Soren's attire is a far cry from typicalreporters' garb: she wore black pants, black bootsand a floppy printed blouse with floppy sleevesand rufles. (Her unprofessional appearance got herstopped by a security guard at the Astrodomeentrance; the guard gave her a special once-overwith a hand-held metal detector.)
She sits scribbling in a reporter's notebookand rehearsing her delivery of the copy she hadwritten: Hi, I'm Tabitha Soren MTV News."
Two Duke University students with a cameratraverse the passage way behind the seats, timidlyapproach and remind her that they interviewed herat the democratic convention last month. They'vehad an easier time getting around the Astrodome,they say, than they had in Madison Square Garden.
"It helps to have been to one," Soren tellsthem with a smile. "This is only my second, too."
But Soren has the routine down, expertlylifting herself into the elevated director's chairin the tiny workspace, only a few feet square. Herfeet dangle from the ends of the chair. Close by,iterns and production assistants sit cross-leggedamidst coils and wires.
Again and again, Soren recites her now nearlymemorized copy--"Thanks, Kurt. Optimism filled theAstrodome last night... "When she stumbles overthe lines, she shuts her eyes and grimaces, thenstarts over.
After a complete take--"Yesss!" Sirulnickgasped--Soren sighed, relieved. "God! Please shootme if I write something that long for tomorrow,"she said.
Tuesday brought interviews with Marvin Bush,the president's youngest son, and with Tom Brokaw,NBC anchor. The next two days would bring moreinterviews, more stand-ups, more reports.
After MTV crews finish filming each day,editors screen the tape at their hotel and edit itat a local facility, Corradina says. The spots airon MTV news each evening.
Corradina says MTV has tried to give equalattention to Democrats and Republicans. Criticismthat the music television network is giving theDemocrats more play, she says, isn't really fair."That's only because we went to the DemocraticConvention first," she says.
The Democrats have also proven more accessibleCorradina says. Democratic nominee Bill Clintonagreed to appear on an MTV forum, while PresidentBush denied a similar request.
It doesn't matter how young Americans casttheir ballots, Corradina says. She and Other MTVofficials only hope they decide to vote. And Sorenthinks they will.
"I think the turnout should be higher this timearound," Soren says. But she's not certain MTVdeserves exclusive credit: "I think it's onlytelevision when it comes down to it."
This year has seen a merger of campaigning andentertainment. As television shows skip across theline from art to public affairs and back again,they risk losing sight of their purpose andsacrificing focus.
Corradina is certain that won't happen withMTV. "We're still...music television," she says."Our lead story tonight will be on Def Leppard.