By Laura Holguin
Staff Writer
There is a very calm and prepared aura in the studio. With the lights dimmed and cameras ready, the announcements are ready to begin.
Anchors are ready to read off the teleprompter while Miller works with the cameras, in the mean time Pietras is in the back of the studio working with audio, switchers, and the teleprompter. Miller gives the okay to the anchor.
Both Miller and Pietras have been working with Westford Academy Broadcast Club, or WABC, for 11 years. Both of them coordinate the morning announcements from the administration, faculty, students, and clubs.
The process for filming includes many stations which are audio, camera crew, switcher, graphics and teleprompter, which are handled in the back of the studio. Anchors proofread the script at around 7:20 for no mistakes during recording.
Between 7:25 and 7:35 Miller and Pietras are filming the morning announcements, which has been airing everyday for eleven years. Announcements are submitted to [email protected] and are organized, edited, and downloaded onto the teleprompters.
Anchors come in every morning and sit at the desks, which contains a blue screen for graphics. In front they have the cameras with the teleprompter behind from which they read off of.
Anchors interested in being part of WABC sign up and practice 3 times before shooting to get that comfortable feel in front of the camera and reading the teleprompter.
“Our anchors have individual styles and approaches to the broadcasting experience. They bring their own personality to the morning news, which includes a sense of humor, maturity, confidence, and a keen interest in broadcasting,” said Pietras.
Students wanting to anchor sign up using a calendar in the studio, and chose the day to anchor that fits into their class schedule. They also have to keep in mind how early they have to arrive at school to start shooting.
When asked about anything new for WABC Miller said, “We are hoping to expand & improve the morning announcements by merging with the journalism class next year. Students will have more time to work on various newsworthy projects and earn class credit for efforts.”
Miller and Pietras hope to expand WABC to include the Westford Community via cable access in the future.
