Broadcasting Telecasting (Apr-Jun 1954)

Hud Stevens Interviews Albany's Mayor Corning Film coverage figures heavily, too, in the sports programming plans of WTRFs sports director Steve Davis. The evening commentary show, Sports Final, utilizes local news film stories. Professional baseball in the area is usually played at night and players are therefore unavailable for "live" interviews. Other events such as winter activities at Lake Placid will also get sports coverage. Another program in which film plays a major role on WTRI is Tee Off With the Capital District Pros, films of the golf pro in action on his home course. In figuring the cost of the film operation at WTRI, the station at present is charging the cost of operating the department to any specific program. The outlet plans an analysis of film costs after a six-month period when the specific costs will be written off individual programs. Coverage Costs On special events coverage, the station estimates the complete film cost from shooting to final print is approximately $200 per half hour. When comparing this cost with that of a live remote telecast which could range as high as $1,000 for the same type coverage, the station feels it has succeeded in bringing remote telecasting within the range of the average sponsor. In the overall film operation WTRI stays in close touch with all possible news sources. The lab is equipped with short wave radio for police, fire and ambulance calls. This, Mr. Hartigan feels, is a "must" in efficient news film work. He also points out that the station's success to date with its on-thespot news formula can be traced largely to compact, economical operation and experienced personnel. ation, the station has ordered an automatic processing machine that will turn out 600 feet of positive film and 180 feet of negative film per hour. It takes an hour from the time the film is brought in until it is ready to be telecast. A rough print of the story is viewed by Mr. Stevens and film editor Mario Svacina for briefing by Mr. Hartigan. Finally the film (j is edited following the recommendations of Messrs. Stevens and Hartigan who comprise the news team. The final print is screened again. Captions are written by Mr. Hartigan followed by a final check with Mr. Stevens before air time. Shows Vary The show that viewers see may be of the spot news variety or a feature film. In the latter category, Ford News recently ! telecast a feature filmed in cooperation with the U. S. Air Force. Mr. Hartigan ac j companied a jet interceptor mission on its way to destroy a mythical B-29 carrying an atom bomb. The event was filmed from its original ground operation at Stewart Air ! Force Base, Newburgh, N. Y., right through to the mission in action. The station claims, too, that a new departure in bank advertising locally was developed because of WTRFs film unit. The City & County Savings Bank of Albany approached WTRI with the idea of filming the city's annual St. Patrick's Day parade highlights for a special post-telecast. This I was done to determine the feasibility of developing a series of post-telecast events of various community affairs via film coverage. The parade telecast had such an enthusiastic reception that the bank has contracted with WTRI to bring two more similar events to local viewers. TV film commercials RKO PATHE knows what can be done with film. They've been learning for more than 31 years. . . . And today you get the bonus in RKO PATHE know-how and facilities in anything from an 8-second spot to a feature ! RKO PATHE has a background dating back to the first silent pictures . . . and an outlook born of success that meets the challenge of today's fast-moving and rapidly changing advertising picture. RKO PATHE ready ... at your phone call for TV film commercials . . . to do the job right. RKO PATHE, ,NC " The Professional Company " 625 Madison Ave., New York 22, N. Y. Phone: PLaza 9-3600 Broadcasting • Telecasting May 10, 1954 • Page 89