The Inside Life : Delving Into The Work Of A Television News Presenter, Part 2
October 7, 2008 by krisdhingra
Filed under Exclusive Events, Specials
A DelhiPlanet Exclusive
We’re back with last and final part of the first feature of “The Inside Life“. Checkout the first part here. We would now present the remaining part of our Interview with noted News Presenter for Televisa Monterrey (A Mexican News Channel), Miss Christine Waller.
DelhiPlanet (DP) : So Christine, as we understand it reporting News involves dealing with a gamut of emotions. You could be reporting a war or you could be a reporting a funny incident. What kind of demeanor are you instructed to maintain? Do you get ever let go of your emotions while reporting say something sensitive or tragic ?
Christine Waller (CW) : You know, this is an interesting question. Perhaps under different circumstances, I may be more affected by the tragic details of a difficult story. But since my reports do not require me to immerse myself in the culture or place where the story is happening — all of my research is remotely conducted — this does not tend to be a problem for me. What’s more, my reports are short and deal with the large scale picture… there’s not enough time to get involved emotionally in a period of just 3 minutes. Although, during the research stage for the segment, you come to realize that so many things are happening in the world… the average person may choose to ignore this reality, but as a journalist it all fits into the larger world context you are trying to report on, so it can be difficult in that sense.
DP: Now then, coming to a question that a lot of girls would like to know about and a lot of guys won’t mind knowing about is about the way you maintain your looks and appearance as presentation is very important part of Television. Many young girls and women get influenced by the image and looks of young and attractive women like you who regularly appear on television. Please tell us as to how you maintain your looks and your advice to other women who might be reading this ?
CW: I think broadcast journalism allows for quite a bit of flexibility in this regard. What’s most important is that you tell a good story. From there, the make-up artists can work some real wonders. My advice for young women would be to be healthy, eat well, exercise regularly, love yourself, and go find a great story to tell!.
DP: That’s surely great advice. I bet that men would adore women who can tell good stories, that don’t revolve around gossip ;-). Please tell us something about the shooting process of a News Broadcast. As there can’t be any re-takes or mistakes, how do ensure that you won’t stumble or get tongue tied at some point.
CW: There is quite a bit of production process behind a news broadcast. In my case, a large portion of my report is pre-recorded. The process is as follows: I pick a topic that I’d like to report on that week, usually the most influential international news story going on from Wednesday to Friday. I research about it, and write a script that goes beyond just reporting the facts but include a brief analysis. From there, the news editor will help me make any necessary adjustments with the report regarding my grammar. On Sunday evenings, before delivering my report on live television on Monday morning, I go to the station and record my script. During the night, news producers will match appropriate images to my audio recording. Monday morning, I arrive to the station and interact with the main news anchor on live television, introducing this week’s topic and closing the report with a few comments.
DP: Wow, that surely seems like a lot of work. But then I’m sure that you party just as hard as you work because it’s a general perception that people in the media have really hip and happening lives with really wide friend circles. Is this true in your case and can it be generalized for all ?
CW: Actually, for most local news reporters, having a job in broadcast televsion is just like any other job. It’s true that due to my position at Televisa, I’ve been invited to moderate certain events in the city as a master of ceremonies, or attend other public openings, but nothing extraordinary. In most cases, the networking you conduct as a journalist is more due to your personality and not your position — always looking to meet new people, hear new stories, and make new contacts.
DP: Well said, you seem to be a good proof of the fact that Man is a Social Animal. So tell us something about your popularity, have you ever met someone who was a regular follower of your newscast? Do you expect people to recognize you when you go out somewhere. If not, then do you do wish for the same.
CW: I have a group of close friends who faithfully follow my reports. I also upload my reports to YouTube for my family in the U.S. to watch. I’ve received some interesting comments from viewers through these on-line forums. As to whether people recognize me in public here in Monterrey, not so much… I suppose I’d need more air time for that, maybe someday!
DP: And finally, we would like to know some funny incidents that you’ve been involved in. Viewers love it when people on television make mistakes especially newscasters who always seem perfect.
CW: Oh, I have plenty of these. I still get very nervous just before delivering my report in front of our viewing audience of over 1 million people in metropolitan Monterrey, but at the very start when I was first learning how to participate with the news program, I used to get even more nervous. There was one time when the camera man counted down, 3-2-1, you’re on! He pointed to me to let me know that I was on live television and I completely blanked. I had no idea what to say. It was terrible! Although only 2 or 3 seconds of silence passed, it felt like a lifetime. They actually had to cut directly to my segment before more time passed because the news producers said I looked like a ghost!. It was embarrassing but very funny at the same time because all the news anchors said that is bound to happen at one point or another. Let’s just hope that it doesn’t happen too soon again!
DP: That would have surely been really funny. It was great talking to you Christine, thank you very much for your time and I’m sure our readers would have got some understanding about the Inside Life Of A News Presenter.
Note: The Inside Life and all content published as a part of Inside Life is owned by and exclusive to DelhiPlanet. Any reproduction without permission is prohibited.
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posted by krisdhingra in Exclusive Events, Specials |
funny stories on Thu, 2nd Apr 2009 1:06 pm
Nice pictures