'5, 4, 3, 2, 1… start!'

QTO - For those working in live television broadcasting, it's not just a command before going on air. It's the moment when all eyes are on the control screen, all senses are heightened, and all contingency plans are ready. After that countdown comes weeks and months of preparation; pressure, responsibility, silent sacrifices, and the very personal happiness of dozens, even hundreds, of crew members.

Behind the scenes story

As a journalist dedicated to live programs at Quang Binh Radio and Television Station, now Quang Tri Newspaper and Radio and Television, my team and I have been entrusted by the leadership to produce hundreds of live television programs. Unlike recorded programs that can be edited and prepared before broadcasting, live television demands absolute precision.

Every second on screen is real time; there's no such thing as "replay." To create just a few dozen minutes of full broadcast time, a team of dozens to hundreds of people must prepare for months, going through many different stages.

The biggest challenge for those working in live television is the ability to adapt and improvise. Program scripts often need to be revised dozens of times, sometimes even at the last minute before airing. Some productions require complex site surveys and setups, but at the last minute, these might have to be canceled or the locations changed at the partner's request. Without a strong sense of responsibility and sharp thinking, scriptwriters would find it difficult to maintain the necessary emotional drive to revise and perfect the script for the... "n"th time.

The crew of Quang Tri Newspaper and Radio & Television after completing the program - Photo: DM

Besides ensuring the program runs according to plan and that assigned roles are performed correctly, a director's skill is also demonstrated in exploring new ideas and creating emotionally resonant moments within the program. Constantly innovating prevents reality TV shows from becoming mechanically formulaic, always seeking out new elements, interesting characters, and captivating stories… so that each program, upon its conclusion, leaves a lasting impression on the audience.

Pressure forges character.

The pressure of journalism is immense; only those with enough love and passion can stay in it long-term. The same applies to live television programs; it's difficult to list all the pressures behind the scenes. These pressures aren't just present before airtime or during the tense broadcast minutes, but sometimes they persist long after the lights are out. These are pressures viewers rarely see behind the screen, but they are precisely what forges the character, sense of responsibility, and pride of those in the profession.

On average, Quang Tri Newspaper and Radio-Television produces about two large-scale live broadcast programs each month, along with dozens of programs at the agency's studio. In August 2025, right after the province's merger, amidst the hustle and bustle of the initial days of consolidating the four media agencies, our team was assigned to produce four live television programs within just 15 days: "Poems that Shape the Nation," "English Mastery Finals - Mastering English," "Traditional Boat Racing Festival on Kien Giang River," and "Quang Tri: Convergence and Radiance." We called it "a brilliant autumn."

Each program has its own unique mark, from the overwhelming emotions of the English Mastery final night after five months of accompanying the contestants, to the breathtaking pressure of the rowing competition with 14 broadcast points spread across a 24km course. It also includes the feeling of producing a live broadcast for the first time in a remote province, or the pride of performing an art program celebrating National Day on September 2nd amidst the vibrant atmosphere of Independence Day.

Looking back on that time, what remains is not only the tension and pressure of those days racing against time, but also the very special happiness of those who were able to fully dedicate themselves to their profession.

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The mark left by special programs

“Springtime at the Border Guard, Warming the Hearts of the Local People” is a program initiated by the Border Guard Command of Quang Binh province (now the Border Guard Command under the Military Command of Quang Tri province) in coordination with Quang Binh Radio and Television Station (now Quang Tri Newspaper and Radio and Television Station). As the director of the first program, for me, “Springtime at the Border Guard, Warming the Hearts of the Local People” in 2024 is the most special program.

The preparation time for this program, from scriptwriting and reporting to production organization, was only 10 days. However, the biggest challenge came on the very day of the broadcast. According to the plan, the program was scheduled to air live at 8:10 PM.

However, while the entire crew was having dinner, they suddenly received an announcement from the Organizing Committee: The Central Delegation's schedule had changed, and the program had to air at 6 PM. Everyone had to put down their bowls of rice. They immediately plunged back into work. Just a few dozen minutes later, the familiar command rang out again: "5, 4, 3, 2, 1... start!"

Despite last-minute changes, the program was a resounding success. In particular, the story of the children rescued by the Border Guard from the barbaric custom of "burying their mothers with their children" created poignant moments. Returning to the program, these children had become students and teachers, young people bringing knowledge back to build their homeland. Through the camera work, these moments of audience emotion became an invaluable reward for our team.

Held only once a year in a border village at the end of the year, and with the program format remaining largely unchanged, creating something new is always a challenge for the team. How can the program retain its familiar essence while each season brings new stories and emotions, ensuring that the journey of connecting love from the border regions to the audience is always fresh and moving?

Nevertheless, no matter how much we innovate, we still retain the images that have become the soul of the program: the stilt house in the border village, the pot of sticky rice cakes cooked right on the stage, and the poignant melodies of "Borderland Afternoon" and "Cha Lo Night" echoing in the chilly weather of the year-end. It is these simple things that create the unique identity of the "Border Guard Spring - Warming the Hearts of the Villagers" program.

Maintain your passion for the profession.

Journalism is a profession with no days off. This seems even truer for those who work in live television broadcasting.

Many times, due to our duties, we had to miss special family occasions. I still remember a colleague asking her family to hold the memorial service for a loved one a day earlier so she could join the crew on a program. She smiled gently and said, "If we live with a good heart, our ancestors will understand and bless us."

That simple statement stuck with me because it partly reflected the silent sacrifices of those in this profession. Then, the short naps, the hurried meals eaten next to the mobile television van, the early morning phone calls discussing work—these became familiar images in our lives.

Despite the hardships, what keeps us in this profession isn't just the responsibility. It's also the joy after each successful program; the messages, phone calls, and emotional comments from viewers even while the show is airing. Some programs end long ago, but their impact lingers for days afterward, becoming the motivation for us to continue on a new journey.

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Most importantly, it's the camaraderie. Before going on air, we might have heated, tense debates about every little detail of the script or the organizational plan. But when the show ends, all the pressure seems to vanish. All that remains are relieved smiles, warm handshakes, and shared joy. Because everyone understands that behind a successful program, it's never the mark of a single individual, but the result of a collective effort that always trusts, supports, and is ready to help each other through the most difficult times.

June has arrived again. While journalists joyfully celebrate Vietnam's Revolutionary Press Day, the work cycle for those working in live television continues. Meetings, field trips, late-night script revisions, and new programs await. This work is always accompanied by a full range of emotions: excitement, anxiety, pressure, happiness, and even regret. But perhaps it is precisely these things that make us love our profession even more, appreciate our colleagues more, and always be ready to hit the road whenever a new assignment comes our way.

Then, on some stage, in a film studio, or in a remote village on the border of our country, the familiar countdown will resound: "5, 4, 3, 2, 1... begin!"

Dieu Minh

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202606/5-4-3-2-1-bat-dau-7b11421/