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What's with the laptops on Channel 10's anchor desks?
- Thread starter newscool
- Start date
Charlie Gibson at ABC news has the same thing. It provides the news anchors with the latest breaking news from other sources; especially now that the D&C is finally updating their news on their website. Either that or they are watching porno since Maggie Brooks went after the downtown library for lifting the filtering system on computers for those 17 and older.newscool said:
Whenever I see this, I wonder how much they're REALLY reading stuff "just in" off the web... as opposed to just giving viewer the "illusion" that the hot details are JUST coming in. That's like when they show a bump shot of the weather guy's back, sitting at a computer "gathering the latest data" for the forecast, when we all know he probably had it done an hour ago.
Could be good in breaking news situations, if the anchors are really smart enough to work the computer properly. Many are, but some aren't. Also consider, would you really have your anchors read stuff right off the newspaper's website on the air? Just wait until the day the paper screws something up, or purposely posts a bogus story to catch you in the act. The latter would probably never happen, but the former very well could.
Even if you attribute to them, that's just bad PR for your own station. Why tune in to have the anchors read me the newspaper's website, if I can just go there myself?
Anytime I see laptops on a news set, I assume they are either props, or they are just running the standard newsroom software so the anchors can glance at the rundown and MAYBE check the wires if there's breaking news going on. If I were a news director, I wouldn't want live anchors lifting stuff off competitor's websites if my producers haven't had a chance to independently verify the information first.
Could be good in breaking news situations, if the anchors are really smart enough to work the computer properly. Many are, but some aren't. Also consider, would you really have your anchors read stuff right off the newspaper's website on the air? Just wait until the day the paper screws something up, or purposely posts a bogus story to catch you in the act. The latter would probably never happen, but the former very well could.
Even if you attribute to them, that's just bad PR for your own station. Why tune in to have the anchors read me the newspaper's website, if I can just go there myself?
Anytime I see laptops on a news set, I assume they are either props, or they are just running the standard newsroom software so the anchors can glance at the rundown and MAYBE check the wires if there's breaking news going on. If I were a news director, I wouldn't want live anchors lifting stuff off competitor's websites if my producers haven't had a chance to independently verify the information first.
I first noticed this several weeks ago myself, and also wondered "what's up with that?"....although I'm really quite sure those things are just "props" in the truest sense ...nothing but a gimmick to try to make viewers believe they're hip,..or wired,..or whatever.
Not that it's surprising.
This is, after all, a newscast notorious for describing situations which may have occurred and even been resolved hours beforehand as "breaking news"...and throwing it to their reporter "live from downtown"...when technically (while they may be downtown) they are actually standing on the sidewalk in front of 10's East Ave. studios. Do they really think they are fooling anyone?
In further regard to the lap tops, my suspicions are enhanced because for as many times as I've noticed these things on the desk, I've not once seen them actually open, so as they might actually be using them.
So again, these are props....as phony as Rich's hair
Good night, and good luck. (and...oh, yes ...do you know where your children are??????)
Not that it's surprising.
This is, after all, a newscast notorious for describing situations which may have occurred and even been resolved hours beforehand as "breaking news"...and throwing it to their reporter "live from downtown"...when technically (while they may be downtown) they are actually standing on the sidewalk in front of 10's East Ave. studios. Do they really think they are fooling anyone?
In further regard to the lap tops, my suspicions are enhanced because for as many times as I've noticed these things on the desk, I've not once seen them actually open, so as they might actually be using them.
So again, these are props....as phony as Rich's hair
Good night, and good luck. (and...oh, yes ...do you know where your children are??????)
S
SNOOZENEWS
Guest
For you TV viewers who are not in the news business and are speculating about the laptops.....
They are used mainly by the anchors to view the show "rundown".
While I don't know how the laptops are used locally, in the shops where I worked, and that includes a network, the anchors use the laptops to make quick changes or additions to the script during a break , can see if a story is cut or being floated.
It's also used to email text messages to reporters in the field, or vice versa, rather than going through the producer. Especially in a courtroom situation, where a quick IM can relay the verdict or other vital info to the anchor.
Checking for "breaking news", is pretty useless for a local market like Rochester. The updated news doesn't come out fast enough to use. Although it may help with such breakers like VaTech, most credible news networks have learned their lesson about reporting info that pops up on a website.
So tv fans, you may think the laptops are for show and to make the newscast look cool, and slick and up to date, for news teams that use them correctly they are a very important and valuable tool
They are used mainly by the anchors to view the show "rundown".
While I don't know how the laptops are used locally, in the shops where I worked, and that includes a network, the anchors use the laptops to make quick changes or additions to the script during a break , can see if a story is cut or being floated.
It's also used to email text messages to reporters in the field, or vice versa, rather than going through the producer. Especially in a courtroom situation, where a quick IM can relay the verdict or other vital info to the anchor.
Checking for "breaking news", is pretty useless for a local market like Rochester. The updated news doesn't come out fast enough to use. Although it may help with such breakers like VaTech, most credible news networks have learned their lesson about reporting info that pops up on a website.
So tv fans, you may think the laptops are for show and to make the newscast look cool, and slick and up to date, for news teams that use them correctly they are a very important and valuable tool
I still say they are downloading porn because if you watch 10 most of their news consists of overnight homicides and car accidents on the expressway.
The Voice of Reason said:
True but its not like there will ever be a terrorists who blow up the Ford Street Bridge or the Xeorx Tower or tsunami on Lake Ontario(that would be funny though). Still in defense of WHEC it still makes them very sleek looking and I think it brings them up date cause the net is the fastest way to find news. Besides, I think WHEC would at least block all the porn sites, so get yer mind outta the gutter!
R
rocktv
Guest
It's a great way to get emails and read or make changes to scripts. I don't think anchors use them to rip off news stories. Although, in a major news story, that wouldn't be a bad thing as long as material was sourced.
S
sincitysfavoriteson
Guest
They still get the info wrong or incomplete and act as if it is right. Just look back to that idiot at VT. According to 10, he first acted out on his girlfriend who was cheating. That still has not been proven yet. I don't think they will ever get ahead of the times like most other major markets, no matter how good looking the props are.
Kohoutek said:
Must be an NBC thing... WSTM in Syracuse pulls the same crap on a nightly basis. The hours-old breaking news, and the front door live shots "in Syracuse." They also have a computer on the set, but oddly, it's between and behind the anchors, with the monitor facing the camera. You can see the rundown (not nearly well enough to read it, but well enough to know that's what it is) on your TV at home. Looks like they're too cheap to put 2 flashy laptops on the desk, so they instead have 1 desktop unit where both anchors can fight over it during the breaks.
SNOOZENEWS said:
Well, if they did their job and pre-read the scripts before going out onto the set, they wouldn't need to make quick additions or corrections. So instead of trying to discourage the 4:55 arrival or the 3-hour dinner before shows, these laptops are actually showing anchors "it's okay to be oblivious to everyone working around you, because you can just fiddle with it during the show now."
If a story's being cut or floated, that's the floor director's job, or for the producer to announce via IFB. And if there's breaking news like a court verdict, again, the producer needs to be the first to know in case there are any special procedures (ie. breaking news graphics, opens, live shots, etc.) that need to be executed. Relaying it through IFB to the anchors takes, at most, an extra few seconds. Big deal. Besides, if the anchors are busy reading the news, they can't be keeping their eyes on incoming text messages and e-mail.
Instead of getting e-mails from the producer or director through a laptop wouldn't it be easier for them to talk to the anchors through their earpieces? Or don't they use them anymore? As you can tell I don't watch as much local news on television as I used to.
I smell a consultant who told them "you'll look like one of those hip, young workers at Starbucks sitting with a laptop open in front of them - it gives the impression that you are totally connected to the news pulse, because that's the way they are!" They still have earpieces and a director and a teleprompter. If you were sitting at a news desk on air, would you be staring at a laptop fumbling with scroll wheels and touchpads?
The way to know for sure whether or not this is just a prop (and that's what I suspect it is), is to see if they actually ever use them. Staring at the screen is one clue, watching them look authentically like they are using a touchpad or mouse pointer is a better one, especially after a few weeks go by and the instructions to (look like you are using it) wear off.
I've seen too many trendy ideas come and go based on what some consultant told them (or what a producer saw on another station and thought would be a good idea on theirs) to accept anything at face value anymore.
The way to know for sure whether or not this is just a prop (and that's what I suspect it is), is to see if they actually ever use them. Staring at the screen is one clue, watching them look authentically like they are using a touchpad or mouse pointer is a better one, especially after a few weeks go by and the instructions to (look like you are using it) wear off.
I've seen too many trendy ideas come and go based on what some consultant told them (or what a producer saw on another station and thought would be a good idea on theirs) to accept anything at face value anymore.
Laptops are pretty handy. It can remove a step in getting something on air by giving the anchor access to the rundown and wires.
And really, taking them away isn't going to stop the dreaded two-hour dinner breaks and late arrivals of anchors on set. ;D
Well, that's often the fault of the wires, which just take what they can get and send out a bulletin. The problem is during a developing situation, they're often wrong. But in the effort to shove anything on the air to show they're on top of it, some stations put bad info on air.
Like with that recent shooting in Kansas City. I could have put that on earlier, but had enough news already and knew that no one had any real idea as to what had happened, so I waited until a later show.
And really, taking them away isn't going to stop the dreaded two-hour dinner breaks and late arrivals of anchors on set. ;D
sincitysfavoriteson said:
Well, that's often the fault of the wires, which just take what they can get and send out a bulletin. The problem is during a developing situation, they're often wrong. But in the effort to shove anything on the air to show they're on top of it, some stations put bad info on air.
Like with that recent shooting in Kansas City. I could have put that on earlier, but had enough news already and knew that no one had any real idea as to what had happened, so I waited until a later show.
Sxottlan said:
The anchors are on the set, busy reading the teleprompter. If there's new information from the field, it's usually not coming right to them... it's going to the producer, who simply has to update the script, and BLAMMO, it's in the teleprompter. Again, like I said before, anchors changing rundowns and scripts on the set do no good to the director, TD and other crew people -- who need to be informed of these changes. That's the producer's job.
The only place where I can see the anchor "really" needing rundown control on the set would be in a small-time market where the anchor IS the producer. But that usually only happens in small-time markets at 11pm and on weekends, when the chance of "breaking news" is slim to none -- just like the budget for fancy things like laptops on the set. Having been there, done that, and moved on, I can tell you the only "in show" changes in a small market usually consist of dropping later-block stories (like lame national stories or kickers) to make up for the rambling weatherman or if sports appears to be coming in heavy.
"It's also used to email text messages to reporters in the field, or vice versa, rather than going through the producer. Especially in a courtroom situation, where a quick IM can relay the verdict or other vital info to the anchor."
WHAT THE HELL?!? Since WHEN does an anchor communicate w/ a reporter via a text msg from a laptop? On our planet, the reporter calls the producer, who pushes a button and talks to the anchor in their ear, giving them the verdict, and telling them when the story will run.
"the anchors use the laptops to make quick changes or additions to the script during a break , can see if a story is cut or being floated."
My GOD, man, that is the LAST THING I would want an anchor to be able to do. They make changes to scripts as they read, anyway---changing roll cues in the process. The bad habits of anchors are numerous enough just when they're sitting at their desks in the newsroom. (Changing scripts after the diirector's printed them is a big one).
"Laptops are pretty handy. It can remove a step in getting something on air by giving the anchor access to the rundown and wires. "
Again---that is just plain dangerous. They have the rundown printed next to them. What are they going to do wwith wires---OK, read the latest dow jones & NASDAQ indices, if it's daytime--I agree with the comment that it's a ploy to make the anchors look "hip", "in touch", "connected"----"Look at us, we're waiting for stuff to come on our computer---which means the 'net is more connected than we are, so what do you need US for?"
Yea, laptops for anchors, to make it look like they're "connected", like all those teens and 20-somethings who are just GLUED to their TV sets, watching local news. Uh-huh.
WHAT THE HELL?!? Since WHEN does an anchor communicate w/ a reporter via a text msg from a laptop? On our planet, the reporter calls the producer, who pushes a button and talks to the anchor in their ear, giving them the verdict, and telling them when the story will run.
"the anchors use the laptops to make quick changes or additions to the script during a break , can see if a story is cut or being floated."
My GOD, man, that is the LAST THING I would want an anchor to be able to do. They make changes to scripts as they read, anyway---changing roll cues in the process. The bad habits of anchors are numerous enough just when they're sitting at their desks in the newsroom. (Changing scripts after the diirector's printed them is a big one).
"Laptops are pretty handy. It can remove a step in getting something on air by giving the anchor access to the rundown and wires. "
Again---that is just plain dangerous. They have the rundown printed next to them. What are they going to do wwith wires---OK, read the latest dow jones & NASDAQ indices, if it's daytime--I agree with the comment that it's a ploy to make the anchors look "hip", "in touch", "connected"----"Look at us, we're waiting for stuff to come on our computer---which means the 'net is more connected than we are, so what do you need US for?"
Yea, laptops for anchors, to make it look like they're "connected", like all those teens and 20-somethings who are just GLUED to their TV sets, watching local news. Uh-huh.
Leapin' Luddites!
People, there are lots of ways to use laptops that could be useful at the anchor desk. I doubt that you're going to see an anchor typing away during a newscast, but it's very possible that a producer could be modifying a rundown, rearranging story order, adding a story, or cutting a story based on time, availability of new information, availability of a live feed, or just plain news judgement.
Can this information be relayed via the IFB? Yes. Is it easy to pay attention to the IFB while you're reading the prompter? No. Putting it on the laptop in front of the anchors, and telling them that there's a change via the IFB seems like a way to use new technology in a way that increases efficiency, and makes it harder to make a mistake.
Think about some of the anchors we're dealing with here. Some need the extra help, and some need to add a little "hip" factor for the younger generation.
People, there are lots of ways to use laptops that could be useful at the anchor desk. I doubt that you're going to see an anchor typing away during a newscast, but it's very possible that a producer could be modifying a rundown, rearranging story order, adding a story, or cutting a story based on time, availability of new information, availability of a live feed, or just plain news judgement.
Can this information be relayed via the IFB? Yes. Is it easy to pay attention to the IFB while you're reading the prompter? No. Putting it on the laptop in front of the anchors, and telling them that there's a change via the IFB seems like a way to use new technology in a way that increases efficiency, and makes it harder to make a mistake.
Think about some of the anchors we're dealing with here. Some need the extra help, and some need to add a little "hip" factor for the younger generation.
I still maintain they are downloading porn. ;D
S
stefanokills
Guest
Either that or they are watching porno
LOL
LOL
Re: Leapin' Luddites!
Looking away from the prompter to check the laptop screen can be just as distracting as the IFB announcement. After all, if they had the story memorized well enough to just keep reading as they check something else, they wouldn't need the prompter in the first place.
The best way to handle this stuff is to just keep your IFB announcements short, simple and clear. If possible, wait until you're in a sound bite or someone else (other anchor, reporter, wx guy, etc.) is talking, before passing along any kind of detailed instructions. When that's not possible, just be short, simple and clear. Any anchor I've worked with knows if I say "prompter" that means to just stick with the prompter; the hard copy or anything else they were expecting may be gone or changed. That's very handy for last-minute updates/rewrites, or when inserting breaking news. They don't need to know exactly what has changed -- just that there are changes.
SirRoxalot said:
Looking away from the prompter to check the laptop screen can be just as distracting as the IFB announcement. After all, if they had the story memorized well enough to just keep reading as they check something else, they wouldn't need the prompter in the first place.
The best way to handle this stuff is to just keep your IFB announcements short, simple and clear. If possible, wait until you're in a sound bite or someone else (other anchor, reporter, wx guy, etc.) is talking, before passing along any kind of detailed instructions. When that's not possible, just be short, simple and clear. Any anchor I've worked with knows if I say "prompter" that means to just stick with the prompter; the hard copy or anything else they were expecting may be gone or changed. That's very handy for last-minute updates/rewrites, or when inserting breaking news. They don't need to know exactly what has changed -- just that there are changes.
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