Behind the Scenes with PCN's Dave Emenheiser

Dave EmenheiserDave Emenheiser - HOTR Series Producer

Talk about your role in putting together HOTR?

I’m the producer of the series for Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN). That means working with PHC to select the programs and locations for the show. After that putting together the logistics of the program — what we’re going to do technically. Putting the crews together, etc.

What experiences have prepared you for HOTR?

A lot of things. I was an art major in high school so I have some experience with the arts. I also played the violin and also the flute for a very short time, so I have some musical background. I’ve worked in TV production since I was about 15 years old. I was at a TV station before I graduated from high school. So, I’ve got about 28 years worth of broadcasting experience with radio, TV, cable. In the ten years I’ve been at PCN, I have produced a number of series that are a little more involved with production values, such as the state park series and the It’s History series. A number of those elements — how to put together a show, how to edit it, to time it and pace it — all go into putting together a show like HOTR.

How is producing HOTR different than producing other shows you’ve done?

There are unique challenges. While state parks involve different locations, they’re all pretty similar formats. The challenge there is to make each state park individual and different. For HOTR, every location is different. It could be a library. It could be a performing arts center, a theatre. We were in a barn which added its own production elements. It’s a different presentation each time. One time it may be music, another time it may be a lecture with slides. We get a different audience for each one. So, you have to take all of those elements into consideration.

Have you learned anything as a producer from this experience?

There have been a couple of things. On the humorous side, if you do a site survey you should ask about any background noises. We had one taping where there was a helicopter next door. We didn’t hear it at all during the site survey, but it kept coming and going during the program. On a more practical side, it’s a little different from some other things I’ve done where I’ve had more control. I’ve learned to go ahead and make decisions about when it’s OK to stop and start the cameras and to take the time.

Favorite experiences so far?

All of the presentations have been very interesting so far. But, I think one of the most interesting was the presentation [PA German Music Dance & Instruments] in the barn in Kempton. It had a lot of production challenges, but it ended up with a very good look with people sitting on hay bales and having the doors open and being able to see the landscape in the background. It was visually appealing and because it was a musical presentation, it was very upbeat.