Broadcasting Telecasting (Jul-Sep 1953)

gramming. But that fails to take into account a unique advantage that WTVJ has enjoyed. Affiliated with a chain of theatres and Reela Films, WTVJ had easy access to technicians and equipment that most other stations do not have. Because of this affiliation, management and employes were newsreel-minded. Management has provided adequate equipment and manpower to do the job. Making a financial profit on the newscasts has not been a major consideration. With the overall operation of the station showing a substantial profit, management has not insisted that the news department operate in the black. Realizing the expense of the kind of news operation they were maintaining, executives have not gone overboard in endorsing wasteful expenditures. They simply beheve that the advantages in prestige, audience good will, and public service are more important to the long term general welfare of the station than a dollarsand-cents profit on this one phase of programming. Mr. Ruwitch expresses his viewpoint this way: "Our news department cannot be classified as a money maker for the station. I don't refer here to the sale of news programs to advertisers, for we have no difficulty in keeping sponsors happy with our news programs. But it is and always will be a costly operation from the standpoint of both equipment and manpower." He adds, "I cannot put too much emphasis on the importance of news coverage to a radio or television station, regardless of the size of the community served. It is one of the forces which will contribute to your success or failure in public acceptance — depending on the kind of job you do." Full Utilization of Visual Tools As indicated in the discussion of spot news coverage, the WTVJ stafi" is verv much aware of the advantages that television enjoys as a medium of communication. The various visual tools are utilized in such a way that there is a change of pace throughout each broadcast. Heaviest reliance is placed on silent film. The news department has two Bell and Howell 70DL's, a Bell and Howell Model 70H, and a 1200 Keystone (all 16 mm). A proper lens is available to meet the needs of any news situation. For portable light, three Frezzo-lite battery packs are used. One or two assignments are covered with sound-o".-film almost every day. This coverage with an Auricon Pro sound camera takes more manpower and effort than silent film, but it can be most effective for the audience to hear the central figure in a local controversy summarize his viewpoint in his own words. Stills are not widely used. However, there are occasions when there are latebreaking news stories or other situations when motion picture film is not available but still pictures can be obtained. If stills are available and if they really add something to the coverage of the story, they are used; stock photos are not used just for the Page 96 • August 17. 1953 sake of having some kind of picture on the screen. Newsworthy personages are frequently brought into the studio for live appearances. These interviews are kept very brief, for they can easily consume time that is needed to give adequate coverage to other events of the day. If there is any gimmick that has visual appeal and that will contribute to the viewer's understanding of the news, it is utilized. The most recent example of this was a scale model of a proposed dam and series of locks to be built on the Miami river. Army engineers were holding a hearing and the issues were complicated. To give the audience a better idea of what was proposed, the detailed model of the project was brought into the studio and an engineer explained how it would operate and answered questions from the news announcer. Because of the extensive newsreel coverage, the station's specially-equipped remote truck sees relatively little use. When the right situation does arise, six or seven men are sent out to give two-camera coverage for instantaneous transmission to viewers' homes. Detailed, Intelligent Planning In line with the fallibility of human beings in general, WTVJ staff members don't score 100% in this respect, but their batting average is usually good. Preliminary assignment sheets are set up the night before and additions are made as changing events dictate during the day. Unless there is reason to handle the situation otherwise, telephone calls are made and appointments are arranged in advance. Wise planning of routine assignments saves money, time, effort, and tempers; and it leads to better coverage. One of the most impressive examples of intelligent planning, on a broader scale, is the way the WTVJ news staff covered the Florida state legislature this year. As the state capital is in Tallahassee, 475 miles from Miami, it is apparent that on-the-spot daily coverage would not be feasible. To give the best possible coverage under the circumstances, the news staff shot about 9,000 feet of film— 6,000 of this during the opening week of the legislative session. Some of this film was sent back to Miami for immediate airing, but the bulk of it was carefully planned footage to be held in reserve. Through careful planning, all the major issues that were almost certain to face the legislature had been outlined and committee chairmen, spokesmen for certain proposed bills, or other logical persons were asked to answer questions or give brief statements on the measures in question. As it worked out, many of these statements were quite pertinent when aired later in connection with legislative developments. Stock footage of silent film was also made of the legislature in session, the governor's mansion, the secretary of state, attorney general, and other persons and scenes that would be almost certain to crop up in the news. This kind of advance planning coul; ) add luster to any news operation. ,i \ Elaborate Network of Contact!| This point has a bit in common with th( old riddle about which came first — th( chicken or the egg. To do a first-rate job of covering th( news, a television news department need: to develop many friendly contacts; at th same time, an alert news operation wii create much prestige and viewer interes which means the station personnel will fin^ a veritable army of friendly news sources. Politicians are nearly always happy "ti say a few words" in front of a TV camera they know this gives them an opportunity to get their ideas, their names, and thei faces before the voting public. Repre sentatives of airlines, hotels, constructioi companies, department stores, chambers o commerce, and a host of others may b( moved by similar motives. Funeral home will call at any hour of the day or night i the importance of their news tips justifie it. WTVJ cameramen and reporters seem tc have a first-name speaking acquaintanci with just about every policeman and fire man in the city. The same thing goes foi city officials from the mayor on down. Am news reporter or photographer needs tc build good will with a wide range of sources The TV cameraman needs this help ever more; he can't be a hit-and-run operator A cheerful smile and a friendly word wil work wonders; they work even better wher they are backed by a reputation of fai play and the prestige of television. In addition to reporting the news, WTV. sometimes makes news in its own right Perhaps the most widely publicized exampU of this occurred during the last Presidentia campaign. Through some adroit planning news director Ralph Renick succeeded ir getting the two prominent Democratic candidates from the South to appear to gether for the first time. They appearec on Mr. Renick's special weekly program What's the Story? After some polite anc guarded comments in the early stages oi the half-hour program. Senators Richarc Russell and Estes Kefauver got down tc fundamentals and tore into each other': campaign in a way that drew national attention. WTVJ is one of the stations that has developed some understanding of television'? distinct advantages and limitations as a news medium. It has gone a long way in meeting the challenge of the new medium, in providing a news operation that is serving in the public interest and building up audience good will — a station's most valuable asset. Spot news comes first! If this philosophy were more widespread, there would be lesei ground for criticism from such veteran newsmen as Elmer Davis and Paul Whitej who have been outspoken upon occasior^ with their comments about the limitations of television as a news medium. Broadcasting • Telecasting