Posts filed under 'New Hampshire Primary'
Some 51 Saint Anselm College students have been working closely with CNN on debate preparations since late last week. These students and their 10-hour plus work days have played a critical role in making the debates a reality. Students have worked with CNN's news anchors, correspondents, set designers, marketing and public relation staff, and others running errands, standing in for set checks (lighting, sound, video), moving sets, and many other important roles.
In the meantime, they've got to know many of CNN's on-air talent and executives and received an insiders view of all the work that goes into staging a major event like CNN's Presidential Primary Debates.
Cory True '09, a junior politics major from Augusta, Maine (and guest student blogger), had the opportunity to interview two students about their experiences working the debates.
In his first interview, Cory talks with Mark Grasso '10, a sophomore politics major. Mark started his week working to transform Sullivan Arena into a debate venue. He then moved on to assisting the CNN marketing staff with installing signage around campus and later to working in the green room of a democratic candidate.
Cory also interviewed Ryan Ollis '08, a senior politics and pre-law major from Dudley, Mass. Ryan also helped with the set up of Sullivan Arena working with the debate's executive producer and later worked as a stand in for CNN News Correspondent John King in the debate's "spin room." Ryan's highlight so far: chauffeuring around CNN's Wolf Blitzer.
Click on the audio file below to hear Cory True's audio interview with two Saint Anselm students.
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June 4, 2007
"Running" for CNN, Day 3
The debates are over…for today. Not to worry though, we'll still be here tomorrow, and again for the Republican debate on Tuesday. After the long hours at work, and the short nights of sleep, the experience is all of, and more than what I could have expected it to be.
Dedicated Saint Anselm students have diligently worked to represent the college, and it certainly showed tonight. Much of what you saw on TV, and even more that will only be seen by those who were on campus, was the product of a Saint Anselm student. From driving a guest to an appearance on the quad-based CNN studio, to ensuring that lighting was right on the debate set, and even some of the photography that accompanies this blog are the handiwork of the CNN runners who have given whatever it takes to get the job done.
Maybe it was while standing in the midst of the various campaign supporters outside of Sullivan Arena this afternoon, or perhaps standing on the floor of the debate hall as the candidates walked out onto the stage, it may even have been the first time that CNN displayed the "LIVE — SAINT ANSELM COLLEGE" logo on the screen as I watched from the press center…but at some point I realized how lucky, and honored we all are at Saint Anselm to be able to take part in the experience.
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June 3, 2007
I've posted many photos throughout today on Flickr, which you can follow through this blog. We are now 30 minutes into round two of the debates. I've been in the media filing center for much of the debate, got a hot meal, and a chance to upload photos.
Be sure to check back with this blog later tonight as we move from the media filing center to the "spin room," where the candidates and the campaigns come to speak with the media following the debate. We'll also be posting many photos in the next day or so from some of the great photographers that are covering all angles of the debates.
You can view all of our photos on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/saintanselm. If you'd like to view a flash slideshow of debate images, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/saintanselm/show.
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June 3, 2007
Debates Underway
Saint Anselm students are spread across campus with the debates now underway. About one hour into the two hour debate, a number of students are inside the debate hall, preparing in the spin room, and assisting the media here in the Carr Center where many journalists have gathered to watch the programming originating on the other side of campus.
Prior to the start of the debates, I accompanied a student photographer around campus, heading inside the fenced area where supporters had gathered to cheer on their candidate. Shortly thereafter, we were escorted into the debate hall with the professional photographers to collect images of the candidates as they arrived on the set.
We'll be off to the spin room at 9 p.m. to watch the candidates and their campaigns conduct media interviews. Stay tuned!
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1 comment June 3, 2007
T-2 hours and counting and the campus is full of satellite trucks, journalists, bloggers, and yes, campaign supporters. Despite a persistent misty rain, campaign supporters began lining up along Saint Anselm Drive early this afternoon. Its a back and forth, give and take game of chants, car horns, and noise makers.
Listen to the attached audio sample of some sounds along Saint Anselm Drive this afternoon.
Just as I was coming up the hill from the NHIOP, campaign supporters began to depart from their curbs along Saint Anselm Drive to an area in the vicinity of Sullivan Arena, the location of tonight's debates.
Earlier this afternoon, I watched as the CNN crew and the many Saint Anselm students assisting with debate prep stood in for final lighting, sound, and camera checks and practiced in unison the changing of the debate set from podiums to chairs.
The Carr Center has turned into the debate's press center welcoming 600 journalists from all major networks and countries worldwide. Stoughtenburgh Gym will become the focus after the debates as the candidates, campaign managers, and journalists use the building as a "spin room," where debate performances will be evaluated and graded.
Stay tuned for more…
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June 3, 2007
The Hills Are Alive With the Sound of… People
T-4 hours until it all begins, and already the sights and sounds of hundreds of supporters marching around campus and shouting for their candidate are piercing through the cold rain. Yes, Saint Anselm College has come alive and finds itself, once again, smack dab in the middle of the International spotlight.
There are more wires, paper, people, signs, shouting, and cheering than I've ever seen on campus. There is mayhem on the Hilltop, but then again, this is the moment we've all been waiting for.
Giddyup.
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June 3, 2007
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