By: Samuel Bortey, Tyasia C., Aiyanna Munson, and Donté M. Spain Jr., Hopeloft Journalism Students
BRIDGETON, N.J. — The journalism students at Hopeloft and Euphoria Life Summer Camp went to 6ABC News in Philadelphia on Wednesday, July 30, for a tour of their production studio and their facility.
Kieran Cunningham, 6ABC’s Creative Services Intern, welcomed students and spoke to them about the legacy of ethical journalism they would be inheriting as they entered the journalism field.
Cunningham started the tour with the Chopper 6 replica made by a fan. He explained that the news being filmed from the vantage point of a helicopter was revolutionary. In 1980, Chopper 6 was the first news helicopter in Philadelphia making traffic reports, accidents, and large-scale events more accessible to the viewer. While the students were touring, they saw a live broadcast from Chopper 6 in the newsroom. There was also a broadcast of this in the control room. Chopper 6 is still used, but now drones also share the workload.
In the museum, there were a lot of artifacts from 6ABC news history. The first thing highlighted was the door to Studio B, which was where Dick Clark filmed the legendary American Bandstand, a teen dancing show that aired between 1952 and 1989. There was a picture of Captain and Mrs. Noah above the miniature diorama of Captain Noah and his Magical Ark‘s TV set. Cunningham pointed to a framed picture of Oprah Winfrey with Lisa Thomas Laury taken in 1978 when both women applied for the newscaster position in Philadelphia. Lisa Thomas Laury was offered the position and Oprah moved on to great success in Chicago with her show.
In the newsroom, producers listened to police scanners and live feed from Chopper 6. Additionally, the other local channels are constantly monitored to make sure that the producers aren’t missing anything and know when to cut to commercial. Stories that had been published were rated by the number of hits on their website.
Cunningham led the students to the control room, which was a dark room filled with many monitors. Cunningham explained that the room was used by the producer and the control room operator to cut film. Many of the monitors were featuring shows that were currently broadcasting on the ABC Network. Cunningham suggested they often have scheduling meetings within the control room.
In Studio B, Cunningham pointed out that the cameras are all robotic and that on the side of the cameras, there are little white dots that help track movement on the screen. Cunningham discussed that the background was made up of thousands of led lights.
The students were excited to see Gabriella Galati, the sports journalist, hard at work at the sports desk. Adam Joseph, the meteorologist, gave students a wave as he left the dressing room.
The day ended with Red Robin burgers and journalistic writing on the bus ride back to Bridgeton. The students left with a greater understanding of the many people it takes to make trustworthy news.
Watch the video below to see more action from the day.
- What’s Good in South Jersey? Chris the Barber
- Stockton Hosts Annual Lines on the Pines Event
- Rowan University Virtua Health Opens Research Center
Follow South Jersey provides local journalism which highlights our diverse communities; fosters transparency through robust, localized, and vital reporting that holds leaders and institutions accountable; addresses critical information needs; supports people in navigating civic life; and equips people with the information necessary to partake in effective community engagement. If there is a story or event you think we should cover, please send your tips to news@followsouthjersey.com with “NEWS” in the subject line.
