For a Good Cause

This week began a bit slow, but picked up after a surprise shoot with 4pm anchor Alicia Vitarelli who organized a prom dress give away with a local community college. The Cumberland County College is hosting an event called "Belle of the Ball" that aims to help underprivileged high school seniors afford prom dresses. Alicia and a few people in the news room collected old dresses to give away to the college. I did a mini behind the scenes project with a strict deadline of 4pm before the newscast began. How stressful! It turned out great and I was so proud that I was able to shoot and edit and the segment under a tight deadline.

Here is the link of the video published on Action News' and Alicia's facebook pages.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2980383952043

The next big project I'm preparing for, is for my standup reel. As an aspiring reporter myself, it is essential that I have demo reel out on the field reporting stories. Although I haven't prepared full packages, I've created about 20 journalistic stand-ups that I'll spend all day shooting this Saturday. Since 6abc is owned and operated by Disney, interns are allowed to operate equipment. This was exciting news for me and I can not wait to compile my first reel. I love the camera, so hopefully the camera will love me back!

Here's a couple topicals from the week.

Tonight at 11-

The death of a 79-year-old woman is now ruled a homicide. We're learning more as police continue to investigate.

Then-

9 students are injured as a SUV and a school bus collide. Now police are looking into how the crash went down.

Plus-

I'm Meteorologist Cecily Tynan. A beautiful start to the first day of Spring. I'm tracking even warmer temperatures coming up in the ACCU weather forecast.

And-

Could temperatures of the iPad3 pose dangers to your health? Consumer reporter Nydia Han asks local experts. 

Tonight at 11.

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Today at 4-

The man accused of raping and killing a 9-year-old girl has been found guilty. We have new details of his sentencing.

Then-

Mother versus shark! Hear how a mom springs into action as a shark pulls her child under water.

Plus-

I'm Meteorologist Adam Joseph. Winter closes out with a sunny, warm day. I'm tracking near record temperatures coming up in the ACCU weather forecast.

AND-

12 celebs head to the ballroom for the season premiere of Dancing with the Stars. We have an inside look as they prepare for the big night.  

Today at 4.

Teamwork makes the dream work

Besides the usual operational tasks I've been mastering week by week, the department is beginning preliminary preparations for a new promotional spot with our talent. I can't get into extreme detail for confidential reasons, however, the spot aims to feature several of our meteorologists as the region prepares to gear up for the season to change. One of the first things we do to prepare for a shoot is create a mockup (which doesn't cost as much money) so the General Manager can get a visual idea of what the spot will look like. That is where I come in. Throughout the week, I've been asked to join the production team in the studio to act as if I were one of the meteorologists. I must say, its a lot of fun helping create a mockup of something that the weather team will end up doing a month from now. The General Manager will either approve the project or defer it for additional research and planning. Slowly, I've began to realize that thousands of dollars are on the line and I'm apart of something very important for the stations brand and image.

Since my ultimate goal is on camera broadcasting, Michaela and I will be filming stand-ups next week to "beef up" our resumes as we prepare to enter the big bad world of journalism. I've been creating mock stand-ups (as if I were a Reporter) to film on ABC's equipment while its available.

Here's a few topicals from the week. One of the topicals deals with the UPMC shooting at Pitt during spring break. 6abc's Chad Pradelli traveled 5 hours to report the story.-- Just shows how much of a headline the incident was.

Today at 4-

Former Rutgers student is convicted in the webcam spy case. We'll show you how the verdict has sparked changes on campus.

Then-

George Clooney taken away in handcuffs! Hear why the action gets arrested in the nation's capital.

Plus-

I'm Meteorologist Adam Joseph. Temperatures cooled down today but things are looking up for your Saint Patrick's Day weekend. Details to come in the ACCU weather forecast.

And-

Freebie Friday is here at last. How YOU can score free coffee, detergent, breakfast, and more.

Today at 4.

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Tonight at 11-

2 people are dead after a shooting in a Pittsburgh hospital. Chad Pradelli reports live from the scene with the latest.

Then-

A drug bust turns sour after two suspects open fire on undercover officers. Now police are after the gunman.

Plus-

Cooler temperatures will arrive just in time for the weekend. I'm Meteorologist Cecily Tynan. Is winter back? Find out in the ACCU weather forecast.

And-

Before heading to the pharmacy, we'll show you how you can money on prescription drugs at the click of a button.

Tonight at 11.

Week of Newness

This week was a relatively slow one for me. My experience at ABC is becoming routine (which isn't a bad thing). Week by week I continue to maximize my time by submitting work to the best of my ability. In return, I receive great criticism on my writing and my supervisors have noticed a major improvement in my work. That being said, in these next few weeks, I plan to take things further by getting more involved in the editing process. I'm learning that there is so much more to broadcast news than camera and anchor. There is a ton of editing, logging, file transferring, rendering, etc. that is involved with each story, segment and newscast. As a young journalist, it is very important that I know as many facets of news production as possible. It'll set me apart from the rest.

This week, I've written two more semi-perfect promos this week. Once again, Mara had not thing to change about them.

Today at 4-

A tire slashing spree continues to cause fury in a New Jersey neighborhood. Now some residents are going through unusual lengths to protect their tires.

Then-

One of the biggest days for the Republican party has arrived-- Super Tuesday. A rundown on what to watch for as voters wrap-up at the polls.

Plus-

I'm Meteorologist Adam Joseph. Get ready for an end-of-the-week warm up! I'll have the details in the ACCU weather forecast.

AND-

Can your social media score save you money? Learn how to use it and get great deals on apparel.

Today at 4.


AND THE OTHER.....

Today at 4-

A New Jersey fire chars through an apartment complex leaving dozens homeless. We're live on the scene learning more about the destructive blaze.

Then-

$450,000 worth of jewelry stolen in 45 seconds! We have the surveillance footage of the thieves in action.

Plus-

I'm Meteorologist Adam Joseph. Temperatures cool down for the weekend ahead but mild weather makes a comeback. Find out when in the ACCU weather forecast.

AND-

This remarkable rescue video goes viral. How a group of beachgoers save more than 30 dolphins.

Today on Action News at 4.

Touring/ The Perfect Topical

Michaela, who serves as the stations tour coordinator/guide, requested that I help her deliver a tour to a group of media students from the Art Institute of Philadelphia. Michaela split the group in two and there it was-- the first time I've ever given a tour of the station. I have to admit, I was VERY nervous. I can understand that public speaking is very important in my profession, but for some reason, I was terrified. I just felt like I wasn't ready. I felt like I was rushing through the building, giving wrong information and stumbling alot. In the end though, I got a very good review and my audience was pleased with their tour. I'm assuming this will be the first of many tours to come!

In addition to giving a good tour, I was especially proud of my topical writing today. As always, Mara reads my topicals every day and gives constructive feedback on how I can improve them. Well, today I submitted the document for review and she had nothing to correct. She said it was flawless and needed no further corrections!

Here it is:

A man causes a frenzy after a security breach at the Philadelphia International Airport. Action News has the exclusive video of the intruder in action.

Then-

New details in the Jerry Sandusky case! What several alleged victims are now telling investigators.

Plus-

I'm meteorologist Cecily Tynan. Yet another mild day but I'm tracking a wet start for the weekend ahead. More details in the ACCU weather forecast.

AND-

It's an end to an era for free checking at one major bank. Find out if you'll have to pay fees for your checking account.

Tonight at 11.

Ratings Period Wrap-Up

Thursday marks the end of the February "sweeps" also known as the ratings period. As I've learned previously, the ratings period occurs during the month of February where networks measure how many people are tuning in to the network for our newscasts. To celebrate the end of February and the countless hours devoted to making sure the Channel 6 came out on top, President/General Manager threw a lunch meeting for the entire building to end the "sweeps period" on a good note.

To start off the meeting, Lee Daniels and his assistant presented us with a powerpoint presentation detailing exactly what went on this month. To make things relatively short, he explained that according to Nielson's results, 6abc averaged 5,000,000 views per day (between 6.5 hours of newscast). Not only does this double numbers from other stations, on some days, it triples. Although our primary newscasts are favorable over others, ABC (as a network) is still competing against NBC who continues to lead in numbers from the TODAY show and primetime television during the evening hours. Although NBC wins in their primetime line-up, those viewers seem to switch over to 6abc after their shows are over. This goes to show that Philadelphians are loyal to ABC's news product. Quite frankly, that is all we care about here. Everything else is in the network's hands.

Once again, being able to participate in this meeting taught me alot about how important ratings are-- they make our money! On the other hand, it shows how much effort goes into producing a stellar newscast. For Creative Services, it imperative that (during sweeps) our teasers and promo spots encourage viewers to want to tune into 6abc for the news. What serious pressure that must be!

Here's a look at a topical today:

Today at 4-

Shots are fired in an Ohio school killing one student and injuring others. We have new updates following the devastating morning.

Then-

Several dogs are rescued from a suspected dog-fighting operation. We're live on the scene learning more about the dangerous ring.

Plus-

I'm Meteorologist Adam Joseph. Another beautiful day to start the work week. Will it continue? Find out in the ACCU weather forecast.

Then-

The Academy Awards may be over but Alicia Vitarelli is live in Hollywood with even more buzz.

Today at 4.