the prop drawer
[11/14: KPTV was a great place to work. Patrick McCreery was nothing short of an excellent news director. I stand by all my hard working co-workers that are still there, doing their thing. I'm not your tool Oregon Media Insider, and you can kiss my ass.]
Tomorrow is my last day, but I got lucky and pulled a day shift, so tonight was probably my last live shot for the station. We put together a decent weather-related story, had a good live shot, and had good props.
By "good props" I don't mean the producer telling us "great job, guys" at the end of our live shot (which they did). Nope. I'm referring to the ubiquitous item that many reporters hold up in their live shots, to better explain what they're talking about.
For example, tonight Kevin used a digital thermometer to add scientific value to his live presence. [see below]
Just about every live report has a prop, and we have about five live reporters in rapid succession over the first 13 minutes of the show every night. That's a lot of props. So, where exactly do all these props go after the show?
The Prop Drawer, of course.
It's a supernatural filing cabinet over by the producers' desks that contains millions of random items used in past live shots - many hoping to be used again in another live shot someday.
For example: The reporter could do one story about tools getting stolen, and hold up a hammer - and then later on use it again in a story about a lady getting clobbered over the heard several times by a hammer wielding bandit (true story).
I try not to mess around in the The Prop Drawer very much, since there's a good chance of bodily harm, or accidentally pushing several items together that could potentially become a makeshift bomb - which could explode, releasing the drawer's mystical-vorpal energy that keeps all the items safely inside.
Anyway, as we used our second prop in the live shot tonight (snow ball), I kinda got all nostalgic thinking about all the weird, prop-live shots I've shot over the years. And, I wonder if the station I end up at has their own prop drawer. I couldn't imagine working in a place without one.
Tomorrow is my last day, but I got lucky and pulled a day shift, so tonight was probably my last live shot for the station. We put together a decent weather-related story, had a good live shot, and had good props.
By "good props" I don't mean the producer telling us "great job, guys" at the end of our live shot (which they did). Nope. I'm referring to the ubiquitous item that many reporters hold up in their live shots, to better explain what they're talking about.
For example, tonight Kevin used a digital thermometer to add scientific value to his live presence. [see below]
Just about every live report has a prop, and we have about five live reporters in rapid succession over the first 13 minutes of the show every night. That's a lot of props. So, where exactly do all these props go after the show?
The Prop Drawer, of course.
It's a supernatural filing cabinet over by the producers' desks that contains millions of random items used in past live shots - many hoping to be used again in another live shot someday.
For example: The reporter could do one story about tools getting stolen, and hold up a hammer - and then later on use it again in a story about a lady getting clobbered over the heard several times by a hammer wielding bandit (true story).
Here's an random sampling of items in the drawer:
40 ounce malt liquor
tire iron
cold medicine
fireworks
spray paint
BBQ lighter
rat poison
kosher salt
plush children's toy
baseball bat
screw driver (phillips)
vhs tape
crime tape
hammer
I try not to mess around in the The Prop Drawer very much, since there's a good chance of bodily harm, or accidentally pushing several items together that could potentially become a makeshift bomb - which could explode, releasing the drawer's mystical-vorpal energy that keeps all the items safely inside.
Anyway, as we used our second prop in the live shot tonight (snow ball), I kinda got all nostalgic thinking about all the weird, prop-live shots I've shot over the years. And, I wonder if the station I end up at has their own prop drawer. I couldn't imagine working in a place without one.
1 Comments:
Long time reader, first time poster and I just wanted to thank you and encourage you to continue. I'm a local TV news junkie currently living in Seattle. I have loved reading about the ins and outs of what you do. The prop drawer is a great example. I sure hope you continue! I have lived all over North and South Carolina in my jaded past (and my Mom currently lives in Charleston). You are in for a culture shock but with your sense of humor, I think you can handle it. Just keep in mind the real world is in the Northwest. Really. And enjoy the pimento cheese.
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