Sprucing up the place…
The recently installed backdrop in the broadcast press room.
The Oklahoma House is perhaps taking a cue from Oklahoma State University’s clever, “Hire OSUgrads” media back drop with it’s latest purchase. The division purchased a navy blue backdrop with the state seal on it. The new backdrop was installed Friday in the broadcast press room.
Total cost: $1,800.
The backdrop was ordered last legislative session, said Jennifer Monies, spokeswoman for the Speaker of the House. That was before the state had to start freezing travel and talking furloughs.
The backdrop will only be used by state officials. House staff say they plan to install some kind of lock to keep random groups from using the state seal background so their message is not confused with the “official message” of the state’s elected leaders. Monies said the House media staff is starting to shoot more of its own video and bright blue walls of the broadcast room didn’t make for a good shot. House media staff consulted with OETA, who helped set up the room and the House videographer before making the purchase, Monies said.
Handling the backdrop could be tricky. Random groups often take advantage of the room’s technology and captive media audience to promote their cause or publicly air their worry with state government.
Broadcast reporters who cover the Capitol also work out of this room during the legislative session. Print reporters are just across the hall.
If you have an issue to promote it’s really easy to get a few warm bodies to cover your press conference if you show up at their office. Yes, sometimes we like the low hanging fruit handed to us. Whether we write about it or not is a different story.
– JULIE BISBEE, Capitol Bureau
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