Pre-Production Multimedia Broadcast

Or, because there is a story to be told? When you are tasked with creating a video for a website or a broadcast, why are you creating it? Because it was fun? Because your teacher said so? Or, because there is a story to be told?

Be a StorytellerPart 1

Who has a story to tell? (volunteer) Let’s start with what you did last weekend. Who has a story to tell? (volunteer)

Was this story newsworthy to the class? For those who did not volunteer to tell their story, what can you tell us about your classmate’s weekend? Did the story have a beginning? Did the story have a middle? Did the story have a end? Who were the main people involved? Where did the story take place? When specifically did the story take place? Was this story newsworthy to the class?

What was that they said again? Did you catch all of the important details? If not, you need to learn to pay attention to the details now. Whether with a pencil and paper, or through electronic means, keep notes! What if you had to go back and create a story based off an informal interview with a subject who did not want to be on camera? What was that they said again?

In groups of 2-3, come up with another story about something one of your group members has done recently. Chose one member of the group to present the story, be sure to get the important details: How did this story begin? Does the story have a middle or conflict? How did the story end? Who were the main people involved? What made this story newsworthy or worth telling? Where did the story take place? When specifically did the story take place?

When other groups are telling their story, each person should keep brief notes. Don’t try to write everything down, most interviewees will speak quickly and not want to repeat themselves. Ex: “This past Saturday, John and I went to the local coffee shop where we drank coffee and studied for our upcoming history quiz.” Notes: Sat., John, Amy, coffeehouse, studies history Let’s try that again

Put it into action Each group should present its story. How different are the notes of your group members? From the class? Put it into action

Be a StorytellerPart 2

The Purpose of the Project Why are we doing this?

What makes your story newsworthy? You have heard examples of simple or not so simple stories from your classmates. Some of them might have been newsworthy for your school’s broadcast. Some of them might have been newsworthy for the local media. Now you will be tasked with planning out a news story before it happens. What makes your story newsworthy?

Best doesn’t always mean the first five you think of. In your small groups, create a list of five events that might be considered newsworthy coming up at your school. When your group has their best five, write them on the board. Best doesn’t always mean the first five you think of.

Try to think of the harder to find stories Examples could include: Upcoming school deadlines Upcoming after-school events Upcoming sporting events Many other things Try to think of the harder to find stories

What would be most important to viewers? Once all groups have listed their top five, let’s discuss as a class to come up with the five most newsworthy stories that your broadcast should cover. What would be most important to viewers?

Getting a plan together Let’s look at your top news story. What is the purpose of this story? Who needs to know? Why do they need to know? Where is it taking place? Who is the target audience of the finished piece? Getting a plan together

Many newsrooms ask their reporters to submit project proposals before committing many different staff members to work on a project. Project proposals allow news directors to take a snapshot look at what your plan would be once you were on the scene. Project proposals are also used in creative ventures inside the multimedia field. The Project Proposal

Use the information that you have (as of now) to submit a project proposal to the news director. What is the title of your project? What is the purpose of your project? How long will your proposed story be? Who will you need to interview for this story? What is the essential information? (aside from information you may learn during interviews) Where is the location of the story? Do you need special permission to film in this place? How long do you estimate you will need to film? How long do you estimate you will need to edit the story? When does the story need to air by to be relevant?

Be a StorytellerPart 3

Outlining a Story/ Interview Let’s assume that your project proposal has been approved by your news director. Your next step is to create an outline for your news story or interview. Outlining a Story/ Interview

Outlining a Story/ Interview An outline should be a functional document that guides you through the production process. What are the main points? Where does this story start? Who are the key players? How will this story likely end? What do we need to make sure we acquire footage of? See video on next slide Outlining a Story/ Interview

Outlining a Story/ Interview Outlining an interview An outline should be a functional document that guides you through the production process Who do we need to interview? What are the three questions we must have answered? Are there any possible follow-up questions that you think you need to ask? What do we need to make sure we acquire footage of? Outlining a Story/ Interview

Scheduling is as important of any step in the pre-production process. Because your story will be done in school, it will be possible to schedule in person. What scheduling concepts should be kept in mind in a school setting? Final Preparations

Final Preparations Scheduling concepts: Teachers teach classes. Administrators often have busy schedules. Fellow students are in fact students, which means they are in school to attend class. School staff members are not just sitting and waiting to be interviewed. Final Preparations

Final Preparations Scheduling tips: Try to ask teachers their permission between classes. They may allow you to interview them during an actual class period. If you want to interview a students, ask them first, then get a teacher’s permission if they need to miss any period of class. If an administrator has an assistant, ask if you can make an appointment. Ask staff members to set up future interviews whenever possible. Final Preparations