Preparation is Key

Last week was a bit hectic. The producers were in their own bubble and reporters were in theirs. The producers didn’t see the reporters until it was about time to start taping the show. The producers didn’t get to plug stories into the run down as fast as the previous weeks either.

For the past few weeks, the producers and reporters have been ahead of the curve. We’ve been able to start taping in good time and end taping fairly early because we’ve planned ahead. Last week, the left over time got in the way of our routine.
Everyone had so much work to do Thursday.

As much as we planned to have everything done by class time, it just didn’t work that way. There were stories being added to and omitted from the run down as we were supposed to be walking into the studio. There were producers still typing, trying to cut down stories as scripts were printing. Fortunately, by show time, everything was mostly complete. Minor adjustments to the script were made and then it was time to start recording.

Taping didn’t take nearly as long as prep time. Even though we were behind, it was a good show.

There was a lesson to be learned from last week’s lack of preparation – the sooner the producers get to plug in stories and make corrections, the easier it is for everything else to fall in place. Things happen and can go a little haywire, but it’s always best to allow time to work out the kinks.