The Early Risers of WWAY

WWAY did not have to look far to find a subject for this week’s Early Risers segment. The crew responsible for getting Good Morning Carolina on the air everyday gets up earlier than most. In fact, some have backward schedules.

Producer Crystal Gentry works from midnight until 8:00 a.m. “I get here, put the show together to have a great newscast every morning,” she said.

Kevin Wuzzardo and Marcy Cuevas come in at 3:00 a.m., followed shortly by their director, J.R Quitman. “When I get here I have to put the rundown together. It is the rundown I use for the show, said Quitman.

Everything you see on the air, whether it is video, the anchors or Jerry Jackson’s weather graphics, are on there because of what J.R. does.

Since Good Morning Carolina begins at 5:00 a.m., the rest of the production staff arrive by 4:15 a.m., doing their chores before the show begins.

Megan Simanca, NewChannel 3’s Production Assistant, said, ”We set up audio, we set up all the cameras, make sure all lighting is good, set up Chyron and graphics – then just wait for you guys.”

There are usually two camera operators, trucking the cameras across the studio making sure Kevin, Jerry and Marcy are framed correctly.

“Basically it’s just a zoom or a pan. They’re a lot easier to handle on wheels,” added Simanca.

And as for what you hear coming across the airwaves that is the responsibility of Audio. The crew rotates, but this morning, Chuck Denson is the one responsible for making sure our microphones are turned on or off, and that the sound levels are correct.

“We have to raise or lower the volumes as necessary and pay attention to what’s going on, for example, I’m a little low right now,” said Denson.

So next time you watch the morning news, keep in mind how hard the crew works and how early they have to get up.