Learning Objective #2:

To learn the logistics side of production—What information do I need? How do I get it? What do I do with it? What is the appropriate conduct for this task?

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Resources/Activities:
• Discuss with Gregg Mace
• Practice information gathering on game nights for highlighted games
• Shadow Gregg/Mike to observe how they gather information
Evaluation/Verification:
• Research notes
• Sample scripts I created
• Reflective narrative about the process

 

Samples

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     To display this developed skill, I included an example of a log I kept at a York High School boys basketball game. It includes all of the information as it happens and provided me with a strong reference when I wrote the script. In the left column, the "Y" represents York High School, and the "SW" represents Southwest High School. Every time an athlete scored points, I recorded the current score on the sheet. Also, if it was a particularly spectacular shot and visually appealing, I included notes (player who scored, what kind of basket, film time code) for easy access when it came time to edit. I also made note at the end of every quarter. To view these notes, click here.

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    In Objective #1, I mentioned the script I created to accompany the Messiah College v. Albright College baseball segment I created. This script is short and to the point, with an introduction, body and conclusion. The spaces between paragraphs indicate separate plays on the highlight reel so the anchor, who reads the script off a TelePrompTer, can follow along in appropriate time. To view this script, click here. 

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​Reflection

     At the start of this internship, I did not know too much about the logistical side of production and I knew it would behoove me to learn more about it before the end of the semester. I decided I was going to make it a point—through observation, discussion and practice—to find out what information I need to produce a sports broadcast, how I get that information, and what I do with it once it is in my possession. It is also important to learn and put into practice the appropriate conduct for retrieving that information.
     For the most part, because I worked with production and did not produce any written news pieces, internet blogs, etc., I used the information I gathered from basketball and baseball games primarily to create the scripts that sports anchors read on-air. By the end of my internship, it was my responsibility to record statistics and write a script for every game I attended with abc27, even if I did not film. Oftentimes, I got back to the station around ten o’clock in the evening and the nightly news begins at eleven. This did not provide us with a lot of time to create show content. As a result, the camera man, Mike, usually edited the footage together while I wrote a script to accompany it and typed it into the TelePrompTer.
     In order to learn how to gather and process information, I began with observation. I watched my supervisor, Gregg, log basketball games and asked him questions about the process if I did not understand. After I observed him log a couple games, he handed me an example of a previous stat sheet he wrote up and told me I was in charge of the stats from then on. This first-hand experience allowed me to quickly acquire the skills to log a basketball and baseball game.
     I learned for both sports, the first step at any game is to retrieve team rosters from the stat table—this isn’t difficult, it just requires a polite request (I learned everything I needed to know about conduct through observation). These rosters play a valuable role in script writing after the game. In terms of basketball stats, I take a piece of paper and divide it into two columns, one for each team, and keep a running score of the game. Next to each log entry, I write the number of the athlete that scored the basket, the quarter the play took place, the time code (on the camera so we can easily retrieve the footage as opposed to looking through all of the recording), and a short description of how the athlete made the shot (ex. left handed lay-up, dunk, breakaway, etc.).
     Baseball proves a little more challenging and requires more information, but I still receive the information through observation. I record every hit, stolen base, and strike out, as well as where each player stands on the field. If a hit brings players home and increases the score, I record the time code from the camera for later use and record the player who hit the ball, write a description of the hit and when it happened in the game, the players who ran home, the score as a result of that hit, and any other pertinent information. With this, and the information I retrieve from basketball games, I can easily write a script for with sport in a matter of minutes because everything I need to know is written in my notes, no matter what footage Mike chooses to use in the highlights. I have players names and ages from the rosters, I know how the play impacted the score, when it took place, etc.
     I learned all of this through the course of my internship and have had the opportunity to practice extensively. As a result, I feel very confident in my ability to log games and gather necessary information from the right place, with the correct conduct. This is significant because the more I know how to do, the more valuable I become to a potential employer. However, every job requires the use of different information, but I have not had too much experience in other areas. This is an important area for me to explore and grow in as time passes.