Inauguration notes from a DP • Salt Run Productions

Inaug. Day 1  1/16/09

About two weeks ago, while on Christmas break in good old St. Augustine, FL, I got a call from ABC News Magazines putting me on hold for the Obama Inauguration in Washington, DC. 

Cool, a historical news event, could be exciting, why not?

I submit my jazz for Secret Service clearance and even though some would think I’d raise more red flags than a Georgia defensive coach at a Gators game, I have been security cleared in the past, so the process was painless and I was put on ABC’s list of prospective camera folk for the big event.

Then last Friday evening I get a call from Magazine World telling me that after carefully scrutinizing their “Specials” needs, (not SPECIAL NEEDS, people…although many would be quick to place me in that category) they determined that me and two other crews out of Atlanta would not be needed by ABC News Magazines;  however I was told that since we’d already been cleared by the SS, the ABC News DC Bureau, would gladly engage our service’s.

So, at this very moment my soundman and me, Walter, and two other crews from Atlanta, are driving up to DC for the big event!

Driving you say??

Yes!

We were given the option of flying but at this time, I’d much rather drive and the truth be told, so would the networks.

Ever since the airlines stated charging real money for excess baggage, it’s become a financial burden to fly some 20 cases of gear because at $150 a bag…ONE WAY…that math alone is sobering; and when we drive, we can bring a lot more stuff for potential rental.

You also wind up handing your equipment l like 4 times before you ever use it, so it really makes sense to drive, especially if you are going to be in place for 4 or 5 days.

Of course, it’s also nice to be asked if you has a left handed bammerflamus…and you do!

No too much ego here!

It would take about 12 hours or so to drive from Atlanta to DC but the network wants us to do it in one day.  We’re not doing that.  We’ll drive it in two leisurely days, pay the overnight ourselves, which I expect will be in Roanoke, VA ,and call it a day.

The pen is always mightier than the sword!!

Now it has been said that network television is a large collection of small thinkers, who in turn, are controlled by bean counters ,who you can also always assume will spend 5 dollars so save 1!

Case in point:

One of the crews we’re traveling with was booked by ABC Magazines but then released to news and now Magazines want him back because, well they just weren’t thinking. So they are begging for his services and the news bureau, while hesitant to release him, did so, but weren’t happy about it because they paid to get him up here!

It’s like they’re all separate companies or something…the same network but departmentally almost autonomous from one another.

Another example is hotel rooms. 

The last inauguration of George W. was pretty much a non-event but ABC booked over 250 rooms.

This event, which is the single biggest event in this country’s history (Maybe The Civil War…), ABC only booked 125 rooms!

Small thinkers!

Thankfully we do have rooms…so I’m told, however as of this moment, 12:25p, 1/16/09, we don’t know where.

We have been given our first assignments however….the Sunday Good Morning America (GMA) anchor spot, a show that maybe 8 people see because hardly any markets clear the Sunday show but ABC valiantly continues trying to woo affiliates to carry it.

To be fair, it’s a good show, just no viewers!

Call time???  Be at location at 3a ready for first picture at 6a, with the show starting at 8a, working the show for two hours, and then standing by for the West Coast feed just in case any breaking news happens, because the West Coast gets a tape delay or the East Coast unless new news happens, and then they cut in live to the West Coast feed where they will be live, just on West Coast time. 

No body on the East Coast sees this breaking news because GMA off the air in the East but just coming on in the West !

Simple!!

This is common.  All the networks do their news shows live at 6p, then do it again at 6:30a if there were fluffs or changes.  That show is what the west coast sees.  So, if you want to really see network news live, see the 6:30p show otherwise you’re seeing a taped delayed presentation.

It will be about 8-10˚ when we hit the streets for the Sunday GMA but those 8 viewers will never know that I will be bundled up closely resembling Ralphy’s little brother in the The Christmas Story.

Did I mention we’d be doing the show outside at the Washington Mall??  Yeah, it’ll be like 8˚ but by show time at 8a, it should be like a balmy 20˚.  Not sure the logic of being outside but since they have an anchor position for the actual inauguration, already set up  I guess they figure night as well test it out on a show nobody sees!

Our only other known assignment after GMA is “pool” camera at one of the balls.

Pool means that one camera position feeds all other networks, thus “pooling” the position.  That saves having a million cameras all vying for the same position for the same shot.  It’s a common practice amongst the networks, particularly for political campaigns and courtroom coverage as well as other interview situations where it isn’t practical to have a gang of cameras around.

Apparently Homeland Security has declared a State of Emergency in DC from Sunday through Tuesday which effectively means Marshal Law is in place which also means citizens as well as the 5th Estate’s rights… are pretty much up for grabs.

To me it means very few questions will be asked before action is taken, so as improbable as it may seem to those of you who know me, I will be on my best behavior…for once!!

Just entering the Knoxville area and I’ sure we will be seeking out BBQ for lunch so ciao for now!

Mo lata!

Allen