By JAKE SMETHURST
In this contemporary world, most people wouldn’t go a day without watching a news bulletin, making the faces behind the TV news desk familiar to us all. But what goes into the making of a news bulletin, and what does a news presenter do? This photo essay followed Peter Hitchener through his day at Channel 9 and related duties. Apart from the seeing his face in every image below, there is another consistency in these photos: because they didn't stop so the pictures could be taken, there a slight motion blur on some objects or individuals in every one, whether it is a microphone, a hand moving quickly, or an individual completely out of focus.
1 - Nine News Melbourne's Peter Hitchener, presenting the Behind the Wheel radio segment with co-host Chris Miller. Far from a car novice, Hitchener joins the Behind the Wheel program regularly Tuesday mornings, reviewing new cars and updating the world with the latest automobile news.
2 – After a busy morning at the 3AW radio studios, Hitchener keeps updated with the day’s news by checking headlines, reading scripts, and making any necessary changes to the day's schedule.
3 – As the first of the afternoon news breaks quickly approaches, Hitchener decides to get his hair and makeup done by just one of a number of makeup artists available. The life of a news presenter never stops and he continues to take a number of calls during the process.
4 – Including reading the news breaks throughout the day, Hitchener provides updates and promos to a number of radio stations across Melbourne, all in the lead up to the main 6pm bulletin. To do this, Hitchener uses a small voice production booth where he can communicate directly with producers at the varying number of radio studios.
5 – Hitchener checks his script and prepares to record a news break in the main Nine News Melbourne studio. The news break will go to air during the afternoon to give viewers a sneak peak at the evening’s main news bulletin.
6 – An up-to-date news presenter is a popular one. Hitchener has the latest social media, including Twitter, Instagram and Periscope. Here he records a live video to his fans via the Periscope app, giving a sneak preview in what to expect on Nine News at six.
7 – As a popular news presenter, Hitchener receives a lot of fan mail. Here he and his personal assistant, Rhys, read a letter and a drawing from a five-year-old girl. The letter noted how Hitchener was "the best news presenter ever", and asked if he "made the news from home?”
8 – Hitchener noted that being a news presenter is both fun and busy. Capturing the moment of both these variables, Hitchener is getting his suit prepared while remaining relaxed, and Rhys is having fun by posing for the camera.
9 – With under an hour left until Hitchener is due to be live on air for the 6pm news, he visits the newsroom to finalise his preparations and to make sure everything is running smoothly. It was a particularly busy day for the Nine News team due to a number of breaking news stories. He also talked to other reporters and presenters, including Jo Hall and Brett McLeod, to see how they were going.
10 – With more than 40 years of news experience, 69-year-old Peter Hitchener is one of the best in the business, and hopes to remain in the industry for some time yet.
