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Lawrence Herbert students prep for ‘Hofstra Votes Live’

"Hofstra Votes Live" national anchors Yaw Bonsu, Crystal Bermudez and Daniel DeCrescenzo working through their scripts during weekend rehearsals for the show. Professor Liz Burke is at right. // Photo by Scott Brinton/Long Island Advocate

The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication’s three TV production studios, Content Suite and WRHU radio station were abuzz with activity throughout the weekend as students rehearsed for the third edition of “Hofstra Votes Live,” a four-hour simulcast that the school produces on Election Day every other year.

Professor Randy Hillebrand, at back right, standing, mentoring students in the control room. // Photo by Scott Brinton/Long Island Advocate

The simulcast, which aired for the first time in 2018, will be broadcast this year on Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 8 p.m. to midnight on the Herbert School’s YouTube and Facebook channels, Hofstra University Channel 32.2 (HEAT Network) and WRHU 88.7 FM, one of the largest radio news stations on Long Island — and the winner of four Marconi Awards.

A team meeting before rehearsals got under way on Saturday. // Photo by Scott Brinton/Long Island Advocate

This year’s broadcast will pay particular attention to the key role that New York State is playing on the national political stage, with the race for governor between incumbent Kathy Hochul and surging challenger Lee Zeldin garnering press attention across the country and three critical congressional districts on Long Island — 1, 3 and 4 — considered up for grabs.

Members of the newsroom team hurriedly conducting last-minute research. // Photo by Scott Brinton/Long Island Advocate

The students have worked on the broadcast since August, researching candidates to develop profiles on them, tracking polls, exploring campaign issues, creating graphics, writing scripts, learning how to operate cameras in multiple locations, shooting on-site video packages with interviews, assembling sets, developing a public relations campaign and social media presence, practicing in front of the camera and memorizing lines, all with the understanding that they must be prepared for anything to happen on Election Day.

The broadcast is Hofstra’s largest simulcast, with thousands of viewers, listeners and impressions each year, including the largest number of social media impressions. The simulcast, which is expected to meet professional industry standards, is entirely student-run, with mentorship this year by Professors Nicole Clarity, Randy Hillebrand, Liz Burke and Scott Brinton.

The simulcast will be broadcast this year on Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 8 p.m. to midnight on the Herbert School’s YouTube and Facebook channels, Hofstra University Channel 32.2 (HEAT Network) and WRHU 88.7 FM.

Isabella LoBue, national head of newsroom, and Noah Weiss, coordinating producer, conferring in the Herbert School’s Content Suite, which will serve as the newsroom on election night. // Photo by Scott Brinton/Long Island Advocate
ID badges sit ready for Tuesday. // Photo by Scott Brinton/Long Island Advocate
Regional anchors Lindsey Hill and Nick Constanzo running through their lines. // Photo by Scott Brinton/Long Island Advocate
The national desk anchors on the control room monitors. // Photo by Scott Brinton/Long Island Advocate
Regional map reporter Jason Weick, above, and national map reporter Michael Richardson, below, at work during Sunday’s dress rehearsal. // Photo by Scott Brinton/Long Island Advocate
With rehearsals wrapping up, cameras stand ready to roll on Tuesday. // Photo by Scott Brinton/Long Island Advocate