If you’re in Indiana, then you know about the severe weather that passed through last Friday night and again today.

I personally thought we did a great job with our coverage. We’re very aware that you’re actually watching us to see programming, not sitting at home praying we’re going to interrupt your cerebral numbing with weather happening 100 miles away from you. To that end, we do our best to not cover programming. We wait until ABC goes to a break, we cut in, then get you back in time for our local break and back into the show.

During last Friday’s storms, we did our best, and did it pretty well. We didn’t cover any of the 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee, which let Hoosiers see an Indiana boy take the prize. We did blow off 20/20, but at that point the storms were extremely severe on Indianapolis’ east-side.

We spent the entire weekend covering the severe weather, so on Monday I was asked to put together a P.O.P. (Proof of Performance) spot. Here’s what we put together in just a few hours, with very little determined going in to the project (really, the music was the only thing we knew would make it into the spot).

http://www.sethkeever.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/5567_weatherpop15.flv http://www.sethkeever.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/5566_weatherpop30.flv

So, that was our fun Monday at RTV6. Be expecting these spots to change on Wednesday, as we get more video in from the TWO tornadoes Tuesday evening (does that make it a two-fer Tuesday?).

This could be my biggest fear as someone who works in broadcast television.

Now, they claim this was supposed to be a recorded segment, and the wrong tease was cued up. Last time I checked, a station like WNBC (which is facing major cutbacks) would be on some sort of automation system. Which means a Media Manager-type would have to ingest the spot, and I’m hoping would catch “what the fuck are you doing?”

It definitely makes for a more exciting newscast, though.

Anyone in television have an opinion on that?

“On*Star, how can I take your money?”

Okay, so that’s not what they really say when you push the blue button, but I’ve always thought of them as a scam. What are the chances that I’m going to crash in the middle of nowhere with no one there to see me? (Granted I do travel on many country back roads where sickle-wielding caped men try to kill young people just for being young). I just don’t see the purpose in paying an ungodly amount of money every year to have someone call 911 for me, that’s why I have a cell phone with GPS. Oddly enough though, I don’t see a problem with paying nearly $100 a year for RADIO (you know, that thing can come through the air for free?).

So, I’ll never use the blue button. Have no desire to. Have no need to. I won’t even push the phone button next to it, again, that’s why I have a cell phone. But I must say, that the e-mail I received the other day could make my free year of On*Star completely awesome.

My car e-mailed me.

Seriously.

I thought it was pretty cool to get a “Diagnostic Report” from my car. Now I know this isn’t supposed to surprise me because I’m a “geek,” but c’mon, how can you not be intrigued by this? I just hope the car doesn’t figure out my cell phone number, I’d hate to start getting texts like these at 3:00 in the morning:

R U redy 2 go outz?

Meetin up wit a hot Bonneville 2nite!!

I had so much ethanol I blew a gasket. It was awesome!

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On a completely unrelated note, I finally finished the Helio spot I’ve been complaining discussing on Twitter this week. Take a look… (I’m still not a fan of the disco ball, but at least it’s on the air)

http://www.sethkeever.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/5553_heliodance15_hi.flv

No, my spacebar isn’t broken. I just wanted you to know I was shouting the second title because of it’s importance. But it’s not important enough to be first… moving on…

Just a quick mention, that summer is officially here. How do I know this? Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy is in stores!

While I’m definitely a fan of pale ales, stouts and pretty much anything that isn’t made by Anheuser-Busch, Coors (for my purposes, Blue Moon is not technically a Coors product) or Miller, I must say that I enjoy the Shandy immensely.

It’s beer with lemonade! Imagine bubbly lemonade that gets you drunk. When I first heard Summer Shandy described I thought to myself,

“Well that sounds absolutely awful. I’d be better off putting mayonnaise in the sun for a few days, then mixing it with Jägermeister.”

But now that I’ve tried it? It’s absolutely delicious.

Grab a six-pack, crack one open and take a seat outside. You’ll know that summer is here.

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Gotta love a quick turnaround. Four hours, 10 seconds of final product.

http://www.sethkeever.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/5550_election10.flv

I spent a few hours early last week updating some of our news bumpers. They’re the quick 5 second spots that run between commercials in our newscasts. Most are things like, “Listen to 6 News in your car at 87.7 FM,” “School closings and delays. Get them first on the 6 News ticker during Good Morning Indiana.” Now you know.

I was pretty happy with how they turned out, especially for not taking a full day.

http://www.sethkeever.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/5431_newsbumpvideos.flv http://www.sethkeever.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/6002_newsbumpgas.flv

Now to what everyone wants to know, “What caused the Midwest earthquake?”

Well, judging by the switch in the Weather Office, I’d say the Off The Cuff guys or Kevin Gregory are to blame.

People said no one would watch. People said it wouldn’t last. People said there’s no way viewers will keep watching season after season. And yet, dancing fever struck a chord.

Especially last fall.

Who would have thought that Helio Castroneves, an IRL driver and 2-time Indianapolis 500 champ you wouldn’t know unless you kept track of the track, would win Dancing With The Stars and bring in the show’s highest ratings in the country right here in Indianapolis?

Well Hoosiers loved Helio and Julianne so much that Ms. Hough is performing the National Anthem at this year’s Indianapolis 500. I’m not sure if some people (including Hoosiers) realize how big of a deal this is. This is the largest single-day sporting event in the world, seen by racing fans around the globe. This could definitely help Julianne gain exposure as a recording artist.

But she’s not the point of this post. RTV6 (WRTV – ABC) has secured Helio Castroneves to be our “Driver Analyst” on Trackside 6 this year.

Amazing.

To that end, it has to be promoted. Here are the spots we’re using on-air to let the viewers know.

My boss wrote the spot, I produced and edited. Let’s just say, that I’m more than impressed these spots made it to air; especially considering we turned these in less than 6 hours (including audio cuts, hunting for video and crazy post-production to make that ribbon dance around Helio).

Enjoy.

http://www.sethkeever.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/helio_15.flv http://www.sethkeever.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/helio_05.flv

I spent the last 20 hours busting my butt to produce a new spot for 6 News Good Morning Indiana.

Oh, and a spot for TheINDYChannel.com.

Actually, they’re the same spot.

Starting tomorrow morning we’re going to be soliciting regular viewers for video content. We’re asking anyone with a video camera to record a “Good morning, Indiana” greeting that could be used on-air during the morning newscast. So feel free to make you own video and send it our way. Just go to TheINDYChannel.com and look on the right side of the page for “Good Morning Greetings.”

Here are the spots that start running in just a few hours. From conception, to creation, to air in less than 48 hours. Not too shabby.

http://www.sethkeever.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/gmiviewervid15.flv http://www.sethkeever.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/gmiviewervid10.flv http://www.sethkeever.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/gmiviewervid05.flv

It was an interesting day at work. From a pervert trying to convince middle schoolers to go with him for a “job or internship at Lilly,” to a rape and assault reported at an Indiana Pacers player’s house, it was definitely busy.

But we also had some touching stories. We’re running a piece tonight about drunk driving in Indiana. Apparently, some repeat drunk drivers are being let out of jail early and it’s causing problems on Hoosier streets. We focus on one family who lost a sister and new baby to a drunk driving accident. Here’s the promo:

http://www.sethkeever.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/0226nightcast15.flv

The other story I found interesting was more positive. Apparently Starbucks closed all of their stores today. Watch the spot, then share your thoughts:

http://www.sethkeever.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/0226five15.flv

The story was that Starbucks was actually closing all of their company-owned stores today, but only for a few hours in the evening to “retrain baristas on the art of coffee-making.”

Was the line about Starbucks misleading?

This year’s pick of movies are nothing short of outstanding masterpieces. In the last 3 years I’ve grown bored with the usual fodder at the box office.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the occasional popcorn flick. Transformers was absolutely amazing, and the revival of the Batman franchise by Christopher Nolan has been nothing short of breath-taking. I’ve always loved the Batman character and its depiction of a man fighting evil and his own inner demons, but back to the OSCARs. The films this year are absolutely fantastic.

There Will Be Blood, Charlie Wilson’s War, No Country For Old Men, Michael Clayton, American Gangster and Juno are my favorite ones this year. It’s the first time I’ve really appreciated these artistic films.

Charlie Wilson’s War is a very funny and accurate take on real life events. And an analysis of events that partially contributed to our current situation and involvement in the Middle East.

Michael Clayton was a fantastic thriller in the truest sense of the genre. George Clooney’s performance was just as good as always, but Tom Wilkinson stole every scene he was in. If you haven’t rented this movie, it’s a must-see.

American Gangster is a fantastic view of a world that seems so distant, but is so close to home. Denzel Washington is brilliant and powerful.

No Country For Old Men showcased brilliant acting and cinematography, but the directing was astounding. The Cohen brothers made sure every shot and every edit moved the plot along and tell the story. Again, if you haven’t seen this one, do it before Sunday.

There Will Be Blood was stolen by Daniel Day-Lewis. His performance was devastatingly real. I’m not even going to touch the “I drink your milkshake” line.

Juno. What else can I say? The story of a pregnant teen has never been told in such a humorous, yet real way.

Here are my picks for this year’s OSCAR Awards.

• Performance by an actor in a leading role
  • Daniel Day-Lewis in “There Will Be Blood”
• Performance by an actor in a supporting role
  • Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Charlie Wilson’s War”
• Performance by an actress in a leading role
  • Ellen Page in “Juno”
• Performance by an actress in a supporting role
  • Ruby Dee in “American Gangster”
• Best animated feature film of the year
  • “Ratatouille”
• Achievement in cinematography
  • “No Country for Old Men”
• Achievement in directing
  • “No Country for Old Men”
• Achievement in film editing
  • “There Will Be Blood”
• Best motion picture of the year
  • “Michael Clayton”
  • “No Country for Old Men”
  • “There Will Be Blood”
• Adapted screenplay
  • “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”
• Original screenplay
  • “Michael Clayton”

The devastating storms that swept across Central Indiana last night, had a bigger impact than damaged homes and businesses. These same storms are being blamed for nearly 50 deaths in states to our south. Needless to say, they’re a big news story pretty much everywhere.

We led First at 5:00 with a national view of the storms followed by the damage left here in Indiana. There’s so much good video and so many stories to tell that we occasionally use what’s called a “cold open.”

For those of you who aren’t familiar with broadcast news, a cold open is a pre-produced element of the show that runs right when the newscast begins. In the case of today’s show, we went to black at the end of Judge Judy then came up on the cold open that also incorporated our quick 5:00 open (or “front door open”). The cold open has Todd’s audio track, music, sound effects, video and graphics all together. Ours included a soundbyte from a witness to the storm, video of cars and houses in Indiana, and some national video from ABC News.

Here’s what I put together:

http://www.sethkeever.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/20080206_coldopen.flv

Elisabeth Hasselbeck just equated the Giants “conservative” season with conservative political views. WTF?

Luckily this made it to air, just in time.
http://www.sethkeever.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/20080130coldopen.flv