Tornadoes and Warnings and Cut-ins! Oh My!

Today has been a crazy day. I figured I would tell you about it, while the action is hot. Today, we've been having Tornado Warnings, for the last 2 hours or so. As Master Control, it's my job to run crawls for weather warnings. But, what happens if it's so severe that there could be tornadoes?

If the threat is real for tornadoes, we might have to cut into programming, which we have done two times so far today. For me, it's a matter of dumping out of my programming, and giving control to the news department. They will do everything that they have to, to inform the public, so they can stay safe. But my work has just begun, in this process.

It's my job to monitor the programming schedule. I have to decide ways to cut programming, so I can stay on time. First, I'll decide how much time I'm losing. I can remove promos for shows on the station, or PSAs (Public Service Announcements). We don't get paid for these, so losing them is OK.

Next, I have to figure out if time constraints can save the paid commercials. I am basically running the cash register for the station, as the paid sponsors are what brings in our revenues. Right now, in an election time, it's important to make sure those play, as they are bigger money. That won't be an issue for me today. It's always bad to lose commercial revenue, but it's more important to keep our viewers informed and safe.

The main bummer for me today, is that I am in a block of paid programming (infomercials). These are half hour blocks, that make quite a bit of money. If you've ever wondered why stations play infomercials, it's because they make good money. I've dumped out of one program, and had to join another in progress when we came back. As I'm typing this, we are cutting into another one. My job is to make sure that the money gets played, without errors. Today, due to circumstances with weather, which I cannot control, I can't complete that task.

It makes the time go fast, and it's very exciting to be a part of this team. Our meteorologist Craig Gold, has been on point, talking for 40-50 minutes at a time. Our director Chris Siegert, has been switching weather graphics at Craig's cues. We really do have the best coverage, when it comes to severe weather. Our passion, and commitment to being the best really shows on days like today.

The New Digs- An Update

If it seems that I have been slacking in telling you more about what it's like to be a "Television God". There's been well... really not much to say, as I am waiting for my crystal castle to be constructed. What? You heard me. Master Control will be a crystal castle. I get hints, here and there, about what it will be like. I am very excited, but I'm a little apprehensive. I'm sure you're asking, "Why? You're a Television God?". It will be the start of a daunting task. I will be going from running 3 stations, to running many more.

I get information, a little at a time. Some from this guy, some from that guy. I have to disseminate the intel, and decide what could be true, as I'm the last to know anything. The ability to adapt on the fly, to new technology, and use it to do my job, is one of the things a Master Control Operator has to excel at. In the end, I really don't like having to use that skill, but tricks in the stash, are what separates the good ones from the bad ones.

Let's go with what I have decided might just be the course of action, in the coming weeks. (Like how that's vague? Welcome to my world!) Soon, we'll be running, what looks like, 8 stations. A bunch will be "canned programming". This means that we take a feed, and get it ready for a later airing. This will mean that my workload will increase substantially. There will also be that many more commercials, many more show promos, and many more crawls for weather and news. Don't worry, I'm good for it. It will just take some getting used to.

We were told that construction would begin on my new digs in June, after sweeps. Construction couldn't start, until after the tear out. It also took some extra time for things that I really didn't understand. Turns out... My boss, who really is a "television god" (Ask his peers. He's like a legend in South Florida TV.) had to get approval to use money for all the different parts of this. He had to decide how much money, and where all of it will go. There is the "wall guy", the "floor guy", the "this guy,and that guy". There are all the different companies that have to come in, install their equipment, and show us how to run it, too. He has to schedule it all, so each part gets installed in order. Reflecting on all this, if this was my job, I would be totally stressed out.

I took some pictures, to show how things looks, as tear out starts. Equipment has been taken out, and that went relatively quick.











Next time, I'll be showing the progress of the new space, which should be state of the art, as anything less is below my Chief Engineer's standards. I'll also be telling you about what editors do, and how they are responsible for making sure you have video, when you watch your local news.

Thanks for reading. Please subscribe, so you don't miss any of the progress in my "Fortress of Solitude", and so you know everything you need to know, should you ever want a "Life As A Television God"...