1. Editorials No first person; “we” is often used
Use lots of facts (but they are only facts if accurate)
Don’t forget the passion
Use closing graf to tie it together

3. Broadcast news

4. Broadcast news
It’s waaaaaaay different than print

5. Broadcast news It’s waaaaaaay different than print
What is “broadcast”?

6. Broadcast news It’s waaaaaaay different than print
What is “broadcast”? To make public by means of radio or television... and YouTube, podcasts, any new media to come where people watch or listen

7. What’s different?
Brevity... seriously brief

8. What’s different? Brevity... seriously brief
A typical news story on TV runs 40 seconds: four or five sentences

9. What’s different? Brevity... seriously brief
A typical news story on TV runs 40 seconds: four or five sentences
It would take 28 hours to read a copy of the Washington Post; the average half-hour local news program has fewer words than one typical newspaper page

10. But!

11. How to write for broadcast

12. How to write for broadcast
Still gotta get the facts... you are still a reporter, gather as much info as time allows

13. How to write for broadcast
Still gotta get the facts... you are still a reporter, gather as much info as time allows
Work more in collaboration than at print

14. How to write for broadcast
Still gotta get the facts... you are still a reporter, gather as much info as time allows
Work more in collaboration than at print
Fewer defined beats... cover car wreck and pet adoptions in one morning

15. How to write for broadcast
Still gotta get the facts... you are still a reporter, gather as much info as time allows
Work more in collaboration than at print
Fewer defined beats... cover car wreck and pet adoptions in one morning
Much of the news is crime and tragedies: “if it bleeds, it leads...”

16. How to write for broadcast
Still gotta get the facts... you are still a reporter, gather as much info as time allows
Work more in collaboration than at print
Fewer defined beats... cover car wreck and pet adoptions in one morning
Much of the news is crime and tragedies: “if it bleeds, it leads...”
Not going to be an expert on any subject, gotta be a super-quick learner

17. Writing for broadcast
“Think fast, boil down to basics, write as tight as you can...”

18. Writing for broadcast
“Think fast, boil down to basics, write as tight as you can...”
Use friendly, conversational tone... like, write the way, you know, you talk... dude

19. Writing for broadcast
“Think fast, boil down to basics, write as tight as you can...”
Use friendly, conversational tone... like, write the way, you know, you talk... dude
Use active voice: simple and direct

20. Writing for broadcast
“Think fast, boil down to basics, write as tight as you can...”
Use friendly, conversational tone... like, write the way, you know, you talk... dude
Use active voice: simple and direct
Inverted pyramid is out: every word counts and you need an ending

21. Writing for broadcast
“Think fast, boil down to basics, write as tight as you can...”
Use friendly, conversational tone... like, write the way, you know, you talk... dude
Use active voice: simple and direct
Inverted pyramid is out: every word counts and you need an ending
Use present tense

22. Writing for broadcast
Don’t worry about contractions

23. Writing for broadcast Don’t worry about contractions
Attribution before quotes

24. Writing for broadcast Don’t worry about contractions
Attribution before quotes
Use phonetic pronunciations

25. Writing for broadcast Don’t worry about contractions
Attribution before quotes
Use phonetic pronunciations
Avoid abbreviations and symbols

26. Writing for broadcast Don’t worry about contractions
Attribution before quotes
Use phonetic pronunciations
Avoid abbreviations and symbols
Round off numbers and spell them out

27. Radio

28. Radio
“The hours are long, the pay is low, the stress is relentless...”

29. Radio
“The hours are long, the pay is low, the stress is relentless...”
Gather lots of audio minutes to get 10 seconds

30. Radio
“The hours are long, the pay is low, the stress is relentless...”
Gather lots of audio minutes to get 10 seconds
Write strong lede, give basic facts, get to recorded audio quotes

31. Television

32. Television
It’s live! And you’re talking, without notes, directly into a camera

33. Television
It’s live! And you’re talking, without notes, directly into a camera
Images rule: “Talking head bad. Video good.”

34. Television
It’s live! And you’re talking, without notes, directly into a camera
Images rule: “Talking head bad. Video good.”
You write to the video: lead with your strongest shots

35. Television
It’s live! And you’re talking, without notes, directly into a camera
Images rule: “Talking head bad. Video good.”
You write to the video: lead with your strongest shots
Don’t overload with facts: let the pictures tell the story

36. Television
It’s live! And you’re talking, without notes, directly into a camera
Images rule: “Talking head bad. Video good.”
You write to the video: lead with your strongest shots
Don’t overload with facts: let the pictures tell the story
Engage emotions

37. Television
It’s live! And you’re talking, without notes, directly into a camera
Images rule: “Talking head bad. Video good.”
You write to the video: lead with your strongest shots
Don’t overload with facts: let the pictures tell the story
Engage emotions
Look the part

38. Interviewing on video
Have subject look at you, not at camera!

39. Interviewing on video Have subject look at you, not at camera!
Select uncluttered backdrop

40. Interviewing on video Have subject look at you, not at camera!
Select uncluttered backdrop
Maintain eye contact with subject

41. Interviewing on video Have subject look at you, not at camera!
Select uncluttered backdrop
Maintain eye contact with subject
Keep asking until you get your bite

42. Interviewing on video Have subject look at you, not at camera!
Select uncluttered backdrop
Maintain eye contact with subject
Keep asking until you get your bite
Shoot cut-aways of you listening and nodding as subject talks

43. Terms
Sound bite: recorded comment from news source

44. Terms Sound bite: recorded comment from news source
B-roll: video shot at scene used later to illustrate a sound bite or reporter’s audio track

45. Terms Sound bite: recorded comment from news source
B-roll: video shot at scene used later to illustrate a sound bite or reporter’s audio track
Stand-up: shot of a reporter at the scene talking into camera

46. Terms Sound bite: recorded comment from news source
B-roll: video shot at scene used later to illustrate a sound bite or reporter’s audio track
Stand-up: shot of a reporter at the scene talking into camera
Live shot: a stand-up shot live

47. Terms
Package: a complete story prepared by reporter usually combining sound bites, voice-overs and stand-ups

48. Terms
Package: a complete story prepared by reporter usually combining sound bites, voice-overs and stand-ups
Reader: anchor reads a script while looking at camera; often over-the-shoulder graphic (OTS) identifies topic

50. Terms
Package: a complete story prepared by reporter usually combining sound bites, voice-overs and stand-ups
Reader: anchor reads a script while looking at camera; often over-the-shoulder graphic (OTS) identifies topic
Voice-over: when the anchor speaks over video

51. Terms
Anchor intro (or lead in): The lead that introduces a reporter’s package

52. Terms
Anchor intro (or lead in): The lead that introduces a reporter’s package
Prompter: device that projects news script in front of camera so it can be read

54. Terms
Anchor intro (or lead in): The lead that introduces a reporter’s package
Prompter: device that projects news script in front of camera so it can be read
Talking heads: a person being interviewed

56. Assignment 2/25
You are a reporter for WLAF-TV Action News in Bradenton-Sarasota

57. Assignment 2/25
You are a reporter for WLAF-TV Action News in Bradenton-Sarasota
Your assignment: produce a 1-minute news story on a pet (alternative: you can do a story on a sibling)

58. Assignment 2/25
You are a reporter for WLAF-TV Action News in Bradenton-Sarasota
Your assignment: produce a 1-minute news story on a pet (alternative: you can do a story on a sibling)
Write a package script with: an opening; voice over action; interviews; and stand-up closer

59. Assignment 2/25
You are a reporter for WLAF-TV Action News in Bradenton-Sarasota
Your assignment: produce a 1-minute news story on a pet (alternative: you can do a story on a sibling)
Write a package script with: an opening; voice over action; interviews; and stand-up closer
Record it on your phone or a video camera

60. Assignment 2/25
You are a reporter for WLAF-TV Action News in Bradenton-Sarasota
Your assignment: produce a 1-minute news story on a pet (alternative: you can do a story on a sibling)
Write a script with: an opening; voice over action; interviews; and stand-up closer
Record it on a digital video camera or phone or...

61. Assignment 2/25 Transfer it to your laptop (or iPad?)
Bring your script and video to class next week so it can be shown to class

62. Assignment 2/25 Transfer it to your laptop (or iPad?)
Bring your script and video to class next week so it can be shown to class
Carefully study the scripts on p. 171 and on the links I’ll provide in web update before proceeding!!!