Gregory Wallace ‘10, The New Barack Obama
January 3, 2008
Gregory Wallace, a sophomore politics major at Saint Anselm College, finds himself taking on a brand new role; that of playing presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama. As ABC continues to prepare for the candidates’ arrival, Wallace will stand-in as Sen. Obama as ABC News technicians prepare the stage for the Jan. 5 N.H. Primary Debates.
This is not going to be a simple stand in for lighting and placement though. Wallace, along with other students standing-in for the candidates, has been asked to take on the same mannerisms, voice styles, and placements of the candidates, using actual scripts that represent similar discussions that could be held during the live debate broadcast.
The interest in the debates amongst the entire campus community has been incredible, and the opportunities for the students have exceeded all expectations. The campus has been transformed from that of a liberal arts college to one that is the world stage for one of the most covered events by the media. Wallace and other students have been able to see this transformation come to life.
“Last week I was in the Dana Center and not a single set piece was installed or even on campus. And today, it is almost done. It’s fantastic to see how ABC and Fox cover an event start to finish,” comments Wallace.
Wallace has yet to fulfill his first duty as an actor on stage. After doing so, he will find himself as a personal runner for Sen. Obama. Such is the case for each stand-in during the rehearsals. We will continue to follow Wallace as he becomes closer with the candidate and immerses himself even further into the debate process.
We are pleased to bring a student’s perspective to the coverage of the the N.H. Primary Debates. Stay tuned for more debate coverage.
Primary Preparations: Cold Temps Result in Flurry of Action
January 3, 2008
A bone chilling wind is cutting through the single-digit temps on the campus of Saint Anselm College today, all while work continues at a heightened pace to prepare for the pending live broadcasts of Fox News Channel and ABC News.
On the Quad, Fox News employees and Saint Anselm College students are working in unison to finalize the Fox Box, the mobile studio that will be utilized in coming days for live programming. Inside the Cushing Student Center, students and production staff have transformed the normally quaint upper level of the student building into a working newsroom that will shortly be staffed 24 hours a day with correspondents from Fox partners around the world.
At the Dana Center, ABC is putting the finishing touches on the debate set. On Thursday evening, students were acting as candidate stand-ins, helping the ABC News staff rehearse the pending back-to-back live debates on Saturday night. Next door at Davison Hall (the college dining facility) ABC staff are utilizing every corner of the building as their debate headquarters.
There is literally no corner of campus that remains untouched by the debate preprations. At the main entrance to the college a grassy area has been plowed to allow for campaign supporters to gather on debate day. The quad is collecting satellite trucks and live shot locations by the hour as additional crews arrive. In the following hours, the Carr Center will be transformed into the media file center (which will soon be home to several hundred journalists from around the world).
More Than Snow Covers Campus
January 3, 2008
The Fox Box appeared on the Saint Anselm College Quad as students were finishing their finals last semester. As I left school not much had changed. However, when I returned a few days ago the campus is now playing host to ABC and Fox. This does not mean that these news teams were simply using our buildings. Students and staff all have roles to play.
In the Dana Center, Marcia Burns, Bob Shea, and Joe Deleault are hard at work getting ready for the ABC debates on Saturday. Tickets need to be sorted. When the audience arrives the tickets need to get to the right people.
Security has to control parking. Usually around this time of year the security crew considers these weeks a break. With all of the students home for the holidays, the campus is quiet. With the New Hampshire Primary this year that all changes. Some security guards who normally work overnights switch to working days. Some may even have the chance to work with Secret Service.
The Dining Services staff has the important role of keeping the work crews well fed. And with that, turning on a dime with grace to fulfill unexpected requests like pulling together a buffet-style dinner today for the ABC crew with just two hours notice. Even the president’s private dining room in Davison is being utilized as temporary ABC office space.
Students are working as stand-ins and runners for ABC. As stand-ins they must learn the traits of the candidate they are playing. After the rehearsals each student will become a personal runner for the same candidate. Other students are busy working for Fox News preparing for their New Hampshire Primary coverage much of which will originate from the college beginning this weekend. The normally quiet Cushing Center is now abuzz with Fox technicians and production crews as we wait for the Iowa Caucus to conclude and the for the arrival on January 4 of Fox News’ on-air talent.
Everyone at Saint Anselm College is working hard to be the best host to these news teams. I look forward to the future excitement to come.
