TELEVISION DIRECTOR

Information about the work I did at Newschannel 8 and WJLA 7 (ABC affiliate)

Newschannel 8 and WJLA Channel 7 (ABC affiliate) joined together. Both stations are owed by the same company, Allbriton Communications. Newschannel 8 used to be in Springfield, VA (about 20 miles from Washington DC) and served the DC area. WJLA used to be located in Washington DC and they served the DC area also. Now both stations are located in Rosslyn, VA. We were located on the other side of the Potomac river across from DC. We're not even a quarter mile away from DC.

This was an exciting opportunity for me. I was directing newscasts for Newschannel 8 and WJLA. I directed nights during the week for 8, and I directed nights for 7 on the weekend. Sometimes I would direct for 7 during the week when they needed me.

We were using a totally new system. Instead of a separate person rolling tapes, I was responsible for rolling tapes during a newscast. So basically when I'm busy calling a show (giving camera, audio, cues, etc), I was also busy hitting buttons off a system called Rundown Manager. And instead of the tapes being on a tape, they are on a huge computer we call a Server.

Our graphic system was called Thunder. In the thunder were stored graphics and animated clips (like an open or bump out animation, etc). We could have up to 10 remote sources (people on the scene like the capital). Two servers (tapes). Four channels of thunder (graphics). Six cameras. Weather stuff. And two channels of Deko (this machine generates the names you see on a newscast). And on top of all that, I would have to roll my own tapes, it gets kinda tricky, but it was fun. The shows were pretty busy and in a 8 minute segment, I've had up to four remotes, many graphics, camera shots, videos, plasma screens, etc,and on top of all that, I would roll my own tapes!

Everyone on the Channel 7 side was very friendly. There are days were I would direct a dual anchor newscast on ABC, then do a single newscast for Newschannel 8. My schedule kinda stays the same, but it can change at a moments notice also.

I've basically have reached my goal to make it to an affiliate in the number 8 market in the country, Washington, DC. This was a very exciting time.

Links to other sites on the Web

For more information on NET
Find a whole lot of info about WNVC-56
And more info on WNVT-53
For a free homepage CLICK HERE!!!!!!!!!
For info on WJLA Channel 7 (ABC affiliate)
For info on Newschannel 8

My e-mail address is:
lminassian@comcast.net

or click this icon

Special thanks to Karen,Tracey and Joel for their support!!

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TM 1996

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