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Behind the Scenes with WPT at the 2018 State of the State Address
January 25, 2018 Leave a Comment
Behind the scenes of Wisconsin Public Television preparing for the live broadcast of the State of the State Address on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018 at the Wisconsin State Capitol.
Every year the governor delivers a State of the State Address to the citizens of Wisconsin from the State Assembly chambers and, since as far back as 1979, Wisconsin Public Television has broadcast this speech as a public service.
Producer Joel Waldinger
This year’s broadcast went live at 3 p.m. on Jan. 24, but planning for the event began back in late November and early December when the producer of the event’s broadcast, Joel Waldinger, met with Capitol officials and representatives from the Governor’s office discussing logistics for capturing the speech for television.
Crew members stand in as cameras and lights are put into position in the parlor next to the Assembly chambers.
On the day of the event, the WPT production crew gathered at the station at 8 a.m. to load up the live truck and travel to the State Capitol.
The Wisconsin Public Television broadcast crew meets in the parlor, next to the Assembly chambers, before getting into position for the live broadcast.
Part of the set up includes loading in five cameras. Three of the cameras are in the Assembly chambers for the speech and two in the parlor next to the chambers where hosts, Frederica Freyberg and Shawn Johnson, sit.
WPR’s Shawn Johnson and WPT’s Frederica Freyberg get set up for the live broadcast.
A camera operator performs tech checks before the live broadcast.
Once the cameras are in place, cords with the camera feed are connected to the live truck outside.
Remote productions supervisor Russ Awe connects the feed from inside the State Capitol to the live truck.
Lights, audio, prompters, graphics and a slew of the other production elements must be put in place, adjusted and readjusted before the crew considers everything ready to go.
Director Ben White stands in during set up where the Assembly Minority Leader will sit for his response following the governor’s address.
Kurt Kaspar adjusts the lights in the parlor.
Gov. Walker touched on a number of topics including health care, taxes, jobs and education.
The Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz, D-Oshkosh, delivered a five-minute response immediately following the address. To watch the address and the minority response, visit our website or check us out on Facebook.
Bob Brown says:
Here in Eau Claire we really miss the artistry of Marisa Wojcik’s work. But I guess it’s better that her recent hiring by WPT allows that work to benefit a much wider audience.