The Outside Broadcast

An outside broadcast is the concentrate of what I believe a regional programme is all about.  We exist to reflect and inform, sometimes to expose, to champion and to celebrate the place we live in.  An OB gives us the opportunity to embed ourselves for the afternoon and evening in one part of our region, giving a voice to whoever and wherever we happen to be. 

An Outside Broadcast involves a huge amount of work.  From researching the location to its technical testing to make sure the signal will work from there, security (equipment worth thousands is on show), the setting up of guests, permissions to film and that’s before we even start on the content.    

Reporters work on the films for the programme, out on location, scripting and editing hopefully ready in time for the presenter (i.e. me) to view.

Then its time to write all the links into the pieces and prepare the questions for the guests.  The more you do beforehand – the better the end product.  Even more than in the studio an Outside Broadcast needs to flow from one item to another; the opening needs to reflect where you are, the ending needs to perfectly express the purpose of the programme and throughout, the words need to be relevant to the location. 

Long chats with the producer, nailing the links, then its time to prepare the scripts.  I always cut and paste…but with scissors and Sellotape!  Scripts are put onto cards – so much more professional than pieces of paper or notebooks.  Each card is numbered…SO important.  I once dropped a whole awards ceremony script that had not one number of identification on it…nightmare.  By the time this takes place I pretty much know the words off by heart but a ‘safety blanket card’ is always a must to me – in case of brain freeze or perhaps an off-camera catastrophe that just swallows your concentration for a moment…. always worth it!

What to wear at an OB???  Never a dress.  Why?  Your microphone and talkback are connected to packs that have to be hidden away, and packs that often need new batteries moments before on air.  Too much palaver to have them hidden beneath a dress I promise!  Nobody needs a huge bit of thigh…or worse….in full view when the batteries have gone mid-programme!  So trousers…. something bright in a dark location, something appropriate to the subject matter, the weather and the location.  Shoes you can walk in.  Not too cold.  Not too hot. What if it rains?

Then it’s a drive to the location not forgetting all the scripts, earpiece so you can connect to your talkback to hear the director’s instructions and the timings for your programme.  Water!  Just in case.  Tissues, makeup and mirror for last minute touch-ups.

Once on location its meeting everyone, putting interviewees at ease, rehearsals, walking through the different camera moves, a couple of pre-records to send back to base.  And then before you know it – three or four hours have gone by, and you are moments away from OnAir.

Meticulous planning always pays off and gives you the brain space to react to anything else that might come your way – and there’s ALWAYS something!  And before you know it – its done and with thanks to all you’re off back to the car before you get ready to do it all again tomorrow!