Dorner Do's and Don'ts

In a world filled with unpredictable twists and turns, Team Tuesday managed to land one of the biggest breaking news stories in years. That morning everything I knew about ATVN changed.

We knew there was the State of the Union address, we had heard of Pope Benedict XVI's papal pacemaker, but what we didn't know, was that the Dorner case would burst into flames right before our eyes, literally.

I can't tell you when it all happened or when that sudden panic attack hit me and my team. It had been a day filled with news. We couldn't ask for a better news day and everything was coming in at a steady pace. As Video Teammate, I actually felt pretty good about what was yet to become our first live show. The stories were written and the videos slowly started to go online. Then came the breaking news and all hell broke loose.

Graphics needed to be redone, stories needed to be reformatted and re-dited. Information was abundantly complicated. NBC, KTLA, CBS and CNN had their choppers on the scene in Big Bear. We had our eyes glued to every TV screen in the newsroom. When it came down to it, we didn't need a helicopter to get the Dorner story together, we needed each other.

The Dorner story wasn't like anything else we've ever experienced. Right before our eyes was so much unconfirmed information. We had to act fast and rely on each other for support. Who was calling LAPD? Where was the ordered Dorner video? And how did we want to present the story? Communication was key. Sometimes, there's no such thing as over communicating.

My team and I scrambled. And while I left the newsroom feeling confident and headed to the studio, the Dorner story left us with so many holes to fill. Under pressure, we had failed to tell each other what needed to be done in a moment of crises. And while the newscast turned out great (if I can say so myself), I've compiled a list of Dorner Do's and Don'ts.

Do:

1. Write things in the notes column and indicate who the writer is in the writers column.

2. Communicate with your lead constantly, especially when things are changing in the rundown.

3. Talk to graphics about what exactly you want on each full screen.

4. Tell your MJs to remember to get both sides of every story.

5. Thank everyone for their hard work.

6. Double and triple check everything.

7. Adapt to every situation.

8. STAY IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR PRODUCERS. Every change. Every moment. Every story.

Don't:

1. Assume other people will know what you're talking about.

2. Leave the newsroom without clearly indicating what is left to be done.

3. Forget to talk to each other every time there's a change in the rundown.

4. Expect your anchors to know how to pronounce all the words in their script.

5. Be afraid to speak up.

6. Let pressure get the best of you.

This week was filled with surprises and next week I'll be the lead producer. Here's to communication, team coverage and an unforgettable newscast.