 |
WEEKLY PRODUCTION TIMELINE
Each week’s News Quiz is only 15 minutes long (14:30, to be exact), but the finished program represents several days’ worth of finding and sifting through news stories, writing and rewriting scripts, creating and proofreading on-screen graphics, and choosing and editing videotape. Here’s how a typical week goes for the content and production crew. All the times are approximate, of course, because the news doesn’t stick to a schedule!
On the chart below ...
- W = Writer
- P = Producer
- D = Director
- A = Education Adviser
- G = Graphic Artist/Operator
- I = Intern/Production Assistant
(See Meet the Team for more about the people involved in the program.)
| When |
Who |
What |
| DAILY |
P W A D |
Scan newspapers and magazines and watch news shows for story ideas. Find and print rundowns of available CNN video from the Internet. |
| THU, 2:30-4:00 pm |
W P D A I |
Story/content meeting. |
|
P I |
Mark rundowns; note possible video and need for graphics. |
| THU pm to MON at 1:30 |
W |
Research and write stories and compose questions. Print copies for the first script reading. |
| MON am |
P I |
Pull recent rundowns from the Internet. |
| MON, 1:30-3:30 pm |
W P D A I |
Read, time, and adjust script; choose vocabulary words and terms. |
| MON pm-TUE am |
I P |
Search rundowns for possible video. |
| MON pm-TUE pm |
W |
Revise script. |
|
I |
Pull CNN tapes and locate segments; take notes on video clips. |
| TUE am |
P |
Prepare list of pictures/graphics needed; mark script for graphics insertion. |
| TUE pm |
P |
Review video notes and segments for editing, as time allows; review and choose letter excerpts to use. |
|
W |
E-mail revised script to producer for editing and prompter. |
|
G |
Create specialized maps and other visuals and graphics. |
| WED am |
P D |
Do rough edit of roll-ins; adjust script if needed for video. |
|
W |
Put questions, headlines, and links for current show on web site. |
| WED pm |
P D |
On-line edit session: Edit roll-ins and put graphics/stills on tape. |
|
P |
After editing, compile lower-thirds (IDs and other graphics to be superimposed on screen) and credits; deliver these to graphics operator; compile roll-in list for tape operator, audio technician, and director; review script. |
| THU, 10:00 am-12:45 pm |
P D |
Format script for prompter; prepare to produce the show live. |
|
I |
Print hard copies of script and distribute to talent and staff. |
|
G |
Create text graphics (supers, questions/answers, letters, credits). |
|
P |
Proof text graphics. |
|
D |
Load stills from tape to the still store (a graphics machine that displays captured still images). |
| THU, 12:45-1:45 pm |
P D |
Rehearse with talent and crew. |
| THU, 1:45-2:00 pm |
P D G W |
Produce live show! |
|
I |
Run TelePrompTer. |
|
P D |
Fix any major errors (since the show will be aired again). |
| THU, 2:00-2:30 pm |
P I |
Print rundowns and video scripts from Internet; scan for possible stories. |
| THU, 2:30 pm |
W P D A I |
Story/content meeting: Come with ideas and start all over again! |
|
