Executive Summary

Summer Internship Mikaela Mummert 2016

Introduction
This summer, I had the opportunity to intern with WGAL-TV in Lancaster, PA with their
Technical Services Department. Operations Manager, Josh Ford, assisted me as my site
supervisor, overseeing my work through the duration of my time at WGAL. As a Technical
Operations Intern, I assisted in the production of newscasts by running camera, operating
prompter and giving directional cues to talent when needed. In between newscasts, I shadowed
various positions involved in the department and also started directing training, which included
instruction on the switcher and learning how to mark scripts.
I created four main learning objectives that I wanted to accomplish through my time at
WGAL. Initially, I hoped to see all that goes into a production (whether it be a live or prerecorded show). Along with this, I sought to familiarize myself with the equipment involved in a
news production and its operation. Specifically, I hoped to become more engaged in the realm of
directing with activities that would include shadowing directors and receiving training on the
switcher. Being surrounded by various broadcasting professionals, I also wanted to find out the
different jobs available in this field while gaining insight into their past experiences.
Work/Projects
Throughout my internship at WGAL, I participated and worked with various productions
and people. During my first week, I was able to help out with an off-air production called Brain
Busters. This production is an annual trivia game show where high school students compete
and put their knowledge to the test. The last two teams made up of two different high schools go
head-to-head in WGALs Studio A, which would be aired at a later date on channel 8. I helped

with the set-up of this event. This included testing microphones and other technical equipment
like the buzzers, setting up lighting, and putting together the set. During the filming of the show,
I was able to watch all the different roles on set as well as in production control.
Throughout the rest of my internship I was assisted in the production of different kinds of
newscasts, taking on various roles. I began by shadowing the morning technical operators and
directors. Through observing the different shots needed for the three different sets of newscasts
in the morning, I was eventually able to operate camera alongside the rest of the crew. I also
learned how to operate prompter and ran that for the anchors a few times. After the morning
show, I helped with cut-ins, which are small quick news updates in between different
programming. Cut-ins also involved running camera and prompter. When I had longer shifts, I
participated in the noon show, operating camera and running prompter. While this show only ran
one half hour, it still took some getting used to, with different shots from the morning show.
In between newscasts, I received training on the switcher and learned how to mark scripts
to be able to direct. After I became familiar with all the different aspects of the switcher, I began
to practice directing cut-ins offline. This evolved into directing and marking a whole block of
the 4:30am show, which was a lot more involved than directing a cut-in. After much practice, I
was able to direct a cut-in offline but with the involvement of the anchors simulating a live
production.
Learning
Every day that I came into WGAL, I learned something new. There were so many
different aspects of the industry that I never would have discovered without real hands-on
experience like this. Specifically, I learned a great deal about directing and the operation of

various equipment used in production. Directing can differ from station to station depending on
the amount of people involved and the equipment used. At WGAL, the director is responsible
for a lot of different things. Here, the director not only calls out the shots, but uses the switcher
to bring them up while also rolling video and keeping an eye on the graphics. This means that
the director is constantly thinking about many things at once its an insanely fast-paced job.
With the help of the morning directors, Angela and Mark, I learned how to use the switcher,
mark scripts, and began to direct. Angela trained me on the switcher, showing me the different
ways to bring up shots, use various keys, and how to work with their graphics system. This took
a lot of practice but it eventually seemed to come together and make sense.
With the help of the rest of the morning crew, I learned how to operate the equipment
used in a newscast. They taught me the different camera shots and how they were referred to on
the shot sheet used for each newscast. This sheet compiles the different camera shots needed in a
specific production, showing the location, story name, and type of shot. It took practice in order
to get the right kind of shots while becoming familiar with the coordinates they use to refer to.
While the shot sheets are usually correct, the director may call out different shots, so always
being ready and listening intently is a must. The crew also helped me learn how to set up and
run prompter. Running prompter for different anchors takes practice because some anchors like
to ad lib more than others or read at a faster pace, etc. Ensuring the prompter is set up correctly
is also extremely important. If the prompter is not synched up with what the producer changes,
the anchors will have no idea what to say during a story if on camera. Keeping up a steady pace,
paying attention, and listening to the anchors are all important pieces to being a successful
prompter operator.
Future Plans

Through shadowing various positions in the technical department and being able to
participate in live productions, I have grown to love the television broadcast industry even more
than before my internship. In the future, I hope to continue studying about this field and learning
about the different aspects involved in television news, on-air, and behind the scenes.
Experiencing this industry first-hand and not just with our on-campus productions put many
things into perspective for me. This field is fast paced, constantly changing with the
implementation of new technology. I hope to stay up to date with the latest trends in the
industry, whether that be in the realm of technical aspects or through other related departments.
While I have always loved radio broadcasting, this internship has made me think twice about the
kind of broadcasting I eventually want to become involved. Ive loved getting the hands-on
experience that this time has provided and I could definitely see myself doing something in this
field for my future career.
Preparations/Recommendations
Before my internship experience, many of the classes in my major helped to prepare me
and to know what to expect from a position in the television broadcast industry. The most
helpful class was TV Production, which I took the semester before this internship. Through this
class, I was able to get hands-on experience with various equipment and roles in the television
broadcast industry. Participating in various assignments, roles were switched around so that
everyone experienced every aspect of TV Production.. Each person had the opportunity to do
on-camera work, direct, run camera and prompter, audio, and other aspects. Having this
foundation and knowledge of different equipment and positions helped me in progressing
quickly from observing to actually participating in newscasts. This TV Production class was the
inspiration that led me to apply to a broadcast television company for a summer internship.

Overall, my major classes aided in providing a solid background prior to my internship which
increased my confidence and understanding of the work I would be doing.