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Putting the TV News Story Together

  (once assigned)

Research topic

Come up with an angle for the story

Think rough outline of story

Write interview questions (10) NO  YES OR NO Questions.

Schedule interview with subjects 

Think ahead of B roll you will need  

Think ahead and plan visuals you might need. 

Shoot the interviews/story  

While interviewing LISTEN to what your subject is saying.

Listen for strong sound bites that relate to your ANGLE

Listen for facts you may not have known

Shoot reporter reaction shots and over the shoulder

Shoot subject b-roll, exp. them walking, on the computer, shaking hands with someone etc.

Shoot Stand up, Bridge or stand up close. Make it demonstrative.

 

Once story is shot

Log the tape- WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING THAT IS SAID.

While logging LISTEN CAREFULLY TO WHAT IS SAID.

Be listening for that first sound bite for the story.

This is almost always a person who has a problem or tragedy

Write lead-in to first sound bite.
nChoose one of the six broadcast leads that best fits your story.
nHard Lead
nSoft Lead
nThrowaway Lead
nUmbrella Lead
nQuestion Lead
nSuspense Lead

Example:

LEAD: NORTH COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE WATCHING THEIR STEP THIS MORNING AS DANGER COULD BE JUST AROUND THE CORNER

SOT:MARY: THE SNAKE, I MEAN IT  WAS RIGHT THERE BEHIND THE SHED

SOT:AUTHORITY ON SNAKES: YOU BET YA,  IT IS SNAKE SEASON BY GOLLY

VO: WHILE MOST SNAKES WILL STAY CLEAR OF HUMANS THE CALIFORNIA RATTLER HAS BEEN KNOWN TO ATTACK.

SOT:AUTHORITY ON SNAKES: THAT SNAKE IS A VISCOUS ONE, IF IT SEES' YOU WATCH OUT.

SOT: MARY: I WAS NEVER SO SCARED IN MY LIFE. IT STARTED COMING AT ME. I JUST SCREAMED AND RAN.

Once you have found the first sound bite the story will write itself.

Answer who, what, where, when, why and how.

 

Start describing with more detail the five w’s and how.
nContinue to expand on the story using narration and sound bites.
nKeep it simple.
nComeback to original subject of sound bite for the end.

Remember the diamond method. 

Check to see if you have a beginning, middle and end

Craft script around the sound bites. 

Keep sound bites between 8-12 seconds. NO LONGER

Write to the video/visuals  

Re-listen to interviews for facts to use for the narration 

Put exact information into the story

Make sure the story is clear  

Be sure to Read your Reporter VO out loud to time out

Add up time of reporter VO  track and sound bite time

Remember your complete package must be the exact length assigned.   

Add visual information  

Write up Graphics Info 

Write the tag  

Get script approval  

Record the VO

 

Turn over everything to the Chief Editor

Script, All interview and b roll tapes, CG Cut Sheet, VO Tape and graphics sheet.