Behind-the-scenes: How CTV Kitchener videographers put together a story

KITCHENER -- Have you ever wondered how the videographers at CTV Kitchener set up their interviews or film themselves on-camera?

CTV Kitchener’s Jessica Smith shared a behind-the-scenes look at her day on Twitter this week.

A little #BehindtheScenes look at how I set up for interviews! Like many of my colleagues, I am a 1-person crew most of the time. This job is as much about the mental as it is the physical. #Journalism #Journalist #workhard #hardwork @thatnewslife @CTVKitchener pic.twitter.com/UeNPJjrsYT

— Jess Smith CTV (@JessicaSmithCTV) January 21, 2021

Video journalists are responsible for shooting, writing and editing their own stories.

Smith shared how she sets up her camera to film herself for her stand-up, which is the portion of her story where she appears on camera.

And then once everything is set up, I film my bridge or stand up (the part where you see me on camera in my story)! #BehindtheScenes #Journalism #Journalist @thatnewslife @CTVKitchener pic.twitter.com/Tug853bte1

— Jess Smith CTV (@JessicaSmithCTV) January 21, 2021

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, videographers now use mic stands or extended mic sticks to make sure they maintain proper physical distancing when interviewing people for their stories.

I use a physical distancing mic stick to keep myself and my guests safe (plus I always wear a mask)! #Journalism #Journalist #BehindtheScenes @thatnewslife @CTVKitchener pic.twitter.com/1ey0rwPw90

— Jess Smith CTV (@JessicaSmithCTV) January 21, 2021

Once the interviews are wrapped up, Smith collects the shots she would need to cover her story in "b-roll."

Next, I grab my video aka. b-roll for the story. This is what you will see running overtop of my voice over. #Journalism #Journalist #BehindtheScenes @thatnewslife @CTVKitchener pic.twitter.com/irXjUIMKCi

— Jess Smith CTV (@JessicaSmithCTV) January 21, 2021

Then, all equipment is sanitized and packed away so it’s ready to be used again the next day.

And at the end of the day I sanitize all of my gear, pack it up and get ready to do it all again the next day! #BehindtheScenes #Journalism #Journalist @CTVKitchener @thatnewslife

— Jess Smith CTV (@JessicaSmithCTV) January 21, 2021

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  An interview subject for a CTV Kitchener story (Jessica Smith / CTV News Kitchener)