TV2 moves to Franklin, goes HiDef

Makeup for HiDef more than just
a dab of this and a daub of that

Television stations and media outlets are adapting to the technological change from Standard Definition to High Definition. And, the shift is altering the makeup choices of anchors and reporters.

“We have to accommodate the clarity of the signal,” said Michelle McCoy, a JMC grad and author of Sound and Look Professional on TV and the Internet. “TV makeup, right now, is evolving because of the digital revolution (HDTV).”

HD makeup is clearly different from the traditional television look.

 “We’re looking at a more natural appearance than a dark contrast. The signal will pick up any demarcation such as crows feet, smudged makeup, or ANY flaw on the skin,” McCoy said.

McCoy said the best makeup application for Hi-Def is airbrushing. “It applies the makeup quickly to correct most imperfections and create a natural look.”

Not Just For the Face

Blending is everything. McCoy warns that broadcasters must match their hands, neck, and arms to their face. “The worst that could happen is to appear on TV with the color of skin being noticeably different.”

She also notes that makeup isn’t just for women broadcasters.

Male news anchors and reporters should use makeup to correct imperfections and to avoid a corpse-like look.

Appearance in HDTV isn’t just a concern for talent, but those working behind-the-scenes as well. 

“From a production standpoint, people pursuing technical careers need to be mindful of the change that practitioners will face because of the onset of HD,” said McCoy.  “They need to have a better understanding of how set colors and lighting affect the [talents] look.”

Avoid Distraction of the Message

McCoy said her greatest fear about HD makeup is its effect on what the audience sees on their television. 

“News is the message we want the audience to talk about, not the anchor’s makeup,” she said.

Visually appealing HD makeup along with the clothing and the set backdrop and lighting are the key to supporting the intended message. “Good journalism is still paramount to any technology we bring. We must conform to it so news remains the main focus.”

-- Greta Mittereder for The Co-Lab

TV2 has made history. In February, after two days of tryouts, weeks of practice and months of learning new high definition equipment and software, the station went live. Students in The Co-Lab captured the moments.

• Click on the photo marked "Tryouts" to view an audio slideshow created by John Sabol.
• Click on the photo marked "Practice" to see a creative time lapse video by Elisa Altomare and Brittany Lynch.
• Click on the photo labeled "Going Live" to view a video blog by Greta Mittereder, who talks about her experience producing the first TV broadcast from Franklin Hall.
• Click here for a list of Spring 2008 staff members.
• Click here to read about 'emergency' first broadcast precipitated by snow storm.
• Narrative story below is by Dan Teng'o.

In Franklin Hall, students aren't just learning about media convergence, they're living it.

And they're not just talking about cutting-edge technology, they're using it.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s move to the new facility has placed students in a new digital multimedia environment full of learning opportunities.

The move was completed this semester with TV2’s migration to a new digital high definition studio with state-of-the-art equipment. Regular newscasts started Feb. 13.

Everything is new

“From cameras to the video switcher to video outputs, everything is new,” declared Tim Muir, TV2 operations manager.

A 3-D virtual set – as against a standard set with a physical backdrop – has injected versatility to TV2’s shows. The set combines real people and objects in a computer-generated environment.

“Now we don’t have to move or tear anything down when doing different shows,” Muir said. “And it’s a lot easier to get the look we want.”

TV2 is among only a few student-run TV stations in the country that use virtual sets, Muir said. The station can now produce a vast array of graphics and backgrounds for different shows.

Orad, a company from Israel, constructed the set, which can be viewed here: http://www.fullmentaljacket.com/librarysets/news-c/. TV2 plans to lease out the studio to area production companies when it is not in use by JMC students, Muir said.

Two newscasts for Portage County

Students have enthusiastically embraced TV2’s new digital environment and Franklin Hall’s array of new opportunities.

“We are rethinking everything and making our product look more professional,” Kaitlyn Lionti, TV2 news director, said.

Now both the 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. newscasts are broadcast across Portage County through Channel 16 on Time Warner cable. Previously, the 5:30 p.m. newscast was aired only on campus. The change is aimed at encouraging higher standards for both newscasts, Lionti said.

Lionti said TV2 plans to serve up more on-demand online video to reach more viewers. In Fall 2007, the station launched a channel on the popular video sharing site, YouTube. The channel may be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/tv2ksu.

Multimedia thinking sparked

Lionti said the move to Franklin Hall has encouraged multimedia thinking among students. “It has provided a better atmosphere for us to work and learn together,” Lionti said.

TV2 plans to set up an HD camera in the converged newsroom to improve the reporting of breaking news and to be used during interviews with reporters, editors and guests, when providing news analyses.

Kyle Miller, TV2 marketing and promotions director, said students are being exposed to the right environment and are starting to go out together to cover stories. “So when we go out and get jobs, it will be second nature,” Miller said.

Miller said the convergence process is moving slowly because before they moved to Franklin Hall, students in print and broadcast majors were not used to working together. “We are happy the school is taking the right steps to help us get there,” he said.

Miller said Franklin Hall’s facilities have spurred students to get out of their comfort zones to acquire new journalistic skills and learn how to use the latest technology in the media industry.

Getting a leg up

Gary Hanson, faculty adviser for TV2, said the move to Franklin Hall has given students a leg up to take on the demands of a changing media landscape.

“It’s given students opportunities they didn’t have before,” Hanson said. “They have so much more to learn.”

He said students are acquiring the capability to work in a fully digital environment and produce top-shelf content in HD format. “They are using equipment they might not get anywhere else.”

The new TV2 studio cost $2.5 million and occupies about 7,000 square feet in the 20,000 square foot addition to Franklin Hall.

The studio has put students on a par with other practitioners in the TV industry, said David Smeltzer, assistant professor and electronic media coordinator. “They are working with equipment that is used in the real world.”

Smeltzer said the studio is a learning ground for the school’s faculty too. “I’ve never worked with HD before. I’ve got a lot to learn,” he said.

--Dan Teng'o for The Co-Lab

TV2 Spring 2008 Staff