams broadcast from roof of MacAlister Hall.
Aside from the bigger, more noticeable activity occurring on campus, she noted that behind-the-scenes action included completing numerous errands, coordinating different news bureaus from cities like New York and Washington, D.C., securing phone and satellite feeds, and assisting anchors and correspondents who were arriving and preparing for their interviews.
Rick Jefferson, senior technical production manager for MSNBC, said that production preparation will vary depending on location and the type of setup.
"The auditorium is more intense," he said.
He also mentioned that because the debate will be taking place in the Main Auditorium, special care is needed so that the location's arrangements are of the highest quality. For instance, one day was devoted to staging and lighting and another day to camera angles and satellite configuration.
Based out of Rockefeller Center in New York City, Jefferson manages MSNBC Live Remotes, which is a division that specializes in going on-location. He travels with a regular set of assistants that are knowledgeable about the live, remote production process.
Even before the setup of stages and lighting, Jefferson travels to locations for site surveys to determine the best location for the given production; this usually will happen two weeks prior to a planned event.
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