Creating episode three for Mountaineer Playbook was an incredible experience. After our second episode, my professors gave me valuable feedback on my scriptwriting. I learned that I needed to structure the script in a way that allowed my main anchors to provide more information while seamlessly setting up upcoming stories. With this new understanding, I approached episode three with a fresh perspective. I felt like I had a much better understanding of scriptwriting and consequently felt more confident in producing the show. For this episode, I had a much deeper connection to the development and preparation of the show.
From episode two, I learned that to be a successful producer, I must be as prepared as possible and know the show inside and out. As soon as the scripts were printed, I got to work on marking up my script with producer notes detailing what to say and when to say it to my onset anchors. I would then run through the script with Professor Dahlia about an hour before we taped the show to review my scripting. After that, she would assist me with my producing duties. I wanted to prove that I was prepared for anything. But that preparation was tested in a way I never expected.
On the morning of the show, I was informed that our technical director, Maggie Stakem, would not be able to make it to the studio that day. This meant we had to make last-minute adjustments in the control room. Aidan Hart shifted from video playback to technical director, while Trent Lewis stepped in to fill Aidan’s role. And to top it all off, Professor Dahlia was also unable to attend the taping.
As soon as I received this news, I contacted the director of the show, Tyler Carlbon. We were both anxious about how the episode would go, given its complexity and the last-minute role changes in the control room. We agreed that we needed to appear confident in front of our classmates and not let our nervousness show. It was important for them to see that the leadership wasn’t fazed by these unexpected changes.
The absence of Professor Dahlia meant I was flying solo with my producer duties, but this did not stress me out. I wrote the show, studied my script, and had full confidence in my team’s ability to pull together and deliver a great episode. As soon as we arrived at the studio, Tyler and I hit the ground running. We made it a point, both individually and together, to check in with every crew member. I went through my checklist to ensure all my tasks were completed, then began rehearsals with our newly adjusted technical crew.
I am very proud of my entire team for their work on episode three. We completed three separate tapings, and each one went smoothly. This episode taught me the value of keeping a level head and adapting to unexpected challenges. I do not think there is a better learning experience than what I gained during the four hours I spent in the studio. Last-minute changes are inevitable, and things will not always go as planned. It is crucial to stay flexible, do your best in the moment, and rely on your team to produce the best work together. I am excited to see where Mountaineer Playbook will go in the upcoming episodes.