Behind the Scenes: WPTA's New Set

Last minute preparations continue for the debut of WPTA's new set, planned for Tuesday's 5 pm newscast. "People [at the station] are excited," said one longtime employee. "We've been in need of a new set for a long time."

"It's not 33's old set," said the source. "The only thing from 33 is the news desk and the lights, and they hired a lighting expert to set them up. The lighting is so much better -- it makes the anchors look younger."

The new set, which was supposed to be ready in September, was constructed in the studio formerly used to tape programs like IMPACT. "It's a bigger space with a higher ceiling."

The source said the set has two tiers and a series of plasma screens. And like WPTA's current set, it feature an open newsroom. "There will be people behind the on-air talent, but they'll be off to the side and further back than they are now."

One feature that won't be ready for tomorrow is an electronic news ticker, similar to what ABC News has in Times Square. "It will be above the anchors' heads."

The source also says space will be at a premium. "The sports and weather guys have to stand. The desk is too small for more than two people, and it isn't too far from the hallway, which makes it difficult for the camera crew to get all the shots they need.

"There was a run-through last week and what the camera crew had to go through to get the shots of Dean Pantazi and Curtis Smith was just ridiculous."

Promos teasing the makeover promise a new generation of local news, but even the insider says most people at the station don't know what that means.

"Management met with producers about the changes in the content of the newscasts, but everyone else is pretty much in the dark. The rest of the employees have only heard, 'More content in a quicker fashion. More, done better.'"

And what about the "21Alive" moniker?  Will that be dropped?

"None of us know," said the source.  "We've seen graphics that say 'Indiana's News Center,' but that's as much as we know."

So will everything ready for tomorrow's big debut?

"I think they're rushing it on the air before they're ready. They're still having another rehearsal tonight."