The cast of Bellarmine’s spring theater production, NETWORK, had the exciting opportunity this week to visit the studio of NBC Bay Area and Telemundo for an immersive, behind-the-scenes look at how professional news broadcasts come to life. Led by the network’s Community Engagement Manager, Liza Catalan, and 24-year NBC anchor, Laura Garcia, students spent the morning exploring the intricate and fast-paced world of television news production before watching the 11am newscast live on set!
A Deep Dive into the News Industry
The visit began with a few facts on the history of NBC Bay Area, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary serving the country’s 10th-largest news market this year. Students learned how the station has evolved over the decades, covering major news stories as well as community pieces in our own neighborhoods, while adapting to the ever-changing media landscape.
Mrs. Garcia, anchor of the station’s weekday morning and midday shows, guided much of the tour, explaining key industry concepts like syndication and story assignments along the way. She also discussed how news production has shifted away from traditional “appointment television” in order to reach younger audiences through digital platforms, social media, podcasts and apps, as students engaged in conversations about how they consume news today and reflected on how the media landscape has shifted since NETWORK first premiered in 1976.
Exploring the Studio and Meeting the Experts
During the visit, students got to hear from staffers across multiple departments about things like digital graphics, photography, editing, commercial production, creative services, meteorology, traffic reporting, camera coding, and more. Staff members discussed the critical role each plays in the operations of the station and the creation of multiple newscasts per day.
Along the way, staff members answered questions about their career journeys, where they went to college and what they studied, offering students a glimpse into the different pathways that can lead to a career in broadcast journalism and television production.
An Inside Look at Live News Production
One of the most existing parts of the field trip was watching the 11am newscast from both the control room and the studio. Producer Justin Lowenhagen narrated the process, explaining how cues, improvisation, and real-time adjustments take place. Students observed how producers and directors work seamlessly to ensure smooth transitions between segments, showcasing the intense coordination required for a live broadcast.
Students even got hands-on experience as they stood in front of the green screen used for weather reporting, walked through the set, sat behind the news desk, and explored the intricate lighting, cameras, and teleprompter systems that bring the news to life.
Bridging News Production and Theater Arts
Chaperoning the trip was Bellarmine’s Theater Arts Director, Mr. Peter Canavese, who helped facilitate conversations about the day-to-day interactions that take place at the news station, providing important context for the roles students will play on stage.
Students were eager to ask questions about the mechanics of news production, from the time it takes to produce a two-minute segment to the level of improvisation involved in live reporting. Laura Garcia offered valuable advice on building confidence and handling social anxiety when broadcasting to thousands of viewers.
By the end of the visit, students had gained a profound appreciation for the behind-the-scenes teamwork and technical expertise required to deliver news in a dynamic media landscape. The NETWORK cast left inspired, armed with knowledge and insights they can apply to their own production, bringing their storytelling to new heights.
Bellarmine’s Theater Arts program will be performing NETWORK at the Sobrato Theater on May 8-11, 2025.