(L-R) Pam Parris Allen, Leesa Moore Herman, Keyetta MangumCapitol Broadcasting Company has been on the leading edge in so many areas of broadcasting. These firsts are most evident to the public on WRAL simply because viewers can see when we introduce new technology. But, there are firsts going on behind the scenes as well, especially in terms of human resources. Today well take a look at the three women who have held the reins of one of the most highly acclaimed newscasts in the nation; WRAL News. Their title; Director/Producer.
The three women, from first to current, are Pam Parris Allen, Leesa Moore Herman, and Keyetta Mangum. These three women directors span the years at WRAL from 1981 present. That is 36 years. The path that each one took to attain their goal is quite similar. Here are their stories, in their own words.
PAM PARRIS ALLEN
Since I was the first female director and author of this Throwback Thursday for CapCom, Ill kick it off. I arrived at WRAL in late August, 1981. I am the only female director who worked at another television station prior to my time at WRAL. Here is my story.
Pam Parris, Director/Producer 1981-87.
I became fascinated with behind-the-scenes television in a rather odd way. During my high school years, I would arrive home after school and watch The Merv Griffin Show, a syndicated talk show that aired on WFMY-TV in Greensboro. During Mervs opening monologue the viewer could occasionally see camera shots of the audience, usually reaction shots from a joke or something clever delivered by Merv. But what caught my eye was a person seated in the front row of the studio audience. He was there for every show. Sometimes you could see him use hand signals, other times he was talking on a phone not a cell phone; remember this was quite a while ago. One day, Merv strolled out and chatted with folks in the audience. As he made his way back to the stage he stopped and talked with that guy. Merv introduced him to everyone as Bob Shanks; his producer. Ah! A name and title to place with the face. More later on Bob Shanks. But from that point on I became very curious about the behind-the-scenes people working in television.
I knew exactly what I wanted to major in at college; broadcasting. I was aware that UNC-CH offered a degree in RTVMP (radio, television, motion pictures). I also heard from my neighbor, a student at Appalachian State University, that AppState had just started a broadcast major. A plan crystalized in my mind; go to ASU for two years and transfer to UNC for my last two years. But, after two years at ASU I decided to stay in Boone all four years. Once a Mountaineer always a Mountaineer. I interned at WFMY-TV in Greensboro during my last semester of college (1975) and they hired me after I graduated. I was on my way.
Control Room in 1982. Action News 5 at 6:00PM
All female staff! (L-R) Connie Lane, Producer. Tammy Martin, Audio.
Pam Parris, Director. Celia Hartnett, News production assistant (back to camera)
My time at WFMY was great. Within two years, I became a director; the stations first female director. I was working with savvy news people like Rabun Matthews, Jim Eldridge, and Richard Griffiths. I learned how to create innovative production techniques for newscasts and special projects from people like Tom Zattizahn with Magid Associates, Larry Perret (EP at WFMY) who ultimately built KCBS News in Los Angeles into a powerhouse in the late 90s, and Bruce MacCallum (Producer at WFMY) who became a long-time senior producer at Entertainment Tonight. News 2 was a dominant newscast in the Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem market and it was an honor to have been able to direct the 11:00 newscast back then. After four years of directing at WFMY, I was called to join WRAL in August 1981 by WRAL Program Director Jack Markham. I would be WRALs first female director. I hit the ground running. Within the second week, I was directing the noon newscast. Four months later, January, 1982, I was tapped to direct Action News 5 6PM newscasts a newscast that routinely pulled a 53 Share compared to WTVDs 25. Three months later we were rehearsing and blocking cameras for the hour-long newscast that premiered on June 14, 1982. Action News 5 at 6:00 was so dominant that it was declared the #1 Newscast in the nation according the Nielson ratings May, 1984.
My most memorable project was directing and producing the Inauguration of North Carolina Governor Jim Martin. It was a unique project in many ways. It was presented by the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters and televised statewide. The production staff (camera operators) came from different stations throughout the state, mainly eastern North Carolina. Field anchors were from other stations as well. The production truck, WRALs Unit Zero, was staffed by WRAL. I met my entire crew for the first and only time the morning of the inauguration! The morning was cold, and snafus popped up before we even arrived on site. The crane for the aerial camera was not only late, but went to the wrong site! The location of the cannons for the salute changed from the initial location planned by the inaugural committee to a far flung place on the other side of ceremonial stage. Just like Gumby , we flexed and adjusted to the situation. As soon as we rolled the open, everything fell into place. Fabulous broadcast! We felt honored to be a part of making North Carolina history.
Pam Parris, Director, seated in front of News Director Jim Hefner.
News secretary, Katherine Acton looking over Pams shoulder.
The craziest directing moment that comes to mind is when WRAL News anchor Denece Boyer finished the news segment in the noon newscast and tossed to WRAL meteorologist Bill Schmidt for weather. Well, Bills name unfortunately rhymes with another word associated with sca
