So far, my experience shadowing different departments at WAVY-TV has been exciting. I’ve had the opportunity to shadow The Hampton Roads Show, the promotions team and the engineering department, each of which has given me a deeper understanding of what goes on behind the scenes and on air.
The Hampton Roads Show:
While shadowing the Hampton Roads Show, I worked with Producer Kenisha Stringfield, where I learned key industry terms such as “rundown,” “buzz,” “chat,” and “I-view,” which are crucial for keeping a live production organized. Overall, seeing how the show is structured, from planning segments to mic guests, has shown me the importance of teamwork in broadcast television.
Promotions:
Working with the promotions team has helped me understand how stations maintain their brands. I’ve seen how TSRs and promotional content keep the audience engaged, and how branding plays a role in storytelling. Learning about the process of writing, editing, logging and coordinating promo materials has given me a better understanding of marketing.
While shadowing Promotions Topical Producer Antonio Jones, I received great advice about the journalism industry: Be open to constructive criticism, stay flexible and organized and take initiative.
Engineering:
The engineering department has given me a look at the technical side of broadcasting. While shadowing Assistant Chief Engineer Patrick Barkley, I learned about equipment rooms, CCUs, teleprompters and how networking fundamentals keep everything running smoothly. Understanding the technical aspects has made me appreciate all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into running a great show.
Throughout this experience, I’ve gained a greater appreciation for the collaboration between different departments in a newsroom. Overall, I’m excited to continue learning through different departments as I progress in my internship!
