Chapter 9 Newsroom Production

Objectives Recognize the different story types broadcast during a newscast. Explain the elements of a package. Identify the various abbreviations used on a newscast script. Recall the workflow and responsibilities involved in a typical day in a newsroom. Explain the differences between the many different types of news stories.

Broadcast Journalism Classes Career training classes Video production Broadcast journalism Students often create news program Modeled after real-world broadcast newsrooms

Prime Directive Report news truthfully and completely with facts only Allow viewers to form their own opinions based on all facts Do not allow viewers to determine how reporter feels about any story

Airing Stories Many methods for getting stories out Fastest way is through IFB (Interrupted Feedback System) Producer feeds breaking news directly to anchor Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Types of Stories Reader VO VO-SOT SOT Sound bite Package

Reader Script Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

VO Script

VO-SOT Script

Packages Stories shot and edited prior to newscast 1 1/2 to 2 minutes long Extended package: 2-4 minutess Documentary: 6-10 minutes News package: covers hard news

Soft News Packages Also called ‘feature packages’ or ‘features’ Cover: Soft news/current events Human interest stories Personality features

The Stand-up Stand-up is story-telling tool Establishes that news team was at location If reporter takes part in story, audience feels as if they participate, too michaeljung/Shutterstock.com

Ethical Editing News media must be truthful in all stories reported Packages are edited extensively to fit TRT Edit as necessary but do not alter content or context of message

Live Shot Requires technology for field reporter to transmit live from location Conversation between field reporter and studio anchor is possible “Live” called out in graphic on screen Reporter uses standard outro to shift back to studio anchor

Newscast Scripting Uses two-column format to show changes in audio and video source Scripting software pre-formats scripts for different members of production team Newscasts can include unscripted material to fill gaps

Fully Scripted Newscast Script

Newscast Script Abbreviations

On-Air Appearance Newscaster credibility affected by: Appearance and behavior Speech (clarity/enunciation) Newscaster credibility = newscaster employability

Discussion Discuss on-air appearance Why does it matter? Should it matter? Should intended audience be taken into account? What standards should your facility have?

On-Air Sound Quality Warm up your voice! Protect your voice! Voice quality can be affected by: Caffeinated beverages Milk products Some medicines

Voiceover Sound Quality Work in a quiet, non-echoic environment to prevent “bucket sound” Read from clear 20pt font printout Avoid page turns (noise) Practice pronouncing names which should be phonetically spelled

The Newsroom Day Morning Meeting Beats report in Stories are pitched Decisions are made about rundown’s contents

Typical Rundown First Draft Hard local news Hard national news Lighter news Sports Weather Arts, entertainment, evergreen filler

Rundown A living document—not set in stone! Will change as events change or more important stories come up Everyone must be able to quickly adapt to changes to the rundown!

The Newsroom Day Reporters do research and head out to shoot stories Reporters come back in to begin writing and editing story to fit TRT Producer indicates on rundown exact length each story must be Reporters typically do at least two stories per day

The Newsroom Day (Cont.) Three shifts throughout the day: daytime, evening, and overnight Shifts end and begin as newscasts run During early evening newscast, daytime shift ends and evening shift begins During late evening newscast, evening shift ends and overnight shift begins

Media Convergence Journalism—print, Internet, and broadcast are all converging Broadcast journalists expected to post news content to station’s website Reporter must learn to write audio for TV as well as text for web—two different skills! Katyr/Shutterstock.com

Career Page SchoolJournalism.org Broadcast Journalism in High Schools Journalism training modules Tutorials, quizzes, and lessons Resources for students and instructors News on upcoming events, like conventions and workshops