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The Hills Are Alive With the Sound of… People

June 3, 2007 By

Satellite Trucks Outside of Stoutenburgh GymnasiumT-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.

Filed Under: N.H. Presidential Primary Debates, New Hampshire Primary

Ready, Set, Go

June 3, 2007 By

Debate day is upon us, and in less than 24 hours the Democrats will have had their turn, and it will be time for the Republicans to take the stage.

We’ve all seen an amazing transformation executed by some pretty incredible people.  The staffs from both the college and CNN, side-by-side with some students, have worked tirelessly to make this go off without a hitch.  Well, at least without a noticeable one :-) .  The grunt work has been tiresome and sometimes tedious.  We’ve worked through the blistering heat and the brutal hail.  We’ve made signs, photocopies, delivered food, picked up food, set up stages, posed as candidates, given directions, been chauffeurs, made phone calls, typed emails, and done everything in between.  We’re exhausted.  But we will continue to press on, because it will all be worth it when tomorrow we hear those much anticipated words: “Live from Saint Anselm College…”

Filed Under: N.H. Presidential Primary Debates, New Hampshire Primary

Saint Anselm College Debate News for 2007-06-02

June 2, 2007 By
Filed Under: Announcements, N.H. Presidential Primary Debates, New Hampshire Primary

"Running" for CNN – Day 2

June 2, 2007 By

CNN DEBATES (SAT, JUNE 2) 083.jpgOnce again, a number of Saint Anselm College students donned their "CNN – ALL ACCESS" credentials today and headed out onto campus to assist the network with their debate preparations. Several students were assigned to the debate hall while others helped guide campaign staffers through the maze of campus buildings that are being utilized for the debates. More students were utilized later in the evening for a rehearsal of the Democratic Debate to be held Sunday night.

CNN DEBATES (SAT, JUNE 2) 014.jpgMy job today was to help staff the Quad, where two CNN satellite trucks were parked to send out stories to both CNN as we see it here in the country, and the international feed seen around the world. With Alumni Hall as a backdrop, two of CNN's reporters broadcast live to the world as I looked on. Before each live shot, the crew would ask that I step in front of the camera, to allow for the adjusting of lighting and to frame the shot appropriately.

CNN DEBATES (SAT, JUNE 2) 049.jpgLater in the day, the "CNN ELECTION EXPRESS" arrived on the Quad. This brand new bus will be utilized by the network in the remainder of this election cycle to serve as a mobile newsroom, visiting political hot spots around the country. In what seems like a natural fit, the bus began its trek around the country here at Saint Anselm College. It was a privilege to be one of the first people onto the bus, along with a number of CNN executives who are here on site for the debates to have a first look at what will be seen by millions in the upcoming campaign coverage.

As the work day came to a close, many of us who are working the debates returned to Sullivan Arena to check out the nearly finished set. Students were brought on stage to stand in for candidates, testing the camera angles, audio, and lighting. With ten cameras working around the set, Saint Anselm students literally took a center stage roll in the primary process.

Filed Under: Announcements, N.H. Presidential Primary Debates, New Hampshire Primary

From Hockey To Presidential Debates

June 2, 2007 By

Two weeks ago, Saint Anselm College hosted their commencement in the Thomas Sullivan Ice Arena. The arena was packed with graduates and their friends and family. As their walked across the stage it was hard to imagine the transformation the arena would undergo.

Perhaps, for students it is even harder to imagine that the place where many go to cheer on their favorite hockey teams, will now be used to stage a critical political event.

A small bit of irony in all this, is that the place where teams body check each other into boards, will now host an event in which candidates are sure to body check their opponents.

Note: It is Saint Anselm College, NOT Saint Anselm's College.

Filed Under: N.H. Presidential Primary Debates, New Hampshire Primary

"Running" for CNN – Day 1

June 2, 2007 By

A number of Saint Anselm College students arrived on campus today to serve as "runners" for CNN. After a quick introduction, students were whisked off to a number of locations around campus, I was sent to Sullivan Arena, where the debates will be held, with two other students.

Working alongside the behind-the-scenes staff of CNN who have spent months planning the logistics of the operation, we all quickly came to realize how invested the network had become in producing this event. Our interaction with the set designers, technicians and producers — among many others — began to give us a sense of just how large of a production this will be.

After our shift ended, a tour of campus gave all of us a preview of what to expect in the coming days: satellite trucks are parked around the quad, prepared to broadcast with Alumni Hall in the background. The Carr Center, a multipurpose sports and recreation building has been transformed by what seems like miles of wires, and hundreds of chairs into what will be the press file center. Crews worked late into the night, preparing for what promises to be a busy weekend.

Filed Under: N.H. Presidential Primary Debates, New Hampshire Primary

Live From Saint Anselm College – CNN's News Programming Schedule For June 3-6

June 1, 2007 By

Many of CNN's regular news programs will be broadcast live from Saint Anselm College beginning Sunday, June 3 through Wednesday, June 6. The Democrats debate on Sunday, June 3, followed on Tuesday, June 5 by the Republicans. Stay tuned to CNN for pre-debate and post-debate analysis.

Follow student bloggers who will be posting during the debates, listen to podcast interviews, and check back for lots of photos..

** All programs are live from Saint Anselm College unless otherwise indicated.

Sunday, June 3  
7 a.m.-8:30 a.m. CNN Sunday Morning with reports from Bill Schneider
9 a.m.-10 a.m. CNN Sunday Morning with reports from Bill Schneider
10 a.m.-11 a.m. Reliable Sources with reports from Wolf Blitzer and John Roberts
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer
5 p.m.-7 p.m. Raw Politics, pre-debate program anchored by Lou Dobbs
7 p.m.-9 p.m. CNN/WMUR/New Hampshire Union Leader Democratic Candidate Debate – Live From Saint Anselm College
9 p.m.-11 p.m. Raw Politics, post-debate program anchored by Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, Larry King, and John Roberts
Monday, June 4  
6 a.m.-9 a.m. American Morning With John Roberts and Kiran Chetry
4 p.m.-6 p.m. The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer
7 p.m.-8 p.m. The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Soledad O’Brien moderating the Sojourners’ forum live from Washington, D.C.
8 p.m.-9 p.m. Paula Zahn Now from New York
Tuesday, June 5  
6 a.m.-9 a.m. American Morning with John Roberts and Kiran Chetry
4 p.m.-6 p.m. The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer
6 p.m.-7 p.m. Lou Dobbs Tonight
7 p.m.-9 p.m. CNN/WMUR/New Hampshire Union Leader Republican Candidate Debate – Live From Saint Anselm College
9 p.m.-11 p.m. Raw Politics, a post-debate program anchored by Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, Larry King, and John Roberts
11 p.m.-12 a.m. Anderson Cooper 360º
Wed., June 6  
6 a.m.-9 a.m. American Morning with John Roberts and Kiran Chetry
   
Filed Under: Announcements, N.H. Presidential Primary Debates, New Hampshire Primary

Debate Set Comes Together, Format Will Involve Questions From Panel, Audience

May 31, 2007 By

WMUR-TV, one of the co-sponsors of the Republican and Democratic debates at Saint Anselm College, has posted some time-lapse photos of the debate set construction on their Web site. You can also view a video news report titled "Set Will Bring Audience Into Debate," which provides some details about the uniqueness of the set design.

[Excerpt From WMUR-TV] Three days before the Democratic candidates for president will square off in New Hampshire, crews continued to work to complete the set for the debate.

"This is going to be the most interesting debate set anyone's ever seen, and we're putting it together for the first time," said David Bohrman, CNN senior vice president.

Right down to the podiums, everything has a modern feel. Squares behind the stage will be filled with fabric cubes with stars and presidential seals lit from the inside.

WMUR's Scott Spradling and the Union Leader's Tom Fahey will be asking questions while CNN's Wolf Blitzer moderates.

The twist will come during the second hour, when the focus switches from the panelists to New Hampshire voters. WMUR's Jennifer Vaughn will be the floor reporter, and voters will ask questions while the candidates pull up chairs for a town meeting-style hour.

"There will be 10 cameras," Bohrman said. "They need to be brought in, wired, and cabled, and the audio has to come in."

Once it's all in place, Bohrman said it should wow everyone, including those watching from their living rooms.


Visit WMUR-TV's Web site for the complete story and additional videos >>

Filed Under: Announcements, N.H. Presidential Primary Debates, New Hampshire Primary

Boston's 96.9 FM Talk to Provide Post-Debate Analysis June 3 and 5

May 31, 2007 By

969Boston's 96.9 FM Talk will be at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP) on Sunday, June 3 and Tuesday, June 5 for the Democratic and Republican Presidential Candidates Debates and Post-Analysis live remote broadcasts.

People are invited to stop by and watch the the debates, 7-9 p.m. on both nights on two big screens and then participate in 96.9's post-debate analysis, immediately following, 9-11 p.m. both nights. If you can't be at the NHIOP, the debates will be carried live on 96.9 FM Talk, courtesy of CNN.

Immediately following the Democratic Debate on Sunday, June 3, from 9-11 p.m., the live broadcast, post-debate analysis, will be hosted by Margery Eagan, Jim Braude, and Jay Severin.

Following the Republican Debate on Tuesday, June 5, from 9-11 p.m., the live broadcast, post-debate analysis, will be hosted by Jay Severin and Michael Graham.

Seating is limited for both events and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Doors will open at 6 p.m. both nights.

Filed Under: Announcements, N.H. Presidential Primary Debates, New Hampshire Institute of Politics, New Hampshire Primary

Interview With CNN Lighting Designer Mike Poley

May 31, 2007 By

Debate Setup - Saint Anselm CollegeSaint Anselm College's Sullivan Arena, the location of CNN's presidential primary debates, is ripe with activity. I was briefly at the arena this morning and crews are hard at work constructing the stage's backdrop and staging, debate lighting, and seating.

We were lucky to grab CNN's lighting designer, Mike Poley, from Washington, D.C., for an impromptu interview about some of the work that is going into getting the debate facilities into shape for Sunday and Tuesday's Democratic and Republican debates.

During the time leading up to the debates, we'll be providing periodic updates in this blog, so check back regularly.

To hear the interview with CNN's Mike Poley, click on the audio file included with this post.

Filed Under: Announcements, N.H. Presidential Primary Debates, New Hampshire Primary, Podcasts