We all look forward to the Hurricane Watch every friday morning – the packages, the bloopers, and seeing our friends on the TV. But what is it like on the other side of the screen? How do they do it?  What does it take to get an episode ready? The juniors and seniors work endlessly to meet their Thursday deadline.

Even before filming starts, new topics and package ideas are proposed, but “coming up with ideas for the show is often really hard,” says senior Nikki Mendoza. Senior Taylor McIntyre agrees with Nikki, but everyone in the broadcast journalism class “helps each other come up with ideas to make the show as much fun and entertaining for everyone as we can.” It’s always easier to create packages based off of current events, holiday activities, and things going on in the school.

After everyone claims a package idea or a job, such as teleprompter, director, or editor, it’s time to start filming the show! “Usually, we film our show (just the anchors) the week before our show usually airs (usually Thursday or Friday), unless something goes wrong or someone is absent, then we film that Monday,” says senior Lauren Carroll The Hurricane Watch always has two anchors, but “being an anchor is much harder than people would expect; being behind the lights, cameras, and with people constantly watching you and directing you, all while trying to seem relaxed and casual is difficult,” according to Nikki.

You see the anchors on the screen, but the most important job is behind the scenes – being the director/editor. The director is always working away on the computer and making sure he/she is recording all the proper takes they need. “You have to make sure that the introductions are doing a good job of explaining what will be on the show,” says Lauren, who directed 1st period’s Valentine’s Day show this past week. Once the takes are all done, they are transferred to another computer were pieces can be cut and edited, then finalized packages are put into the show. Once everything is cleaned up, transitions and “fade to blacks” are put in, it’s time for the show to be approved. In order for a show to be aired on Friday morning, it is required that the show gets Mr. Herr’s approval. If anything needs to be taken out of the show or added in, the class uses that Thursday as a last minute opportunity to tweak the final product.

Everyone loves a good Hurricane Watch on Friday morning; it starts the day off right. It is something that makes our school stand out from others. It is great that it is “a student run production, the packages are creative, and it involves all the students of WHB,” says Mr. Herr. In fact, the Broadcast Journalism elective is one of his favorite classes in the building. “Talk about creating 21st century learning experiences; they have deadlines they need to work with and have to collaborate with each other,” Mr. Herr adds.

“Our whole goal with our show is the entertain the students and make everyone look forward to Friday morning for the Hurricane Watch,” adds Taylor. “It’s so exciting when we see other students enjoy the show.”