Tall ships make great TV

I was able to assist with some great TV live shots this past weekend for the Baylake Bank Tall Ship Festival. I had early morning TV with FOX 11 on Friday and with CBS 5 on Sunday. Both stations were on the ship Bounty as it has one of the best stories to tell. The ship was used in many movies including the last two flicks of Pirates of the Caribbean. It was built for the 1962 movies Mutiny On The Bounty and its helm (steering wheel) was used in Hollywood sound stage. The Captain says John Wayne, Clark Gable, Charlton Heston and Johnny Depp are among those who have used it.

In any case, for the Saturday morning live shot on FOX 11 the Captain wondered if Angela Kelly might like to shoot off a cannon live on TV. The answer was a resounding yes. He wondered if it might be too early to do at 8:15am but we all said heck let's go for it. I've heard the cannons and know they're extremely loud. He said Angela had to wear ear protection. When she lit it I was about 5 feet behind her and felt the impact in my chest when the black powder went off. Incredible feeling. On Sunday morning, Hilary Golston of CBS 5 climbed up the side of Bounty and did a live shot from the ropes hanging over the Fox River. She was going to climb all the way to the top of the eagle's nest (I think that's what you call it), but then changed her mind. I didn't blame her!

It's these unique opportunities that make my job fun. Seeing what's possible and seeing what the reporter is willing to do. Both were great live TV. During the course of the weekend, I helped with stories on ship security, two additional stories on the Bounty, a story on the Sisters Under Sail program on the Unicorn and did countless other interviews. Working the festival all 3 days gave me a good feel that those who attended really had a good time. So did I!